Amato Brugge

Rooms

The 3 double rooms are unique in layout but share moody dark grey walls and contemporary furnishings. On the first floor, The Oval Room is refined and elegant, taking its name from the stunning 19th-century moulding on the ceiling. It is divided into a sleeping area with an original fireplace and a partitioned bathroom with a deep freestanding bath and walk-in shower. From the wrought iron balcony you can admire the Belfry Tower.

On the second floor, The Sint-Jan Room has views over the Old Town, a sofa and a slightly smaller bathroom with a shower/tub. The upper-floor split-level Belfort Room has steep stairs leading up to the attic, with stunning views, a seating area and a romantic double bed, but the cherry on top is the private sauna. Despite being in the eaves, it isn’t cramped and still suits taller people.

All bedrooms have a view of Bruges' famous bell tower, and the Sint-Jan Room looks out over the back of the guesthouse too, showing the Church of Our Lady and rooftops beyond. All rooms are spacious - more like suites, really - and truly spoiling for a romantic city break.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is served in the first-floor dining room. A tiered serving stand laden with pastries, buns, cured meats, cheese and fruit will be brought to your table, and hot options like scrambled eggs and crispy bacon are available. You can help yourself to tea and coffee any time of day and in the afternoon you'll find some tempting cake, chocolates and sweet treats laid out here, too. There's also an honesty bar stocked with wine, champagne, Belgian beer and soft drinks.

For all other meals, you're in the heart of the city, with restaurants and cafés at every turn. The air in Bruges smells of chocolate. Every second shop is a chocolate shop, and every third seems to sell waffles, frites or something else to eat. You are not going to go hungry here; but finding really good food can be tricky. Luckily Stijn and Kristoff have a culinary background, so just ask them for recommendations. These might include upscale Zet Joe (cheffed by Geert Van Hecke, who gained three Michelin stars at the more formal Karmeliet), or the more affordable but still excellent Couvert on Eekhoutstraat for Belgian food. A simpler option might be Italian Sale & Pepe whose daily specials are worth seeking out.

Features include:

• Honesty bar
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• Wander to Markt Square and admire its medieval architecture, then climb to the top of the bell tower for stunning panoramic views (made famous by In Bruges). It’s 300 steps to the top
  
• Take a boat tour along the canals, spot swans and spy an alternative view of the city. It beats the uber-touristy pony and trap tours that run from the centre; the entire city is a Unesco World Heritage site
  
• Visit Burg Square with its 14th-century town hall and Basilica of the Holy Blood. It’s one of the city’s finest spots and reflects Bruges' past wealth and influence
  
• Get down with the chocolate. You can try truffles at every shop you like (there are over 50 chocolate boutiques, so good luck), then explore the town’s chocolate museum, Choco-Story, with more tastings and a history lesson
  
• Bruges’ other food museums are the Museum of the Frite, all about the history of potatoes (and more interesting than it sounds), and the De Halve Maan brewery, another great stop for tastings
  
• Bruges can be overly touristy. Hire a bike (ask the owners) and take yourself on an architectural tour of the northeast side of the city to avoid the crowds - you’ll make discoveries around every corner
  
• Marvel at the magic touch of Michelangelo, whose Madonna and Child is found among countless paintings at the Church of our Lady. The tower here is 122m high, making it the tallest brick building in the world
  
• Take a tour of Flanders Field and the First World War battlefields, around an hour away

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Only those aged 16 and over are allowed at Amato Brugge.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Amato Brugge (formerly called Maison Sint Niklaas) is on a quiet street in the centre of Bruges, steps away from Markt Square, in western Belgium. The best way to get here is by train and taxi.

By Air:
The closest airport is Brussels International, which is a hub for flights from all over Europe and beyond. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving this airport.

From the Airport
It takes an hour and a quarter by car from Brussels to Bruges. You can get a taxi but trains (see below) are faster and cheaper. Alternatively you can hire a car.

By Train:
Trains from Brussels to Bruges run at least every half hour and take about an hour. You can reach Brussels on the Eurostar from London St Pancras. You might want to bring a bike on your trip - it’s a great way to see the city.

By Car:
We recommend a car if you’re planning to explore Belgium; you don’t need one if you’re just coming to Bruges for a short break. Bruges is an easy drive from Brussels, just over an hour. Once you reach the city, beware of cyclists and one-way streets. Private parking is available at the guesthouse for a daily charge; request in advance as spaces are limited.The city has a few municipal car parks but most parking is metered on the street. See our car rental recommendations.

Getting Around:
Bruges is easily walkable; you can also see the city by bike, scooter, boat, or pony and trap.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Belgium and getting around