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Summary of reviewsEscale Hotel provides a mixed experience for guests, blending positive aspects with notable areas for improvement. Its strongest highlight is a highly favorable location, particularly for travelers in transit. Positioned near the Brussels Midi train station, the hotel allows easy access to various transportation links, such as Eurostar and FlixBus, as well as airport shuttles to Charleroi Airport. This strategic positioning makes it ideal for both brief overnight stays and short visits to Brussels. Additionally, despite its urban setting, the hotel is noted for being in a relatively quiet area, providing a peaceful ambiance for restful nights.
The rooms at Escale Hotel are generally spacious with ample natural light, some even feature balconies. Many guests appreciate the good-quality mattresses and bedding, which enhance comfort. The hotel staff are frequently praised for their friendliness, multi-language proficiency and welcoming demeanor, contributing significantly to an overall pleasant stay.
However, recurring issues temper these positive aspects. The absence of a breakfast service, despite being advertised, disappoints many guests. Cleanliness and maintenance are inconsistent with complaints about dirty surfaces, mold in bathrooms and outdated furnishings. Noise from both the busy streets and within the hotel disrupts the otherwise quiet setting. The wifi performance is unreliable and the parking facilities, despite being secure, are often described as messy and come with additional charges.
The hotel falls short of its advertised three-star rating with many guests suggesting it is more aligned with a one-star status due to its dated interiors and lack of soundproofing. While it does offer value for money and a practical location for business travelers and families, the overall condition and service levels do not meet the expectations set by its rating.
In summary, while Escale Hotel shines in terms of location and spacious accommodations, it would greatly benefit from updates in cleanliness, maintenance and a reevaluation of its amenities to more accurately reflect its advertised standards. Show more
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Categories
Cheap Hotel
Escale Hotel offers standard hotel facilities.
It provides a conventional and potentially budget-friendly hotel stay option.
Family Friendly Hotel
Business Hotel
Hotel with Parking
Accessible Hotel
3-Star Hotel
Room Types
Double RoomThis room is 25 square metres and has a parquet floor. It has a bathroom with free toiletries and a hairdryer. Free wifi is available in the room. A wake up call is available upon request.
Large Single RoomProviding free toiletries, this single room includes a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. This single room features a private entrance, a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. The unit offers 1 bed.
Standard Twin RoomThis standard twin/double room has a soundproofing.
Standard Triple RoomThe triple room offers heating, as well as a private bathroom boasting a shower. The spacious triple room features a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a private entrance, a wardrobe, parquet floors as well as garden views. The unit has 2 beds.
Guest Reviews
5.7
Rated
Location
Escale Hotel enjoys a highly favorable location, especially for those in transit. The hotel is strategically positioned near the Brussels Midi train station, making it ideal for guests with early departures or late arrivals via train, metro or bus. Guests frequently highlight the proximity to various transportation links, including Eurostar, FlixBus and airport shuttles to Charleroi Airport. The location is also convenient for those wanting to explore the city center with many noting it's just a short walk or metro ride away.
Despite its urban setting, the hotel is described as being in a relatively quiet area, which is an added advantage for travelers seeking a peaceful night before their next journey. The surrounding area offers several dining options and other amenities, which cater well to the needs of short-term guests. While some reviews mentioned less favorable aspects like noise or a less attractive neighborhood, the overall consensus underscores the hotel's convenience and strategic positioning for transport connections. This makes Escale Hotel a practical choice for both single-night stays and short visits to Brussels.
Breakfast
'Escale Hotel' has garnered varied feedback regarding its breakfast offerings or rather the lack thereof. A recurring theme in guest reviews is disappointment over the absence of breakfast. Despite being advertised on their website and booking platforms, guests were often surprised to find that no breakfast service is actually provided at the hotel.
This mismatch between the hotel's description and reality seems to be a significant letdown. Many guests mentioned having to seek breakfast options elsewhere with some noting nearby cafes or the convenience of grabbing a bite at the Midi station close by. The hotel does not compensate with amenities like coffee or tea facilities in the rooms, which some guests felt was a minimum expectation, exacerbating their dissatisfaction.
In summary, for travelers considering a stay at 'Escale Hotel,' it's important to note that despite the advertising, breakfast is not available. Planning ahead for an alternative morning meal solution would be advisable.
Dinner
Escale Hotel stands out for its exceptional service and friendly reception, where the staff goes above and beyond to ensure guests feel welcome and attended to, speaking multiple languages including Spanish. The staff is noted for being responsive and their kindness significantly enhances the stay. Though the surrounding area may not offer much to explore and might seem a bit rundown, the welcoming atmosphere at the hotel more than compensates. Guests should note that breakfast is no longer served, a detail that hasn't been updated online.
