MEININGER Hotel Brussel City Center

I loved staying here and would do it again. My female dorm bed was really affordable, and came with its own charger plug, little light and locker. Bring your own lock, and note that towels aren't provided. You share the bathroom and shower, and my roommates for the night were all respectful. The lobby has a great vibe, and the staff are lovely and very helpful with questions. It was easy to find my room and everything else. The key card system for the building, elevators and rooms made me feel very safe inside. Outside, the area feels pretty dodgy, just kind of meh, but it felt super safe indoors.

The family room had everything we needed. Two single beds were pushed together, though there was still a little gap and each had its own duvet; they were comfortable anyway. There were also four bunk beds arranged in an L, six lockers that need your own padlock, a separate toilet, a sink and a spacious shower with plenty of hot water. There wasn't much room outside the shower, and the TV and table were both tiny. The Meininger sits by the old canal, near some good coffee shops and a decent supermarket. Grand Place and other sights are about a 10-15 minute walk away. We felt safe in the area and on the walk into town, even late at night. Check-in was quick, and the staff were great. We used the well-equipped shared kitchen, though not the bar. I did hear about food being taken from the communal fridge, but that seems like a risk of shared hostel-style accommodation rather than the hotel's fault. The bar looked fine. It's a hostel-style hotel with dorms as well as family rooms. I can't comment on the dorms since we didn't use them. The hotel also makes a point of its energy efficiency, with recycling bins and information about the passive building needing very little heating or cooling. We'd recommend the Meininger.

Laura was especially kind and accommodating, and the rest of the staff were friendly too. The dorm was one of the best I've stayed in: really clean, with nice rooms and comfortable beds. Can't wait to come back.

We had no complaints during our four-night stay. The room was spacious, modern, and excellent, and the staff were friendly and helpful. There's a bar and a game room with fun activities. I especially recommend karaoke. It seems like a great fit for young people.