Grand Hotel Normandy by CW Hotel Collection

The gym and pool area were nice, and we even got little chocolate and biscuit gifts. Breakfast was good in a stylish dining room, with friendly staff and good service. It’s an old, stylish hotel in a great location. The rooms are comfortable but a little worn.

We splurged on the penthouse suite for New Year after saving all year, and it was an incredible room. We made use of the bath too. The celebration with its amazing light show was just along the road, Oswald bar a few minutes away on foot, and the main square about 10 minutes away. The lounge was relaxing, with a big electric fire and games to play. The pool was ok. Breakfast was good, though it got a bit stressful when busy. We’ll definitely be back.

The big bedroom made me wonder why the bathtub was so tiny. The shower hose didn’t reach properly either, which made showering more complicated than it needed to be. I didn’t fancy using the swimming pool, it felt very uninviting. The staff were welcoming and the hotel seemed nice enough. Its location was good for the price, though there are definitely better spots. If you’re after a budget hotel, this will do. A lot of what made the stay unpleasant seemed to come from other guests, especially screaming kids with squeaky toys, which wasn’t really the hotel’s fault.

After our 9-hour drive, we wanted to relax in a warm pool and explore the centre of Bruges on foot, so we wouldn’t need the car again. The pool was pleasantly warm and just right for unwinding. The hotel was comfortable overall, although you can hear neighbouring guests because the sound insulation between rooms is limited. Reserve one of the limited hotel parking spaces in advance. Otherwise, the nearby public underground car park is 200 metres away and costs around €14 for an overnight stay.