Rooms
'Escale Hotel' offers plenty of spacious rooms, providing a level of comfort many guests find pleasing. The rooms feature large windows, some with balconies, allowing an abundance of natural light to fill the space. Despite the spaciousness, the rooms' cleanliness is inconsistent with some guests reporting them as clean while others noted signs of neglect, such as dust, dirt and strange odors, particularly a strong tobacco smell in non-smoking rooms.
The furniture and décor appear outdated and in need of maintenance with many pieces worn out or broken. The lack of soundproofing is a common complaint, evidenced by noise from the busy streets outside and internal disturbances. Basic amenities are provided, but guests noted that several fixtures like TV channels, outlets and bedside lamps often do not work. Some practical issues include a lack of air conditioning, which leads to uncomfortable room temperatures and inadequate electrical outlets for modern device charging needs.
In summary, while the 'Escale Hotel' boasts generous room sizes and a convenient location close to Brussels-Midi train station, the overall experience is marred by dated interiors, inconsistent cleanliness and noise issues. Improvements in maintenance and updates to the room fittings could significantly enhance guest satisfaction.
Beds
The beds at Escale Hotel have sparked mixed reactions among guests. On the positive side, many have praised the mattresses and bedding for their good quality and comfort with several mentions of comfortable, clean and even very comfy beds. Large beds and spacious rooms also received commendations. Cleanliness of the bedding was noted by a few, enhancing the overall sleeping experience.
However, not all feedback was rosy. A good number of reviews complained about uncomfortable beds, ranging from beds being too hard, deformed mattresses, to beds described as rock-hard or springy. Issues like broken bed frames, dirty sheets, bed bugs and unstable beds were also highlighted, which detracted from the comfort level for some guests. The need for mattress replacements and better maintenance was a recurring suggestion.
Overall, while many guests found the beds at Escale Hotel to be comfortable enough for a restful stay, others encountered significant issues that affected their experience.
Cleanliness
Escale Hotel's cleanliness has been a mixed bag according to numerous guest reviews. Many guests noted that the rooms and bathrooms were clean, spacious and towels were frequently changed. This positive feedback highlights instances where visitors felt satisfied by the basic cleanliness and maintenance of their accommodations.
However, there have been prevalent reports of cleanliness issues across various parts of the hotel. Frequent complaints detail dirty bathrooms with mold, poorly cleaned and dusty surfaces, stained bed sheets and unpleasant odors often lingering in rooms. Some guests found visible dirt and grime on furniture and walls, while others mentioned broader maintenance issues, such as broken items and outdated fixtures, contributing to an overall run-down appearance.
Guests also pointed out specific areas in need of more thorough cleaning and attention. Problems like dirty curtains, floors with dust balls and musty odors were common. Additionally, the hotel faced significant criticism for instances of bed bugs and insects, adding to the concerns regarding hygiene.
In summary, while some guests experienced satisfactory cleanliness, many reviews highlighted substantial issues that suggest inconsistent housekeeping standards at Escale Hotel. This disparity in cleanliness can greatly impact the overall guest experience, indicating the need for the hotel to improve its maintenance and sanitation practices to ensure a more uniformly pleasant stay for all guests.
Staff
The staff at Escale Hotel have garnered mixed reviews from guests. Many have praised the team for being pleasant, understanding, courteous and helpful. There were frequent mentions of the staff being friendly, welcoming, attentive and accommodating. Guests appreciated the polite and professional demeanor of the personnel, highlighting instances where staff promptly addressed issues such as room changes and refunds. The receptionists, in particular, received accolades for their kindness and responsiveness, speaking multiple languages and ensuring a smooth check-in and check-out process.
However, not all feedback was positive. Some guests encountered indifferent and unwelcoming behavior from certain receptionists, citing instances of rudeness and inefficiency. There were criticisms about the lack of attentiveness and helpfulness among the staff with reports of poor communication and a lack of cooperation. Additionally, the cleanliness and maintenance of the reception area were points of concern for some guests.
Despite these drawbacks, the overall impression of the staff at Escale Hotel remains largely favorable, particularly for those who experienced the friendliness and exceptional service from many of the employees. Guests who interacted with welcoming and accommodating staff members seemed to have a more positive experience, often highlighting these interactions as a notable part of their stay.
Wi-Fi
The reviews on the wifi at Escale Hotel present a mixed picture with frequent reports of poor performance. While some guests found the wifi to be good or working fluently at times, many others experienced significant issues. Problems ranged from the wifi not working at all, especially on the 5th floor, to intermittent connectivity and low internet speeds. A common theme was the unreliability and weak signal strength of the connection, which made it challenging for travelers, especially those relying on internet access for planning and communication. Although free wifi was available, its quality was often described as subpar with numerous accounts of the connection being unsecured and failing frequently. For guests prioritizing a reliable internet connection, the inconsistency of the wifi at Escale Hotel could present a notable inconvenience.
