First, getting there from Central Station. Easy.

While the map suggests you will be making a number of twists and turns on different streets, it really is almost a direct line from Central Station to the street where the flat is. If you use the rue des Colonies Kolonien Straat exit from the main ticket concourse, you can avoid several street crossings and, turning left at the exit, will be only a few minutes from the flat.

The flat: all white with several original building features including large windows, ornate ceilings, and coves and cubbyholes. The sofas, chairs, tables, all in white, make both a good first impression and are comfortable and functional.

The bedroom, while downstairs on the lower ground floor, is still light and airy. And very private and quiet.

The location: the flat itself is on a quiet street and only steps from a Paul's or a Pizza Hut. In addition, on the street behind are a number of restaurants, pubs, and a well-stocked shop/corner market making for a more lively area - so the best of both worlds. (Not to worry though. The street the flat is on is by no means isolated or deserted, just quiet.)

Marcelo provided a warm welcome and also provided a fresh loaf of bread along with butter and jam plus coffee and tea - all presented in a very attractive kitchen area with coffee-maker, kettle, microwave, fridge, and stove-stop/hob. And also sweet waffles, making it a classic welcome.

One observation - and this is an observation and not a criticism: with open spiral stairs from the ground floor to the bed and bath area on the lower ground floor, I would not recommend for little children or mobility-challenged.

Otherwise, with what must be 15-foot high ceilings on the main floor and higher-than-average ceilings on the lower ground, this is a spacious and open place to stay and spend time.

Finally, it is a great location to feel like you're in a nice part of Brussels without being very far at all from attractions, esp le Grand Place. There were no tourists meandering the street but, as a tourist myself, I was only minutes from getting where I wanted to be - including the Metro.