If you’re looking for places to stay in Bruges, the Grand Hotel Normandy offers the perfect base from which to explore the city, whether you’re staying just one night, for a weekend break, or for a longer getaway.
Check out this review of the Grand Hotel Normandy to find out more, including the perks of its location, amenities, and its fantastic breakfast!
Location
While there are plenty of hotels closer to the very centre of the Bruges old town, the Grand Hotel Normandy is slightly further out, but this is hardly detrimental.
It’s still within the boundaries of the old town and right on the main road – the R30 – that leads up from the train station, so it’s easy to get to if you’re arriving by train. The walk is only 15-20 minutes long up the road, or you can loop around by the river for a more scenic route.
Walking into the centre of Bruges is easy too, taking less than 15 minutes to get to the Belfry. This means the bustling touristy hub is easy to get to, but the hotel itself is nicely quiet due to being set back from it all.
Rooms
We stayed in one of their charming double rooms, which have more space than the standard double rooms and are fitted with lovely furniture, including a nice sofa and a comfortable bed.
One thing we found lacking was storage options. Other than a small space to hang clothes, there was no wardrobe or drawers in which to unpack our luggage. It wasn’t massively detrimental, but we were surprised when we realised there wasn’t anywhere to put our clothes.
The bathroom was clean, just like the rest of the room, and while the shower was warm it was awkwardly placed in the bath which meant the water kept spraying onto the floor.
A small coffee station was very appreciated too, and we enjoyed waking up and enjoying a hot coffee before heading down to breakfast.
Facilities
The Grand Hotel Normandy has a welcoming lounge when you first arrive, where you’ll notice a small bar from which you can grab a drink if you’re ever in need of refreshment.
While there are many fantastic restaurants in Bruges and other places to grab a drink which you should explore, it’s nice to have the option to sit and relax with a beverage within the hotel.
One of the main features of the hotel which makes it stand out from other places to stay in Bruges is the small swimming pool on the ground floor. Being such an old city, few hotels in the centre of Bruges have such amenities, so it’s great to have the option to go for a dip after a day exploring the city.
There’s a gym too right next to the pool, with a limited but varied set of equipment including exercise bikes and rowing machines.
Breakfast
If you’re staying at the Grand Hotel Normandy, you should definitely opt for their continental breakfast.
It has everything you could want to fill up before a day roaming around Bruges: muffins and pastries, fruit and yoghurt, hams and cheeses, and even scrambled egg, bacon, and beans to construct your own English breakfast.
A coffee machine provides every hot drink you could possibly want, and if you’re looking to treat yourself in the morning they even pop open a couple of bottles of bubbly.
Nearby attractions and things to do
As already mentioned, getting into the centre of the city only takes a quick walk. One of the best things about Bruges is how walkable it is; even though the hotel is near the edge of the old town, it’s easy to get anywhere you want to visit.
For example, one of the best restaurants in Bruges that you should definitely consider trying out is In’t Nieuw Museum, which is only a 25-minute walk away despite being on the opposite side of the old town from the hotel.
Here are some of the top attractions and things to do in Bruges that you can easily walk to:
- The Belfry – 12 minutes
- Gruuthusemuseum – 12 minutes
- Basilica of the Holy Blood – 13 minutes
- Stadhuis Brugge – 14 minutes
- Groeningemuseum – 14 minutes
Being close to the edge of the old town, it’s easy to take a walk following the old city gates and waterways. This stroll is one of the most romantic things to do in Bruges, especially when you make your way around to the beautiful windmills in the northeast section of the city.
If you’re planning a trip to Bruges and want to guarantee a comfortable time, book a stay at the Grand Hotel Normandy.
