We test five dirt-cheap hotels in Limburg (Reizen)

YUP Hotel in Hasselt

A luxurious stay in the heart of Hasselt. This is stated on the website of YUP Hotel, an operation of Different Hotels. In just five minutes you will indeed be at Quartier Bleu. But luxurious? Not if you book the cheapest room.

In the budget cabin room you sleep on a chamois leather mattress – that thing is less than ten centimeters thick – in a cube-shaped cabin in the middle of a small, narrow and dark room. Behind the cabin is a small shower with a toilet right next to it. So think carefully in advance how much the bond with you roommate can tolerate. With the quote ‘be avant-garde‘, which is written in cow letters on the wall of the hotel room, we can only chuckle.

The cheapest breakfast is a doggy bag of 13 euros, none French breakfast for 8 euros as stated on the website. The bag is filled with two chewy mini croissants, three dry crackers, toppings and yogurt. For a romantic one getaway do we fit, but are you young, not claustrophobic and do you want to crash cheaply in Hasselt? Just book.

Our bill

Budget cabin room: 59 euros per room per night

Takeaway breakfast: 13 euros per person

Tourist tax: 5.45 euros per person per night

Total for two: 95.90 euros

Thonissenlaan 52 in Hasselt. Info and booking: www.differenthotels.com/nl/hotels/yup-hotel

Hostel H in Hasselt

We are curious about a night in Limburg’s only hostel. So we book a double room with private bathroom in Hostel H. Upon arrival we have to make our own bed. Not a problem in itself, although not for the plastic mattresses that you have to put a fitted sheet over (ew!). Not only does it look dirty, such a soft mattress and pillow are also quite uncomfortable. People with back problems would be better off investing their money elsewhere. There is no cover for the orange duvet, only a wafer-thin sheet that you can place underneath. We prefer hygiene to warmth and toss the thing aside.

Furthermore, the room and bathroom are surprisingly clean and are certainly sufficiently large. There are no towels, but you can rent them for 1.50 euros each. You must also bring your own soaps and a hairdryer.

Keep in mind that a hostel is a magnet for singles and classes on excursions. In other words: no guarantee of a quiet night. A group of schoolchildren turned the breakfast buffet – in a very cheerless refectory with slices of bread, spreads, yoghurt and corn flakes – into one big battlefield. For a cheap A friend’s outing is barely acceptable.

Our bill

Double room with private bathroom: 40.80 euros per person per night

Breakfast: inclusive

Tourist tax: 2.36 euros per person per night

Total for two: 86.32 euros

Spoorwegstraat 80 in Hasselt. Info and books: www.jeugdherbergen.be/nl/hasselt

Hotel Plaza in Lommel

Hotel Plaza is located on the Buitensingel in Lommel, about a fifteen-minute walk from the city center. Despite what the name suggests, you should not expect prestigious or luxurious conditions here. The reception and breakfast room, reminiscent of grandmother’s living room, already speak volumes.

Via a small, creaking staircase we reach the economy room, the cheapest in the range. First impression? Cold, in all senses of the word. The small electric heater warms us up a bit, but the interior is anything but. The old-fashioned tiles, white and bright blue painted brick walls, a sad painting above the bed, the dusty built-in cupboard and small, uninviting bathroom do not appeal to us. We feel more like running away, but we still stay for the mattresses, which are thick enough for a change.

The breakfast is okay. We can choose from sandwiches and croissants, an assortment of toppings, fruit, cornflakes and, for those who want, a fried egg. The bare minimum for 15 euros.

Our bill

Economy room: 65 euros

Breakfast: 15 euros per person

Tourist tax: 2 euros per person

Total for two: 99 euros

Buitensingel 1 in Lommel. Info and booking: www.hotelplazalommel.com/index.html

Hotel ‘t Hert in Genk

The interior of the reception and the restaurant area bear witness to this: ‘t Hert is one of the oldest hotels in Genk. We receive a family welcome from the manageress and her dog and are given the key to the cheapest room: the budget room.

Once again we stare at white and blue painted walls and a lonely painting hangs on the wall. That doesn’t bode well. But unlike the other destinations on our cheap hotel tour, it smells fresh and freshly cleaned here. The room is spacious enough and the mattresses are sufficiently thick with some springs. Absolutely no interior for a pleasant stay all evening, but walk outside and you immediately find yourself among the restaurants on the Stadsplein.

The breakfast buffet, which is included in the price, consists of fresh rolls, croissants, scrambled eggs, bacon, toppings including smoked salmon, yogurt, corn flakes and even strawberries and blueberries. The price-quality is very good here!

Our bill

Budget room: 65 euros

Breakfast: inclusive

Tourist tax: 2 euros per person

Total for two: 69 euros

Winterslagstraat 11 in Genk. Info and booking: www.hotel-het-hert.be

Hotel Ecu in Genk

Hotel Ecu, another operation of Different Hotels, is the most expensive of the five. And due to unforeseen service costs, it was slightly over our budget of one hundred euros. But we have to admit: you also get a little more comfort for your money.

The room remains very basic, bare and ugly decorated with white and bright blue accents. As far as we’re concerned, the hotel architect who came up with this color palette should be fired. For the rest, the room is not too large, but not claustrophobically small either and we are especially fans of the large walk-in shower. Everything is clean, the mattresses are fine and the hotel is located in the center of Genk, diagonally opposite the station.

Breakfast is also the most expensive of the five, but also the most extensive. You can even make your own mini pancakes here and choose from fresh rolls, mini croissants, scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, fruit, many types of toppings, yogurt, cupcakes and more. Conclusion: for a few euros more we have finally found a contender to take your loved one to.