Parking
Escale Hotel offers parking options, but guest reviews indicate that there are some issues to be aware of. The hotel provides a gated, private parking area which many find convenient, though it comes at a cost of €20 per day. Despite the secure enclosure, the parking area has been described as messy, resembling a construction site with equipment and waste deposits, which some guests find off-putting.
The location is advantageous, being near the Midi train station and the parking area is considered spacious and comfortable by some. However, the lack of clear parking instructions and the extra charges can be a surprise for arriving guests. Street parking is also available but comes with a fee and some guests have experienced issues with safety, such as theft from their cars.
In summary, while parking is accessible and secure, it is an additional expense and may not meet everyone’s expectations regarding cleanliness and organization. Careful consideration is advised when opting for the hotel's parking facilities.
Family
Escale Hotel in Brussels offers a mixed experience for families. On the positive side, the hotel is noted for its family-friendly atmosphere with spacious and quiet rooms that accommodate families of various sizes, ensuring comfort for stays extending from a long weekend up to a few years. The staff is commended for their friendliness and kindness, contributing to a sense of safety and welcome for families.
However, there are caveats to consider. The photos may not accurately represent the hotel, leading to some disappointment upon arrival. The cleanliness of the rooms has been a recurring issue, diminishing the overall experience for some guests. Additionally, the hotel's surrounding area can feel unsafe, particularly for women and families walking nearby, which can be unsettling.
Conveniently located close to the Zuidstation, the hotel benefits from excellent transport links. While it may be considered expensive compared to the European average, it is in line with Brussels standards. Despite some drawbacks, many families have found their stays enjoyable and have felt secure and well-catered to at this hotel.
3 Star
'Escale Hotel' is often described as a budget hotel that provides good value for money. However, many guests feel that the hotel's three-star rating is unjustified. The general consensus is that the furniture and fittings are old and sometimes broken, contributing to a sense of decay in the structure. The street outside the hotel is regarded as unattractive and neglected.
Although the hotel is marketed as a three-star establishment, numerous reviews suggest it is more in line with a one-star rating. Guests have noted that the price-performance ratio is subpar and the prices are comparable to a four-star hotel, yet the comfort and cleanliness levels do not match up.
Various comments mention cleanliness issues, including vinyl flooring that is not properly cleaned and instances of bugs that have led to bites. Noise from the street and traffic also seems to be a recurring disturbance for those staying at the hotel.
Despite these criticisms, some guests have referred to Escale Hotel as a basic but correct and simple hotel that is fit for brief stops. However, the overall deteriorated state and the need for refurbishing have been emphasized. Most feel that with the prices charged, the advertised three-star quality is not reflected, resulting in disappointment.
In summary, while Escale Hotel might be suitable for a short stay and does offer some degree of value for money, it falls short of the three-star standards it claims, both in facilities and services.
Business
Escale Hotel offers a strategic location for business travelers, particularly those attending events at 'the egg' or needing proximity to the Brussels Midi station. The hotel's central position also benefits those working near business parks and other commercial areas within a 10-minute walk. Guests have highlighted the convenience of its location, making it suitable for short stays and longer business trips alike.
The hotel's modern facilities provide a decent level of comfort and are generally well-maintained. Quick responses to issues by the staff add to the reliability of services provided. However, some areas, such as the furniture and room facilities, may not fully meet the needs of professionals seeking suitable workspaces. Cleanliness and maintenance of rooms have also received mixed feedback. While the evening staff's support could improve, overall service for business travelers is positively acknowledged.
Without air conditioning and with some limitations in room amenities, the hotel still manages to offer a calming and competent environment for business stays, particularly for senior executives and others in town for work.
Accessible
Escale Hotel is noted for its convenience and accessibility, providing a suitable base for travelers with various mobility needs. The hotel is strategically located close to bus and train stations, making it highly accessible for those using public transport, including trams and subways. Guests can also easily catch a shuttle bus to Charleroi airport, ideal for those with connecting flights. The presence of an elevator enhances accessibility within the hotel, although some areas might not be entirely wheelchair-friendly.
The hotel serves well for short stays, especially if you need to catch a TGV the following day. Families find the hotel accommodating and functional. However, certain amenities such as air conditioning and minibars are lacking and there have been minor issues reported with bathroom facilities, like stuck shower doors.
Safety might be a consideration for solo female travelers, but overall, Escale Hotel offers a practical and accessible lodging option for those in transit or seeking convenient access to major transport links in the area.
No, Escale Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Escale Hotel.
No, Escale Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Escale Hotel.