Belgium
Somewhere different to stay in the very heart of Brugge and a short distance from the railway station - De Barge Hotel.
Not only has the interior been sympathetically redesigned with a suitable nautical theme, the excellent restaurant and extremely helpful and friendly staff reward selective travellers with a memorable experience.
Would you like to be greeted by a stork on the way up to your room at the Hotel Cordoanier?
Ask him nicely and he will direct you - in any language you choose - to the best restaurant round the corner in the main square.
Stay at "Number 11" B&B.
Stay at the bijou and beautiful De Tuilerieen hotel on Den Djiver Canal. We have stayed there twice now for the impeccable service, gorgeous, individually decorated rooms and the historic champagne breakfast buffet.
Sipping champagne in the black and white chequered breakfast room whilst horse drawn carriages clip clop by on the cobbles outside, and the day to day grind of London seems a long way away.
The hotels in Bruge become fully booked very early on so you need to book accomodation far in advance if you want to stay in a decent hotel.
Hotel Karos lies just outside the main square of Bruges. It's not luxurious, or particularly quiet but is fantastic to potter round and look at all the eclectic decor. A pram full of china doll's heads, a miniature shrine next to the staircase, and most amusing of all the stuffed rhinoceros in reception.
An old Belgian runs the bar 24 hrs and is great to chat to if you can manage not to stare at his wig which is always half falling off his head. Rooms are basic but large and the breakfast is great.
All in all an experience and one for those with a sense of humor and a delight for the absurd.
Hotel Adornes is an excellent place to stay with canal views from several of the rooms and really friendly staff.
Stay at the Hotel De Orangerie. They offer fantastic discounts early in season (February) and it is a hotel that is truly special.
The photos of all who have stayed here are a fun touch and the service is wonderful. The breakfast is not to be missed - one of the highlights of the trip and a truly indulgent way to start the day (champagne, fantastic buffet and beautifully prepared hot food on request).
The location could not be better with terrace overlooking the canal. After a day exploring Bruges, you can return to the lounge and have drinks by the fire (honesty bar in operation). It feels like a home away from home - if your home was grand and posh!!
We would recommend staying at the Ter Brughe hotel alongside one of the canals. A beautifully restored canal-side house. Ask for the 'basement' suite, it's so romantic. Apart from the well-known chocolate and diamond museum try the 'cigarette bar' in Simon Stevinplein where you can still sit inside for a coffee or beer and smoke. We are committed train travellers having travelled all the way from Bucks to Narbonne for a holiday on the Canal du Mid this year.
We would recommend staying at the Ter Brughe hotel alongside one of the canals. A beautifully restored canal-side house.
Ask for the 'basement' suite, it's so romantic. Apart from the well-known chocolate and diamond museum try the 'cigarette bar' in Simon Stevinplein where you can still sit inside for a coffee or beer and smoke. We are committed train travellers having travelled all the way from Bucks to Narbonne for a holiday on the Canal du Mid this year.
Stay at the Heritage Hotel in the city centre for fantastic rooms and great service.
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