Kartuizerinnenstraat 10, Bruges, Belgium | (251) 219-4428
Former 15th-century convent with lavish interiors
Set on quiet cobbled street two blocks from main square
Classically styled rooms
Sumptuously decorated lounge bar with two fireplaces
Champagne breakfast on canal-side terrace (summer only)
Some rooms have canal views
Free Wi-Fi
Parking on-site (though pricey)
Breakfast not
included (and expensive)
Ornate decor not to everyone's
taste
No health or spa facilities
The Hotel de Orangerie is an upscale boutique hotel housed in a former convent just two blocks south of Bruges's main central square. Interiors could hardly be more lavish and, while the ornate wood furnishings and patterned wallpaper may be too chintzy for some, the aesthetic is particularly impressive in the hotel's grand lounge. Luxurious touches also include marble bathrooms and champagne breakfasts (for a fee), and some rooms overlook the picturesque Dijver Canal. Hotels this sumptuous and well-located rarely come cheap, and this is no exception, but you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere quite so plushly fabulous.
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Scene
Sumptuous flamboyance in canal-side 15th-century nunnery
Housed in a
former 15th-century convent with a handsome and immaculately presented
black-and-white facade, the Hotel de Orangerie is impressive from first sight.
You enter through two sets of sliding doors, which lead into an ornate reception
room adorned with crushed purple velvet, tasseled drapes, and flamboyant
rococo gilt-trim furnishings that set the tone for this
extravagantly decorated boutique hotel. The decadent-yet-classical
18th-century-salon styling continues throughout the hotel, with large potted
palms and a cockatoo that mans the reception desk adding an exotic flourish. Antique
wood paneling and creaky floorboards are a reminder of the building's medieval
heritage and contribute to the historical atmosphere, while log fires crackle
in wonderfully ornate fireplaces piling on the cozy and inviting ambience. In the summer months, the canal-side terrace is a popular place to lounge over a cocktail or tea after exploring.
Location
Between a canal and a quiet cobbled street, just two blocks from Bruges's central square
The Hotel de Orangerie is
set on a small cobbled street just a couple of blocks south of the main
square in the center of Bruges. As it's mainly a residential street and
practically a dead-end, the street has very little passing traffic, making it a
particularly quiet location with a surprisingly secluded feel. The back of the
hotel overlooks the famous Dijver canal while all of the city's main tourist
attractions are well within walking distance. The main train station is a mile
from the hotel, around 20 minutes on foot, or a five-minute cab journey. The hotel offers on-site parking for a fee.
Rooms
Opulently styled rooms with marble bathrooms
The 18th-century-salon style interiors continue into the hotel's 20 individually-designed rooms, with rococo patterned wallpaper, antique furnishings, gilded mirrors, and objets d'art. Guests are met with a stuffed bear sat on the bed (which is free to use or available for purchase) and in-room amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Luxurious and traditional bathrooms are mostly clad in marble, with elegant old-school fittings and Hermés bath products. While some have wonderful views overlooking the canal, the Gate Room has no direct view to the outside.
Features
Champagne breakfast and English tea on the canal-side summer terrace
The hotel's
beautifully presented buffet breakfast is particularly plentiful and includes
cooked-to-order eggs and champagne -- though it is not included in the rate and is quite expensive. The English High Tea is also served every afternoon in the salon and, during the
summer, can be taken on the terrace overlooking the canal. The ornately decorated
lounge has two fireplaces and plenty of plush seating in which to unwind with a
drink in the evenings. Wi-Fi is free of charge and very reliable. Those arriving by car
have access to on-site -- though quite pricey -- parking. Babysitting and pet-sitting services can be arranged.
