The Family Friendly Marriott Brussels Hotel Grand Place

October 19, 2016 Margalit Sturm Francus

Over the summer, we had the opportunity to fly to the Belgian capital of Brussels. During our visit to the city, our hotel of choice was the Marriott Brussels Hotel Grand Place, located on Rue August Orts 3-7. This property, with 220 rooms and suites, is strategically located near Old Town, the city’s Grand Place Square, and the Anspach pedestrian-only zone.

Why It Is Family Friendly

Families will certainly like the fact that this hotel is close to several unique attractions and only ten minutes from the local airport. We specifically chose the Brussel Marriott Hotel Grand Palace because the building is within walking distance of all the Old City landmarks, including the famous Rue de Buerre and the Mannekin Pis statue. The neighborhood is also home to many different, kid-friendly eateries including a McDonald’s and a Pizza Hut next door. Plenty of buses stop nearby, and the closest metro station is only a short distance away. With that said, Brussels is a walkable city and getting from the hotel to many places is usually no problem at all.

Fellow Travelers

A mix of solo travelers, families, and business people make up the clientele at this establishment. However, the week we stayed there were quite a few families because it was summer.

Our Welcome

Before arriving at the hotel, we made sure the staff knew that we needed a feather-free, quiet room. All of our requests were honored to the letter.

As Marriott Gold members, we were able to take advantage of a few benefits, and one of them was the early check-in mentioned above. This fact proved most convenient as our flight from California landed in Brussels early in the morning, and we didn’t have to wait until the usual three pm time to get into the room. The Reception desk staff were extremely friendly, polite and helpful.

As soon as we were checked in, the staff directed us to the Executive Lounge where we took a much-needed coffee and tea break after the long haul flight.

Decor

Tasteful colors such as black, white, gray, and dark blue pervade the hotel building’s public areas. However, the splashes of red or green in various spots do wonders to enliven the overall décor. Restful browns and tan hues decorated our room. Meanwhile, our bathroom contained a great deal of white marble and black accent pieces.

Our Room

We had called ahead and asked for a quiet room, and they gave us one on the 5^th floor which was in a peaceful spot.

Our spotlessly clean room was moderately sized by American standards. So, larger families should book an additional room to make sure everyone has plenty of space.

The décor of the room was simple yet tasteful with green and brown carpeting. The artwork that graced the walls depicted pictures of Brussels. The room had a comfortable king-sized bed and a desk with an ergonomic chair. We had multiple power outlets, useful for all the devices that need charging.

The room had a spacious closet with ample shelving and a convenient ironing board, as well as a chest of drawers under the TV. The closet had a safe placed at a reasonable height which was large enough to hold a laptop or tablet. The safe came with the bonus of a power source inside so travelers could charge devices while locked away.

The room was well lit, and there was a little sitting area which is useful for reading or even just taking a break to enjoy some tea or coffee from the complimentary bar section in the room.

Although the entire area, as mentioned, was exceptionally well-lit, the hotel designers didn’t neglect to give guests room darkening shades. We found the curtains to be particularly useful in combatting jet lag after a long flight.

The Bathroom

Our bathroom was just the right size for our group, elegant with a green granite counter and basin. There was a combination curtained shower/bathtub with a handheld shower attachment, useful for those traveling with children. There was also a retractable line for drying clothes provided in the tub.

The amenity kit featured Acca Kappa items, an Italian brand of cosmetics established in the 1860s, along with a hairdryer and magnifying mirror.

Executive Lounge

Access to the Executive lounge is also a Gold member privilege, although patrons can also pay a fee to upgrade their stay and have access to it. The lounge had modern décor, with high-quality food presented with a classic touch.The executive lounge was an excellent spot to sit and enjoy breakfast or a snack during the day. We additionally enjoyed the daily happy hour with appetizers that included many cheese dips and antipasto along with the country’s beers, wines, and soft drinks.

Dining

Marriott Gold members staying at the hotel get complimentary access to the breakfast buffet, which is otherwise 25 euros. Since we were in that country’s capital, naturally one of the first things we tried at the buffet were the DIY Belgian waffles.

We saw a good selection of cooked eggs in various styles, including a chef preparing individual omelets on request.

In the prepared food section, there were potatoes, mushrooms, pork sausages and bacon. There were yogurts to go along with cereals, grains, and different types of milk. The buffet also featured dried fruits, nuts, and fresh juices. The baked goods section included croissants, muffins, Danishes, bread and jams, honey, butter, and spreads. Our personal favorite station was the one with cold cuts and smoked fish – mackerel, herring, salmon, hams, and sliced cheeses.

Autism Travel Tips:

Travelers with autism requiring a quiet room should call the front desk or Marriott reservations to request one.
Ampach Boulevard, the street running in front of the hotel, was recently closed to vehicular traffic. As a result, strolling the area is a safe and pleasant pastime for even the youngest of children. Most kids will be entertained with the different free activities offered on the boulevard, such as bocce and table tennis.