noplasticshowers

After the relaxing visit to Lichtervelde for the 3rd Great Belgian Rum Tasting it was a quick train ride to Brussels to await Romey’s arrival.  The Hotel Manos Premier is a bit off the beaten track between touristland and the train station.  It is an easy walk to everywhere.

The room I requested was occupied by someone who had changed rooms.  I was assigned the same category suite connected to the bee garden.  Predictably, the HVAC was unable to handle the heat (something that seems to be pervasive in Europe these years what with massive climate change) which made for a less comfortable stay than it could have been stay.  Minus ten for the room swap.

The hotel is well appointed in an old Europe kind of way.  Very nice breakfast room.  Cosy grounds with nice outside greenery.

The room itself had plenty of space and was comfortable but was not well put together into a coherent design.  Euro-bathroom.  Not plastic.  But not a real shower either.

The water closet.  LOL.

The bedroom had room for the bed.

By far the nicest part 0f the suite was the sitting room.  This is where working AC would have been helpful.

Romey arrived! Every visit to Brussels must include the main gothic square.  Have a beer.

And visit the little pisser too!

A stop in at the Musical Instrument Museum usually includes a very nice visit to the rooftop bar.  Sadly, the rooftop is under renovation.  The museum itself is remarkable with a great collection of very weird instruments from all over the world.

La Pharmacie Anglaise is a very good bar indeed, right next to the MIM.  Handcrafted nicely-designed cocktails are abundant, and they know most of the classics.

A cocktail and some finger food at Vertigo was OK.  The service could be easily improved,

Make time for a walk in the park.  We spent a few hours just following our noses around the city which was very nice.  Brussels is reasonably walkable.

Street fun and frites clothing.

The highlight of the visit was lunch with Yo and Caroline at restaurant Albert, on the top floor of the national library.  Great food, but more importantly, great company.

Finally, before our train trip to Berlin, we stopped by for a rooftop cocktail at some completely forgettable rooftop bar (maybe JAM Brussels) with our London companions.   And then it was time to catch the train…

Three showerheads for the Hotel Manos Premier.  Best to have working HVAC and give people the room you promised them.