Motel One

On the outside the Motel One building looks bland, but inside this mid-range property features stylish, contemporary design that includes chocolate brown leather couches with throw pillows, Queen Anne chairs tastefully upholstered in a modern turquoise fabric, slatted wood design lamps, and the signature Motel One fireplace area with bright turquoise wingback chairs. Don't let the word "motel" in the name fool you -- this property is much trendier than one may expect from a mid-range hotel. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the open-plan lobby fill the space with lots of natural light; the light and airy feel extends to the lounge area, which features sleek hardwood floors, chocolate-hued seating, and cool, round lighting fixtures suspended from the ceiling. The lounge overlooks the large outdoor terrace, which is full of garden furniture and offers some greenery in a courtyard-like space framed by the building. Because of its proximity to both the financial district and Old City, the hotel attracts a mix of business guests and leisure tourists, maintaining a generally bustling atmosphere.

The hotel is situated on the bustling Rue Royal, a street that gets a considerable amount of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and is situated between the Old City and the business district. Many of the buildings lining the street are in the old and ornate Belgian style for which the city is famous for, and the street is mainly used for commercial office space, with a few shops and restaurants on the ground floors of the buildings. A more tourist-friendly area, which includes more eateries and bars, is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel, as is the Grand Place. The property is well serviced by public transportation, with a tram line running along the street, a half-dozen bus lines stopping within three blocks, and the city’s main train station, the Gare Centrale, a seven-minute walk away. The airport is a straight shot on the Intercity from the main train station (30 minutes).

Rooms are small but stylish, with recessed lighting and the same color scheme espoused by the rest of the hotel: brown and turquoise. Expect chocolate brown faux leather headboard panels, brown black-out drapes, and turquoise throws on top of white bedding. Modern bathrooms have large white wall tiles, walk-in rainfall showers, and brushed chrome fixtures. All rooms have king-size beds, reading lamps, flat-screen TVs, and hairdryers, though no coffee/tea facilities, mini-fridges, or minibars.

The trendy One Lounge is a stylish, open-plan space consisting of the lobby, bar, and breakfast area. A tasty breakfast is available for an added fee, and various snacks and drinks can be purchased throughout the day. The outdoor terrace adjoining the lobby lounge is full of seating, with comfortable outdoor sofas, cool wicker seating pods, and pleasant grassy areas. Wi-Fi is free throughout (though can be overwhelmed and slow during peak hours) and guests can borrow iPads free of charge.