Middelkerke Beach

Once we got a room that had been cleaned by housekeeping (a bin full of used baby nappies is not the best start!), our upgraded room was lovely and comfortable. We had a great view of the rooftops and an easy walk to bars and restaurants. The bar downstairs is lively if that’s what you’re after, but you can’t hear it on upper floors. Breakfast was above par 👍 We were travelling by car and initially parked in the car park below. It has a branded elevator to the hotel from the bottom floor and seemed secure enough; however the receptionist stressed that the car park and hotel are in no way affiliated. We googled the car park and found many, many photos of smashed windows and vandalised cars. We moved our car immediately at 11pm. Alarmingly, there was no security from the hotel elevator, in the busy bar, down and out to the car park. So whilst the car park might feel secure at the vehicular entry, literally anyone can get down there from the hotel lobby. This stress and the fumbled check in jaded our stay sadly.

Seemed like a safe section of Brussels, and was very easy to get on the metro line (less than a block) that went directly into the museum/historic district.

Quiet location on the edge of old town