Phileas Fogg

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.

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!!!

[Resource Id: innkeeperresponse, Set: reviews]
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...

- Karin (innkeeper)

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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

I'm not going to say that this B&B is for every body. It's not. It's more like a familly. When you arrive you are welcome by Karin and you quickly become part of a large familly regrouping people from every were in the world. You're free to made your own meal when you want. I'll recomand you the 'Chambre brune', 'Mezzanine' and the 'chambre bleu'.

Four of us stayed here last weekend, when we were visiting Brussels for a concert. Karin Dhadamus's elegant townhouse and warm hospitality were exceptional, and exceeded our already-high hopes (I had read many reviews beforehand). It needs to be judged on its atmosphere, beauty, vibrance and the tranquility of a lovely old Brussels house, all of these being vitalised by Karin's kindness, warmth and interest in her guests. People who have posted negative reviews are welcome to the plastic Sheratons and Marriotts in which they should have stayed. This place, in lovely contrast, is real. ps Regrettably we were not able to sample an evening meal (our fault). Breakfasts: great. - Richard

A real gem - as good as it looks from the website. Karin is lovely, as are her daughter (and their dogs), all of whom you'll meet. Quite a find and I'm looking forward to staying again. Guests might want to know there are no locks on the bedroom doors - but its a very safe feeling place, with only a few guests, plus security cameras and controlled entry to the building, so not a concern for me really. More than made up for by the very warm welcome, lovely building and walkable distance from the European quarter.

I found this place to be a warm, welcoming place to stay. The owner, Karin, was the perfect host and made me feel more than welcome. Her knowledge of Brussels was second to none which made the experience more enjoyable. I would not hesitate recommending this place to anyone.

Loved my stay here! In Brussels for 3 months, intended to stay few days, find apartment but enjoyed my stay so much I never left! Traditional Belgium Townhouse, full of character, antiques & artefacts from around the world. Clean, spacious & well-run, no hanging around to check in & out! Safe & secure, there are no keys to have to remember!-pad at the side of the door reads your thumb-print! Great location, quiet, safe, walkable to the Centre & the Metro just mins. away. The Owner Karin is fabulous! So welcoming, vivacious! Lovely to chat with & local knowledge of Brussels to give personal recommendations. Most of all she is such a kind & caring person. Her Daughter is adorable! polite, well-mannered & just like Karin can switch from speaking languages! The Dogs are sweet & lovely! well-behaved & love tummy-tickles! I miss the whole Family! I love the rooms-the smell of freshly laundered sheets & the powerful showers! Mandarin room; fireplace, high ceiling with rose & cornicing, yet with wi-fi & cable TV! Bright Mezzanine room-highest ceiling ever! En-suite with a unique antique sink. The Basement rooms-both en-suite, contemporary & spacious. (I can’t decide on a favourite room!). There’s so much attention to detail down to the embossed, fluffy towels. There’s also no obtrusive cleaning - it’s all done when you’re out. The open-plan Kitchen/Dining/Seating area full of character with a large Aga etc. Yet with US style fridge & excellent coffee machine! Perfect for my stay as I could make my own dinner! Bathroom is spacious, large free-standing bath & shower. During my stay I met people from all cultures & Karin introduces everyone to each other. You’re not just a name! Welcoming, friendly, fun & relaxed but professional. When I left I forgot a bag of clothes I bought in Brussels-Karin contacted myself! Fantastic! to send them to me from Belgium to England! few days later I received a parcel in the post! Where else would that happen! Wonderful! I miss staying there!

We stayed three years ago in this DIRTY place. Karin has two bad smelling dogs and the room and toilets are NOT clean. I advise everybody to read the comments of other travellers on the site Tripadvisor. Save your money and don't go to this disappointing place.

If you want a lift to your creative spirits while enjoying Brussels, staying a night at Phileas Fogg might help. Interesting interiors (I could watch stars on the sky while falling asleep in the Mezannine room), gastronomic discoveries (maroccan pancackes for breakfast!), interesting conversations with Karen, morning table service by her little daughter... I enjoyed my stay there - both my body had good bed&breakfast and my soul had warmth and inspiration.

The Phileas Fogg is a great place to stay in Brussels. It's very handy for the Gare du Noord and within walking distance of most of the town. The welcome is brilliant and the building itself is wonderful. Karin is fluent in several languages and is willing to help you if you need it. We will definitely be staying there if we return to Brussels in the future.

The Phileas Fogg was a wonderful, quiet, clean, and comfortable place to spend my week in Brussels. I was impressed with the accommodations, particularly the value. I was also delighted with the Breakfast. It was a bit far (30 minute walk) from Grand Place, but I felt safe walking it late at night. I will absolutely stay there again if my travel again calls for a stay in Brussels.

I stayed at the Phileas Fogg from 20-22 November. It was a wonderful experience. The owner, Karin Dhadamus, was extremely welcoming, and even invited me to watch her evening tango class!! (I watched -- it was fun.) She provided useful information, made simple, tasty breakfasts, and always had a great deal of good humour and energy (and spoke about 6 languages). My room was beautiful, and very comfortable, and cost far less than I thought it would: a nice surprise. I highly recommend this B & B to anyone who enjoys meeting and learning about other people and their cultures. In only 2 days, I met people from Slovakia, Jersey, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, and France -- and they all met me, a Jamaican. Karin also saved me, for when I arrived in Brussels I had no place to stay. But thanks to her, I had a great time. I would stay there again!!! Also close to metros and major cultural attractions. FIVE STARS!!