I stayed in Helene's Sablon apartment with a good friend of mine for four nights, and we came to Brussels to see dazzling architecture and try excellent food. We got our wish and more thanks to our excellent hostess Hélène and her spacious apartment!

Hélène is a model host - she was very accommodating to our requests, quick to reply to any questions, and very knowledgeable about Brussels. When it became apparent that she would not be able to personally check us in, she arranged for a friend at a nearby business to help us orient ourselves, and then made sure to visit us the next day.

When we met, Hélène was courteous and generous with her time, talking us through an extensive list of the must-dos in Brussels, and then gave us personal recommendations based around our interests - art nouveau and local food. Ask for her restaurant suggestions! Hélène also did her best to minimise any inconveniences - when we noted that the previous guests had severely dirtied the kettle, she cleaned it out thoroughly and returned it that day!

The apartment itself is quite a bit larger than we had imagined, with plenty of space for the two of us - had we been a group of three or four it still would have been enough room to stretch out and relax. The big windows can let in plenty of fresh air, and the radiant heating is quick and effective in making the apartment comfortable.

The kitchen is well-stocked, but a little tough to keep clean thanks to the wood counter top and residue from the hard water on all the pots and pans. Regardless, cooking was a breeze for us when we didn't feel like eating out - the big fridge and good stove are a decisive bonus for longer stays.

However, it's very tempting to eat out all the time in Sablon - the area is packed with excellent restaurants and bars - although there's plenty of grocers and other services that make both dining in and out convenient. The neighbourhood is clean, quiet, and charming, and located within walking distance of most of Brussels's attractions.

The only downside to the area is transit access, as the nearest train station (Bruxelles-Chappelle / Brussel-Kapellekerk) was closed at the time of our visit, complicating our check-in and check-out processes. Trams and subway lines are within walking distance, but prepare to cover a bit of ground before you reach either. Fortunately, there's little reason to use either with such a central location.

Overall, we had an excellent time in Brussels and would like to thank Hélène for her part in that!