Where to stay, what to see in Bruges??

Margaret,

I picked up the 2007 Amsterdam, Brussels & Bruges RS guidebook and really, it is invaluable.

It has great descriptions of all of the small non-chain hotels and a bunch of fantastic looking B&Bs.

RS also lists the must-see events in order of priority based on the amount of time that you'll be in the town.

I can't remember what it costs (less that $20), but it is worth every cent.

They are selling them at Costco these days if you have one in Clarkston.

We stayed at the Egmond Hotel near Minnewater in Bruges a few years ago. The area is quiet and peaceful right near the Minnewater Lake. Maybe 10 min. walk to center city. Rooms has nice views and a very nice breakfast. If we returned to Bruges (have been there twice) we would return to this hotel. We are in our sixties and had no trouble walking from the train station with the directions printed out on the hotel web site - pictures and text. Good luck.

Forgot to include web site

http://www.egmond.be/

We stayed here while in Brugge. It is within easy walking distance (I was 64) of the train station and situated at the beginning of the old town. It is nice and very clean. We were very pleased with the price, services and free breakfast.

http://www.hotelkeizershof.be/english.html

Check out the "Heroic B&Bs" section in "Sleeping" on this Graffiti Wall. A couple of years ago I stayed two nights in Bruge; at the TI I got a map and bought a pass that covered a few sites. They were all good. I think you will wish for more than one night; there are at least two days worth of enjoyable sites, sights, and activities in Brugge.

Margaret, we stayed at the Hotel Nicolas in June, which is a little bare bones but can't be beat for its location; it's right off the town square, and practically across the street from Dumon, Rick's recommended chocolate shop! Look it up on Tripadvisor; I posted some photos.

Brugge is the sight. Stroll everywhere, walk the canal, plaza. Have a taste of Dumons chocolate. Brugge is wonderful and everything is close and beautiful.Lucky you!

I've stayed in a few hotels in Brugge over the years. First time stayed at the Hotel Cordonier (just north of the Market square). Very nice hotel but a few quirks - one being I couldn't use the in-room phone to dial out, even with a phone card. The last time I stayed at the Hotel Prinsenhof. Very nice hotel indeed and centrally located. I can heartily recommend it for both comfort and location.

"Don't miss" things? Walks. Take lots of walks. It's a great city to stroll around, even in the outlying neighborhoods especially (St. Anns, etc.) Don't miss the chocolate, the mussels and frites, or the beer. (Brugse Biertje, De Garre, Cafe Craeneburg are a few terrific places to sample the best beers in Flanders - great atmosphere and friendly proprietors.) Cheers.

A friend and I will be going to Bruges next week and we are staying at a B&B that another friend of mine stayed at a couple years ago. It is the Ardewolf B&B. The website is www.ardewolf.be

nice B&B on the market square not too $$

http://users.skynet.be/alegriabb/engels.html

Margaret, in one episode of Travels in Europe (staring Rick Steves) he and the camera crew took rooms in Bruges at the Hans Memling Hotel. Here's the web site ....

http://www.hansmemlinghotel.com/

bon voyage. P.

I am visiting Brugge late this month and am staying at the Pandhotel, recommended by friends and AMX Platinum travel.....I will let you know how we like it!