Hertsbergestraat 10, Bruges, Belgium | (888) 616-5829
Well-preserved 16th-century, canal-side building
Set on cobbled
street in Bruges' medieval heart
Full of unique
family relics and genuine antiques
Pretty garden
overlooking canal
Spacious, canal-view rooms decorated with antiques
Excellent buffet
breakfast included
Free Wi-Fi
Only four rooms
(so they book up quickly)
Not all bathrooms
have tubs
Fee for parking
No full restaurant
The Côté Canal hotel is
a luxury bed-and-breakfast awash with historical charm and traditional
elegance in the heart of medieval Bruges. Set between a cobbled street and the
picturesque Dijver canal, the hotel couldn't be better placed, and the main tourist
attractions are just minutes away. Rooms are spacious and elegantly decorated with
genuine antique furnishings, while breakfast is particularly good -- especially
when taken in the garden overlooking the canal. While rates are certainly on
the higher end, they still represent good value for this outstanding, and
unique, guesthouse.
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Scene
Serene and sumptuous guesthouse with 16th-century origins and rich family heritage
The Côté Canal
certainly qualifies as one of the most picturesque guesthouses you'll find in
Bruges, or anywhere, for that matter -- Winston Churchill even painted it on one of his
many trips to the city. Parts of this canal-side property date back to the 16th
century and the owner, Caroline, has gone to great lengths to personally
renovate and restore the building to, and even beyond, its original period
elegance. The house has been in her family since 1901 and was inherited from
her grandparents, whose black and white portraits take pride of place in the
hotel's sumptuous, classically-styled lounge. The interiors are an elegant and romantic mélange
of genuine antique furniture, 18th-century etchings, plush red velvet seating, neoclassical
statuary, and ancient family relics -- many rescued from the house's attic. A
pretty rear garden, complete with a 100-year-old pear tree, overlooks the canal
and -- together with the accompaniment of classical music -- completes the secluded
and close-to idyllic scene. Needless to say, the hotel predominantly attracts discerning couples, although children are welcome, too, in most rooms.
Location
Set between a small, quiet cobbled street and a scenic canal in heart of medieval Bruges
The hotel is
located in the very heart of medieval Bruges, between a small cobbled side
street and the scenic Dijver canal. Despite such a central location, the hotel feels particularly quiet and secluded. Most of the city's main tourist
attractions -- including the Grote Markt (the main square) and the old Vismarkt
(fish market) -- are just five minutes away on foot. Bruges's main train
station, however, is well over a mile away, so a 10-minute cab journey is
recommended. The hotel offers parking for a fee, but you won't need a car to explore the city from this home base.
Rooms
Bright, classically styled rooms with original antiques and fluffy bathrobes
The guesthouse
has just four rooms, each of which is individually styled and immaculately
finished in light hues, top-quality materials, and original antique
pieces. The classical elegance doesn't leave out modern technology such as free Wi-Fi and
flat-screen TVs, and in-room refreshments such as minibars and
tea/coffee facilities are included, too. Bathrooms have received the same attention to detail and
include fluffy towel bathrobes and aloe vera toiletries, while some include
tubs with rooms for two. The rooms are also soundproofed well, especially
considering the age of the historical building. All rooms have canal views, too.
Features
Fresh pastries and homemade hot chocolate under an ancient pear tree
An extensive and acclaimed buffet
breakfast -- including fresh pastries, eggs, and homemade hot chocolate -- is served
in the bright and elegant breakfast room, which overlooks the garden. In the warmer months, breakfast can even be taken canal-side in the garden, under the century-old pear tree. Breakfast is included in the rate and guests
are also welcome to help themselves to tea and coffee in the kitchen throughout
the day. The owner also has two dogs, which aren’t allowed in the guest area of
the building, but visitors can meet them and play with them, which many do -- some
even take them for a walk. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, and parking is available for a fee.
