Page 262 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

260  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

Tourist and traveller accommodation in hotels, where location is more important
Belgium and Luxembourg is extremely well than style; plenty of small, luxurious, family-
organized. High professional standards run townhouse hotels, designed to pamper
abound, from the top five-star and boutique guests; and also a growing set of delightful
hotels to budget options and bed-and- rural bed-and-breakfasts, full of rustic
breakfast stays. There are a number of charm. With a little research, most travellers
competitively-priced, efficient business will find that they are spoilt for choice.

similarly, has the brands Christmas, New Year, as well
Express, Crowne Plaza and as Easter and other holiday
Holiday Inn. weekends. The high season is
There are also numerous over the summer holidays, from
individual hotels, often taking early July to the end of August.
pride in being family-run, and
paying attention to service.
Taxes and Charges
Room taxes and sales taxes are
Hotel Gradings usually included in the cost of
Hotels in Belgium and a room, so the price quoted
Luxembourg are judged should be the total. In the
accord ing to Benelux centre of busy cities, there may
standards, and the regional be a charge for using the hotel
licensing authority issues a car park.
blue permit shield bearing the
number of stars (one to five)
that a hotel has been awarded. How to Book
Waiting area of Martin’s Klooster (see p268), The star system rates hotels Rooms are available in Belgium
a top-range hotel in Leuven according to their facilities, the and Luxembourg at most times
quality of their welcome and of the year, but you should
Hotels helpfulness of the staff, the book in advance to ensure that
There are hotels to satisfy every decor, the tranquillity of the you get the place you want.
taste, from individual historic rooms and even the price. While you can usually book
homes to sleek, top-notch However, membership to this directly with hotels, either on
international establishments, scheme is voluntary and there their websites or over the phone,
with every facility imaginable may be top-range hotels that the most efficient way to book a
and prices to match. Hotels are not graded. In general, one- room is by using the services
are closely regulated to meet and two-star hotels are basic. offered by Internet booking
high industry standards. websites such as Booking.com
At the upper end, there are and Hotels.com; all offer instant
a number of familiar chains Room Rates online bookings, often at rates
such as Conrad Hilton, Hotels at the top end of the far below those quoted by the
Marriott and Radisson. Many scale offer high standards of
good, mid-range hotels are comfort as well as convenience
affiliated to the Best Western and their prices reflect this –
group. The group Logis de rates in excess of €350 per
France, specializing in night for a double room are
comfortable country hotels, not unusual. In larger cities,
crosses the border with its they are designed primarily for
selection of Logis in Belgium corporate clients, which means
and Luxembourg. The Accor that during weekends and
Group has hotels at every price holiday periods, rates can be
level, from the basic Formule 1 attractive. Moderately priced
chain (offering out-of-centre hotels charge between €100
rooms with shared bathroom and €150 per night, while bed-
facilities), to Etap, Ibis, Mercure, and-breakfast prices are usually
Novotel and the very chic between €50 and €100. Rates
Sofitel chain at the top. All are vary according to the season.
efficient, clean and offer good In general, the low season
value for money. The extends from November to A visitor at the reservation desk of Hotel De
InterContinental hotels group, March, with exceptions during Orangerie (see p267), Bruges
Exterior of restaurant Amadeus, well-known for its spare ribs

260-261_EW_Belgium.indd 260 18/10/16 3:03 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm