Traveller from London stayed in December,2009

Guest Comment:
We were allocated probably the smallest double-room in the hotel (room 33) - it was just about big enough to fit the bed, but there was no room for suitcases. However, most of the other rooms were very spacious- our children had a large triple room which was huge. Some of the facilities were not well maintained, or were not 4 star quality: eg, broken bedside light switch, and the shower had no thermostat and was either boiling or freezing by turns. The room was airless,stiflingly hot on arrival, and stank of cigarette smoke which penetrated from the corridor where it was really acrid for some reason: turning down the aircon thermostat made little difference. The window only opened fully or not at all, so it being December and freezing outside, natural ventilation was not an option. Staff were mixed: the breakfast waitress was friendly and helpful, but the woman on reception was rather abrupt. The kitchen ran out of some breakfast items, so late-comers,eg. my teenage sons, missed out on bacon and sausages: probably no bad thing! Recommended with reservations.

Top Tip:
If driving, park in the underground car park at t'Zand (entrance in underpass) 8 euros per 24hrs. The Grand Cafe de Passage off Zuidzandstraat is fantastic and ( for bruges) well priced. The t'brugge biertje bar in Kemalstraat (also off zuidzandstraat) is everything a bar should be. 300 beers and the friendly barman knows them all and can recommend something to your taste if (like me) you find the choice too confusing. The cafes on t'Zand are the cheapest in Bruges and good quality. Best visits: de halve maan brewery tour (take the tour, drink the beer and eat in the cheerful restaurant), and for culture, the Groeninge museum for the Flemish Primitives and one Magritte. Show your hotel-room card for discount on entrance fees. My favourite beer was Westmalle tripel trappist. Sublime but 9.5% alcohol so treat with respect! the local Brugse Zot is also good and lighter at 6%. Finally, avoid the chocolate museum - disappointing and only one chocolate per person despite a 5 euro entry fee!