Hotel Heritage - Bruges, Belgium     

We arrived late on a Friday afternoon to spend our first weekend in Bruges, it will not be the last! The staff at the hotel could not be more charming or helpful and our luggage was immediately taken to our room and our car whisked away to the secure underground car park.When we realised we had left a coat in the car a courteous porter immediately escorted us to collect it.The room was clean and carefully decorated with a truly beautiful chandelier. The bathroom was spotless and equipped with Hermes toilteries and fluffy white bathrobes.Downstairs, we explored the ground floor to find a well equipped bar next to a comfortable lounge and a charming seating area with free internet connection. The following morning we were to enjoy the delicious breakfast ( including champagne ) in a nicely decorated dining room, served by a charming waitress.In all, we were delighted with the hotel. Bruges itself has a character all of it's own. The buildings are picturesque with small chocolate and lace shops at regular intervals to tempt you.In the main square, cars, buses, horse drawn carriages, bicycles and pedestrians co exsist in peaceful harmony. The whole town seems to be constantly on the move at a gentle pace.There are so many things to see and do. The city bus tour is a good way to get your bearings and this can be followed up with a carriage ride and a trip on the canal to help decide where to visit. Of course, not necessarily one after the other! Discovery on foot is just as enjoyable.There are several small museums (the chip museum is surprisingly interesting!) including a diamond museum and a one dedicated to the story of chocolate.There are also galleries and museums full of antiquities, although we had to leave these til our next visit as we ran out of time.The brewery is also interesting according to friends who have been there. It is definitely worth the effort to climb the Belfry (all 366 steps!) and we enjoyed being inside when the bells rang, it is not too loud, just amusing. The chuches, and the cathedral, are beautiful. In the Church of Our Lady there is a Madonna and Child statue carved by MichaelAngelo. There are bars and cafes and restaurants everywhere, you are spoiled for choice. Although not cheap, we found the food delicious and I particularly loved the raspberry beer.Dont leave without tasting the hot chocolate and perhaps try a waffle, mmmm....... Although the weather was variable it did not spoil the weekend, it just takes a little careful planning to avoid the rain! There is always somewhere inside to visit. All in all, it was one of the most enjoyable weekends we have spent and we look forward to returning.

From walking in the door the service was above 1st class. Our bags were taking to our room whilst the receptionist talked us through places we might want to visit. She then escorted us to our room. The room was excellent, the maid service excellent and the Champagne at breakfast started a great day in a beautiful city.