Brussels' Hidden Gem: B&B Le Lys d'Or - Unforgettable Stay!
B&B Le Lys d'Or: Brussels Bliss…or a Bit of a Bungle? (My Honest Review!)
Okay, listen up, because I just got back from Brussels, and let me tell you about this place: B&B Le Lys d'Or. It's been touted as a "hidden gem," and honestly? Well, it's more like a treasure map requiring some serious excavation. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because this is going to be a ride.
SEO & Metadata (Yeah, I'm doing it!): Brussels B&B, Le Lys d'Or, Hidden Gem, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Friendly, Free Wi-Fi, Brussels Spa, Outdoor Pool, Luxury Brussels, Romantic Getaway, Brussels Hotels, Brussels Reviews, B&B Brussels, Safe Hotels, European Travel, Spa Hotel, Fitness Center, International Cuisine, Babysitting, Accessible Rooms, Brussels City Center, Car Park, Free Breakfast.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good, The Slightly Clumsy…):
Right off the bat, I need to address the accessibility. This is crucial for some, and let's be honest, it's probably important to everybody at some point. The website promised wheelchair accessibility, and mostly delivered. The elevators were a godsend, and getting around the main areas was manageable. However, navigating the very small breakfast area felt like a Tetris challenge. (Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, Elevator, Facilites for disabled guests - check! But maybe bring a tiny forklift for breakfast… just kidding!)
There was definitely a sense that they tried hard. The staff seemed genuinely helpful. Kudos, Le Lys d'Or!
The Room: My Sanctuary (Mostly…Except for This One Tiny Thing):
My room? Okay, the room was gorgeous. Like, really gorgeous. I opted for a non-smoking room – which, thankfully, lived up to its promise. (Details: Non-smoking rooms, Air conditioning, Blackout curtains… all good!) The bed was AMAZING. Seriously, I’m talking cloud-like, dream-inducing, could-easily-sleep-for-a-week amazing. The blackout curtains were essential for those jet-lagged mornings, and the complimentary water was a thoughtful touch. (Complimentary tea and free bottled water!)
The bathroom was lovely, spacious, with a bathtub AND a separate shower! (Details: Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub…) And yes, fluffy bathrobes! (Bathrobes!)
But, and there’s always a “but,” isn't there? The internet. Specifically, the Wi-Fi promised in all rooms. (Available in all rooms!) Let's just say it was… temperamental. Sometimes blazing fast, sometimes slower than molasses in January. I had a minor crisis trying to upload a crucial work email, and let me tell you, it sent my blood pressure through the roof! (Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN… but maybe bring your own satellite dish?)
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Questionable Choice):
Breakfast was included, and the buffet was… extensive. (Breakfast [buffet], Western breakfast, Asian breakfast). I was thrilled! The croissants were buttery, the fruit fresh, and the coffee… well, the coffee was strong. (Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop) The options were numerous: from Asian delights to the standard full English-ish. (Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant.)
Lunch, however, was a different story. I tried the on-site restaurant. (Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Bar, Poolside bar). The menu was ambitious, but the execution was a bit… uneven. One day, I ordered a salad that was basically a plate of leaves and a few cherry tomatoes, which was a bit disappointing. (Salad in restaurant) But the next day, the soup saved the day. Rich, flavorful, and just what I needed after a long day of exploring. (Soup in restaurant)
And speaking of exploring, they also offered a room service menu, which was great because I didn't want to venture out once the exhaustion kicked in. (Room service [24-hour])
Relaxation Station: Spa Dreams (Mostly…):
The spa facilities? Now we're talking! (Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage). I indulged in a massage, and it was pure bliss. My masseuse, bless her heart, worked out knots I didn’t even know I had. And the pool? Oh, the pool. (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view). It wasn't massive, but it had an incredible view over the city. I could have stayed there all day, soaking up the sun and pretending I had no responsibilities.
