Value Stay Residence Mechelen

The location is great, check-in was easy, and the staff are friendly. But the room was a bit dusty, and plumbing noise from the kitchen and bathroom went on all night. There weren't many outlets, so I had to unplug a lamp to charge my phone. There were two large desks and chairs, which was nice, but nowhere nearby to plug in a charger. The curtains weren't the same length, so sunlight came in at the bottom of one side of the window. I could also hear the neighbors and people in the corridors easily.

The photos don't show what the apartments are really like. We rented three units and all had lots of ants. One floor was sticky, and a dining table in another apartment was dirty. One unit was replaced and the others were cleaned, but the ants came back soon afterward. We complained several times and asked to change apartments or location, or get a refund, but no one replied for days. I had to leave on a business trip, and when I followed up later, they offered only a small voucher. I felt completely disrespected and ignored. I definitely won't return.

I'm still staying here and hope they fix some of these problems, because the place could be much better with stronger management, proper maintenance, and more consistent enforcement of the rules. So far, it hasn't improved, and they still haven't returned the deposit they took for the extra set of keys. I first arrived to an improperly cleaned room with ants, and the shower has overflowed since day one. It seems like an installation issue with the plumbing, but it still hasn't been fixed despite my bringing it up. The bedding is worn, with visible holes and tears. The internet can go out for days, which is a real problem when you work remotely. I was told nobody had noticed it, but my employer certainly noticed when I missed deadlines. There's a no-smoking policy for balconies, but it isn't enforced. With no air conditioning, opening a window to cool the room brings in cigarette smoke from other guests, both inside and outside. Posted quiet hours, 22:00 to 6:00, are often ignored too. The place is advertised as budget-friendly, but it doesn't feel like good value right now. Parking costs €15 a day and laundry €5 an hour, which adds up for a longer stay. I'll happily update my rating if things improve.

There was hardly any lighting, just one bulb in the room and none in the kitchen, and the bathroom had no electricity. The coffee machine didn't work either. The room wasn't clean, and the stay was uncomfortable and disappointing. I wouldn't recommend this hotel based on my experience.