For our opinion of Brussels read my posting on page one of this topic dated Jan 17th 2006.

Been to Brussels twice, the last time being a long weekend last year.

It was OK, nothing to right home about, but we certainly didn't feel unsafe at any time. Our hotel wasn't far from the EU building and we did wander into the centre, but there was nothing outstanding about the place at all.

luci

Holidayrich, don't be worrying, Brussels isn't bad. There are a few sights to see, the beer & choccies are fantastic, & if you get really bored Brugges. Antwerp & Gent are all about an hours train ride away.

I love the place.

Hi Rich. You will find most of the bars & cafes have a good selection of beers, although prices will vary - basically the further out from the Grand Place the cheaper it will be - although there are always exceptions
As for things to do - you could start with a hop on, hop off bus tour around the major sights, which will help you get your bearings; Les Musees des Beaux Arts out near Ixelles are always worth a visit, and the Atomium has reopened after its refurbishment, with visiting art displays. While out there, you can visit Mini Europe, with landmarks from all over the EU in 1/12 scale, and the waterpark next door.
There is a chocolate museum on thre Grand Place, and 2 beer musuems that I know of. then there's the Comic Book museum, and the Tin Tin exhibition, not to mention the shopping on Avenue Louise, and the loads of chocolate shops, and did I mention the beer?
And you have got to treat yourselves to "Frites met" - chips with mayonnaise, yum yum!

Anything else you want to know, just ask.

Has anyone been to queen anne hotel - have booked this for 3 nights with eurostar package for december and can't find any reviews on here. There are very mixed reviews on another site most of them not good so getting worried now!! Also, are there any xmas markets on in brussels or do we have to go to bruges for one?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Hi. The Queen Anne is what I would call a Budget/tourist class hotel; the rooms are fairly small, with minimum frills, but clean, and well placed.
The Christmas market is held in the Place st Catherine throughout December - see here for details: http://www.visitbelgium.com/mediaroom/ChristmasMarkets.htm

Hi there doonhamer32, many thanks for your reply and the link, its very informative.
Just a couple more questions though, when you say well placed is it central to everything - restaurants, xmas markets, station -? And as we
are fussy with hotels and this one is a 2star will queen anne be ok then
cos have booked b+b, and can't afford a better quality hotel at the
moment?
Sorry to keep asking its just me worrying and need a quick trip away as
haven't had a holiday this year due to an accident. Are the restaurants expensive and can we get to bruges for a day easily?
Thanks again for your help

The nearest station to the Queen Anne is Brussels North (Nord/Noord); the Eurostar will arrive at Brussels South (Midi/Zuid). You can either take a taxi, or a no. 55 tram will take you about 10 mins to North station, then about 5 -10 mins to the hotel.

I would say the hotel is reasonable for the money, and I've always found the staff to be helpful & pleasant. As I said before, the rooms are small, typical Flemish city cetre hotels, really, in that respect.

Trains to Brugge run from Bussel Zuid/Midi about every half hour or so, and the journey takes about 50 minutes.

As for restaurants, like any city the prices vary widely - as a basic rule, the further from the tourist sites, the cheaper they will be, but there are always exceptions. I don't know much about eating around the Noord Station area, I usually stay over towards Ixelles when I go, although most (if not all) places will have a menu posted outside, so you can be sure before you go in. You will also see lots of stalls selling Frites - with everything almost - all of which are fairly cheap.