International Youth Hostel Bruegel

Ok, but I've seen better
I just want to mention that the price mentioned on this website aren't ok -- beds are from 18 euro (four beds) to 32 euro (one bed). The hotel is ok -- the room are reasonably clean, staff is ok, except for the barmaid downstairs, that girl is just too nice. I've seen youth hostels that were far better than this one, but I've also seem some that were worse. Cheap for Brussels and near center of town.

Good
This is a good hostel. The location is perfect! Five minutes by foot from the Grand Place! Breakfast is good and rooms are clean! A problem is the curfew (1 a.m.) and using luggage room you have to pay.

Good
Clean, convenient location, and good breakfast. On the edge of a slightly dodgy neighbourhood, but we never had any problems.

Very helpful, friendly staff; good food; and lots of fun in the bar
Since this was my first stop in Europe, It feels like a home far away from home where I made friends for life. I keep on coming back after every other country. The staff was really friendly, specially the bartender whose name is Octo, we build up a nice friendship. I had some trouble with my visa and the manager of the hostel helped me out to sort it out. I like him and he is a nice funny guy. Well I just end up to recommend this place, whose personnel will be more than glad to help you out. If you go there, you should definitely go to their bar and try a Barbar, Belgium's oldest beer -- and it is cheap!

The attitude of the staff is horrible here! First of all, the lady with short hair at the desk was so impolite and rude to all the customers that everybody I met there was complaining about her. And then there was the manager. He came to the bar in the night and then started annoying customers, and made sexual comments to all the girls present in the bar. It was disgusting! When I went to bed, he had changed his clothes into some army-like outfit, and was yelling to some sixteen-year-old kids that they had to be quiet or else he would kick their asses! That was ridiculous! What a fool! And what a horrible experience I had here. Do not go here!

This was the first stop on my trip, and I was extremely jet-lagged. They just had a huge school group arrive when I came in the door. I paid for a dorm room and was going to be put into a room with five middle-school-aged girls. But then they decided that they could give me my own private room and didn't ask me to pay any extra. It was a godsend since I ended up sleeping during the day to get on europe time. The location was great, within easy walk of Grand Place and the Court and Palace. Staff were super friendly.

I stayed here for three nights in June. Good location, about a twenty-minute walk from the train station (not Centraal). Close to the Grand Place. Met some great people in my dorm, the beer is cheap in the bar downstairs. It was a little quiet during my stay there but I guess that isn't always a bad thing. Amenities were good, dorms were clean.

Good location! Within walking distance to shops and bars. Breakfast was the usual, and the same everyday but you can eat as much as you like. Clean rooms depending on who you share a room with. I dont think housekeeping emptied our trash in our room the whole time I was there, nor swept the floor. Bathrooms were clean, with the push button shower. Curfew was a pain and the atmosphere was quiet even with the bar downstairs, but its still possible to meet people. Clean beds save environment, what more could you ask for?

The hostel was above all expectations. The rubber sheets on the bed covered all other odours. The receptionist was one of the most un-pleasant persons I've ever met. Great prices on beer though! Blake, the californian bartender was super. Showers changed from icecold to boiling hot and then back to icecold with ten second intervalls.

I wandered in from the airport without a reservation. The desk told me they were fully booked, but since it was 4:30 p.m. they were giving away no-show reserved beds and I got one no problem. It was everything you should expect from a IY Hostel, including a little institutional and I had to leave very early the next morning to catch my flight to NYC but found I was actually locked IN the building. I had to leave through the fire door. Brussels has great steak and beers. Try Leffe.

After a hellish overnight bus, I was looking for the first available hostel to have a shower and a nap. This was the easiest to get to, and it certainly does have a fantastic central location. It gave a good first impression as I came in, clean and bright with a nice courtyard. And from there it went downhill. The woman at reception was rude and unhelpful, not allowing me to check in before 3 p.m. (fair enough) but not allowing me to store my bags there until then either. The lockout was absolutely ridiculous, and there is an irritating PA in the morning to hurry you out. 1 a.m. curfew. It was very hard to meet people. The hostel has a few redeeming factors — my room was nice and clean, with two bunks, small chairs and table, lockers and en suite bathroom. The breakfast is also a bit better than most hostels with a fair bit of choice and chocolate biscuits! Unfortunately, however, this didn't make up for the staff and inconveniences.

Showers don't work properly. Receptionist was rude. The best point is the bar and friendly barman.

I was lucky to meet a few travelers and have a good time at the bar, but otherwise, the place was empty and pretty institutional — usually the case with HI. Some old lady yelled at me for coming into the room at 1 a.m. Not the hostel's fault, but I think that's the general vibe — to bed early, and up early.

Great place! The best thing 'bout this hostel: they have a REALLY COOL BAR!!! I extended my stay, because I liked it so much! GO THERE!!! Rooms, staff, accommodation — everything is perfect!

Absolutely the cleanest and most organized hostel I've stayed at. Excellent facilities, location, staff. Two very small comments though: long lockout and no coed dorms.