Le Coquin Bed & Breakfast

We liked the quiet setting and the chance to walk along the river. The property felt homely, and our room was spacious, comfortable, and well equipped. We got a warm welcome from the owner, who offered ideas for things to do, including the excellent immersive Salvador Dali exhibition. Breakfast was generous, and we’d happily stay again. Next time, we’d take the pleasure boat to Damme, which stopped about 100 metres from the property.

This B&B was a total joke. We got no welcome, just a note on the door. The bed felt like a slab of wood, the TV didn’t work properly, the WiFi was very poor, and the shower didn’t drain, so we had to stand in dirty water. Breakfast was bland, just dry bread. The front door was faulty and very hard to open. There was no heating, so the room got really cold. The host was rude. When we asked for help with the door, he sighed and said it wasn’t difficult, and we didn’t feel welcome at all. Before paying, I counted the cash several times, but after he’d taken it, he told me I was €40 short. I reluctantly agreed to pay to avoid hassle. Alain didn’t ask for the money at any point during the rest of our stay. Instead, at 4am, when we were outside the B&B with our suitcases walking to our Uber, he chased after us like something out of Forrest Gump to demand the €40. Stay away!

We booked through Booking.com for an overnight stop on our drive from North Germany to Dunkirk. We were a family of four, and the room was clean and comfortable, with a small kitchen we hadn’t expected. The owner communicated well, was keen to show us the city, and arranged bikes for us to use. We arrived very late and got lost, but some nearby locals helped by escorting us to the door. Breakfast was good the next morning. We’ll definitely stay here again on future trips.

The host was so helpful when I arrived unwell, even calling a doctor for me. Breakfast was buffet style, with a huge range of choices. The house sits right beside one of the canals. Turn right outside and you can follow it into bruges, about a 30-minute walk to the centre. There’s plenty to see, so you’ll need more than a weekend. One tip: book a licensed taxi. They cost less than the ones outside the station, give receipts, and know where they’re going!