BRXXL5 CITY CENTRE Hostel

its an average place to stay

I stay at hostels occasionally when I travel but I always book a single room, much to my surprise I was booked into a 4 bed (bunk bed) room and had to crawl up a ladder to sleep on the top bunk. I’m 66 with a bad knee but I made it. My confirmation said it was against the rules for guests over 40 to share dormitory space so I assumed I had the room to myself.

The hostel is about 10-15 minute walk from the train station but note that the roads are cobbled/uneven so it is difficult to roll the suitcases so would recommend taking a cab. The area is not that great as we did not feel comfortable walking outside at night. There are many men sitting outside the cafes and stores around the corner. We got a private room with 2 bunk beds. Overall, the room was clean and staff was friendly but there were a couple of nuances. There is only one light in the middle of the room and it is not that bright so it is hard to read things on the beds. The mattresses on the bottom bunk are a bit lower than the bed frame so have to be careful when sitting down. It was a bit hard to climb up and down from the top bunk, the bottom step is too high from the floor. The days we were there were extremely hot but there was no air conditioner or fan to use. However, there is a little yard where people can sit outside which is slightly cooler. There is also space in the lobby to eat and do work. The hostel sells bottled water which is very convenient. If we visit Brussels again, we would choose other hotels/hostels closer to the city center and in a better neighborhood.

You had to pay extra to use towels, which is ridiculous. The rooms smelled and our sheets were dirty.

the hotel is pretty clean and new. very close to the Brussels Midi train station. Not too close to city center, but I was able to walk one day I was not in a rush.