Quite surprising, modern apartment

Guest: Volmas (Ghent)
Date of Stay: 12/01/11 Review Submitted: 01/02/12

Don't be fooled by the exterior of the building when you first visit this apartment. I thought, oh no, but once you step inside, you come into a modern apartment with a nice kitchen and closets you can turn around, move them from left to right, ... you get the picture. The apartment offers everything you need for your visit to Brussels. And, oh yes, since the apartment is situated pretty high in the building, you get a good overview of the city.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with young children.

Phenominal Views, Spectacular Service, and a True Home Away From Home!

Guest: Amber S. (Denver, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 11/20/11 Review Submitted: 12/15/11

What a way to view the beautiful city of Brussels and live like a local! Peter has a great apartment set up with everything you need. The service and responsiveness from Peter exceeded our expectations. We were very fortunate to be able to enjoy this spectacular apartment during our week in Belgium.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, families with teenagers, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, tourists without a car, sightseeing, families with young children.

I’m not sure that I stayed at the right apartment.

Guest: Marion (Melbourne, Australia)
Date of Stay: 08/25/11 Review Submitted: 12/12/11

Before I give my scathing review of this property, I would like it to be known that I have been travelling Europe for more than 12 months and stayed in a lot of self-catering apartments. I have provided many reviews, but none of them have been anything like this one. I am utterly surprised by the 20+ perfect reviews from people who stayed at this apartment! Were we staying at the same place?! Does the owner have this many friends to write such favourable reviews?! So, let’s start at the beginning. All my contacts with Chris (whom I thought was the owner, but apparently is the nephew of the owner) were promising. There were a lot of emails back and forth to answer questions and finalise the booking. I was not happy however about having to pay such a large deposit up front, with a 3% surcharge added. In spite of asking Chris for GPS coordinates, we only received a link to the google map – this is fine when you are sitting at your computer, but not so great when you are driving around trying to find the place, even though you have put in the address on your GPS! Once we got to the address put into the GPS, we had great difficulty finding the apartment. One of the problems was that we were looking for something that was not there! The apartment, as presented on the VRBO website is not at all like what we found. It may be a good apartment if you are planning to stay in council flats, but not if you are paying for a luxury apartment. We were lucky that we were unable to stay the full 9 days that we had booked this apartment for (although we did pay for the full 9 days). We were only there for 3 nights. Below are the major problems we encountered:- 1. As mentioned above, the apartment was very difficult to find. 2. The building this apartment is in is very old and smells disgusting, from rubbish bins just inside the entry. 3. The toilet is located in a cupboard inside the apartment, so there is no ventilation (not even a fan). The floor and walls are covered in synthetic lawn – yes, you have read that correctly!! Can this be kept clean? – NO! The room stinks because it can never be cleaned of any urine smells. 4. There is no water pressure in the shower, and it takes 4-5 minutes to run the water before any hot water appears. The shower is also located in another cupboard, which is part of the laundry and bathroom. 5. There are no bedside lamps in the bedroom, or indeed any suitable main light for reading at night. After we checked out, we

Owner response:Marion wrote us after her stay "We have enjoyed our stay, albeit brief! We will have to return some other time so we can experience more of Brussels" So we were surprised to get her negative review more than 5 months later. Just two months before this feedback was published the apartment did get a serious refurbishment and the few issues where she had a point where all solved.

Recommended for:

