Top 10 Places To Stay

The following is by no means a list of the best hotels in Belgium. I am aware of many fantastic Hotels and Bed & Breakfasts around Belgium. Some are reasonable; some are expensive to downright ludicrous.

What I am trying to list are places I have stayed at that make me feel extremely comfortable after a long day on the road or in the pubs. I have listed them according to personal feelings and memory status. I do not cover many areas such as Ghent, Liege and others. Ghent is a wonderful town and a must see on any trip to Belgium but I have not had the opportunity to spend the night there during any of my trips to Belgium.

If you are planning a trip and have a basic itinerary, I can offer suggestions for most areas of the country. I have spent time in almost all major cities, except Liege and have traveled through and spent time in many of the smaller towns.

Also, Belgium has numerous castles that offer overnight stays, something I would love to do on one of my trips.

 

#1) Brouwershuis, St. Bernards Brouwerij, Trappistenweg 23a, Watou Some ‘Top 10’ placements require quite a bit of thought before making a decision, but this was an easy choice. Bernadette and Guy Claus are the owners and they have the concept of ‘Bed & Breakfast’ down to a science.

Bernadette was born in this house and after marriage to Guy and his subsequent managerial position of the family brewery, St. Bernard (makers of the St. Bernardus range of beers) she decided to turn her home into a haven for weary travelers.

I am SO thankful she did. This is by far the best place to hang your beer mug while in Belgium.

When you first arrive, Bernadette will ask if you would like a beer or would you like to see your room. I have yet to see anyone opt for the room first. After receiving a nice fresh St. Bernardus ale; Abt, Prior or Tripel you are led to the solarium where peace and tranquility will consume you. On my first visit, I felt I could just sleep on the couch right here. But the rooms are so much more comfortable and inviting.

Bernadette will explain that you basically have free rein of the house. There is a large living room with a full library that meets most peoples reading needs, a great fireplace in the winter AND a cabinet fully stocked with St. Bernardus beers ready for you 24 hours a day.

The breakfast served in the morning is exquisite. Unique farm fresh cheeses and meats, hard-boiled eggs, cereals, juices and great conversation. (And a St. Bernardus beer if you are so inclined.)

I will guarantee that you will feel a slight emptiness when you depart from Bernadette’s company. She is truly a gem.

www.sintbernardus.be
 

#2) Marraine Zulma, Rue de la Station 41, Wellin Very few of my readers will visit Marraine Zulma’s B&B. Those that do will be well rewarded. The house is an early 1900’s manor house that has been carefully restored and there is an additional guesthouse for the larger group or family. It has a large yard and gardens and a small pond and Mle. Zulma will be pleased to provide you with directions to the sights in the area or a bicycle map. There are only 3 guest rooms available but all are very roomy and each has it’s own bath. This is a gastronomic B&B so the breakfast is not a typical meat and cheese deal. You will receive a great full breakfast and if you choose the gastronomical evening meal, you will not be sorry.

The usual evening meal consists of a 3 or 5 course event of fantastic regional cuisine. Some dishes are prepared with beer and almost every meal utilizes provisions form the local area.

Any visitor to the region should consider a stay here. It is convenient to Rochefort, Tellin, the Grottos and only a short drive from Dinant. There is no tourism here. This is where you go to REALLY relax.

It is also the best place to stay if attending the yearly Sohier Beer Fest mentioned on my ‘Top 10 Festival’ page.

www.zulma.be
 

#3) Hotel Prinsenhof, Ontvangersstraat 9, Brugge Owners Thierry and Katrien welcome you to their home, which is also a hotel. Hotel Prinsenhof is the epitome of what every hotel should be like. This is a first class hotel and everything you encounter during your stay is meant to bring memories and pleasure. This is a larger B&B with 16 rooms but you will always feel like part of the family. It is just a few blocks off the Markt on a very quiet side street. www.prinsenhof.com

 

#4) Crowne Plaza, Burg 10, Brugge There are dozens of great hotels and Bed & Breakfast inns in Brugge, but I really like this Crowne Plaza. It is on the Burg and if you have a front facing room, your view will be of the ancient town square and the famous Basilica of the Holy Blood. While the Burg is not as famous or as exciting as the Markt a block away, it is very quiet in the evening.

The hotel is built on the foundation of the 10th Century St. Donaas Cathedral and some of the original foundation walls are preserved in the cellar.

The hotel also has 2 options for eating. The Linde is a great place for a quick breakfast or lunch and The Kapittel is a serious restaurant with great foods. Sometimes they will offer selections prepared with regional beers. There is also a nice bar with a piano player.

