Theater Hotel

Situated in the red light district, the Theater Hotel has some gritty surroundings. But once guests enter the cream-colored front door, a tidy, modern, red-and-white space provides a small sanctuary. Rooms are split across a few buildings on the block and around the corner. The main building is home to the reception area, a sleek, modern spot with a curved white desk and cup-shaped red-and-chrome chairs, a style that extends into the attached dining area with white molded chairs and a bright red accent wall. It's still a no-frills budget property, but the Theater Hotel has a one up on hostels, especially for couples and small groups, because of its spacious, private rooms with en-suite bathrooms. That plus its competitive rates and proximity to the city center attracts plenty of budget-minded tourists. 

The Theater Hotel is situated in Brussel's red-light district. It's a neighborhood that makes some guests uncomfortable, though others find it's not an issue. The neighborhood and block itself is full of brothels, but there are also eateries near the hotel, and the Yser subway station is just a two-minute walk. It is a convenient home base to see city sights: Guests can walk to Grand Place, the city's bustling central square, in about 15-minutes, and places like St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Manneken Pis, and Central Station are all within a 20-minute walk. Brussels Airport is 30 to 45 minutes away via public transit. 

Guest rooms vary in size and a bit in decor, but they tend to be spacious overall. They're also fairly basic with carpeting or wood floors, plain white walls, and simple furniture that may show signs of wear and tear or the occasional maintenance issue, though most guests find them clean for a budget property. Some rooms mirror the modern minimalism of the lobby with red accent walls or plastic molded chairs, but others are far simpler. Bathrooms are small but contemporary with black tiled floors, white tiled walls, and usually curtained shower stalls. During our late 2016 visit, the hotel had renovated one room with plans to renovate more.

Guest room categories include Double and Twin Rooms, Triple Rooms, and Suites which can accommodate up to four guests and may include kitchenettes. All rooms include 26- to 32-inch Smart TVs and free Wi-Fi, but no air-conditioning or coffee/tea service, and mini-fridges aren't standard either. Bathrooms have toiletry dispensers and hairdryers. Guest should note that rooms are situated among different buildings, some of which do not have working elevators. Rooms facing the street can be noisy, so light sleepers may want to pack earplugs.

As expected for a budget property, the Theater Hotel is short on extra features. The reception and breakfast room are connected and both feature sleek, modern decor. Off the breakfast room, there's a small courtyard terrace with a table and a few chairs. The breakfast buffet offers a decent range of cold standards like cereal, bread, yogurt, meat, and cheese, but it costs an extra fee. There's no full-service restaurant, bar, or gym. For guests traveling with children, cribs and high chairs are available. The front desk stays open 24 hours, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.