I spent 2 nights in a Brussels budget hotel after staying in a 5-star hotel in Glasgow. I'd book the cheaper one again for 3 reasons.

24.10.2023 - 19:21 / insider.com / Star

I packed my bags in September and set off on a girls' trip across Europe. 

The 10-day vacation kicked off in London before stopping in Glasgow and Brussels. In addition to all the incredible sites and delicious food, I stayed in two hotels with drastically different prices.

I spent $1,041 for three nights in Glasgow at the Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel before traveling to Brussels, where I stayed two nights at the easyHotel Brussels City Centre for $250. The Kimpton in Glasgow is luxurious, with plush amenities and fun perks for guests, like a complimentary wine hour every night. Guests can also access spa amenities, a hotel bar and restaurant, attentive staff, and plush bedrooms.

Even so, I'd book the budget hotel again for three reasons.

I was researching accommodation options for Brussels when I stumbled across easyHotel, which offered decent rooms for low prices. As a woman, I always think about safety when I travel, so I quickly began reading reviews of easyHotel. To my surprise, it had tons of former guests praising the hotel in reviews and sported high ratings across different travel websites. 

Although one person wrote a negative review criticizing easyHotel for not offering breakfast and another complained about noise, I didn't find many reviews about safety concerns.

When I arrived, the concierge walked me through all the safety policies, including that only guests with key cards can access the elevator leading to bedrooms and that non-guests aren't allowed on guest floors. EasyHotel also offers 24/7 concierge services and baggage storage for guests who want peace of mind. 

I never felt unsafe and left with all my belongings intact two days later. 

One of easyHotel's selling points is that it's in the middle of the action. From easyHotel, guests can reach The Grand-Place, the central square in Brussels where humongous buildings dating back to the 17th century stand tall. Tourists can also explore various shops. The hotel is near the Royal Museum of Fine Arts, the Royal Palace of Brussels, and Laeken Park. 

Although I took the occasional Uber ride, easyHotel's location meant I could walk to most attractions with minimal effort. 

I relished staying at the luxury hotel in Glasgow, but I didn't love the price tag — even if I saw the bill coming. While splurging like that occasionally can be fun, I'd rather spend less on lodging accommodations so I have more money to use for experiences and food.