A pre-Christmas weekend visit to Belgium led me to stay in Brussels as a central location for my travels around the country. As I have a loyalty card for the Accor chain, their hotels are always first option for me unless I can get a really good deal elsewhere.

Arriving early evening by Eurostar meant the Ibis Brussels Centre Gare Midi was perfectly located for me: I got off the Eurostar, went across the station concourse, across the road and into the hotel. Ideal.

Incidentally, other reviewers have mentioned issues with the red light district. During this trip, including some pretty late returns to the hotel, I saw no sign of that sort of activity. I also noticed from the train that the red light district adjacent to Brussels North station is no longer as visible as it used to be (travellers arriving from the north used to see the girls displaying their wares), so perhaps the Bruxellois authorities have had a city-wide clean up.

Anyway, back to the hotel. As other reviewers have said, the rooms are large for an Ibis hotel, with a small single bed as well as the usual double. Other than that, this hotel is an Ibis, with all the same things you get in every Ibis: bed, TV, shower, air conditioning of some sort and that's pretty much it.
But then you don't book an Ibis if you want individuality or 5* comfort, so this particular Ibis is a perfectly acceptable example of the marque.

Readers of my previous reviews will be aware that I don't "do" breakfast but even if I did, here I wouldn't. Breakfast comes in at a hefty EUR 12 a day, which is what I'd expect to be charged at a rather posher hotel than an Ibis! I didn't try the "L'Estaminet" restaurant, either, although it was generally busy when I passed it each evening, which suggests it must be OK - Brussels is a city which knows how to eat well, and a mediocre restaurant won't last long.

The breakfast price niggle aside, I had a perfectly acceptable stay and if I have cause to stay in Brussels again I'll be returning to the Ibis Centre Gare Midi.

nice clean hotel with simple but friendly service.
food and drinks good.
check in and check out very professional and quick.

We stayed the hotel for two nights in June 2007.
Hotel is located ideally in the center of the city close to many of the attractions.
It is a typical Ibis hotel. Small rooms but clean.
The price charges 12€ per person for breakfast which is outrageous, specailly after we have seen the breakfast.
Be aware - when ordering online, specially for the weekend, you can have the breakfast included in the price.
Staff was nice and helpful.

I missed the last Eurostar from Brussels to London and needed to stay somewhere near the station. The Ibis was across the road so I took my chances. The actual hotel was surprisingly nice and clean, as was the bistro bar with lovely Belgian dishes (very fair prices). The staff were also more than helpful and accomodating.

My room overlooked the station and even with the window shut it was incredibly noisy, cars, police sirens, trams and of course trains. As a lone travelling female I also found the surrounding area to be very dodgy. Looking out of the window it didn't take long to spot dealers and prostitutes!!!

I would only stay here again if I missed Eurostar again - but I wouldn't go out walking anywhere around the back streets in this area.