Sint Niklaas B&B

Rooms

There are 3 double/twin rooms and each has its own personality. On the first floor, The Oval Room is refined and elegant, with a stunning 19th-century ceiling rose. It is divided into a sleeping area and a partitioned bathroom, with a duck-egg blue slipper bath and walk-in shower.

On the second floor, The Rooftop Room has chocolate-coloured décor, with views over the Old Town and a smaller bathroom with a shower/tub. It's lovely but the upper-floor Belfort Room is a real knockout, .and all rooms are the same price so book this if it's free. The room opens to a small desk area, and leads to steep stairs that reveal the attic, with its stunning views, a large red rug and the romantic double bed. Despite being in the eaves, it isn’t cramped and still suits taller people. The ensuite bathroom has a power shower but no tub.

All bedrooms have a view of Bruges' famous bell tower and the Rooftop Room room looks out over the back of the B&B too, showing the Church of Our Lady and rooftops beyond. All rooms are spacious - more like suites, really - and there's space for an extra bed and baby cot in each.

Features include:

• WiFi

Eating

You get a full breakfast menu in the morning. I chose a boiled egg, toast, jam and local cheese for breakfast, but equally you could have yoghurt, cereals, cold meats, fruit salad and delicious fresh pastries. There is a small honesty bar in the lounge, but apart from that, you're on your own.

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. How you find the best food, however, is the tricky thing. Ask Véronique for recommendations and don’t eat at Markt Square - it’s only a few steps away, but the touristy restaurants are overpriced and not Bruges’ best gourmet advertisement. Although for Belgian frites with mayonnaise, the stand in front of the bell tower is the genuine article!

Before your trip, book a table at the 3 Michelin-starred De Karmeliet if that’s your thing - waiting lists are long, but it's the most highly regarded place in town. Otherwise, try Couvert on Eekhoutstraat for Belgian food, or bistro ‘T Klein Genoegan. Sale & Pepe is a good Italian nearby - the daily specials are worth seeking out. Waffles are found everywhere, but apparently the best are at Salé et Sucré. And if you're after chocolate, Neuhaus and Sweertvaegher are the 2 that locals recommend.

Features include:

• 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 Véronique) 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. Véronique can arrange a custom tour that picks you up from the B&B

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Children over 13 are welcome here. An extra bed can be added to the Belfort Room. There are plenty of places to eat nearby for families who may also enjoy the boat rides and bike rides in the city.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Sint Niklaas B&B 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. A taxi cost €170 when we visited in early 2012. 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 B&B 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