Brussels apartments

I'd read the reviews before selecting Bara Midi, and was in two minds about it, however we were arriving in a rental car, and departing on the Eurostar, so the location made sense. I'd also looked at hotels in the area, and while prices were similar I was shooting for more space than a hotel room offered. On arrival in the area the streets were covered in litter - more specifically cardboard boxes - and it was certainly looking a little dingy and rough as others had said. As it turned out it was 'cardboard recycling night', so the next morning all the rubbish had disappeared. By walking to the plaza(about 100m), from which you can see Gare Midi, the neighbourhood feels completely different! There is a huge and glamourous Pullman beside the train station, and the shops, bars and restaurants around the big roundabout are lovely. However, there was a street fight outside our window on the first night, between 4 men. at least the hotel has two secure doors before even reaching any of the apartments. I wouldn't stay here again because our particular room was very small and I could have got an equivalent sized room of higher quality at the Pullman. The lift fits a couple of suitcases and one person, and the stairwell is tiny and tight. Having said that, I've read that there are larger more spacious rooms here. Their check-in hours show on the site as up to 10pm, but the receptionist was chasing us by phone and messaging, from 7pm. Not bad, but there are comprises.