Checking in: Wishing I hadn’t fallen for EuroStars


Back in January during my Euro-hopping week of basically a different city in Europe every night I fell for the EuroStars Berlin. It was a last minute booking – literally booked 30 minutes before walking in the front door – and the property was fantastic. I was smitten and how. So when I needed a stay in Brussels on a similar last-minute basis I was quite happy to see that the chain had two properties in town. One was sold out but the EuroStars Grand Place was available and in my price range. Just a 5-7 minute walk from the train station and Le Grande Place, the location is pretty good, though it is a bit past everything else in the area. I like walking and that didn’t bother me, plus I had a great experience last time, so I booked.

On arrival I was a bit skeptical; the public areas weren’t nearly as nice as in Berlin. But I was on the hook and I hoped for the best as I checked in and headed up to my room. I suppose it was something of a good thing I was distracted by how small the room was. I didn’t expect much, nor did I need much, but it was quite small. Enough room for the bed, desk and loo, but only barely.

IMG_0145IMG_0148

IMG_0146

It was late and I was jetlagged, plus I had to be out in 7 hours to head back to the airport so I pretty much just passed out. In that regard the room was perfectly functional, though the bed was very, very firm. It was when I woke up the next morning that I noticed some of the greater shortcomings of the room. Like the chunk of wallpaper missing in the corner.

IMG_0147

Or, somewhat more disturbing, the part of the floor by the door to the bathroom that was falling apart.

IMG_0149

I missed the breakfast, which is fine because the charged far more than I’d consider paying for it. And then I was off to the airport.

It wasn’t a particularly nice property at all. That said, it did serve its primary purpose of being clean and cheap and having a bed available. I cannot complain too much, but I’ll definitely be more cautious when looking at this brand in the future.

Related Posts:

Never miss another post: Sign up for email alerts and get only the content you want direct to your inbox.


Seth Miller

I'm Seth, also known as the Wandering Aramean. I was bit by the travel bug 30 years ago and there's no sign of a cure. I fly ~200,000 miles annually; these are my stories. You can connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.