Hotel Review: Marriott Brussels Grand Place

Overview of the Marriott Brussels Grand Place

The Marriott Brussels Grand Place Hotel has 221 guest rooms and is considered a luxury and upscale hotel. The hotel is located on a bustling and busy street, with interiors that are contemporary and elegant.

Everyone enjoys the glass revolving doors, which seem to transport you from the hotel lobby straight into the heart of Brussels. The lobby is spacious and uncluttered; you’ll relax from the moment you walk in. Plus, the large windows offer plenty of natural lighting, and the white-tiled floors will add a sense of space.

While there isn’t much furniture in the lobby, you will notice an olive-green décor with sofas around a coffee table and a few armchairs.

From the moment I walked in, I felt the hotel was focused more on business people, though it would accommodate couples and single people on vacations. I didn’t get a very kid-friendly vibe, nor did I see many children during my stay.

Overall, the Marriott Brussels Grand Place is close to all the main attractions and on a busy street. You’re in the heart of the city, and it’s tough to beat the location.

How I Booked the Marriott Brussels Grand Place

I booked a Deluxe Guest Room, 1 King with a free night certificate valid for hotels costing up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points from one of my Marriott credit cards because the hotel was charging 32,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for the night we wanted to stay. This hotel almost always costs over $180 per night, even in the off-season, with points rates typically in the range of 35,000 to 55,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

The cash rates tend to go up by about $100 per night during high season, but the points rates don’t vary as much. That means that you’ll get an extra good deal by using your Bonvoy points or a certificate in the summer.

Marriott points can be earned with the following credit cards and many of the cards offer certificates valid for a complimentary night costing anywhere from 35,000 points to 85,000 points:

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (see rates & fees)
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (see rates & fees)

Marriott allows you to top up the value of your certificate with up to 15,000 additional Marriott Bonvoy points from your account, so even if you only have a certificate worth up to 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you can still stay at this hotel most nights by making use of the top up.

Marriott Brussels Grand Place Location

You will find the Marriott Brussels Grand Place in the city’s center on a popular street opposite La Bourse, which is the city’s stock exchange. Likewise, there are plenty of high-end designer shops in the area.

In fact, this area is an experimental pedestrian space. There are tons of restaurants and cafés available within walking distance. You should also note it’s close to the Place Saint Gery, which is most known for its nightlife.

Of course, the hotel’s namesake, the Grand Place, is also close by and is worth visiting during both day and night.

Best Parts of the Marriott Brussels Grand Place

There were many things to enjoy about this hotel, and I’ve included a list of the top three below:

• Free WiFi – Many people use their smartphone data when traveling, but it’s nice to use the hotel’s WiFi when you want to look up local attractions and backup all of your photos from the day of exploring. The WiFi was relatively fast and stable.
• Close to Main Attractions – The Marriott Brussels Grand Place Hotel is located on a busy street, so you’re close to all the attractions and plenty of food options. Your options include the Bourse Stock Exchange, Grand Place, Place Saint Gery, Manneken Pis, Central Station, the Rue Neuve Street for shopping and much more.
• Beautiful Rooms and Friendly Staff – The rooms are pleasant without being overbearing or swanky. Plus, many of them feature city views. You’ll also feel like you’re at home with the staff. They’re friendly and go above and beyond to make your stay a happy one.

Marriott Brussels Grand Place Drawbacks

As with everything in life, there were a few drawbacks to staying at the Marriott Brussels Grand Place Hotel. I’ll point them out now:

• Excessive Outside Noise – You’re on a busy street, so you’ll definitely be dealing with crowds when you leave the hotel. I also noticed some noise penetrating through my windows while I tried to sleep; my room faced the street. Though it wasn’t the end of the world, it might be upsetting to some people.
• Parts of Room Have Seen Better Days – The hotel could definitely use some TLC. The most noticeable problem I found was the nearly detached bathroom door handle in my room.
• Not Enough Light from Porthole Window in Room – Our room only had a small porthole window; it almost felt like we were on a cruise ship. The window didn’t let enough light in so our room felt too dark during the day.

Getting to the Marriott Brussels Grand Place

I went straight to the Marriott Brussels Grand Place from the Brussels Central Station where we had arrived by train. It was about a 10-minute walk. (a taxi ride takes about the same time since it’s such a busy area).

For those flying into Brussels Airport, your best bet is to take the train which involves a 10-minute walk from Brussels-Centraal and about 30 minutes on a train. A taxi is also an option but will cost quite a bit more and take about the same amount of time.

Check-In

You’ll walk in through revolving glass doors and head to the desk for check-in. The check-in process was easy, and the attending lady at the front desk looked up my name to see I was in a Deluxe Guest Room with a king bed. It offered 291 square feet of space, complete with plenty of modern amenities.

My Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Status was mentioned and I was told that I would be provided with complimentary breakfast. Unfortunately, the hotel was full and no upgrades were available. Despite that setback, I was given a room with a good view (though it was hard to fully appreciate it through the tiny windows).

The Room at Marriott Brussels Grand Place

When you walk into the room, you’re met with deep wood flooring and paneling on parts of the wall. The area with the bed featured a patterned wallpaper, and the entire space was warm and cozy.

Overall, I liked the design of the room and was happy to see the desk and the couch. The biggest downside was the small porthole window. While the view outside was nice, it was so small and difficult to look out of that I didn’t feel that I could appreciate the view as much (or as often) as I would have liked.

The outlets were easy to find beside the bed. There were two end tables on either side, and the outlets were right above them. The room also contained a mini fridge, coffee/tea maker, television, regular telephone, in-room safe, iron/ironing board, air conditioning and hairdryer.

Half of the bathroom wall was made of marble tiles and the bathroom also had a sink with tissues, facecloths and toiletries. There was a standalone shower with a hand-held showerhead but no tub. I always love a good bath and nice hotels are usually the best opportunity I have to get one, but I felt that the shower system was perfect for my needs for the one night we were here.

The shower contained refillable bottles for soap, shampoo and conditioner. Some people might not like that, and truth be told I also love when I can take a small bottle of amenities when I like them, but it’s part of Marriott’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint.

Food and Drink

The Marriott Brussels Grand Place has one restaurant onsite. It’s called Rotisse. You’ll find it on the main floor, and it features a warm atmosphere and classic Belgian cuisine.

Guests with Bonvoy Platinum Status or higher should be offered complimentary breakfast which is also served at the restaurant. There were a lot of options, including Belgian waffles, so nearly anyone should be able to find something that suits their breakfast palette.

If you’re like me, you wish to dine outside the hotel, and there are many options available. Some highlights include:

• Noordzee – Mer Du Nord – This is a seafood restaurant with a casual dress code.
• Francois – The French restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and requires a casual dress code, as well.
• Aux Armes de Bruxelles – This Belgian restaurant offers a terrace option and is open for dinner and lunch.
• Chez Jacques – This French restaurant primarily serves fish dishes for dinner and lunch.

Amenities

There are a few amenities at this hotel, though they aren’t as plentiful as others. Here, you’ll find:

• Onsite Restaurant – This is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Though it’s a Belgian place, it does serve many American-style options, such as seafood and steaks.
• 24/7 Room Service – You can get food sent to your hotel room anytime.
• Executive Lounge – If you stay in a Suite or Club Room, you have free access to the executive lounge. We visited the lounge for evening snacks and drinks on the night of our stay.  Overall, the offerings weren’t as extensive as other hotel lounges we’ve had access to this year.
• Fitness Center – There is a small but adequate fitness center available for all guests to use… if you can find it. It features treadmills, strength equipment, free weights, exercise bikes, elliptical machines and more. Likewise, you’ll get free water and towels while using the facilities. I’m not sure if the fitness center was open during our stay because we never found it, and we didn’t care enough to ask for directions.

Apart from the special amenities, you also have access to things like:

• Wake-up service
• Express check-in/out
• Currency exchanges
• 24-hour front desk
• Concierge
• Baggage storage
• Business facilities

Marriott Brussels Grand Place Family Friendliness

Directly on the Marriott hotel’s website, you’ll see a space for child policies. Children are welcome, but if they’re over 13 years old, they’re considered adults. You’ll need to know that when you book occupancy for your room. There are no extra cots/beds or cribs available on the property.

Overall, I would say this isn’t a kid-friendly hotel. Though the staff won’t turn you away, there simply isn’t much to do as a child. There’s no pool or kid-friendly activities.

Still, you might not worry about it because of the many things to do and attractions to see in Brussels. Many parents choose a more adult-friendly option for them to relax while the kids watch TV. Then, they leave bright and early to see the sights. If that’s what you like, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Final Thoughts on the Marriott Brussels Grand Place

You’ll find the upscale Marriott Brussels Grand Place Hotel right in front of the Brussels Stock Exchange. It’s within walking distance of public transportation and many tourist attractions.

The hotel offers 221 guest rooms and has many amenities within the rooms. However, the hotel amenities aren’t as grand as other accommodations. For example, there’s no pool, and the hotel could use some TLC.

Regardless, it’s touted more as a place for business people because it features a business center and meeting rooms. Couples might also find it quiet and relaxing, and vacationers who plan to get out and see Brussels will love the location. Though it’s not necessarily family-friendly, kids of all ages are welcome here.