The fitness center? (Fitness center, Gym/fitness). Well, I intended to use it. Let's just say I ended up taking a lot more advantage of the spa…
Cleanliness, Safety & The Covid Chaos (They Really Tried…):
Okay, in this post-pandemic world, this is HUGE. Le Lys d'Or went above and beyond. (Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Hygiene certification, Room sanitization opt-out available). I saw staff constantly cleaning, disinfecting, and generally making sure things were spotless. (Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays). Hand sanitizer was everywhere. They had a doctor or nurse on call, and all staff were trained (or at least they wore masks!). (Doctor/nurse on call, Staff trained in safety protocol). There were physical distancing measures in place, and they even had single-use condiment packets. (Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup).
I honestly felt safe, and that's a huge relief. They even had (Cashless payment service).
Things to Do (Beyond the Hotel Walls):
Okay, let's get practical. Brussels has a ton to offer! (Things to do) The hotel was centrally located, which made it easy to explore. (Getting around - Airport transfer, Car park [on-site], Taxi service). I spent my days wandering around the Grand Place (absolutely stunning!), stuffing my face with Belgian chocolate (duh!), and visiting the Atomium (worth the queue, trust me!). The concierge was helpful with recommendations and directions. (Concierge).
Little Annoyances (Because No Place is Perfect!):
The elevators. While essential for accessibility, they were a bit slow. Prepare for a wait during peak breakfast/checkout hours.
The noise. While my room itself was soundproofed, the exterior corridors weren't. (Soundproof rooms). I could hear the chatty guests returning at night. (Exterior corridor).
The Verdict: Hidden Gem… With a Few Flaws:
So, would I recommend B&B Le Lys d'Or? Yes, with a few caveats. It’s charming, the rooms are beautiful, the spa is fantastic, and the staff is (mostly) great. It is wheelchair accessible, although with a few logistical hurdles. However, the Wi-Fi can be spotty, and the restaurant is a bit hit-or-miss.
It’s a hidden gem… but one that needs a little polishing. Would I stay again? Absolutely. But next time, I think I’ll bring my own ethernet cable, just in case!
Final Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus one star for the Wi-Fi and slightly clunky breakfast area – otherwise, a real treat!)
OMG! FREE Parking w/ Tiffany Suite I-City Shah Alam! ✨
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is Brussels, baby, and we're going to do it wrong – in the most gloriously, chaotic, remember-it-for-years kind of way. This is the "B&B Le Lys d'Or Chaos Tour."
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Adjustments, and the Battle of the Belgian Fries
- 10:00 AM (ish): Arrive at Brussels Zaventem Airport. Actually, more like 11:00 AM. You know how it is – delayed flights, customs lines that seem designed to test your patience (and my sanity). I nearly lost it when the customs guy smiled at my slightly-too-large bag. Smiled! He knew. He knew I was lugging around enough clothes to outfit a small circus.
- 11:30 AM (ish): Taxi to B&B Le Lys d'Or. The taxi driver, bless his heart, was a whirlwind of broken English and furious gesturing. I swear he took every roundabout three times. By the time we arrived, I felt like I’d aged ten years. The B&B itself? Charming. Absolutely charming. Think antique furniture, lacy curtains, and a faint smell of old books. Perfect. Almost… too perfect. I'm instantly suspicious.
- 12:30 PM (ish): Check in. The owner, a sweet woman named Madame Dubois, greeted me with a hug and a warning: "The stairs are… characterful." Characterful, indeed. They nearly killed me. Note to self: pack lighter next time. And invest in a StairMaster.
- 1:00 PM (ish): Dump my bags (finally!), and take a deep breath. Okay, first order of business: fries. Everyone raves about Belgian fries. I'm a skeptic. Fries are fries, right? WRONG.
- 1:30 PM (ish): The Fry Frenzy Begins. Wandered around the Grand Place for what felt like hours, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and the smell of frying potatoes. Found a kiosk that looked sufficiently greasy and authentic. Ordered the "frites" with… all the sauces. This is where the real fun starts.
- Sauce Catastrophe: Mayonnaise, of course (classic). Andalouse (a spicy mayo). Béarnaise (rich, creamy, and possibly the best thing I've ever tasted). And then… the fricandelle sauce. Don't even ask. Let's just say it involved meat, ketchup, and a level of deliciousness that bordered on indecent.
- Fries Verdict: Okay, okay. I was wrong. These are not just fries. These are… well, they’re fries from heaven. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. And the sauces? Forget about it. Pure, unadulterated bliss. I ate until I felt like I might explode.
