Boasting dreamy cobblestone streets, pastel-colored architecture, tempting chocolate shops, and family-run breweries, Bruges is one of the most charming, charismatic, and irresistible cities in Europe. It’s impossible to walk through the centuries-old streets and not feel completely blown away by the spellbinding atmosphere of this place!

Often nicknamed the Venice of the North, Bruges boasts an extensive network of canals that covers the entire city. You can get around by hopping on a boat and zooming over the water or exploring on foot and crossing the 80+ bridges that stretch over the canals. 

This fascinating city is shrouded in myths and legends. Some even say the place is haunted by an old Augustinian monk who hunted down and killed a nun trying to escape his clutches!

Despite its small size, Bruges is jam-packed with compelling art galleries, museums, green spaces, bistros, boutiques, and historic landmarks. Stay in one of the best Bruges hotels, and you’ll have the chance to explore them all. 

This compact city boasts a huge choice of sophisticated high-rise hotels, luxury inns, and top-end boutique hotels. In fact, there are so many great places to stay in Bruges that you may find it almost impossible to pick just one. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the 12 best boutique hotels in Bruges!

Where to Stay in Bruges

When it comes to places to stay in Bruges, you really are spoiled for choice. If this is your first time in the city, we suggest staying in the center. 

The beating heart of Bruges, this neighborhood is where you’ll find the most important attractions, all of which you can get to on foot. You’ll be surrounded by plenty of fantastic local restaurants and breweries, as well as some of the best hotels in Bruges.

If you’re looking for somewhere trendy to stay, consider the Sint-Gillis Quarter. One of the coolest neighborhoods in the city, the Sint-Gillis Quarter is located just a short distance from the center of the city, opposite the lively Market Square. Here you can take advantage of an incredible choice of cafes, bistros, bars, and restaurants without the touristy vibe you get in the city center.

The Magdalena Quarter is where you should stay if you’re visiting Bruges with little ones. This largely residential area is located south of the city center and is home to a number of beautiful parks and fun playgrounds. With canalside paths, world-class museums, and thought-provoking art galleries, you can do plenty of exploring and sightseeing here.

The 12 Best Boutique Hotels in Bruges

1. Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce

If you enjoy the finer things in life, make a reservation at the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce. One of the most opulent properties in the city, this hotel succeeds in combining unashamed luxury with old-world charm.

With a Millbrook queen-size bed, Illy espresso machine, plush chaise lounge, and dazzling city views, the most basic room is a great choice for a short stay. But if you’re visiting Bruges for more than a couple of nights, we suggest upgrading to the Superior Classic room.

The finest room in the hotel, this space features stunning pieces by Louis Vuitton and other designers, antique furniture, a Millbrook king-size bed, and romantic canal views. It also has a red marble bathroom with double sinks and a shower with massage jets.

The Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce boasts a prestigious location in the center of the city where two canals cross. With stained glass windows and a half-timbered front, the hotel’s façade is just as stunning from the outside as it is on the inside.

2. Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage

If you’re looking for a Bruges boutique hotel that stands out from the crowd, consider the Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage. This spectacular five-star hotel combines opulent accommodation with a fine dining restaurant and a luxurious spa to create an incredible complex that you’ll never want to leave.

The perfect place to relax after a long day spent sightseeing, the hotel’s spa exceeds even the highest expectations. Here you can unwind with a steamy sauna or pampering hammam. If you need something a little extra, there’s an extensive spa menu to choose from, brimming with massages and beauty treatments guaranteed to make you feel like a whole new person!

Led by an award-winning chef, Le Mystique invites you to savor seasonal tasting menus that showcase the best local ingredients enhanced with flavors from around the world. 

Just as luxurious as the rest of the hotel, the guest rooms at the Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage will make you feel like a VIP. Whether you choose a standard room or a sumptuous suite, you’ll be treated to a handmade organic Nilson bed, fresh seasonal fruit, top-end Sothys beauty amenities, and an evening turndown service.

3. Hotel Dukes’ Palace

Once home to the Burgundian aristocracy, today Hotel Dukes’ Palace is an extravagant hotel where every guest is treated like royalty. Set in the center of the city, the hotel is just steps away from countless attractions, cafes, bistros, and landmarks, putting you in the middle of all the action.

