Pros

  • Well-preserved 16th-century, canal-side building
  • Set on cobbled street in Bruges' medieval heart
  • Full of unique family relics and genuine antiques
  • Pretty garden overlooking canal
  • Spacious, canal-view rooms decorated with antiques
  • Excellent buffet breakfast included
  • Free Wi-Fi
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Cons

  • Only four rooms (so they book up quickly)
  • Not all bathrooms have tubs
  • Fee for parking
  • No full restaurant
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Bottom Line

The Côté Canal hotel is a luxury bed-and-breakfast awash with historical charm and traditional elegance in the heart of medieval Bruges. Set between a cobbled street and the picturesque Dijver canal, the hotel couldn't be better placed, and the main tourist attractions are just minutes away. Rooms are spacious and elegantly decorated with genuine antique furnishings, while breakfast is particularly good -- especially when taken in the garden overlooking the canal. While rates are certainly on the higher end, they still represent good value for this outstanding, and unique, guesthouse.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Cote Canal

Scene

Serene and sumptuous guesthouse with 16th-century origins and rich family heritage

The Côté Canal certainly qualifies as one of the most picturesque guesthouses you'll find in Bruges, or anywhere, for that matter -- Winston Churchill even painted it on one of his many trips to the city. Parts of this canal-side property date back to the 16th century and the owner, Caroline, has gone to great lengths to personally renovate and restore the building to, and even beyond, its original period elegance. The house has been in her family since 1901 and was inherited from her grandparents, whose black and white portraits take pride of place in the hotel's sumptuous, classically-styled lounge. The interiors are an elegant and romantic mélange of genuine antique furniture, 18th-century etchings, plush red velvet seating, neoclassical statuary, and ancient family relics -- many rescued from the house's attic. A pretty rear garden, complete with a 100-year-old pear tree, overlooks the canal and -- together with the accompaniment of classical music -- completes the secluded and close-to idyllic scene. Needless to say, the hotel predominantly attracts discerning couples, although children are welcome, too, in most rooms.

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Location

Set between a small, quiet cobbled street and a scenic canal in heart of medieval Bruges

The hotel is located in the very heart of medieval Bruges, between a small cobbled side street and the scenic Dijver canal. Despite such a central location, the hotel feels particularly quiet and secluded. Most of the city's main tourist attractions -- including the Grote Markt (the main square) and the old Vismarkt (fish market) -- are just five minutes away on foot. Bruges's main train station, however, is well over a mile away, so a 10-minute cab journey is recommended. The hotel offers parking for a fee, but you won't need a car to explore the city from this home base.

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Rooms

Bright, classically styled rooms with original antiques and fluffy bathrobes

The guesthouse has just four rooms, each of which is individually styled and immaculately finished in light hues, top-quality materials, and original antique pieces. The classical elegance doesn't leave out modern technology such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and in-room refreshments such as minibars and tea/coffee facilities are included, too. Bathrooms have received the same attention to detail and include fluffy towel bathrobes and aloe vera toiletries, while some include tubs with rooms for two. The rooms are also soundproofed well, especially considering the age of the historical building. All rooms have canal views, too.

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Features

Fresh pastries and homemade hot chocolate under an ancient pear tree

An extensive and acclaimed buffet breakfast -- including fresh pastries, eggs, and homemade hot chocolate -- is served in the bright and elegant breakfast room, which overlooks the garden. In the warmer months, breakfast can even be taken canal-side in the garden, under the century-old pear tree. Breakfast is included in the rate and guests are also welcome to help themselves to tea and coffee in the kitchen throughout the day. The owner also has two dogs, which aren’t allowed in the guest area of the building, but visitors can meet them and play with them, which many do -- some even take them for a walk. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, and parking is available for a fee.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Cote Canal

Scene

Serene and sumptuous guesthouse with 16th-century origins and rich family heritage

The Côté Canal certainly qualifies as one of the most picturesque guesthouses you'll find in Bruges, or anywhere, for that matter -- Winston Churchill even painted it on one of his many trips to the city. Parts of this canal-side property date back to the 16th century and the owner, Caroline, has gone to great lengths to personally renovate and restore the building to, and even beyond, its original period elegance. The house has been in her family since 1901 and was inherited from her grandparents, whose black and white portraits take pride of place in the hotel's sumptuous, classically-styled lounge. The interiors are an elegant and romantic mélange of genuine antique furniture, 18th-century etchings, plush red velvet seating, neoclassical statuary, and ancient family relics -- many rescued from the house's attic. A pretty rear garden, complete with a 100-year-old pear tree, overlooks the canal and -- together with the accompaniment of classical music -- completes the secluded and close-to idyllic scene. Needless to say, the hotel predominantly attracts discerning couples, although children are welcome, too, in most rooms.

See More Scene

Location

Set between a small, quiet cobbled street and a scenic canal in heart of medieval Bruges

The hotel is located in the very heart of medieval Bruges, between a small cobbled side street and the scenic Dijver canal. Despite such a central location, the hotel feels particularly quiet and secluded. Most of the city's main tourist attractions -- including the Grote Markt (the main square) and the old Vismarkt (fish market) -- are just five minutes away on foot. Bruges's main train station, however, is well over a mile away, so a 10-minute cab journey is recommended. The hotel offers parking for a fee, but you won't need a car to explore the city from this home base.

See More Location

Rooms

Bright, classically styled rooms with original antiques and fluffy bathrobes

The guesthouse has just four rooms, each of which is individually styled and immaculately finished in light hues, top-quality materials, and original antique pieces. The classical elegance doesn't leave out modern technology such as free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs, and in-room refreshments such as minibars and tea/coffee facilities are included, too. Bathrooms have received the same attention to detail and include fluffy towel bathrobes and aloe vera toiletries, while some include tubs with rooms for two. The rooms are also soundproofed well, especially considering the age of the historical building. All rooms have canal views, too.

See More Rooms

Features

Fresh pastries and homemade hot chocolate under an ancient pear tree

An extensive and acclaimed buffet breakfast -- including fresh pastries, eggs, and homemade hot chocolate -- is served in the bright and elegant breakfast room, which overlooks the garden. In the warmer months, breakfast can even be taken canal-side in the garden, under the century-old pear tree. Breakfast is included in the rate and guests are also welcome to help themselves to tea and coffee in the kitchen throughout the day. The owner also has two dogs, which aren’t allowed in the guest area of the building, but visitors can meet them and play with them, which many do -- some even take them for a walk. The hotel has free Wi-Fi, and parking is available for a fee.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cable

  • Free Breakfast

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.