In quaint Bruges, perhaps the world’s best-preserved medieval city, you almost have to try your best not to wind up in a nice and historically relevant hotel. However these hotels in Bruges are real gems, guaranteed to delight and inspire any visitor.
Hotel Dukes’ Palace
Hotel
Prepare to feel like royalty when you arrive at the bona fide castle that is Hotel Dukes’ Palace. With one-of-a-kind rooms featuring king-size beds and marble baths, the whole place exudes grandeur and polish. This comes as no surprise considering it’s located on the Prinsenhof, former home to the Duke of Burgundy. Just 250 meters away from Bruges’ central square square, Hotel Dukes’ Palace is a convenient home base for exploring this charming town.
A luxury suite with view of the famous Dijver canal in Hotel Van Cleef | Courtesy of Hotel Van Cleef
One of the most revered hotels in Bruges and quite rightly so, Hotel Van Cleef’s tranquil location just inside the Saint Anna district and its internal patio overlooking a stretch of canal make this a very special place to stay. The hands-on service and homey yet luxurious interior of this 18th century building are hallmarks of Bruges’ aristocratic Van Cleef family, who run the hotel with pride and joy.
The Adornes’ have been merchant royalty ever since the 15th century and their waterfront hotel in the St. Anna district only continues this streak of success. Small but with an incredibly personal feel, the family succeeds in making you feel instantly at home. The 17th century building’s authentic details such as wooden beams are expertly combined with all the modern comforts needed for a stress-free stay. The Adornes also offers free bike rental for coasting around Bruges’ cobbled streets and canals, a huge plus in our book.
Looking out on the single-most photographed corner in all of charming Bruges, the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce is a family-run legend – and not just because it pops up regularly in the Colin Farrell-led cult hit In Bruges. The timbered façades of the four adjoined houses hide a small selection of lush rooms, with the public spaces boasting an impressive collection of 20th century paintings (the name Magritte may ring a bell). Their excellent morning breakfast is made even better with a view of the most picturesque waterfront in this town oft-referred to as the ‘Venice of the North.’
A deluxe room at the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce, one of Bruges’ most picturesque hotels | Courtesy of the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
Hotel Navarra
Hotel
The Hotel Navarra is a 17th century mansion defined by simple elegance, retaining a high number of loyal customers who make it their go-to residence when traveling to Bruges. This devotion has a great deal to do with the beloved team keeping this expansive hotel personable, and also with its famed jazz bar The Duke, a favored spot for live music on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
The faces of renowned guests decorate the welcome hall of Hotel de Tuilerieën | Courtesy of Hotel de Tuilerieën
The first thing you notice when walking through the doors of this 15th century patrician house besides its marvelous tiled floors are the autographed portraits lining the entry hall. Here you’ll find Colin Farell, David Hockney and Belgium’s own royal family smiling back at you amongst countless other guests. Celebrities and blue-blooded families aside, it’s Hotel de Tuilerieën’s wooden four-poster beds, magnificent chandeliers and stunning view of the Dijver canal that keep visitors coming back.
If you’re looking for a sumptuous, fairytale setting for your stay in Bruges, Hotel de Orangerie is your best bet. Though the many frills and florals may be an acquired taste, the Orangerie is the ideal stage for a certain kind of romance. Adding to the butterflies is the terrace overlooking a particularly picturesque part of the Dijver canal close to the Jan van Eyckplein, one of Bruges’ most pleasant and historically relevant spots.
Its lounges give a good sense of the grandeur the Grand Hotel Casselbergh now exudes | Courtesy of Grand Hotel Casselbergh
If there was ever a hotel that fit the ugly-duckling-to-beautiful-swan narrative so neatly, it’s Grand Hotel Casselbergh. Sprawling and elegant with a historic portion and an added modern wing, the three mansions it consists of in the front – Casselbergh, Seven Towers, and the French Shield – were falling apart not too long ago. Its recent renovation to a 118-room luxury escape near the Burg Square at the heart of Bruges has been a remarkable transformation.