The five-star hotel features 110 beautifully appointed rooms and suites. Successfully treading the line between traditional sophistication and modern luxury, each guest room is remarkably spacious and comes with free Wi-Fi access, an espresso machine, free bottled water, and top-tier bathroom products. Upgrade to a Superior Room, and you’ll be wowed by the dramatic city or garden views that unfold before you.

Although there’s an excellent choice of dining venues in the area, the hotel’s restaurant is definitely worth visiting. This elegant eatery is by reservation only and dishes up classic Dutch cuisine with a contemporary twist. For something a bit more casual, check out the hotel’s bar, where you’ll discover tasty tapas and creative cocktails.

4. Hotel Van Cleef

A truly unique hotel in Bruges, the award-winning Hotel Van Cleef is set inside an astounding Italianate mansion that’s soaked in history. The stately home was founded more than 700 years ago and is every bit as grandiose today as it was when it was first built.

With original sculptures, sparkling chandeliers, ornate ceilings, and grand pianos scattered throughout the building, Hotel Van Cleef looks more like a castle or an art gallery than a place to stay during your vacation.

All the rooms are truly sublime, decked out with designer fabrics and bespoke fittings. Step inside the marble bathroom, and you’ll discover a fantastic whirlpool bath, as well as fluffy bathrobes and slippers.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, we suggest splashing out on one of the Missoni Suite Canal rooms. The finest rooms in the hotel, these spacious suites come with king-size beds, plush seating areas, and dramatic canal views. If you choose one of the Hermès Duplex Suites, you’ll also be treated to the original medieval ceiling beams and a bookcase that acts as a headboard.

5. Dukes’ Arches

If you’re in need of some serious rest and relaxation, make a reservation at the Dukes’ Arches. This adults-only hotel is hidden away inside a regal house that dates back to the 19th century. While the building may be 200 years old, you’ll find all the modern facilities you could ever want inside.

Head to the original basement of the hotel, and you’ll discover the blissfully serene wellness center. Designed to look like a Roman bath, this peaceful retreat invites you to relax with the help of a steam bath, sauna, and chill-out zone. If you’ve got some tension you need to work out, there’s also a well-equipped gym available.

If you’d rather treat your taste buds than your body, you won’t have to go far. The hotel is home to a highly-regarded restaurant located just a few steps away. Here you can enjoy a casual light lunch or a more sophisticated formal dinner. There’s also a bar onsite where you can relax with a glass of wine and make plans for tomorrow!

6. Hotel de Orangerie

One of the coolest hotels in Bruges, Hotel de Orangerie is set inside a 15th-century Carthusian convent in the center of the city, on the banks of the De Dijver Canal. Offering a little piece of paradise in the heart of the bustling city, this hotel is brimming with genuine antiques, silk furniture, ancient tapestries, and intricate engravings. 

If you need to reenergize in the middle of your sightseeing adventures, retire to the hotel for an English afternoon tea. You’ll be treated to a platter of delectable scones, cakes, and sandwiches as you enjoy the sun-speckled terrace and watch the swans swim by in the canal.

As well as the superb tea, the hotel also dishes up a wonderful buffet breakfast. Although the restaurant isn’t open in the evening, you’ll be spoiled for choice with fantastic eateries on your very doorstep.

There are just 20 rooms in the hotel, guaranteeing a peaceful, intimate atmosphere. Each is entirely unique in terms of size and decoration – so you never know what you’re going to get.

7. Hotel Ter Brughe

Step back in time and find out what it was like to be rich and powerful in medieval times by staying at Hotel Ter Brughe. Set inside an imposing building that dates back to 1470, the property lines one of the city’s most charming canals, guaranteeing wonderful views from almost every room.

One of the most spectacular parts of the hotel is hidden away in the basement. Here you’ll find a gorgeous vaulted cellar where you can indulge in a decadent buffet breakfast each morning.

The rest of the hotel is just as beautiful. With original wooden beamed ceilings, artwork inspired by the local area, and stunning period furniture, each guest room is superb. Upgrade to one of the Superior Rooms, and you’ll be rewarded with huge windows, a sparkling chandelier, and a romantic fireplace. 

At the back of the hotel, you’ll find a quaint garden. Here you can relax in the sunshine while you sip a glass of local wine and enjoy being on vacation. There’s a reason this place is one of the best hotels in Bruges!