Great views, style, and convenience

Guest: Tom (Iowa, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/05/11

My wife, adult daughter & I spent 2 weeks here during the long days of June. We would gladly stay again. PLUS: Panoramic views were like spectacular bookends for each day. Porch beckoned outdoors when weather was fine. Interior was sleek, modern & clean... spacious for a party of three, partitioned in sleep/eat/living spaces. Kitchen was convenient, concealed behind folding doors, with lovely espresso machine. Appliances shared a utility room with shower/sink & were quite handy (with controls a bit challenging for Americans to use). Public transportation was convenient - a minute walk to Metro station on direct line to Midi/Zuid (main station for most trains). Grand Place or museums by Place Royale were approximately 15-20 min walk away. MINUS: Outside entrance to the building could use paint, and street entry needs ventilation to control occasional odor of diapers from adjacent garbage room. Inside the apartment, high-tech entertainment center was less than user-friendly, adjustable sofa had a modest mechanical defect, window in living space can leak & whistle on windy days. OUR EXPERIENCE: We arrived mid-day by taxi from Gare Central & felt uncertain about the appearance of the building entry. It took time to learn about getting "buzzed" through the lobby door. Our first entry was obtained with an inhabitant who "buzzed" to pass through, and we saw this was common for others to enter the building. (The intent for renters on arrival is to be "buzzed in" by a pleasant gentleman who lives in the building.) Once inside the lobby door, the rest of our arrival was easy... elevator to the 24th floor, digital code to unlock the door of the apartment. Inside we found electronic key to use later to "buzz" through the street door. Neighborhood seems a melting pot, populated by people from Africa & Middle East, with shops including fromagerie, boulangerie/patisserie, & restaurants that offer a mix of European & exotic flavors. A local street market occurs on Thursdays, where we enjoyed shopping. We had pleasant daytime walks to quiet Place de la Liberte, to enjoy a large beer selection at Le Bier Circus, and to admire Art Nouveau facades at Squares Marie-Louise/Ambiorix/Margerite. Regarding safety, we were not accosted near the apartment building. But we did encounter aggressive beggars in the Metro and in other parts of Brussels. Caution at night seems warranted anywhere in the city.

Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Poor Neighborhood and building needs maintained

Guest: Swanny (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 06/10/11

After reviewing the reviews for the property, looking at the pictures, and reading the owner's description, we were prepared to use this as our home base for a brewery tour of Belgium. Communication was good and instructions for arrival were provided and were very complete. That was the only good part of this.... Upon arrival at the subway station, we followed the instructions for finding the apartment. Upon walking there, we were solicited for money 3 times. One was almost a mugging, as the individual demanded I give them money. Only until I put my luggage down to prepare for a physical confrontation did the individuals leave us alone. So when the description says 'multi-cultural', that is a PC way of saying sketchy neighborhood. Safety is a key component to a stay in any city. This was 3PM on a Saturday afternoon. There is no way this would work arriving in darkness. As we walked towards the building, the neighborhood is not what I would call decent. Nor was there one individual I would want walking past my home. As we reached the building, it is in need of maintenance from the outside. And the tenants had their windows open with clothes hanging out the windows. Upon entry, the area was in dire need of repair. The wood was very worn and unkept. It was very dirty with garbage laying about. At this point we were very worried, but still willing to give it a try. We rang the bell of the individual to let us in, and waited a good 20 minutes for him to arrive downstairs. In this time, no less than 150 people entered the building....and most of them left shortly after their arrival. In the states, we are pretty sure what that means. And the people were extremely sketchy. We informed the person meeting us that we will not be staying and that this was not close to being what we had been sold. Please note there are no shops or cafes close by as well. We immediately contacted Christofel and asked for a refund. He offered none and we are out $1300 even after we described our experience. He did give us our deposit. But in a way that if you don't follow through in 30 days he keeps the money. Very shady. He also said that Brussels in not a village and this is acceptable. We have traveled the world and this experience was our worst and will be our last VRBO unfortunately. We would not recommend this property to an enemy, let alone a friend. We stand by everything in this review and will provide emails proving our stay and experience.

Owner response:This person has not even been in our apartment. The 20 + other reviews from people from all over the world speak for themselves.

