These hotels in Bruges are perfect for a Christmas market mini-break
Beautiful medieval architecture, grand cobbled squares and a network of atmospheric canals, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bruges is stacked with charm and offers some incredible places to stay. It's also an excellent spot for a Christmas market trip and we've rounded up the best Bruges hotels for a mini-break of two days or more during the most wonderful time of year.
Once a stop on the Grand Tour, art lovers still flock to the Groeningemuseum, which is packed to the rafters with the Flemish Masters, including Madonna with Canon Joris Van der Paele by Jan van Eyck, the Last Judgement by Hieronymus Bosch and the Moreel Triptych by Hans Memling.
Climb the 366 steps of the Belfry Tower for magnificent views over the city or visit the museum of Sint-Janshospitaal, which displays the original wards from the Middle Ages, a medieval pharmacy and art by Hans Memling. Don't miss a peek into Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, the Church of Our Lady, which has Michelangelo's 15th-century sculpture of Madonna and Child.
Whether you're looking for a unique hotel in Bruges, a city-centre stay or a luxurious boutique hotel, there's a perfect base for your city break any time of year, including Christmas and in spring.
From the medieval Guesthouse Nuit Blanche, which is straight out of a Van Eyck painting, to Hotel Dukes' Palace, a turreted five-star hotel moments from the Markt, we've found the very best Bruges hotels for you to book.
Guesthouse Nuit Blanche
Overlooking the canal and Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, this rather gothic, medieval guesthouse is one of the most atmospheric places to stay in Bruges. Awash with flagstone floors, leaded windows and a sea of wood panelling and exposed beams, Guesthouse Nuit Blanche is the living embodiment of a Van Eyck painting. Counting Winston Churchill and Belgian royalty as former guests, it's now the home and studio of artist, David De Graef.
The two rooms, Pasionaria and Lune de Miel, are authentically styled with tiny leaded windows, huge stone fireplaces and vast carved wooden beds, while Pasionaria has a dramatic vaulted wooden ceiling. The bathrooms are thankfully modern, and while there are no TVs, each room has a complimentary minibar. The three-course breakfast is a work of art and served overlooking the canal.
Hotel Van Cleef
Overlooking the canal in the Sint-Anna district, Hotel Van Cleef is a charming and historic base for a weekend exploring Bruges. It's moments from Adornesdomein, the city's medieval estate most famous for the 15th-century Jeruzalemkerk, which features an altar made from skulls. It's also a five-minute walk from the cafes and bars surrounding the Markt. Once the home of the medieval Van Cleef family, this boutique hotel has been transformed into a super-stylish bolthole by interior designer Pascale Vanhaecke-Marcantuoni and mixes old-school Bruges with colour and style.
The 16 rooms are a real treat. Many have exposed beams and canal views, while all have Missoni fabrics and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. Breakfast is served in the leafy Green Room, which has a botanical vibe, while cocktails and afternoon tea can be found in the St Petersburg Bar or on the terrace facing the canal.
Hotel Dukes' Palace
Moments from the Markt, Bruges' historic main square, the canals and Groeningemuseum, this fancy five-star hotel in a former convent is just the ticket for a luxury weekend away. Built on the site of the Prinsenhof, the 15th-century residence of The Duchy of Burgundy, the palatial Hotel Dukes' Palace, with a fairytale turret is as grand as it is welcoming.
The rooms have plenty of rich fabrics, neutral tones and Belgian artworks. Upgrade to a suite for authentic hints including beamed ceilings, stained glass windows and covetable antiques. After a day of exploring Bruges, relax in the spa which offers a salt wall, steam rooms and treatments. The restaurant opens up to a garden terrace in the summer and serves a top-notch seasonal menu.
Guesthouse Bonifacius
If it's character and unique charm you're after, look no further than Guesthouse Bonifacius, an authentic and intimate B&B which offers the service and luxury of a five-star hotel. Named after the nearby Bonifacius Bridge, this medieval house sits right on the canal as it has done since the 16th century. It's close to Bruges' best museums, including the Groeningemuseum, where you'll find works from all the Flemish and Belgian greats from Jan van Eyck to Hieronymus Bosch.
There are just three rooms, all beautifully styled blending the modern tones and fabrics of Ralph Lauren with Belgian antiques and exposed beams. Such exclusivity means all guests are guaranteed a highly personal service from the host.
Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
Moments from the Markt and the Burg, the city's two main squares, and with magnificent views of the canals, this elegant boutique hotel is a central base for your weekend in Bruges. Spread across four tall and narrow medieval houses – movie lovers might recognise Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce from the 2008 film, In Bruges – behind its ancient wood-panelled facade it hides a wealth of 20th-century art, including works by Matisse, Klimt and Chagall.
The rooms have a real traditional old-school vibe; think oak beams, old-fashioned lighting and marble bathrooms. Upgraded rooms are more spacious and feature antique furnishings and curios. Breakfast is a real treat and served overlooking the canal.
