Phileas Fogg

A place that you can call home

April 15, 2011

My impression about Phileas Fogg was good from the first night. As soon as I arrived Karin just offered me the dinner and I had the chance to speak with friendly international people. The day after I had a wonderful breakfast. The apartment where I stayed is wonderful, made in wood, original in style. No problem with the dogs, which are relly quite and friendly. This is a place where you feel home. There is fantasy, creativity, and a positive approach to everything.

Stay away from this guest-unfriendly BED-AND-NO-BREAKFAST

March 24, 2011

On the positive side, I found my room (BLUE ROOM) nicely furnished and comfortable. I liked the decor, an amazing oriental lamp and a great bed. The area is not very welcoming but it’s relatively close to the metro so it’s ok. Much more on the negative... Although it’s a bed&breakfast you can forget about getting breakfast there. I arrived pretty late (9:30pm) the first evening to be greeted by one of the guests. As the owner did not show up that evening I had no chance to ask about the time breakfast is served the following morning but assumed it would be possible to have it around 7am as I had to leave for a meeting around 8am.Unfortunatelu the following nobody was there from 7-7:30am but found nobody so had to leave without breakfast. To make sure I do get breakfast the next morning I wrote an e-mail asking for breakfast at 8.00am (again nobody was there to arrange it in person).My e-mail was ignored and nobody was in the kitchen between 8:00 and 8:30. Again, no breakfast! When I was checking out around 8.45 am I found Karin, the owner in the kitchen offering me breakfast for which it was already too late for me.I did not have time to wait for the receipt either.In spite of my numerous e-mails asking for a proper receipt I never got it.The only thing I got was a few lines of text looking lousy and unofficial without any signature. After a while Karin just started ignoring my e-mails leaving me with the sorry excuse for the receipt... Other than that my experience was ruined by the two huge dogs in the place barking like crazy in the morning and wiping their saliva at my suit as I was trying to leave my room. Summing up: •You pay for bed&breakfast - you get bed & no-breakfast & dog saliva on your suit gratis •Forget about getting a proper receipt. Business travellers stay away at all costs! •It’s a completely self-service place – without the adequate comfort and with all the problems involved •STAY AWAY!!!

Innkeeper Response
We are sorry that this guèst had such a bad expérience. About his arrival and me not being présent at thé Time of his arrival: we offer guests thé flexibility to arrive at thé hour of THEIR convenience, événement though wa do not run a staffed 24h réception. Thé guèst opening thé door to him is a long-term guèst, who got a better deal in return for opening thé door when i cannot be there. Please do understand we , b&b owners, have private lives too. This guèst was asked to communicate breakfast Time, which hé forgot. Sorry for thé dogs, but about thé barking, they are NOT hère at night. And thé receipt is thé one we always give, basés on thé input we get. Sorry if our service was perceived as poor. We'll aim for better...

Friendly welcome and comfortable environment

March 08, 2010

I was looking for a place to pass the night in Brussels when a friend told me about the Phileas Fogg. The location is quite convenient, 5 minutes walk away from a bank with ATM, several stores, and a bus stop. The B&B is just fine; my room had a heater, a comfortable bed, wifi, a couch, some towels, and a closet. The house looks like something straight out of a good mystery novel, you'll spend half your time just taking pictures of the beautiful place. The thing that really caused this place to stand out, though, was the service. Not only was the owner, Karin, incredibly accommodating and very warm, she went out of her way to help help me meet some of the local crowd. I got to meet her daughter, dogs, and several of her friends, and we had a great time at a dinner party. Adventurers, you'll find a kindred spirit in Karin; she has plenty of fun stories to tell from her travels and is very open to hear about your own wandering. I also hear she's a top-notch tango dancer... but I unfortunately did not get the chance to share a dance with this wonderful woman. She drove me in her car to where I needed to go because I didn't know the place, and was kind enough to wake up and call me a taxi for my flight out of Belgium early the next morning. If you're looking for a boring and quiet experience, find a hotel, but if you're looking for a place to stay with a little bit of excitement, a nice personal touch and a family-friendly atmosphere, the Phileas Fogg is the B&B for you!

Stay away

November 15, 2009

Deceptive. The reallity of this place has nothing to do with the impression given by the website. unpleasant surprise. It is dirty and noisy . No key to the room. . Neither soap nor shampoo supplied ( the minimum expected in any hotel) - bathroom in the laundry - towels and sheets very worn out - Poor value for money

Superbe B&B, OUTSTANDING

October 17, 2009

I would just like to tell everyone that Phileas Fogg is hands down, the best B&B in Brussels. Apart from the exceptionally clean, cozy, and elegant atmosphere, the owner, Karin is an absolute gem. She takes pride in what she does and is a vaulable asset to her establishment as she offers more than just courtesy service. The ambiance is fabulous, the dinners enchanting. You'll not only discover a great place to stay, but you'll make friends too!

Atmospheric B&B

September 04, 2009

A ten minute walk from the centre of downtown Brussels Karin's B&B has to be one of the most atmospheric addresses in town. Located in a grand old house with a strikingly bohemnian 'shabby chic' decor, Philleas Fogg was definitely one of the most memorable aspects of our trip. (If you are someone who likes an off-the-rack biege hotel with a little hygiene sash across your toilet every morning, this is not for you.) B&Bs can be an awkward experience but Karin is adept about being sociable and welcoming - while ensuring you have the privacy you need. To get the most out of the experience, my advice is book early to get your room of preference (all are spacious but some are better than others); and if you are planning to leave early the next day fix up your account the night before (mornings can be busy due to breakfast hour). In summary - this is a cool B&B and next time I'm in Brussels, I'm heading straight for it.

beauty and nothing more!

December 08, 2008

It was the most essential experience with stay in a hotel ever! Something just like good piece of art! On the top of it kind people! Lovely atmosphere dominates this place!

At the Phileas Fogg in November 2008

November 24, 2008

Coming to Phileas Fogg in this tiny litte neighborhood in Brussels was like coming home after a long journey. We had the pleasure to stay four nights in Karin’s B&B and shared an opulent Belgian waterzooi-Dinner with her and the other residents from Turkey, Sweden, Norway, the United Kingdom. Our little one enjoyed playing with Karen’s lovely daughter while we were working in the living room. During the warm months it will be even more cosy in the little garden. Each of the eight rooms has special colours and a unique atmosphere. Breakfast was outstanding. This was more than just a friendly accommodation, it was a very warm and open-minded welcome! Thanks a lot, Karen! Katja, Giorgos and Daria from Athens