Hotel Relais Ravestein - Bruges, Belgium     

This hotel was very nice, however most restaurants and attractions were closer to the main sq. The Ravenstein was a 10 - 15 minute walk from the square. It is a pretty walk, but after walking around all day...it would be nicer to stay closer to the attraction and main shopping/restaurant drag. The room was nice and spacious with a balcony and in a more residential area. It is pretty close to the Jerusalem Church and the fish market if you have a map. The staff was very friendly. The rooms were very modern and the bathroom was AWESOME. It had a rain head shower and supplied you with everything you would ever want in a bathroom (even slippers and robes). The bed was very comfortable and they supplied down blankets and pillows. I didn't know this, but yes Belgium is cold even in June. You need a small jacket. The restaurant should be taken advantage of no matter if you stay at the hotel or not. It is called The Sixties and it was the best food I ate within a two weeks stay between Belgium and Paris. Delicious!!!!! My suggestion is to stay at the Turelieen if you have the money. Or any hotel near the main square where the Belfort is. The closer to the square or any place between the square and the bus station is fine. Be aware there are only 4 ATM machines in Bruges - all again...near the square. I loved the hotel, but wish it was closer to the square. if it was I would have rated it a 10. In Belgium...never get the hotel breakfast!!! Very pricey, never included and there are so many cafes that you can get breakfast for 6 euro vs 25 euro per person.

The problem was probably one of expectation, we got the short straw room, at the back, very small, view over car park, dark. It had no character whatsoever. The room was tiny, there were 4 coat hangers in a teeny tiny closet. we kept our clothes in our bags. There was a tiny flat screen tv, but it had BBC and ITV, great, The whole room was caramel coloured and extremely depressing. Though it was clean and modern. The bathroom was a good size, obviously for wheelchair users, we're not. The loo was so high my feet did not touch the ground, it was also very close to wall which was uncomfortable. There was a shower which was a sort of wet room which was not pleasant, no bath. The room was large and again had lots of floor space, but no surfaces for toiletries. There was a make up mirror, but it was in such a a high inaccessable place it was unusable. The other spaces in the hotel are exceptionally nice, the terrace bar/ restaurant is lovely to sit at, the food is good. Prices are fine.