Vacation Rentals by Owner

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:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

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

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.

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Great views, style, and convenience

Guest: Tom (Iowa, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/17/11 Review Submitted: 07/04/11

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:Tourists without a car, romantic getaway, 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.

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On top of the world

Guest: Ilse (Ghent)
Date of Stay: 02/25/11 Review Submitted: 02/26/11

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:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Happy weekend stay

Guest: Russell1234 (London)
Date of Stay: 05/21/10 Review Submitted: 06/09/10

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, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Khairul Sufi (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Date of Stay: 05/31/09 Review Submitted: 05/30/09

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!

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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

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Guest: Elaine & Philip (Bollington, Cheshire, UK)
Date of Stay: 10/13/08 Review Submitted: 10/12/08

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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Guest: Victoria Ward (Dijon, France)
Date of Stay: 09/10/08 Review Submitted: 09/10/08

We had a great time in the appartment - once you are up there, you don't want to come down again. The views are amazing, particularly at night, when you feel you have the whole of Brussels at your feet. Peter makes you welcome, with a stocked fridge and cupboards you can use and replace. It's a great location - even with children, we walked to Grand Place easily and there are loads of buses or the metro if you don't want to walk. The only downside is having to pay for parking, but that is the city centre for you!

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Guest: Annette Nielsen (Salem, New York)
Date of Stay: 07/18/08 Review Submitted: 07/18/08

Hi Peter, We had a really wonderful time in Brussels -- your apartment was really wonderful, too....we were so spoiled by the amazing views from every window and great chocolate and tasty beer to be found in the city. We loved the convenience of the location (so close to the metro!) and visited other cities (easily) as a result of a great train system. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your beautiful and artful apartment. We'll certainly recommend your rental to anyone we know that needs accommodations there! Hope all is well and thanks again! Very best, Annette Nielsen

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Guest: Ho Family (California)
Date of Stay: 07/08/08 Review Submitted: 07/08/08

The luxury apartment was a treat to stay in. Our 5-year old really enjoyed the extra space, after being cramped in the another apartment in Paris. We liked how easily accessible the Metro was to the apartment. There is a lot of construction going on in the area, so we didn't spend as much time near the apartment as we typically would have. Anyone visiting Brussels would have a grand time staying here - definitely recommended.

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Guest: Denise Jones (Brisbane, Australia)
Date of Stay: 06/21/08 Review Submitted: 06/20/08

Altho the weather in Brussels was gloomy, we had a fantastic time in this wonderful apartment. The view by day and night is breathtaking. The apartment is extremely innovative and different, and everything is available for an extremely comfortable visit. Location is very convenient and walking distance to shopping and even the Grand Place. Would thoroughly recommend to anyone considering a visit to Brussels. Thanks Peter for use of your wonderful apartment.

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Guest: Ellen7 (Queens, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/29/08 Review Submitted: 04/29/08

Just got back from a wonderful week at Peter's apartment in Brussels. We had never before rented an apartment for a vacation, but it worked out wonderfully for us. The location was great, views were fabulous, all amenities were as advertised. The apartment is steps from a Metro station which is a major convenience. However the location is very walkable to the Grand Place and other attractions, including the rail station, so we rarely needed to use the Metro. Market and restaurants within minutes walk. I'm not a coffee drinker, but my husband enjoyed the Miele every morning. The on-site contact person was totally responsive and a great help answering any of our questions. All in all, a very positive experience.

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Guest: Phil Marshall (Ripley, Derbyshire, UK)
Date of Stay: 01/23/08 Review Submitted: 01/23/08

This was an extrordinary apartment, very unique and one with some thoughtful touches which made this stay unforgettable. The TV and sound system are wonderful being able to hear music or the tv from anywhere in the apartment was good. The adjustable couch was very comfortable for sitting or lying on. The bed was comfotable, the bathroom very nicely decorated and the open plan layout gave a feeling of great space. The location is excellent within a few mins walk of two small supermarkets and restaurants and a short walk from the metro. Parking was convenient (underneath the apartment block). The most breathtaking aspect had to be the veiws. A 270 degree view of the city from the 24th floor was absolutely superb day or night. I expect that in summertime the balcony makes this even more enjoyable. Overall a thoroughlly enjoyable stay. I would definately recommend this apartment, its one of the nicest places I've stayed in (which includes a few 5 star hotels).