The Pand
The joy of spending a weekend away in Bruges is that almost every hotel is as glamorous, characterful and welcoming as the next. Tucked away in a quiet street behind the canal, this 18th-century carriage house-turned boutique hotel is a rather romantic place to stay. The Pand has stacks of character, from the leather Chesterfields, the glittering chandeliers to the pile of vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases. There's a small courtyard garden and an elegant drawing room with open fireplace and ornate cornicing.
The rooms and suites are equally as inviting and ranked from Charming to Master Suite, all swathed in Ralph Lauren's finest decor. Breakfast is a real occasion and should be missed, not least for the champagne on offer.
Hotel de Orangerie
Cobbled squares, medieval half-timbered houses and atmospheric canals, Bruges is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. From the moment you step through the glass canopied entrance to the Hotel de Orangerie, you know that your weekend is in safe hands. Moments from the Markt and Groeningemuseum, this luxury pad housed in a 15th-century Carthusian convent has a covetable terrace overlooking the Den Dijver canal, which is perfect for afternoon tea or an aperitif before choosing a nearby bistro for dinner.
There are 24 rooms, all delightfully and individually decorated with rich fabrics, colourful patterned wall coverings and a smattering of antique furnishings. Upgraded rooms also have canal views. Breakfast is served in the oak-panelled dining room, and there's also a cosy salon for nightcaps.
Hotel Adornes
Set away from the hustle and bustle of central Bruges, this charming family-run hotel in the quieter Sint-Anna district offers a warm welcome and genuinely friendly service, not unlike visiting an old family friend. Moments from Jeruzalemkerk, the 15th-century church which famously has a skull-encrusted altar, the Folklore Museum and the Lace Centre, Hotel Adornes overlooks the canal and offers a herd of free bicycles for guests to explore the city.
Behind the trio of step-gabled facades, the hotel, which dates back to 1650, is simply brimming with charm and keeps much of its historic features, including exposed oak beams, stone fireplaces and ancient tapestries. The rooms are simple but comfortable and have original features like bare oak rafters. Breakfast is served in the dining room, which is warmed in winter by a vast stone open fire.
Flanders Hotel
For the keen gourmand, a weekend in Bruges is simply not long enough to sample all of the city's acclaimed fine dining restaurants. Venture over to Langestraat Quarter, just north of the main square, and you're guaranteed to find some of the best as it has the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the country. It's also home to the Flanders Hotel, a contemporary boutique hotel which offers something a little different to the usual heritage properties Bruges is famous for.
All of the rooms have a contemporary vibe; think clean lines, wooden flooring and flashes of bright colour; some have carved wood feature walls. After a day of exploring, relax with a beer in Barazar, the hotel's popular bar, or take a dip in the small indoor pool.
B&B Maison le Dragon
Moments from the most atmospheric canals in Bruges, this glorious 16th-century guesthouse on Eekhoutstraat is like stepping back into time and makes the perfect base for enjoying Bruges' art scene. B&B Maison le Dragon is a short walk from the Groeningemuseum, home of all the Flemish Masters, and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, which features the sculpture of Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. Behind the typically Bruges, step-gabled facade, the rooms are filled with fine art, ornate frescoes and antiques, this exceptional guesthouse even has its own beer, Maison le Dragon.
The four suites are a delight. All spacious with wood-panelled walls, lounge areas and, of course, a smattering of covetable antiques and objet d'art; some have four-poster beds and whirlpool tubs. An abundant breakfast is included and served, rather grandly, in the Louis XVI-style breakfast room.
Hotel Heritage
Bruges is certainly not short of distinguished places to stay but the boutique luxury Hotel Heritage, a Relais & Chateaux property, really is a cut above the rest. Located just north of the Markt, Bruges’s main historic square, the 19th-century townhouse is within easy reach of the prettiest canals, the best shopping areas, and the Flemish masters at the Groeningemuseum. The interior is awash with oak panelling, grand frescoes and precious antiques, plus there's a tiny spa, a rooftop sundeck and a fabulous fine dining restaurant.
There are just 22 rooms and suites, all beautifully styled with plush fabrics and authentic period furnishings. Our favourites are the junior suites, which also have whirlpool tubs and far-reaching views over the Bruges skyline.
Hotel Sablon
Sandwiched between Noordzandstraat and Steenstraat, two of the finest shopping streets in Bruges, Hotel Sablon is a chic boutique hotel within easy reach of Bruges' most famous sights. Light, bright and jam-packed with contemporary art, Sablon feels like the antithesis of the more traditional gilt-edged hotels Bruges is renowned for.
There are 44 rooms and suites, all of varying sizes but smartly decorated; think blue-grey tones, sharp whites and natural wood floors. For a special treat, book The Verlaine Suite, where the famous French poet stayed, or The Loft, which has a unique glass-walled bathroom. Don't miss breakfast, a buffet of locally sourced and delicious Bruges delights served in the lounge or the suntrap garden.
Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Perched on the Hoogstraat in the heart of Old Bruges, the Grand Hotel Casselbergh has a prime central location next to the Burg, the ornate grand square lined by the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. A stately medieval palace with a modern extension, it still manages to retain its character and history – the Huis de Seven Torens was home to Charles II during his exile.
While there's no restaurant, the bar is a real treat with its high ceilings and cosy fireplace. A wellness area with a sauna and a steam room is tucked away in the medieval cellar. There are more than a hundred rooms, all plush and gorgeously decorated in warm spring tones. Almost half the rooms are housed in the older wing, these have more character plus views over the square or the canals. Our favourites are the airy attic rooms with exposed beams.
Boutique Hotel 't Fraeyhuis
Tucked away in a charming cobbled street next to Minnewater Park, the gorgeous Boutique Hotel 't Fraeyhuis is housed in a centuries-old gabled manor house and just the ticket for an authentic stay in Bruges. Moments from Central Market, it's a scenic 15-minute stroll along canals and cobbled streets into the Old Town. After exploring Bruges' many attractions, relax in the Bar Boutique over hand-shaken cocktails and tasty tapas.
With just 12 rooms, the hotel is boutique in every sense. Rooms have a contemporary vibe – think arty photographs and modern furnishing matched with original wood or flagstone floors and exposed beams. Breakfast is a generous buffet which will set you up for the day.
Hotel De Tuilerieen
Perched on the atmospheric Dijver canal, the swanky Hotel De Tuilerieen is moments from Grote Markt and the Groeningemuseum, where you'll find a vast collection of Old Masters including works by Belgian greats van Eyck, Provoost and Magritte. Housed in a custard-coloured 15th-century building –which incidentally featured in the hit movie, In Bruges – it makes a comfortable base for a few days, not least thanks the indoor pool and steam room, perfect for relaxing after pounding the city's cobbled streets.
The rooms and suites are light, airy and somewhat simply furnished, but with plenty of character from the exposed brick, beamed ceilings and vast windows. The best rooms have views over the canal. There's no restaurant on site, however, the lounge bar with its frescoed walls and open fire is a real treat and well worth a nightcap.
Canal Deluxe B&B
Possibly one of the most romantic B&Bs in Bruges, Canal Deluxe is housed in two 15th-century townhouses overlooking one of the city's prettiest canals. Across the street is the eerily Gothic Sint-Jacobskerk church, while the Markt and Belfry are a few minutes' walk away. Packed with authentic period furnishings, it's quite apparent that Canal Deluxe is not your standard B&B. Exposed beams, tiled floors and stone-built fireplaces, it's like stepping into a van Eyck painting.
There are a clutch of rooms and suites, each as delightful as the other. Every one is decorated in rich tones and has authentic period features, some have working open fireplaces, while another has a private terrace overlooking the canal. And don't miss breakfast, a bounty of delicacies served in front of the fire.
Looking for more European short break ideas?
Huis 't Schaep Guesthouse
Tucked away down a cobbled street off t'Zand Square and close to the Concertgebouw, Huis 't Schaep is a luxury guesthouse perfect for a cultural city break. Housed in a brace of gabled 17th century buildings, the property was once owned by Samuel Coucke, a Belgian glazier famed for his neo-Gothic stained glass windows. Enjoy his work over a drink in the chapel, or if the sun's out, on the first floor terrace.
Each of the four spacious suites are named after great artists, Rubens, Renoir, Rembrandt and Coucke. All are beautifully decorated and feature original fireplaces, antique furnishings and plenty of stained glass. Two suites have antique four-poster beds. In the morning, a three-course breakfast is served in a room decorated with a hand-made tiled ceiling by Samuel Coucke.
Martin's Relais
Moments from Grote Markt and overlooking the Spiegelrei canal, Martin's Relais is an elegant boutique hotel set in a row of five 13th-century townhouses. For a different Bruges experience, visit Bath & Barley, a Belgian beer spa where you can soak and steam in hops while sipping a local brew. Afterwards, relax in the hotel bar and lounge overlooking the canal.
Varying in size and style, each of the 46 rooms and suites brings its own classic vibe. Many have views over the canal, while our favourites have beamed ceilings or oak-panelled walls. For a real treat, book the Isabella Suite which has a modern four-poster bed, a free-standing bath and views over the canal.
Boutique Hotel Die Swaene
Perched on the banks of the Groenerei canal, Hotel Die Swaene is a rather swish boutique pad laced with gilded Belgian glamour. It's moments from the Groeninge Museum, which features a wealth of works by Belgian masters from Jan van Eyck to Hieronymus Bosch. After a day of pottering around Bruges' cobbled streets and medieval squares, relax in the indoor heated pool and sauna. While there's no formal restaurant, it's a treat to have a pre-dinner cocktail in the hotel's gorgeous Salon ‘Guild of Merchant Taylors’ overlooking the canal.
There are just 17 rooms and suites at this Bruges hotel, all elegantly decorated in rich jewelled tones, opulent fabrics and gilt-trimmed furnishings. Of course, the best rooms have views of the canal. Breakfast is a generous and leisurely affair and worth taking time over.
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