8. The Pand

Set inside a former 18th-century carriage house, The Pand stands out from the crowd as a unique Bruges hotel. Featuring 26 gorgeous rooms, each of which is different from the others, this hotel is the perfect place to go if you like properties that offer something a little special.

For the ultimate experience, book the Master Suite. This one-of-a-kind room is spectacular and is beautifully appointed with Ralph Lauren fabrics, a designer king-size bed, and Asprey guest supplies. The bathroom is just as opulent, with a double sink, large bathtub, and walk-in shower.

This award-winning hotel is decorated with original pieces of art, luxurious fabrics, and priceless antiques that give the place the air of an ostentatious mansion. Breakfast is served in a bright and airy room each morning. You’ll find loads of seasonal, local products to try, as well as a glass of champagne to start the day!

The hotel also offers a cozy bar where you can sip quality whisky while cuddling up on the sofa or playing a game of chess. Although the bar only serves snacks, you’ll find an excellent choice of bars and restaurants in the local area. 

9. Grand Hotel Normandy

Recently renovated, the Grand Hotel Normandy is one of the best hotels in Bruges that offers you the very best of both worlds. Here you can enjoy all the traditional glamor of a historic house with state-of-the-art tech to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

All guest rooms are decorated in bright, cheery colors and come with a plush king-size bed, air conditioning, super-fast Wi-Fi, a minibar, and a modern bathroom with premium toiletries.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion, we recommend splashing out on the penthouse. This incredible suite boasts a wooden beamed ceiling, a glittering chandelier above the bed, and a roll-top tub in the main room. It’s the perfect choice for a romantic getaway.

Unlike most hotels in the area, there’s an indoor heated pool in which you can chill out after a long day spent exploring. The hotel also features a charming breakfast area, which provides you with everything you need to start your day.

10. Hotel De Tuilerieen

One of the coolest Bruges hotels, Hotel De Tuilerieen offers something none of the other hotels in the area can offer. Between 1578 and 1584, the hotel guarded the relic of the Holy Blood. Although the hotel no longer looks after the valued artifact, you can still see it in the nearby Basilica of the Holy Blood.

The 15th-century building which houses the hotel includes 45 one-of-a-kind guest rooms. While each room has its own design, wallpaper, and sumptuous bedding, they all come with free Wi-Fi access, flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, top-end coffee machines, and luxury Guerlain bathroom products. 

When you need to relax, head to the ground floor of the hotel. Here you’ll find a swimming pool and an infrared sauna where you can unwind and re-energize. If you’d rather stay dry, there’s a welcoming lounge where you can read, play board games, or just chill out, as well as an onsite bar.

11. Hotel Portinari

While many boutique hotels in Bruges pride themselves on being rustic, traditional, and mature, Hotel Portinari is ultra-modern and chic. With whitewashed walls, striking black accents, a cool minimalist design, and oodles of natural light, this hotel is a breath of fresh air in a city that’s been around for centuries.

There’s a huge range of rooms to choose between, from simple budget options to luxurious apartments. The most basic rooms feature a king-size box spring bed with super-comfy bedding and a coffee machine to kick off your morning the right way. The most interesting part of the room is the sleek glass wall, which separates the contemporary bathroom from the sleeping area.

You don’t have to go very far to treat your taste buds. The hotel’s onsite restaurant specializes in local fish and seafood and offers a number of superb a la carte dishes, as well as a fantastic selection of small plates designed for sharing.

12. Hotel Jan Brito

When it comes to where to stay in Bruges, Hotel Jan Brito is an excellent choice. This four-star hotel is located just steps away from one of the city’s most important squares and is surrounded by countless bars, restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.

Set inside a 16th-century mansion, the hotel was previously home to generations of noble families. Today it’s a popular choice for people who want to be close to all the best attractions while also getting a peaceful night’s sleep.

There’s a small gym to help you keep up with your fitness routine, as well as the option to rent bikes from reception. If you overdo it, you can relax your tired muscles in the combined Finnish and infrared sauna! 

Each of the guest rooms is decorated according to a fun theme, from knights and baronesses to marquis and duchesses. Whichever room you find yourself in, you’ll be treated to luxuries such as regal wallpaper, original features, wooden beamed ceilings, and glamorous chandeliers. 

That completes our list of the 12 best Bruges hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Bruges? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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