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Guest: Mike Silve (London, UK)
Date of Stay: 10/30/07 Review Submitted: 10/30/07

The apartment is well situated immediately in front of exit 6 of the Madou metro stop on line 2 (the GB Express supermarket only a few metres from this)and about a 15min walk from the Grand Place. The initial reaction is the block is a little tatty but the apartment more than makes up for this. Located on the 24th (of 25) floor the apartment has fantastic unobstructed views on three sides from the Atomium round to the European HQ quarter. The apartment has everything you would need in a spacious, modern setting. The "bedrooms" are not rooms as such but part of an open plan living environment. The Plasma TV, sound system, wireless broadband and coffee machine (I want one!!) are a joy to use and the astro turf covered toilet walls a novelty. All in all a well located, well equipped apartment that was a pleasure to go back to after a days site seeing. One note to those with children - they will love it (the three inflated balls a source of amusement) but don't let them near the terrace - 24 floors up and what seems like shallow guard railings between you and the ground. A very enjoyable stay.

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Guest: DR JOHN DANIELS (SYDNEY NSW AUSTRALIA)
Date of Stay: 09/23/07 Review Submitted: 09/23/07

This apartment is an interesting fusion between architecture and art. In many senses, it is something of a modern art installation that integrates interior and exterior space.Most appropriate for a city with some of the world's most important galleries. It must be one of the best places from which to see almost the entire city set as it is on the 24 the floor of an apartment about a 15 min walk from the Grand Place. The views at night are spectacular. On a balmy night, the perfect place for a glass of champagne either inside the apartment or on one of its balconies. It is fully equipped with all modern devices including wireless broadband and a plasma TV with a multi channel sound system. There is also a fantastic Miele expresso machine that makes truly excelent coffee. The king sized bed is very comfortable and new , a welcome relief from so many other apartments that seem to feature beds that are well past their use by date. Peter Bracke was very easy to deal with and his apartment receives my strongest recommendation.

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Guest: Helen8 (London)
Date of Stay: 06/27/07 Review Submitted: 06/27/07

Fabulous views over Brussels - we were very excited to see the Atomium light up at dusk. Very convenient location, close to stations, supermarket and great frite stall.

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Guest: Leslie999 (San Diego, California)
Date of Stay: 05/16/07 Review Submitted: 05/16/07

Just stayed at this top floor apartment in Brussels. Everything was exactly as described. The view was incredible and the apartment had good access to the Madou Metro station which made getting around very easy. Thanks very much Peter!

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Guest: Joanna Tiemessen (Yellowknife, Canada)
Date of Stay: 04/25/07 Review Submitted: 04/25/07

Everything about this flat is amazing - the view, the location, the concept and layout of the apartment, and best of all, the evening sun filled the living room with a beautiful warmth... our stay in Brussels was short but definatly first class thanks to us staying here. Thanks for the great memories.

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Guest: Evita1 (Riga, LATVIA)
Date of Stay: 04/20/07 Review Submitted: 04/19/07

Apartment is exelent, I love the view to the city! The white interior with great functionality is perfect as well... I will come again! Thanks, Peter! :)

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Guest: Matroskin (London, UK)
Date of Stay: 02/16/07 Review Submitted: 02/16/07

Great apartment, excellent location (literally a minute away from the Metro station and within easy walking distance of the city center), fantastic views. We are an active bunch, aiming to be out and about as much as possible, and this was a rare occasion where we enjoyed our time indoors almost as much as our time spent exploring the city. Thanks!

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Guest: Dimitri1 (Germany)
Date of Stay: 11/11/06 Review Submitted: 11/10/06

My wife and I enjoyed a lovely weekend stay in November in this high rise apartment that occupies two corners of a building with amazingly unobstructed views in almost every direction. The view is just fantastic, the bed is quite comfortable, the location is good, and the apartment truely has everything you could need. The coffee machine is wonderful! I myself enjoyed watching the LCD TV while rleaxing on the modern couch, surrounded by views of the city on all sides. Thanks for a great stay!

Owner response:Thanks a lot Dimitri, you were a great guest - one small note - it is a NEC plasma.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 10/16/06 Review Submitted: 10/16/06

We spent a lovely three day weekend at Peter's fantastic apartment. You have never seen anything like it-- so modern, so convenient, so sophisticated-- and the view-- absolutely unbelievable! Peter has thoughtfully provided everything you need for a memorable stay in Brussels.

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Guest: Bevin (Dublin, Ireland)
Date of Stay: 08/20/06 Review Submitted: 08/20/06

We were so delighted with the apartment. We have not been to Brussels in a couple of years and it meant alot to us to return (Sentimental value & lots of good memories). Our visit this time was enhanced by our stay in your apartment. The most fun was actually when we arrived - finding out where everything was. The design of the apartment is quite breathtaking, as is the view. The coffee was devine, and really gave us a good start to the days when we went shopping and sightseeing (Not that we had to go far from the apartment for either) There were lots of good shops and restaurants within walking distance. We look forward to returning next year, thanks again Peter, Best Regards, Bevin

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