Since we had been
already numerous times to Brussels we decided around two weeks before
flying there to change our hotel and go to Bruges instead.
Making
up our mind where to stay was fairly easy. While a lot of Small Luxury
Hotel Group members were available we had our heart set on the Hotel
Heritage - Relais & Chateaux - based on our excellent experiences at
Le Saint Paul in St. Paul de Vence and A Quinta da Auga in Santiago de
Compostela (Please see review.) only a month before.
We were also happy because the hotel had a restaurant, which the others didn't.
We
took a slow train from Brussels International Airport to Bruges. We
bought the tickets online and achieved a good deal with a weekend rate
and paid 67.60 Euro (ca. 89 USD) for two in First Class. Of course there
is also the option to take one of the express trains, which should take
around an hour, but it means also changing trains, which we didn't want
to do.
There was some track
work going on and another train developed a problem in front of us, so
the around two and a half hour journey turned into around three. It
wasn't a problem for us. We had time and already bought something to eat
and drink at the airport. We knew there wouldn't be any service on the
train due to a journey years earlier from Brussels to Luxembourg, where
we were left three hours without being able to buy anything. So we
learned from our earlier experiences.
First class means more space and quiet.
At Bruges train station we took a taxi to the hotel. It took maybe ten minutes and cost 7 Euro flat (ca. 9.25 USD).
If
you prefer public transport, there is also a bus going to the West
Flanders Library, which is the nearest stop for the Hotel Heritage. We
didn't use it, so we can't comment on the cost.
We arrived at around
2 PM. Official check in time is
3 PM
and since there are only twenty rooms and four suites (the former
living
quarters of the owners), we weren't able to check in immediately and
were asked to come back in an hour and our room would be ready. I was
able to store my rucksack until our return.
At our return the
room was ready. We were handed our key card and accompanied to our room,
where my rucksack was already waiting for me, and explained the
features. We asked if we could have a late check out at
noon
the next day - normally check out is at 11.00 hours, so a bit too early
for us. It was granted with a smile and re-assurance it was no problem
at all. Afterwards we were left alone.
We had booked a Superior
Room - the only room type available to book online. Superior Rooms are
one step up from the entrance category rooms. Our room was on the third
floor and overlooked the roofs of Bruges and the theatre. We were very
happy about it since we had requested one on the higher floors. The
hotel has four storeys. The fourth floor contains the suites, so
we had the highest floor possible.
The room was medium sized
and lavish, but had everything one could ever wish for. The main colors
were red, gold and dark brown. There were three classic paintings - one a
still life, the other two depicting ladies. When booking I had told my
better half, that I wished we would have a room with a portrait painting
over the bed, so it was also fulfilled.
There was a writing
desk, a coffee table with fruit basket and sweets, a handwritten welcome
note from Isabelle Creytens (owner of the Heritage together with her
husband Johan), two chairs, a large bed, night stands, a wardrobe and a
small shelf containing the Nespresso machine, capsules, tea, cups and a
Bose wave radio with Bose remote control.
On the writing desk was an IPad. The Hotel Heritage was the first to offer one on every room in Europe.
There were also information about the hotel and Bruges, Intelligent Live magazines, writing
paper, a hotel branded pen and three Relais & Chateaux guides in German, French and English.
The
ambience TV was placed over the writing desk/storage space for luggage.
The channel choice was a delight. It had all the important
international channels, a lot from the UK, like BBC1 and 2, but also
regional ones.
The Nilson luxury bed was very comfortable. It was
made up in a way so it looked like one large mattress. Instead there
were two. It wasn't an issue for us to have twin beds instead of a
queen/king. It was hard to get out of bed. We also liked the night light
function and air conditioning, which was working fast and reliable. The
large crystal chandelier in the room was a prominent feature in the
room and was fitting with the ambience. Another unique feature was the
two old fashioned looking telephones, but they were modern with a
digital display.
The marbled bathroom with granite floor was
smaller, but offered everything,
with toilet, bath tub/rain shower head combination, sink and a cupboard
to store the towels and an additional roll of toilet paper and
hairdryer.
There was a double set of Durance toiletries.
The bath tub was very comfortable, and the water pressure of the rainfall shower good.
The
hotel has a fabled history. The cellar for example dates back to the
13th or 14th century, where the fitness center is located. We went there
to check it out - not to do sports, though. The cross rib vault is
worth seeing. We also liked the palm and flowers.
Officially the
building was mentioned for the first time in 1390 and was called the
Vaulte House. In the 16th century a member of the city council lived
with his family there. Later it was an inn. In 1706 Pieter Jessens, a
prosecutor and notary bought the house. It stayed in the possession of
the family for about seventy six years. It was then owned by Lievin de
la Villette de la Haymade. He
was also a council, played an important role at the Noble Brotherhood
of the Holy Blood and had a busy social life.
It was also a bank
and fell into a state of disrepair before Johan and Isabelle Creytens
bought the house and opened it as a hotel in 1993. Then it was called
the Hansa Hotel. When the hotel rooms were renovated in 2003 the owners
thought Hansa Hotel wasn't suitable anymore and changed it to Hotel
Heritage, to reflect the age and importance of the building.
The
Hotel Heritage has a bar Le Magnum, lounge and restaurant Le Mystique.
Koenraad Steenkiste is the head chef, while Brecht is the Maitre D'.
We had a really outstanding dinner at Le Mystique and are very grateful we received a table at very short notice.
Breakfast
was a highlight the next morning. It wasn't included in our rate, but
we had budgeted it in at 24 Euro per person (ca. 32 USD). The
information was available on the hotel's website and the Relais
& Chateaux guide.
The coffee and tea were served by a
waitress, the rest of the breakfast buffet style. There were champagne
included, grapefruit and orange juice, milk, water, cold cuts, cheese,
yogurt, chocolate pudding, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and other
smoked fish, a wide bread selection, berries and much more. The price
was reasonable and everything was of very high quality and fresh.
Le
Mystique spreads over two rooms. It is classic designed and a mix
between understated and lavish. Especially interesting are the doors.
They date back to 1869. We enjoyed also the chandeliers and ceiling
murals.
The staff was friendly and accommodating. They always had time for a chat and were genuinely interested in our well being.
The hotel is kept immaculate. There are flowers everywhere in different colors.
Guests can also buy the bath amenities, hotel branded umbrellas or in house made jams.
There is
one elevator and a steep staircase. It's not recommended to use the stairs if you have vertigo.
We
loved how warm the staff was, the atmosphere of the hotel and the
little details, like a note at turn down wishing a good night or a card
in the morning providing the weather forecast.
It felt again like visiting a good friend's or family member's home.
Would
we stay here again? Definitely. The location is ideal, giving you both
easy access on foot to the romantic canals of Bruges and the Grote
Market. The staff and cuisine are a delight and the rooms gorgeous and
comfortable.
©2013
