Hotel Leo Station et Annexes

The location is great, close to shopping, restaurants, and things to do in Bastogne, and for the price it was a great place to stay. Finding it was a little confusing, though. Google Maps took me to the building, then I was sent to another one a few doors down for reception. The host checked me in and walked me around the corner to my room. There are no elevators, by the way. Parking is available but limited and awkward to access. I parked across the street at MacAuliffe square, where overnight parking was free, but you need to pay at the kiosk during business hours. The room was old but fine for my one night. Unfortunately, the wifi didn't work.

The breakfast was very good, and the woman in charge was the only person who was truly kind. That's why I settled on 3 stars, after debating between 2 and 3. I definitely wouldn't give 4 or 5. The hotel should improve its service and make the difference between the hotel and annex building clearer. We ended up asking reception for a different room because the first one wasn't what we needed. The receptionist helped us move to another building, and that room was completely different. He said this happens often, with many guests changing buildings and rooms for the same reason, so be careful when booking. The website photos didn't match what we found, and it should explain that there are two completely different buildings. We had to climb four flights of stairs because there was no elevator. The room we'd originally booked looked like it hadn't been maintained since 1983. When my husband tried to adjust the temperature, the little control panel came right off the wall. The hair dryer barely worked, and the humidity smell was very strong. I understand English isn't the main language in this area, but hotel staff should know at least basic English. We speak Spanish and English, and that would have helped. The housekeeper assigned to our room was extremely rude. After she'd finished cleaning, the floor was still wet, so I asked in English if we could go in. She said "no English" and started speaking French. I told her politely that I hadn't understood and asked if she spoke English or Spanish. She shrugged dismissively and practically ignored me. When I asked again, she kept speaking French.

The rooms are nice and the hotel is clean, but my wife had to ask for a room change because there are two buildings and they don't make that clear when booking. The waiter, host, and receptionist who checked us in was the only helpful staff member. If you don't speak fluent French, the others look down on you. One employee was incredibly rude to my wife when she asked a simple question. That's ironic given what Bastogne is famous for around the world. We'll visit Bastogne again, but stay somewhere else.

The room gave us the perfect view of the pat'light parade. Afterwards, a concert went on until 2.30 am, but oddly enough it wasn't too bad. We were worn out from hours of driving when we arrived that afternoon, and the big parking lot across the hotel was closed for a concert, which didn't help our mood. A lovely room and a walk around Bastogne soon turned things around. We had dinner at the adjoining Brasserie. It was busy, with an open kitchen, and the lobster pasta and T-bone steak were divine. We were too full for dessert, so finished with cocktails. Breakfast was on a floating story just above the Brasserie, with lots of breads and rolls, hot breakfast dishes, cold cuts, fresh cut fruit, orange juice you could squeeze yourself, plus sweet tarts and pastries. Turns out there's a big parking lot behind the hotel, too. Definitely a place I'd visit again.