This is a faded, sad hotel. There was no doorman and only one employee at the desk during most of my stay. Forget about concierge's, a taxi line, a pool, nearby shopping. There is a nice outdoor beer garden with several pubs selling mussels two blocks away and a good breakfast place is one block away (breakfast at the hotel is 25 euros). The pay TV was broken, the desk clerk had never heard of the main exhibition/convention center or how to get there, the window display out front was smashed, I had to walk 8 blocks to the train because a taxi wouldn't come. My first room was a shoe box--I complained and got a nice room for the discounted price. I would only stay here if you wanted a nice room in a dingy hotel and could get a highly discounted price in expensive Brussels.

We spent three nights at that old palace. Quite all that has been said in other reviews is right, for the best or the worse. In brief, the hotel is old but clean, it smells of old times, rooms have been refurbished, great bathroom, great bed.
The hotel is not far from the Grand Place and city center but located in a quite unlively neighborhood (offices), almost no shops, restaurants, bars in the surrounding streets. The hotel is quite empty at all times (entrance, lobby, desk, bar), but it was August and Brussels is quite deserted at that time. Impression of a ghost hotel! No portier, you have to do the job by yourself. But when you meet an employee, they're nice and helpful.
Prices are accordingly fair: 97 euros instead of 380! If you want a nice comfy room and don't look for social life, that's a good place (at this rate!).
In such a palace, and at the official price of 380 euros, you would expect a fumoir, a place where you can smoke a cigar. Nope! You just have to go in front of the hotel or get a smokers room.

Of all the hotels I stayed while in Europe this was my favorite place. The dining area is absolutly beautiful! It is an old hotel but if you love ornate this is it! The room and bathroom was a very nice size. Very comfy. I would like to come back here again.

Purpose of trip: A good friend's wedding, which was to be held in the hotel reception rooms.

In short: Inadequte, surly service, peeling wallpaper, threadbare carpets, poor location, no tea making facilities in room, no iron in room, a battered mattress, housekeeping staff that just don't care - this is NOT a luxury hotel, and badly needs an overhaul. Do yourself a favour and look somewhere else.

In detail: We had a three night visit booked - and were unable to make it on the first night, so phoned ahead to ask the hotel to hold the room for us. The receptionist said no problem on the phone.

However, when we arrived, after a 15 minute wait to check in (there is NEVER any more than one person on reception!!) there was no room for us - 'full for the wedding'. Yes, I said, I know, we are here for the wedding , and I confirmed the booking yesterday'.

Reluctantly they gave us a twin room. (We had asked for a double room, so back to recpetion and stand in the queue 10 minutes to change a room). To a smoking room, which stank. Tried to call reception to change again - the phones don't work. Tried to call housekeeping to request an iron. No irons available.

The staff just didn't care. A 'luxury' hotel should offer good service. This hotel is incapable of doing so.