Hotel le Dixseptieme - Brussels, Belgium 

Thick skin required.
Posted: Wed, Jul 02 2008
We booked this hotel based on trip advisor reviews. As others have said, the location is perfect (we were there for tourism only), the room we had in the old wing was just fine, and the cost was reasonable. Our experience was consistent with other reviews with one exception – the staff. We travel a lot, but have never run into a front desk person with less enthusiasm than the guy who greeted us on our arrival. We don’t expect welcome banners and fireworks, but we also don’t expect our check-in to seem to be an imposition. He muttered directions to the elevator and our room, which can be confusing in these older buildings, and a less-than-half-hearted offer for help with our bags, which we ended up lugging up the stairs ourselves. That all would have been sufferable under normal circumstances and maybe not even have warranted a comment. But the most egregious behavior came from his nighttime replacement. We had a very early train departure and when I asked if I could settle our account the evening before, was told that the bill would not be ready until 2 am and not to come down then. I returned a bit after 6 am. There was no one at the desk, and I suspect he was sleeping somewhere when I buzzed. He was absolutely surely, and even raised his voice to me, because I could not remember the name of the Belgium artist after whom our room was named, although he also had an alphabetical list of guests that he reluctantly consulted. I was absolutely stunned. I could imagine him saying, “Oh, that’s ok, we have a list of room names here.” But no, he was just nasty and yelled at me. And, finally, when we came down with our luggage around 6:30 am to leave, the iron gate at the front door of the building was padlocked! We had to rouse the gentleman again to let us out. The padlocked entrance is a disaster waiting to happen. Anyway, it was a pretty bizarre staff experience overall. Someone ought to remind the staff that making people feel welcome and appreciated is a good thing in the hospitality business.

Great location but pity about our room
Posted: Thu, May 15 2008
Booked on line as we had Eurostar tickets for a specific date. Got a great deal price wise but a compromised room. Having read all the reviews I guess I had my expectations raised, but sadly we we located in a ground floor room in the new part on the right. It was a bit on the pokey side and the bathroom was very small, with no ventilation or extractor. Two people at a time a veritable squeeze. Little natural light with only one small window in the main bedroom and two twin beds pushed together. Not terribly romantic for a birthday weekend. I know the hotel was full, but be forewarned. The rest of the hotel is lovely and you are perfectly situated for the old town. I would go again but with what I know I would contact reception in advance and request a better room. Avoid the room named 'Rops'!