Best Western Hotel Royal Centre

The hotel is a popular choice for its central yet quiet location, offering a convenient base for exploring the city. Its signature feature is the balance it strikes between being within walking distance of major attractions and public transport hubs, while still providing a relatively peaceful retreat from the city's main bustling areas. This makes it an ideal fit for sightseers and tourists eager to explore Brussels on foot or via its excellent public transport network. Business travelers also find it suitable due to its proximity to European institutions and easy access to transit. The hotel is also well-regarded by couples and solo travelers seeking comfortable and clean accommodations. Guests consistently highlight the friendly and helpful staff as a major asset. However, prospective guests should be aware of ongoing renovation work, which has led to some noise and scaffolding impacting views. It is advisable to request a room away from the street if sensitive to potential noise from emergency vehicles or trams.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally find the hotel's facilities to be practical and well-maintained, enhancing their stay. Rooms are equipped with a convenient fridge, allowing guests to store beverages and snacks. A kettle with complimentary tea bags and coffee is also provided, a thoughtful touch for in-room refreshments. For security, a safe is available in each room. While free Wi-Fi is offered, some guests have reported issues with its reliability and speed, making it challenging for work or streaming. The air conditioning system is present, though a few guests noted it could be noisy or difficult to control, sometimes not cooling sufficiently. The hotel also features a bar area, but many reviews indicate it is often closed or has a very limited selection of drinks, which can be disappointing for guests hoping to relax with a beverage on-site.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives consistent praise for its cleanliness, with many guests describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained. Rooms are generally considered spacious, though some have noted a long and narrow layout. The beds are frequently highlighted as comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, although some guests mentioned that queen-sized beds are often two singles pushed together, creating a slight gap. The bathrooms are a mixed bag; while many appreciate the newly refurbished and spotless nature of some, featuring powerful walk-in showers, others found them narrow or reported issues like slippery floors in the shower/bath area and a lack of handrails, raising safety concerns. Noise is a recurring theme, with guests reporting street noise, particularly from sirens of nearby emergency vehicles and trams, which can be disruptive, especially for rooms facing the main road. Some also noted noise from cleaning staff in hallways.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback regarding the hotel's breakfast is quite varied. Many guests found the breakfast to be delicious, plentiful, and offering a good variety of options, including hot food, and appreciated the clean dining area. However, a significant number of reviews indicate that the hot food, such as eggs and bacon, was often cold. Some guests also felt the breakfast was expensive for what was offered, particularly if they had dietary intolerances or arrived when popular items like ham and cheese had run out and were not promptly refilled. The overall impression for some was that the breakfast was basic and not worth the additional cost, suggesting better value could be found at nearby cafes. The hotel does not appear to offer other significant dining options or room service, with the on-site bar often being closed or having a very limited selection.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a significant advantage, placing guests within easy walking distance of many of Brussels' main attractions, including the city center, Grand Place, and various museums. It is also conveniently located near the Cirque Royale concert venue. Excellent public transport access is a major highlight, with a metro station just a short walk away, and tram and bus stops directly outside or very close to the hotel, providing easy connections to the train station and other parts of the city. The surrounding neighborhood is described as safe and offers a variety of dining options and cafes within a few blocks. While the walk to the city center is generally pleasant, some guests noted it involves an uphill climb on cobbled streets. Parking is not available directly at the hotel, but underground options are typically found nearby.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently highlight their accommodating nature, particularly in assisting with early check-ins when possible, organizing taxis during strikes, and promptly resolving issues such as room changes due to noise or unpleasant odors. The check-in and check-out processes are generally described as smooth and efficient. Staff members are noted for being patient and attentive to guest needs, contributing significantly to a positive overall experience. Housekeeping is also commended for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and daily room servicing. The staff's willingness to go the extra mile, such as lending travel adapters or providing specific paperwork formats, is frequently appreciated, making guests feel valued and well-cared for throughout their stay.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is currently undergoing renovation work, which has been a prominent theme in recent reviews. This involves scaffolding on the exterior, which can obstruct views from windows and may lead to some construction noise during the day, though it generally does not disturb sleep. While the hotel strives to minimize disruption, the ongoing work is a notable aspect of the current guest experience. Furthermore, some guests have reported issues with the Wi-Fi connectivity, describing it as slow and unreliable, which can hinder online activities. Another minor but recurring point is the confusing lighting controls in some rooms, with numerous switches that perform different functions or are disabled, making it difficult to manage room illumination.