Temporary Housing

Temporary Lodging Overview

With certain military moves, you may find yourself looking for housing  before making long-term arrangements. There are several  temporary housing options that may be right for you. Explore the information about temporary housing facilities including allownces, lodging rates and eligibility.

Temporray Lodging Facility

Concurrent travel is authorized for families on orders to SHAPE/Chievres. Temporary Lodging Allowance is authorized at 15-day increments not to exceed 60-days, but 90% of personnel are able to find housing within the 30 day period.

Inflatable twin-size air mattresses and cribs are available in a limited amount. Bed linens are supplied with these items. There is an iron, ironing board, TV, DVD player, microwave and refrigerator in each guest room. In the family suite, a kitchenette is available that is equipped with a two-burner ceramic cooktop, dishwasher, medium-size refrigerator and cooking utensils including pots, pans, skillets and eating utensils such as plates, bowls, cups, saucers, glasses and silverware. The telephone in each room may also be used to provide guests with a personal wake-up service. Washing machines and dryers are free. However, you must supply your own soap and bleach. Laundry rooms are open 24/7 and there is one laundry room per floor. Snack and soft drink vending machines are located just off the lobby. Stars and Stripes newspapers may be purchased daily from a vending machine located along the walkway to the entrance to the lodge. Free internet connectivity is available in all rooms and free Wi-Fi connectivity is available throughout the lodge.

Children under 1-year of age are not charged. Room rates are subject to change.

There is a maximum of two pets per single traveler or family. Due to limited accommodations for pets, it is advised that travelers make other arrangements for pets prior to arrival in Belgium. The closest kennel is located on Chièvres Air Base which can be contacted at DSN 314-597-5240 or commercial 011-32-68-25-5240.

Army lodge is located at Chievres Air Base. Reservation requests are taken 24 hours a day. Do so by telephone at DSN 314-597-5233/7404, commercial 011-32-68-25-5233/7404 during normal duty hours or DSN 314-597-5227/commercial 011-32-68-25-5227.

Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) partially defrays the cost of temporary lodging and meals while you wait for OCONUS housing, for a maximum of 60 days upon arrival and 10 days when leaving. For more information, visit the Defense Travel Management Office website.

When traveling from Zaventem Airport in Brussels to the military lodging, follow signs to Gand/Ghent to Charleroi (E19) to Bergen/Mons (E19/E42). On E19/E42 to Mons take exit No. 23B to Nimy, a right at the light and follow the street Route d'Ath until you come to the traffic circle with a plane mounted on a pedestal. Take the third exit off the traffic circle and turn left at the second "U.S. Forces" sign on your right and proceed to Gate No. 14. The lodge is a three-story red brick building (the last building on your right). Please note, there are no street names on Chièvres Air Base.

Traveling to Chievres Lodge, you will take the Autoroute E42/E19 towards Mons/Paris. Take exit No. 23B to Nimy, a right at the light and follow the street Route d'Ath until you come to the traffic circle with a plane mounted on a pedestal. Take the third exit off the traffic circle and turn left at the second "U.S. Forces" sign on your right and proceed to Gate No. 14. The Lodge is a three-story red brick building (the last building on your right). Please note, there are no street names on Chièvres Air Base.

If you arrive after 5 p.m. or on a weekend or holiday, the Finance Office will not be open. Therefore, it would be wise to exchange some money in the United States prior to leaving for Belgium or at the airport. The lodge does no foreign currency exchange.

Other Lodging Facilities in the Area

Best Western Hotel and Aparthotel Casteau Resort – Casteau

The hotel has 65 rooms that offer four-star comfort. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom, TV, direct telephone and minibar; the hotel also offers 30 aparthotels or apartment-style hotel rooms. There is one restaurant, L'envers du Décor. A fitness room and an outdoor tennis court are at your disposal for your form and well-being. The Best Western Casteau Resort offers all this in a green and calm environment, located near the motorway. The resort has a large parking place which accommodates approximately 150 cars.

Directions from Brussels – Travel toward Bergen-Mons-Paris. Take exit North 23 SHAPE-Maisieres. Follow the road for about four kilometers toward Soignies. You will pass the SHAPE military base, and approximately one kilometer after the first traffic light, you will see the Best Western Casteau Resort on your left side.

Hotel Van der Valk Mons 

The Hotel Van der Valk Mons offers comfortable rooms and one luxury suite. All the rooms have private bathroom, telephone with internet access, radio, TV, minibar and hairdryer. The Hotel offers meeting rooms with air conditioning, accommodating five to 200 people. Every meeting room has natural daylight. The hotel also offers a restaurant, bar, lounge, fitness room, spa, and swimming pool and a spacious parking.

Hotel facilities include bar, swimming pool, business center, currency exchange services, faxing facilities, hotel car park, lift/elevator, meeting and banquet facilities, restaurant and safe deposit box. 

Directions from Brussels – Travel toward Bergen-Mons-Paris. Take exit Mons.

Local Dining

Your first meals will probably be on base. The food court on Chievres Air Base is located in the Main Exchange and accepts both U.S. dollars and euros. The Main Exchange and the commissary are closed on Mondays. Their normal operation hours of operation are 10 a.m.-7 p.m.