- 3:00 PM: Strolled, or rather, waddled, around the Grand Place, still half-convinced I was dreaming of fries. It's ridiculously stunning. The architecture is insane. Like, ornate, gilded, "I-need-a-nap-after-looking-at-this" stunning. Took about a million photos, probably all blurry but still worth it.
- 5:00 PM: Attempted to find the Manneken Pis. Got lost twice. Brussels is a labyrinth, I swear. Finally found the little guy, looking… well, small. And, um, naked. The crowd was surprisingly respectful. I'd expected a mob.
- 6:00 PM: Beer break at a random bar off the Grand Place. Ordered a Trappist beer. Strong. Very strong. I felt my face flush. I might have also accidentally ordered a full plate of cheese… because why not?
- 7:00 PM: Wander back to the B&B (mostly successfully, I think!). Contemplating if I should have another nap, or maybe order room service. It's just the cheese from before!
- Problem: The bed is extremely comfy and the B&B is quiet.
- 8:00 PM: Collapsed into a deep, food-and-beer-induced slumber.
Day 2: Chocolate Dreams and Comic Book Capers (and More Fries, Obviously)
- 9:00 AM (ish): Woke up, regretting nothing (except maybe that second Trappist beer). Breakfast at the B&B: Croissants, coffee, and a chat with Madame Dubois. She's a gossip and a delight. Turns out, the antique furniture was a little quirky. Some of it wobbles.
- 10:00 AM: Chocolate adventure! Because, Brussels. Visited a chocolate shop. This is the dream. Sampled more chocolate than is probably humanly possible. Regretted, well… nothing.
- 11:00 AM: The Comic Art Museum: I'm not a huge comic book person, but Brussels is practically the home of Tintin and other famous comic characters. It was interesting, actually. My eyes glazed over a bit, but the building itself is stunning.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch at a moules-frites place. This is my culinary mission, and I will not deviate. Seriously, the mussels were plump and juicy – the fries, of course, were perfect (yes, again).
- 1:30 PM: Walked for miles. The streets of Brussels are so full of character. All the random statues and the unexpected wall art. This city is a wonderland.
- 3:00 PM: The Magritte Museum. Rene Magritte. My brain hurt a little because it's abstract and surrealistic. But I'm glad I did it.
- 5:00 PM: Hunted for a vintage shop. Found one stuffed with treasures. Left with a ridiculously colourful scarf and a vague sense of buyer's remorse (but mostly joy).
- 6:00 PM: Another beer break at the bar from yesterday. I'm starting to feel like a local.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at a brasserie, tried the Flemish stew. Rich, hearty, and a little bit… gamey. It was a learning experience.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the B&B, ready to crash. Maybe I'll write in my journal or maybe I'll just pass out.
Day 3: Goodbye, Brussels! (And the inevitable regret)
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast with Madame Dubois. Said goodbye. Almost cried. Actually, I might have shed a tear. I felt like I was leaving my own, personal Belgian aunt behind.
- 10:00 AM: Found a small, hidden bakery on the way back to the airport. Bought a box of speculoos biscuits.
- 11:00 AM (ish): Airport, security, the whole shebang.
- 1:00 PM (ish): On the plane, already missing the chaos, the fries, the chocolate, the quirky B&B, and Madame Dubois.
This trip wasn’t perfect. I got lost, ate too much, and probably embarrassed myself on numerous occasions. But that’s what made it… perfect. Brussels, you magnificent, messy, delicious city. I’ll be back. And I’ll be bringing a bigger suitcase.
Escape to Paradise: The Cakra Bali Hotel Awaits
Brussels' Best Kept Secret (Shhh!): FAQs About B&B Le Lys d'Or - Get Ready for an Unforgettable Stay... Literally! ...Probably. Mostly.
First things first: Is this place *really* a hidden gem? Because everyone says that.
What's the big deal about the location? And how do I even *get* there?
The rooms... are they actually nice? Or just like, "clean"?
Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast! Is it included? And more importantly... is it *good*?
What's the host like? Are they friendly? Do they actually *know* about Brussels?
Are there any downsides? Be honest!
Would you *actually* recommend it? Or is this all just hype?
