Hotel Heritage | Bruges
With Bruges being known as the fairy tale city of Europe, it’s only fitting that luxury boutique Hotel Heritage exudes that motif by appearing as if straight out of a storybook.
A member of the Relais & Châteaux association of independently owned luxury hotels and restaurants around the world, Hotel Heritage maintains the authenticity of being a family owned boutique hotel, all the while promoting local traditions and enforcing sustainability practices.
Formerly a grand townhouse, the magnificent Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage was transformed into a hotel by its current owners, Johan and Isabelle Creytens, after they purchased the building in 1992. Underneath the hotel lies a very well preserved 13th or 14th century cellar. There is nothing better than staying in a luxury hotel that represents the European allure of the city surrounding it. Hotel Heritage does this by superbly retaining its antiquity whilst paying homage to the historical events it has endured.
The dreaminess and medieval charm of Bruges is right on your doorstep at Hotel Heritage, with all the landmarks and attractions the city has to offer in walking distance. You could not ask for a more ideal and central location, with the Market, the Belfry Tower and the Church of our Lady being merely minutes away. There is an abundance of incredible bars and eateries nearby, not to mention Hotel Heritage’s incredible Restaurant Le Mystique.
HOW TO GET HERE
With Bruges being so close to London, it really is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway during all seasons. So, if you’re travelling from London, why opt for travelling any other way than the Eurostar? Bruges is so well connected to Brussels, which is connected to the rest of Europe, so travelling by train is by far the easiest, most convenient and fastest method of transport. The Eurostar from London to Brussels is a 2 hours journey, and the domestic trains from Brussels to Bruges will take an hour. Note that the station will be called Brugge (the Dutch) instead of Bruges, the French/English spelling.
If you do decide to drive to Bruges, be aware that parking in the city is very limited.
SUITES & ACCOMMODATIONS
With 22 impeccably decorated rooms and suites to choose from, each supply guests with modern and luxurious amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Each room features its own iPad/free Wi-Fi, a Nespresso machine, a fruit basket, a flat screen TV and an old fashioned corded telephone. We spent the January weekend in a Junior Suite, with a distinct sitting and bedroom area, and a regal, yet modern bathroom.
INTIMATE DINING IN EUROPEAN CHARM
The minute I walked through the restaurant room of the hotel, Restaurant Le Mystique, I was completely mesmerised. If the historically detailed authentic dining room setting is not spectacular enough; then the food served at this incredible restaurant will certainly blow you away.
We opted for the full buffet breakfast which will forever be embedded in my memory. Picture freshly squeezed juices, French champagne, breads and pastries with jams and honey, cured meats, cereals, fresh Belgian waffles and eggs of your choice made to order. That is how I like to start my day!
If you truly appreciate your food, then do yourself a favour and book a meal at Restaurant Le Mystique. It undoubtedly serves the best Belgian cuisine in the city.
WHY WE LOVED IT
THE CHARM: My favourite part of the hotel was the sitting room with a fireplace. It was the perfect place to sit back, drink cherry beer and unwind after a busy day of sightseeing whilst having a game of chess.
WELLNESS: An added amenity of the hotel is the spa which includes a dry sauna as well as a steam hammam. As we stayed during a particularly chilly winters weekend, there was nothing better than curing the cold with a sauna or steam session. The hotel also has a 24-hour gym and fitness room, which is a necessity when burning off those Belgian waffles.
PRIME LOCATION: The hotel is within walking distance of all desirable sites, including the shopping district, the theatre district and all popular tourist attractions.
Visit Hotel Heritage’s website to book directly here, or visit their Instagram page @.hotel_heritage_bruges.
I was hosted as a guest of Hotel Heritage, but all the opinions expressed in this article are, as always, my own.
