Hotel Espérance (Brussels, Belgium)

This was perhaps what guests most appreciated about Esperance. It was said to be just 10 minutes walk from the Grand Place, and just steps from Rue Neuve, Brussels main pedestrianised shopping street. Guests definitely felt like they were in the heart of the city.

The Esperance is in a classic art deco building that guests say has been extensively and lovingly renovated, without losing any of its original charm. The room décor, especially, was to their liking. It seemed to them as if they really were stepping back in time, but taking all the modern conveniences with them.

It seemed as if guests couldn't say enough good things about the reception staff. While they were also described as friendly and welcoming, it was the help they offered when providing local information and recommendations that guests seemed to appreciate most.

This was undoubtedly the most common, and most serious, complaint. While described as a lovely historical building, the downside was that it contained no lift. Considering it is six stories high some guests were in for a great deal of climbing, including with their suitcases.

Though it didn't exactly attract strong negative reviews, several guests mentioned that the breakfast offered by the hotel was a bit of a lacklustre affair. The food was said to be merely OK, and the variety was lacking.

While not mentioned very often, a couple of guests did report that the sound of the nearby church bells in the morning prevented them from catching a few more minutes of quality sleep.