Value Stay Bruges

I was nervous after seeing the negative reviews, but we had an excellent two-night stay. Our ground-floor room was clean, and having the parking spot right outside made unloading luggage much easier. Tea and coffee were in the room, and when we asked for extra towels, they arrived straight away. We also brought in food and could use the hotel's microwave and dishes. Great value for money, and I'd recommend it.

Check-in and check-out were easy, and the front desk staff were very friendly. The price was reasonable for a one-night stay, with a decent-sized room and facilities. But it was very dirty: cobwebs all over the ceiling, a dusty A/C, and floors that looked like they hadn't been mopped. I know it's a basic budget place, but cleanliness should still come first.

For the price, this was exactly the budget stay I expected, and I'd stay again. The layout is simple, parking is easy, and the room has what you need: kettle, fridge, towels and soap. The bathroom was private, tidy and cleaned well. The two stars I took off were for comfort and the lack of staff, though I've since corrected the rating: staff are present, just not at a desk in person, and they were upfront about that. I do like the quick check-in, but some guests may want a smiling face to welcome them. As for the downsides, the decor is very dated and the colors are bad. The old heating isn't energy efficient and gives off that cheap smell, if you know what I mean. The mattress felt old and uncomfortable, and the bed was noisy, so forget any after-hours twister or wrestling. There are no power sockets on either side of the bed. We didn't see staff in person. The keys were in a safe, and we used the code sent by email to get them, then dropped them in the letterbox when we left.

The room was clean and had a great atmosphere. It was comfortable despite the old furnishings, and the lady looking after the place was so kind and polite. There's parking, plus a relaxing park-like area, a cooking space and outdoor seating for meals. Couples and families should find it suitable. We also had a hair dryer, air conditioning, heater and freezer. For buses, stops 27 and 88 are close by; if they're not available, the stop for bus 7 is a 700 m walk. Check-in is at 4 PM and check-out at 10 PM. If you arrive after reception closes, they email a code to the address used for the booking; enter it in the safe to get your room key. Each person needs ID to check in. I know there are bad and average reviews, but my own stay was the best experience.