Urban Walls

The location worked well, close to the main Christmas market, with bus stops and a metro station within walking distance. It’s a lovely little apartment, though as an older couple we found the stairs challenging.

I’m making this complaint because the conditions in Room 5 raised a serious hygiene concern. During the night I woke up with multiple bites and hives. When I checked the mattress and bed frame, I saw several bed bugs. I have photos and video documenting what I found. I reported it to the hotel straight away but received no response or intervention. That left me concerned about guest safety and the risk of the infestation spreading to other rooms, other establishments, or across borders. Until the problem is properly dealt with and hygiene standards are restored, I don’t think the hotel should host guests. The hotel also accused me of making this complaint to get money. That is unfounded. My firm pays me sufficiently, and I have no need or intention to profit from this. My only aim is to spare other travelers the same unpleasant experience after the hotel failed to address the issue. Soap, water, or bleach aren’t enough to eliminate bed bugs. The problem needs specialized products and professional intervention, which, as far as I could tell, had not been done. Official Belgian guidance and the ‘Housing safety standards’ on the be.brussels website support this. I took immediate precautions to protect my home and family from possible contamination, including buying specialized products so I wouldn’t carry bed bugs back to my country or residence. I spent 111,40 euros on products to prevent and eliminate bed bugs (punaise de lit), and I have proof of purchase. Since that cost arose from the hotel’s inadequate hygiene management, I think reimbursement is reasonable. It’s a modest sum, less than one night at the hotel. The refusal to reimburse me makes me question how seriously management takes guest safety and proper sanitary conditions.

It’s in a great area, and the room is cute, but I don’t think I’d stay again. The walls are so thin that we struggled to sleep, and every time someone opened the building’s main door, our room door rattled. The toilet partition was odd too. They kept tea bags and a kettle in the bathroom, which seemed unhygienic.

I stayed here in July 2022 and absolutely loved it. The design felt original and inspiring, much more appealing than a generic hotel. The location is amazing, the price was reasonable, and this would be my choice next time I’m in Brussels.