256 TRAVELLERS’ NEEDS
HOTELS
There are hotels to satisfy
every taste, from highly indi-
vidual historic homes to sleek,
top-notch international estab-
lishments, with every facility
imaginable and prices to
match. Hotels are closely reg-
ulated to meet high industry
standards. At the upper end,
there are a number of familiar
chains such as NH Hotels,
Conrad-Hilton, Marriott and
Radisson. Many good, mid-
range hotels are affiliated to
the Best-Western group. The
group Logis de France, special-
izing in comfortable country
hotels, crosses the border
with its selection of Logis in
Belgium and Luxembourg.
The Accor Group has hotels
at every price level, from the
basic Formule 1 chain (offer-
ing out-of-centre rooms with
shared bathroom facilities), to
Etap, Ibis, Mercure, Novotel
and the very chic Sofitel chain
at the top. All are efficient,
WHERE TO STAY
clean and offer good value for
money. The Intercontinental
hotels group, similarly, has
the brands Express, Crowne
Plaza and Holiday Inn. There
are also numerous individual
hotels, often taking pride in
being family-run, and paying
particular attention to service.T
he hotel and accommodation
industry in Belgium and
Luxembourg is extremelywell organized. High professional
standards run right through the
industry, from the top five-star and
boutique hotels to budget hotels
and bed-and-breakfast stays. A
full range of accommodation is
available, so it is worthwhile exploring
all the different options to find one
that suits individual tastes. There
are competitively-priced, efficient
business hotels, where location is
more important than style; there
are small, luxurious, family-run
townhouse hotels, designed to
pamper guests; and there is a grow-
ing set of delightful, rural bed-and-
breakfasts, full of rustic charm.
With a little research, most travellers
will find that they are spoilt for choice.HOTEL GRADINGSHotels in Luxembourg and
Belgium are judged according
to Benelux standards, and the
regional licensing authority
issues a blue permit shield
bearing the number of stars
(one to five) that a hotel has
been awarded. The star system
rates hotels according to their
facilities, the quality of their
welcome and helpfulness of
the staff, the decor, the tran-
quillity of the rooms and even
the price. It guarantees certain
standards of quality and the
provision of such items as lifts,
fire doors and a desk in the
room. However, membership
to this scheme is voluntary
and there may be high-quality
hotels that are not graded.
In general, one- and two-star
hotels are basic.ROOM RATESHotels at the top end of the
scale offer high standards of
comfort and convenience and
their prices reflect this – rates
in excess of 350 euros per
night for a double room are
not unusual. In larger cities,
they are designed primarily
for corporate clients, which
means that during weekends
and holiday periods, rates
can be attractive. Moderately
priced hotels charge between80 and 130 euros per night,
while bed-and-breakfast prices
are usually between 40 and 90
euros. Rates vary according to
the season, but not by much
in busy holiday or business
centres. Discounts may be
available for Internet bookings.
In general, the low season
is from November to March,
with exceptions at Easter,
Christmas and New Year,
and other holiday weekends.
The high season is over the
summer holidays, from early
July to the end of August.TAXES AND CHARGESRoom taxes and sales taxes
are usually included in the
cost of a room, so the price
quoted should be the total.
Full room rates are posted on
the back of room doors: this
is an opportunity to check
what kind of discount was
given at the time of booking.
In the centre of busy cities,
there may be a charge for
using the hotel car park.Hallway in the Hotel Métropole
on Place de Brouckère, Brussels
Elegant 19th-century façade of the
luxurious hotel, Conrad BrusselsMétropole
porterGaléris St-Hubert, a premier shopping destination in Brussels