I was visiting Brussels, Belgium, for three nig. I noticed The Dominican Hotel Brussels, a member of Design Hotels, that required a reasonable Marriott Bonvoy points redemption, so I went ahead and booked the stay there.
Marriott elite benefits don't go very far at the Design Hotels brand, which is expected. But the convenient location of The Dominican Hotel Brussels by the Grand Place is hard to beat, and I enjoyed free stays using Marriott Bonvoy points rather than paying the high nightly rate there, which I seriously do not think the hotel is worth that much, especially when Marriott Platinum Elite benefits do not mean much.
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| The Dominican Hotel Brussels |
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Location
The Dominican Hotel Brussels is tucked away from the tourist crowds but within walking distance of Brussels attractions within the Grand Place area. Lots of restaurants and shops are all within walking distance of the hotel. I think the location is really the only highlight of this property.
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| The Dominican Hotel Brussels is by the Grand Place |
Room Upgrades
As a Marriott Platinum Elite member, my room was upgraded from the standard Deluxe Double Room to the Courtyard King Room, which is only one category above the standard room.
Marriott Bonvoy elites don't get all the benefits while staying at Design Hotels brands such as The Dominican Hotel Brussels. However, the room upgrade benefit is still applicable and based on availability, but don't expect a substantial upgrade.
Room Review
The Courtyard King Room at The Dominican Hotel Brussels is a minimalist kind of room. The room size is not huge but also not small. All decorations and furniture, including the wardrobes, are also small but practical.
There's a King bed, but it's not a true king size. The bed has four low soft pillows, which I did not like.
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| Courtyard King Room |
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| King Bed |
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| King Bed |
The room's temperate control is also strange and impossible to control. Turns out, there's no air conditioning inside the rooms, only an air vent at The Dominican Hotel Brussels. I was told to open the window for cool air when I complained about the warm temperature inside the room.
The bathroom is nice looking, but the bathtub is high with a half-glass door, a standard shower room in Europe.
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| Bathroom |
The view is underwhelming from the room's small window on the third floor, room number 309. There's no balcony; all we see from the room is the grass. If the Courtyard view is an upgrade, I'd just stick with the standard room, as it's not worth the upgrade.
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| Courtyard Grass View |
I did not like the room at The Dominican Hotel Brussels. I appreciated the free upgrade to the Courtyard Room, but it's nothing special, and the room itself is not worth the price tag the hotel is asking for. Thankfully, I redeemed 68,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for 3 nights instead of paying with cash.
The music inside the elevator is also annoying, but this property used to be a monastery, so they played that type of music in the elevator. 😏
Marriott Elite Benefits
Let's discuss Marriott's elite benefits for stays at the Design Hotels brand.
Design Hotels is one of the brands under the Marriott Bonvoy program, but in reality, it's just a partnership, meaning the Marriott elite benefits don't apply here. You'll only receive the following benefits while staying at Design Hotels brand, such as The Dominican Hotel Brussels:
- Receive room upgrade, as mentioned above
- Receive welcome amenity of Marriott Bonvoy points
- Earn Marriott Bonvoy points on eligible rate stays and credit card spending
- Redeem Marriott Bonvoy points for free stays.
That's about it! So lower your expectations while staying at a Design Hotels brand as a Marriott Bonvoy elite member.
Club Lounge
The Dominican Hotel Brussels is a member of Design Hotels, so there's no club lounge for Marriott elite members.
Welcome Amenity
As a Marriott Platinum Elite member, you will receive 1,000 Marriott points upon checking in.
Food & Beverage Credits
None. However, whether you have elite status with Marriott or not, if you stay more than 1 night and turn down the housekeeping service, you can get a drink token at the bar that's good for you, plus one guest in the same room for selected wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks only. More below.
The Dominican Brussels Breakfast
The Dominican Hotel Brussels is a Design Hotels member; therefore, they do not offer complimentary breakfast to Marriott Bonvovy elite members. The front desk staff told me that The Dominican Hotel Brussels breakfast is a buffet and costs 27 euro.
Dining
The Dominican Hotel Brussels has three restaurants onsite:
- Grand Lounge
- Lounge Bar
- The Courtyard
- Direct Link to The Dominican Brussels Dining
If you do not want to pay high price dining expenses at The Dominican Hotel Brussels, there are a lot of dining places all within walking distance of the hotel, thanks to the hotel's convenient location.
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| The Grand Lounge at The Dominican Hotel Brussels |
Resort Fee
The Dominican Hotel Brussels is not a resort, so no resort fees exist.
Parking
No parking. You must park at other parking businesses by the hotel and pay directly with them.
Pet Policy
The Dominican Hotel Brussels does not allow pets.
Housekeeping
Yes, available. However, if you turn down the housekeeping service, you can receive a token for a drink at the onsite lounge bar for you and one additional guest staying in the same room. The complimentary drink includes selected house wines, beers, and non-alcoholic beverages, accompanied by corn chips.
Simply stop by the front desk and ask for the token. The token is not delivered to your room. You must ask for it at the front desk.
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| No Housekeeping Drink Token |
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| No Housekeeping Drinks & Corn Chips |
Internet/Wi-Fi
Yes, free for all guests.
Bottled Water
Yes, one carton of water above the minibar.
Early Check-in
The check-in time is 3pm at The Dominican Hotel Brussels. I arrived after that time, so I did not do an early check-in.
Late Check-out
The check-out time is 12pm noon, and I didn't attempt to ask for a late check-out as a Marriott Platinum Elite member because I had to leave for Greece before noon.
With the Design Hotels not giving valuable benefits to Marriott elite members, I am skeptical they would offer late check-out and tell you, "They partner with Marriott only, and thus, Marriott elite benefits do not apply at Design Hotels."
Spa
There's no spa at The Dominican Hotel Brussels. The gym on the 5th floor has a small sauna or steam room if you want to check out.
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| The Sauna Area By The Gym |
Fitness Center
Yes located on the 5th floor.
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| Gym |
In-Room Safe
None
Robes & Slippers
Yes, provided.
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| Robe & Slipper |
Swimming Pool
The Dominican Hotel Brussels does not have a swimming pool.
Contact
- Phone: +32 (0)2 203 08 08
- Email: info@thedominican.be
- Website: The Dominican Hotel Brussels
How to Stay at The Dominican Brussels, A Member of Design Hotels For Free?
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| The Dominican Hotel Brussels |
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