Know what to expect
I just spent two nights at Belnord and agree with one commenter who pointed out the importance of adjusting expectations. Yes, the rooms are tiny; yes, the amenities are limited, but it's not a hostel, it's not the YMCA or camping or bunking on somebody's couch. It's a safe, immaculately clean, reasonably modern and superbly located hotel. For the money, I consider it a prize. 
The staff varied from very friendly (particularly a young man named Daniel) to unsmiling, but civil. 
And no wonder the facilities are spotless. House-cleaning staff seemed to be everywhere, dusting and polishing surfaces to a high gleam. 
Here are the specific issues that I would love to see Belnord management address: 
1. Make it easier for guests to get luggage up the front steps. 
2. Reward staff that excels in friendly customer service with bonuses so that everyone else will follow suit. 
3. Update the media room so that guests can either use the printer free of charge or streamline the entire process. I tried to print my boarding passes and encountered all sorts of problems with the hotel's pay-by-the-minute system. The culprit was slow computer speed that ate up my prepaid minutes before I could print. The front-desk man offered to put in for reimbursement, but it sounded like a hassle, so I followed his recommendation and went up Broadway a few blocks to a copier store. This was my unhappiest moment at Belnord. Everything else was peachy keen--for the money.