The hotel offers underground parking and the staff is very attentive and helpful in arranging day trips or giving directions.

www.ichotelsgroup.com
 

#5) Hotel Metropole, 31 place de Brouckere, Brussels I have stayed at numerous hotels in Brussels and all are excellent in their own ways, but Hotel Metropole is an experience. Recently designated as a National monument and conveniently located one block from the Bourse and 4 blocks from the Grand Place, this is a must do for the traveler to Brussels. Built in 1895 Metropole was built as a Grand Hotel and it remains one to this day. Extreme elegance bordering on downright opulence, this hotel is a memory in itself.

Oversize rooms with all the amenities, a breakfast buffet fit for royalty and the bar is exquisite. One of my most memorable experiences in Brussels is sitting on the outside terrace, drinking a Leffe Bruin and watching the business people walk by. Later in the evening, the beautiful people replace the business people. (OK, there are some beggars from time to time.)

Please be persistent when trying to book a room here. Normal rates start at 395 Euro for the basic room (which will be larger than 2 regular rooms elsewhere) but I have never paid more than 100 Euro to stay here.

www.metropolehotel.be
 

#6) Hotel Rubens, Oude Beurs 29, Antwerp Great Place, Great Location, Great Memories. Hotel Rubens is in a great location of Antwerp. The hotel offers 36 rooms and is less than a minute walk to the Grand Place. All the rooms are very spacious and all amenities are included. Each room has a different décor and each is very homey. The breakfast buffet is included and offers hot and cold specialties. Service is impeccable and each person is treated like royalty. There are hundreds of hotels in Antwerp and many have their own unique charm, but this one has never failed. www.hotelrubensantwerp.be

 

#7) Marriott Brussels, Rue Auguste Orts 3-7, Brussels Located in a 130-year-old building and a mere 300 meters from the Grand Place, The Marriott Brussels is a great place to stay for the visitor to Brussels. Directly across the street from the Bourse and one of the main Metro rail stations, one can travel quickly to any area of Brussels with minimal hassle. If you are driving, there is an underground parking garage and a short 3-minute drive will put you on the ring road around central Brussels.

The Marriott offers plush accommodations for a very reasonable tariff. The rooms are a bit on the small side, but the bathrooms make up for it with most featuring separate tub and shower. Mini-bar and 5 star amenities complete the package. Most of the Brussels ‘Top 10 Restaurants’ that I list are about a 5-7 minute walk from here.

The Marriott also features its own International restaurant; Brasserie le Sauvoir whose name was chosen to reflect the ancient times of Brussels and its rich history. Surrounded by the river “la Senne”, the Duke of Brabant was keeping his fish in his ponds (sauvoirs) and creating his own recipes for himself and his staff at this very spot in the early 12th century. During the construction of the hotel these ponds were discovered and carefully preserved by the city’s archeologists.

The Marriott also features it’s own pub where one can enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine or a great beer. Lunch and dinner are also served in the bar.

www.marriott.com
 

#8) Palace Hotel, Leperstraat 34, Poperinge No fluffy oversize robes here, rather nice comfortable large rooms in a hotel run lovingly by Guy and Beatrijs Osteau-Beernaert. When I first stayed here, it happened to be the evening of the Karakter Bier Festival. When I made the reservation I had no idea so I lucked out. (See above- Top 10 Beer Festivals) Beside the great room, there is a wonderful pub with over 150 bottled beers and a restaurant serving regional specialties. Guy will be happy to offer suggestions as to beer pairings with the food, or offer his expertise if you would like to ‘travel’ through the world of Belgium beer. Guy loves Belgian beer and it shows when the topic is mentioned. hotelpalace.virtualave.net

 

#9) Hotel Carolus, Guido Gezellelaan 49, Mechelen Hotel Carolus is actually part of the Het Anker Brouwerij in Mechelen. So, not only will you be staying in a comfortable room in a brewery, you don’t have to walk far for a beer; and a fresh beer at that. The rooms are basic, but you will find that you don’t spend much time in the room anyway. The Het Anker Brouwerij is said to be the oldest operating brewery in Belgium, established in 1369. The current building dates to 1422. The brewery is open every day but Wednesday so plan accordingly. There is also a great little restaurant and a beer shop here. www.hetanker.be

 

#10) Hotel Florida, De Keyserlei 59, Antwerp This is not a top rate hotel nor does it offer a killer restaurant or any special amenities. The Hotel Florida is a clean family style hotel directly across from Central Station and the Antwerp Zoo that offers clean rooms at very affordable prices. For the traveler that wants a good home base to take day trips on the train, this place is great. A few short blocks away is the Hotel Fletcher Keyserlei, which used to be my home base but it has fallen into disrepair over the past few years and the Florida moved into first place for my top traveler hotel. It is a short 2-minute walk to the Meir shopping street and about 10 minutes from the Grote Markt, Cathedral of Our Lady and the waterfront. www.hotelflorida.be