Ooostel2.be Zaventem

I come to Brussels three or four times a year, and this is my usual place to stay. The nearby train station is a five-minute walk and gets you to central Brussels in about 20 minutes for 3 euros. Ooostel Zaventem is unattended, with easy self check-in, but cleaning staff are there each morning and are happy to bring an extra towel or help with anything else. The owners and operators are very helpful, accommodating, and quick to respond. For a solo guest, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, with a kitchenette, bathroom, and a comfortable single bed. There’s an Albert Heijn just down the block for picking up something simple to cook. It’s a great option if you want to be close to the airport.

Good price, and handy if you need to get to or from the airport late at night. Trains and buses are close by.

I stayed at both Ooostel locations, Zaventem and Leuven, and had a very disappointing experience with the rooms and technical upkeep. The water pressure was weak and the temperature kept changing, and the shower and bathroom fittings felt low quality. Heating or air conditioning was broken or difficult to adjust, while ventilation was poor or not working at all, leaving the rooms stuffy. Some lights and power outlets also didn’t work properly. It didn’t feel as though anyone was regularly checking the rooms or doing technical maintenance or housekeeping. For short business trips or brief stays, I expected basic comfort and reliable equipment, but neither location provided that. I wouldn’t recommend staying unless you inspect the room first or management makes major improvements.

A door was broken and reported early in our stay, but the maintenance issue was never fixed. We’d had a long-term booking because of work delays, and had kept communication with the manager respectful and professional. Near the end of the stay, the manager’s messages became noticeably informal and inappropriate. We emailed to ask for an extension and got no reply. The next day, we were abruptly told the room was no longer available, with no earlier explanation or coordination. When I raised the problem, the manager didn’t explain or address it, but sent personal insults and even wished harm on me. That was completely unacceptable and unprofessional for someone in hospitality. The experience seriously damaged my trust, and I can’t recommend this place for a long-term business stay.