Safestay Brussels

“Brussels Hostel - Short Stay”

I booked a last-minute trip to Brussels while visiting London. This was the cheapest centrally located option for a short stay with okay reviews. I think the property is part hotel and part hostel. I booked a 10-bed mixed dorm for two nights and paid about $100 USD total. A bit pricey, but I did ... more

I booked a last-minute trip to Brussels while visiting London. This was the cheapest centrally located option for a short stay with okay reviews. I think the property is part hotel and part hostel. I booked a 10-bed mixed dorm for two nights and paid about $100 USD total. A bit pricey, but I did book the day before I arrived in Brussels. From Brussels Midi station, hope on the local train and get to the hostel in 15 minutes. You can also walk it in 30 minutes if you don’t have much luggage. Again, location is probably the best thing about this place. Just steps away from the main square, dining, delirium village, and some souvenir shops. The local train is an 8-minute walk. Brussels isn’t that big to begin with, but its nice to step out and find a few food spots less than a five-minute walk. Check-in was fast. You need to download an app to unlock your room. This is the first time I’ve seen a hostel with this level of sophistication. I learned they also have a key card option if needed (one girl lost her phone and had to use this). The Wi-Fi was a bit spotty and one evening the power went out and no Wi-Fi connection at all. It was tiring waiting for the only person working in the hostel (front desk guy) to try and figure out the circuit breakers. The staff is a hit or miss. The one woman with glasses and dark hair mentioned I only needed to get to Brussels Midi a half hour before takeoff and it would be fine. I followed that advice and was told I was too late and would have to rebook my train. Probably should have looked that info up and not depend on local hostel staff to steer me right. I asked to use a charger as I waited for a friend in the lobby, and she tried to sell me one. Eventually offering to let me use it since it was just for 10 minutes. Didn’t like the way they sort of nickel and dime you like that. If you want to store your luggage (generally free at any hostels I’ve stayed at around the world), they charge you for this. It also didn’t seem like it was in a secure place, and anyone could request a bag to pick up. You can rent a towel at an extra cost too. They sell basic items like toiletries, chargers, flip flops, and sunscreen at a premium. The room was clean and decent in size. It never felt cramped despite it being a 10 bed room. Seemed like most people were asleep early as many come to Brussels for short stays and want a place to sleep. If the window is open, you can hear people outside at night. Each bed has a curtain you can pull across for privacy. They have a wall of lockers in the room too. These can fit maybe a backpack, but not a roller bag. Bring your own lock for these. There is also a small lamp and plug to charge things by the bed. The room had an attached shower and toilet to share. There was also another shower and separate toilet in the hallway. I noticed there was no lock on this one, so I stuck to the one attached to our room for showers. There is no shower gel and I think the hand soap was out. So bring your own. Decent shower, but water was not very hot. Don't forget your shower shoes and a small towel to avoid having to purchase at the hostel! There is breakfast in the morning at an additional cost and the dining room is only open at that time. So, if you want hot water to make tea or want a place to socialize, you can only do this between the hours they open for breakfast. Looking at the breakfast, it didn’t look too appetizing. Canned fruit in sweet syrup, sliced coffee cakes, pre-packaged waffles and chocolate bread, cereal, yogurt, and some meat and cheese. There is a coffee machine. Not worth the price to me. Plenty of cafes outside of the hostel. Overall, a decent stay for two nights as I spent most of my day out. The beds were comfy, but they could make other improvements such as stronger internet, add a lock to the main restroom/shower, stop charging for luggage storage, ensure there is soap or hand sanitizer in every bathroom, open up the breakfast area for people to socialize. Sometimes people make friends at hostels and want to socialize, but not necessarily be outside. There is nowhere to sit other than the breakfast area, which is locked after breakfast.

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“A place to sleep”

Very good location at a very friendly price. The bed was comfortable, the staff kind and the experience minimalistic. I was surprised at the spacious shower, and the cleanliness was quite decent compared to what was given.