The Notary

I only stopped at The Notary in Brugge for a coffee, but the garden made it feel like a proper little escape. It’s peaceful, beautifully arranged, and has that cozy, elegant Brugge feel. The coffee was smooth, rich, and well made, though I didn’t try anything else from the menu. There’s a lot of character in the property, and all the thoughtful details make it inviting. I’d love to return, try more, and hopefully stay overnight. If you want good coffee in a relaxed spot with a lovely garden, even a quick visit here feels like a treat. I’m already hoping to come back for the full experience.

The poor housekeeping and unexpected charge left us with a very negative impression of The Notary. Our room was cleaned just once over the whole weekend, and the standard was well below what we expected from a hotel at this level. After we left, money was taken from my friend’s credit card without warning or consent, on the grounds that we had damaged hotel property. They only showed what they called proof after charging the card. Taking the money first and explaining later felt disrespectful and unacceptable. We expected clear communication, professionalism, and basic respect, and none of that came through. We hope the matter is taken seriously and resolved properly.

The hotel and room were nice, but we didn’t feel much warmth from the staff. At check-in, the woman kept her eyes on the computer and didn’t really welcome us, and nobody offered us a drink, which would have been appreciated. We were told there wouldn’t be a chef during our stay, so dining in wasn’t an option. One evening we also couldn’t use the library room because it had been booked for other guests, which seemed odd when we were staying at the hotel.

I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels called great, but only a few feel truly distinctive, with thoughtful, natural design and service that’s both professional and genuinely caring. The Notary is one of them. I’ve been twice, once with just my dog and once with my wife and our two-month-old baby. Both suites were exquisite, and we couldn’t have asked for a better welcome or more attentive care. Ett Hem in Stockholm is one of the few places that comes to mind at a similar level. Bruges feels all the more special with a stay here, and I’ll certainly return. I’ve seen some negative reviews and don’t really understand them. Complaining about a breakfast costing €xx, which is excellent, seems beside the point in such a personal, intimate setting. It’s the opposite of the buffer at Four Seasons, and breakfast there would cost more anyway. For what I think is a very reasonable price, you get an unusually rare mix of comfort, service, aesthetics, and thoughtfulness. It isn’t inexpensive, but you know what I mean. If you can, stay a couple of nights. You won’t regret it. I know this sounds like a dithyramb, and I don’t write many reviews, but The Notary is exceptional and deserves recognition.