Velotel Brugge

Although floor-to-ceiling windows let natural light in, the lobby of the Velotel Brugge feels a bit dark, decorated in brown, black, and tan. Many informational brochures for cyclists and tourists in addition to a vending machine decorate the lobby, along with bronze statues. In the lounge, there’s comfortable monotone furniture and long bamboo stalks that don’t exactly fit in with the rest of the decor. A beautiful outdoor garden and terrace area has seating and newspapers are available; every so often there is a bouncy house for children outside. In the on-site restaurant/bar there is a pricey breakfast buffet, a decent sized bar, and a neat modern fireplace in the middle of the room, but overall the decor lacks personality. The overall atmosphere is pleasant and quiet. 

The Velotel Brugge is on a dead-end street far from the city center of Bruges and guests must walk 10- to-12 minutes just to get to the bus stop; public transportation can then take over 20 minutes to reach popular destinations. The Grote Markt, Bruges Belfry, Groeningemuseum, and Minnewater are all about a 10-minute drive away and if you plan to see the city, and you’re not a cyclist, you should strongly consider renting a car. Great for cyclists, this hotel is about a 10-minute bike ride to the city’s attractions, restaurants, and shops, and close to the scenic countryside. 

Rooms at the Velotel Brugge are what you’d expect from a mostly modern, boilerplate hotel. The muted color palette washes out the room except for nice blue accents on one wall, the pillows, and the bedspread. Two tan armchairs and a side table offer additional seating but no extra style. There are TVs but they’re tube-style and small, and the advertised minibar is in fact an empty mini-fridge. An electric kettle takes up much of the desk space (along with the TV), but there are some decent toiletries. Bathrooms are a nice size, updated, and covered in bright white tile. Rooms are wonderfully soundproofed and quiet, and children under 12 stay free in an accompanying adult’s room.

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the Velotel Brugge. In addition to free parking for bicycles and cars, bikes are also available for rent. Although there is a fitness center, it doesn’t have any windows and includes sparse machinery. However, the adjoining area has walk-in showers with rainfall shower heads, a decent relaxation area, and a good-size sauna. Big tech-savvy business centers are available with rentable audiovisueal equipment and secretarial service, and the hotel has a babysitting service. Brasserie and Bar Ter Poele, the on-site restaurant/bar, serves seasonal, Bruges-style meals and a daily breakfast.