Holiday Inn Express Brussels - Airport

We expected a basic budget stop before our flight to South Africa, but this new Holiday Inn Express at Brussels Airport exceeded our expectations. We stayed one night in January 2026, choosing it for its airport location and a price that compared well with similar hotels nearby. The room was modern, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom had everything it needed. Check-in was quick. Our flight wasn't until 6.00pm, so we asked about a late checkout and got a 2.00pm extension at no extra charge. The free breakfast was another surprise. It was plentiful, with a good range and reasonable quality, more than I'd expected from this kind of chain hotel. Staff were helpful and friendly throughout. We were very happy with our stay.

The reception service was good, and the room was clean, modern, and in perfect condition. The hotel is very close to the airport, which is handy for travelers. I couldn't find the airport shuttle at the airport, though, and ended up paying for a taxi myself. I'm happy with my stay overall.

The breakfast selection was decent, which is the only reason this gets more than one star. Otherwise, the stay was a complete failure, and I'd strongly advise people to look elsewhere. The air conditioning wasn't working in any of the hotel rooms, and nobody told us beforehand. The conditions were extremely uncomfortable. Staff offered only a credit toward a future stay, which didn't come close to addressing the problem. A hotel shouldn't keep taking bookings in those conditions without clearly telling guests. The room also felt unfinished, as if it shouldn't have been given to guests: wood paneling was missing around the door. There was a mug and coffee supplies but no kettle, boiler, or coffee maker. Staff offered another room without an upgrade, but it was late and I didn't want to pack up and move. I travel often and rarely leave reviews, but this was unacceptable on several levels. I've stayed at the nearby Hilton Garden Inn, just 5min away, and had a much more professional experience there.

The hotel is outside Brussels and close to the airport, so you could sometimes hear planes. The area was nice, and there was a beautiful courtyard, a comfortable lounge, and a welcoming reception space where we could sit and eat food from the restaurant. There was also a self-service bar open 24 hours, with a scanning machine for buying drinks and snacks and paying by card without staff. We spent four days here last year with our school and really enjoyed the stay. The rooms were clean and quiet, the beds soft and comfortable, and there was always hot water. Everything was spotless. Breakfast was good, and the staff were very kind and polite. The service was very good too.