The Residence Les Ecrins

If you’re looking for an affordable room in the heart of Brussels that is equipped with all of the necessary home conveniences, the Residence Les Ecrins is a solid pick. The small value hotel appeals mostly to the budget-minded, but the property does manage to provide an intimate experience too. Double wooden doors on a narrow cobblestone road lead into the small lobby, painted white and furnished with some Tintin themed decorations and free copies of newspapers. Guests must make an appointment to check in as the front desk is not manned 24 hours a day. Hallways are clean, but lack unique design details. There is a staircase, but no elevators in the hotel.

Beside the front desk is a dimly lit breakfast room that features classic furniture, blue checkered tablecloths, wooden floors, and paintings, including a large Tintin poster. Some furnishings, though, are a bit worn.

The Residence Les Ecrins is in a prime location, with shopping, dining, and sights all in walking distance. The hotel is on a quiet road off of a busy, main street. A movie theater is five minutes away on foot. The Sainte Catherine gothic church is a one-minute walk. The subway is right across the street. The Royal Palace of Brussels is 11 minutes by subway. Avenue Louise, with designer shopping, is 32 minutes by public transportation. The Manneken Pis statue is 15 minutes away on foot. The Brussels flea market is a 10-minute cab ride. The airport is 18 minutes by car.

Modern decor, wood flooring, pops of bright colors, and flat-screen TVs fill all the rooms. Guests can choose from pet-friendly Apartments, Suites, or Budget and Comfort Rooms. Interior designs are contemporary, but some rooms lack wall decor and feel unfinished. Others have worn or rusted fixtures. Suites have living rooms, bedrooms, and high ceilings, with skylights. Only rooms on the top floors have air-conditioning. Some rooms are small and have shared bathrooms (which may surprise guests, considering the hotel website advertises every room as having "en-suite facilities"). It is worth noting that rooms with shared bathrooms do have private sinks. Modern apartments can fit up to four people, with stylish kitchens that have stainless steel appliances and mini-fridges. Apartment living rooms offer flat-screen TVs and bathrooms have shower/tub combos. 

In addition to a homey breakfast room with blue and white checkered tablecloths, the hotel also offers a charming small terrace. Colorful flowers and plants decorate the wooden-planked terrace, which has a wood fence and an exposed brick wall. Casual patio furniture is placed around the terrace for guests.