The Pand Hotel - Small Luxury Hotels - Bruges, Belgium 

Location

Bruges is arguably one of the most attractive cities in Europe and the hotel’s city centre location means that all of the best attractions and museums are close by. The canals and alleyways, the churches, almshouses and patricians' houses, the decoratively restored gables and the museums full of art treasures bring the past back to life. Furthermore, Bruges is a living, modern and romantic city which has something to offer the most demanding visitor.

The city centre of Bruges is formed by the impressive Market Place and the adjacent Castle. The fine façades give the atmospheric square an improbable air of class. The most impressive building is the Belfort bell-tower with its carillon. The tower offers a splendid view over the city and its environment. In the middle of the square stands the statue of the heroes of the Golden Spurs Jan Breydel and Pieter De Koninck.

Through Breydelstraat you can walk to the Castle or Burg. There you will find the Old Court of Justice, the Civil Registry, the City Hall and the Basilica of the Sacred Blood. This is where the relic of the Sacred Blood is kept. In the adjacent museum, you can admire the Shrine of the Sacred Blood.

The Groeningemuseum offers a remarkable picture of painting in the Southern Low Countries and Belgium from the 15th century to the present day. The Gruuthusemuseum opposite houses a treasure of old utensils and art works. Until 25 years ago, Sint-Janshospitaal was still used as a hospital, but now houses the Memling museum, including 6 masterpieces by Hans Memling. To the north of the city centre lies the Saint Anna district with the Lace Centre, the Jerusalem Church and the Museum of the Saint Sebastian guild. Here you can watch the famous lace-makers hard at work.

A visit to Bruges is not complete without having seen the idyllic Beguine Convent and the romantic Minnewater. In the Beguine convent, there are no longer any Beguines, but Benedictines in 15th century costume still maintain the historic atmosphere. The legendary swans swim on the Minnewater.

Rooms

All 26 bedrooms have been individually decorated with antiques and offer all the modern comfort that the discerning traveller expects (direct dial telephone with modem/fax-connection, mini-bar, remote control television with most European channels, clock-radio, laptop-safe, air-conditioning, marble bathrooms, hairdryer, magnifying mirror). The wonderful Junior Suites have a whirlpool, an ironing board, bathrobes and a CD stereo system. Each one is decorated with stunning Ralph Lauren fabrics, original antiques and various eccentricities.

Dining

A full cooked breakfast with waiter service and champagne is served upon white linen table cloths, napkins with embroidered initials and silver teapots. Eggs are prepared according to your wishes on an old fashioned Aga stove.

The bar, in dark and aubergine colours, with its mahogany furniture, leather chesterfield armchair and lighting by Jacques Garcia, lights up at nightfall in a cosy and nostalgic atmosphere.