Villa Botanique Guesthouse

Breakfast was one of the nicest parts: everyone sits together at a communal table and swaps stories about their trips. The house is spotless and full of character, with the owner's personality all over it. The dog is huge but very gentle and leaves guests alone. Nearby bars close around midnight, so nights are quiet, and the area feels safe. I first stayed in June, came back in October, and have already booked for March 2019. I wouldn’t have planned a third visit if I weren’t happy. I’ve read some negative reviews, but they seem to be from when someone else owned the place. Under Karel’s management, those complaints don’t match my experience. Can’t wait for March.

I first planned to spend only two or three days in Belgium, since I travel the world long term and don’t usually fix my schedule. But this lovely hostel made me stay five days. They had no room available for the extra time, yet the owner looked after me and found a way for me to stay longer. He might remember me as the one who called him my Belgian second dad. It really felt like being in a Belgian home. The kitchen had everything for cooking and a range of beer glasses, and the breakfast room had a comfy sofa and a grand piano. Simple fruit, bread and cheese made a good breakfast, and I met lots of kind people there: two Americans, a Chinese guest and an Indian guest. It was easy to get to know people on the veranda, haha. Everyone was so friendly, and this sweet hostel was at the heart of it. It’s been seven months since my Belgium trip, and I still recommend staying here if you visit. The location is good too, about a 20-minute walk or 15 minutes on public transport to Grand Place, past the botanical gardens and cathedral on the way. The facilities felt perfect to me, with lovely staff who were like my mom and dad, plus an adorable puppy. What more could you want? Stay here and you’ll want to come back.

Karel made me feel like part of a family during my two nights there. He joined us at breakfast and happily helped plan the day, sharing tips like an old friend showing someone around town. The rooms were clean, beautiful and roomy, with high ceilings and lovely decor. I’d choose this place over a luxury hotel, since I never felt like just another customer. It had only been under new ownership for about a month when I wrote this. The one-star reviews are about the old guesthouse, so they don’t describe the place now. If I could give six stars, I would. Thanks for everything, Karel!

The owners are so friendly and will go out of their way to help you enjoy the city. With only around ten beds in this huge 1830s house, it’s easy to find people to head out with. There are no bunks, just regular beds, and the sheets and blankets are surprisingly quiet when you move around. The living room feels cozy, the guest kitchen is fully equipped, the bathrooms are huge, and outside there’s space with tables, couches and ping pong. A grocery store, coffee shops, metro and botanical garden are all about a three-minute walk away, while the old downtown and most famous sights are around twenty minutes on foot, so you can save on transport. I really loved staying here and recommend it to anyone visiting Brussels.