Recommended for:

On top of the world

Guest: Ilse (Ghent)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 02/27/11

Of all the rentals we ever had, this is absolutely the one with the highest woaw-factor. We arrived by car and found a car park only 100 m from the apartment. Very convenient when your partner is a photographer who always carries tons of photographical tools. The person who welcomed us was very friendly and helpful. We arrived at night and our first sight of the apartment was the spectacular view from 3 of the 4 sides of the apartment. You really feel on top of the world. In fact, it is hard to describe. You have to see it to believe it. The apartment itself is very cleverly designed. Some examples: there are few doors so everything is spacious. There is a lot of storage space. The kitchen is built in the closet but you can open it so it becomes a normal kitchen with all sorts of supplies. The bathroom is also beautiful and the hot water from the shower was super to warm up after a walk in the cold weather. From the sofa, you have a 180° view over the city of Brussels, and this is really awesome. It broadens your mind, you literally get perspective. And again, a dream for a photographer. There are all sorts of things present that makes the apartment very comfortable and cosy. There is a collection of books, music and movie DVD's in all kinds of genres. You can receive a lot of TV channels. There is free wifi to internet. We found the location very handy. It is only 1 block away from the metro station, you can rent a bike just at the corner of the street, or you can cross the circular lane and visit Brussels on foot. We went to Bozar Museum, the Royal Palace, the Museum for Musical Instruments,... and it took only a 15 minute walk. We went to a restaurant in the Louiza lane area. By the way, we were very lucky as this weekend there was an event in the city of Brussels: the Museum Night Fever, and all musea were open till after midnight. As I am writing this from the sofa in the living room, with the spectacular view in front of me, we are very happy to be here and hope to come back again. Thank you very much Peter, for this wonderful experience we will never forget.

Owner response:Woaw - thanks! Peter

Recommended for:Girls getaway, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, people with disabilities, sightseeing, families with young children.

Happy weekend stay

Guest: Russell1234 (London)
Date of Stay: 05/21/10 Review Submitted: 06/10/10

Five of us stayed in the apartment (one on the sofa) for a long birthday weekend and we really enjoyed ourselves - its got a truly unique sense of style as well as being comfortable and clean. Fantastic views of Brussels, grocery stores and bakery nearby and plenty of space, which was perfect to host a little party before going out on the town. Convenient location too right next to the Metro station. We'd stay again, thanks.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Guest: Khairul Sufi (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Date of Stay: 05/31/09 Review Submitted: 05/31/09

The moment our family stepped into the apartment, we were at awe! Speechless! Wow! Whoa!! Those were the only phrases that came out of our mouths. The view from the apartment was fantastic. The Grand Place on the left and the Atomium on the right. The facilities in the apartment were comparable to none! Everything was fantastic ... broadbant internet, cable tv, washer, tumble dryer, washing machine and the famed Miele Coffee Machine! It was just great. The Edra couch was comfortable. We were very sad to leave. Peter, thanks for sharing this place with us. Will definitely hook up again when in Brussels. Thank you so very very much!

Recommended for:

Guest: BethJ (New York, NY)
Date of Stay: 05/01/09 Review Submitted: 05/01/09

My husband and I stayed in Peter's Brussels apartment March 30 - April 6, 2009. We had a wonderful time. The location is great! We walked everywhere. If we had wanted to take public transportation it's right there also. There are excellent little restaurants very close to the apartment. As you can see from the photographs, the view is spectacular. We enjoyed having our breakfast looking at panorama of the city. At night we had to choose between music and gazing at the lights of the city or the wide screen TV. The apartment is unique in its design. Beth

Recommended for:

Guest: Elaine & Philip (Bollington, Cheshire, UK)
Date of Stay: 10/13/08 Review Submitted: 10/13/08

We've just returned from a wonderful week at Peter's apartment. It has been a fantastic experience in every way. Fantastic views with glorious sunrises and sunsets. You have thought of everything, Peter. The kitchen was well equipped and there were lots of DVDs and books. And the bed ....... deliciously comfy. We had a problem with the TV on our first day and this was dealt with immediately Peter was aware of it. We appreciated that. We like to cook and were delighted to find that all the shops we needed were only a few minutes' walk away. We didn't need to use public transport at all during the week as the Grand Place was only about 15 minutes' walk away. However, it was wonderful, both when we arrived and when we sadly had to leave, that the metro was only one minute away. We are used to staying in apartments but this really is something different. We would recommend it highly to anybody. Thank you, Peter for letting us share your apartment. We'll be back. We love Brussels. Elaine & Philip, Cheshire UK

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