Les Bluets

The two-star Les Bluets Hotel is more of a friendly guesthouse than it is a hotel. With its rustic charm, amiable proprietor and floral prints, Les Bluets is an ideal hotel for vacationers looking for a piece of old European charm. (It’s kind of like staying with the Belgian aunt you never had.)

The hotel’s nine rooms, each complete with a small kitchenette, range from a small double to a split-level suite that can accommodate a family. Windows and skylights let in plenty of light, illuminating the well-worn furniture that encompasses various styles and eras. Each room is equipped with a fan, a telephone and television. Some bathrooms are newly renovated, while others boast claw-foot tubs.

Proprietor Myriam Hulley proudly explained that the sumptuous plants hanging from the banisters are 15 years old, adding that, “plants show the owner’s character.” Like her plants, Madame Hulley comes across as strong and larger-than-life. She runs Les Bluets single-handedly, with just one other staff member, and admits she can be a tad loud and loves chatting with guests, “perhaps too much.”

The ground-floor dining room is filled with knickknacks, flowers and more plants. Mme. Hulley serves breakfast with the bread she bakes herself, but only until 9:30 a.m. The mahogany staircase (there is an electric lift chair for senior citizens) is splendid, with original moldings, antique cabinets and Art Nouveau stained-glass windows decorating the tight landings.

Les Bluets is not for the business traveler. There’s no concierge or around-the-clock reception. Getting into the city center will take a few minutes on the Metro, plus a ten-minute walk from the tram stop. The surrounding Saint Gilles area is young and residential.