Hotel Donny

We had a nice stay, and would happily come back. The staff were welcoming and friendly, and spoke several languages. Breakfast was simple but very pleasant, and the half-board dinner was tasty. We were all served the same meal, with no obvious alternative, though they seemed more flexible with the young ones. The beach is a mere 5m away. Some parts of the hotel feel a little dated in the decor, rather than in how they’re maintained.

Our room was spacious and well appointed for the three of us, and the hotel is close to the ocean and the trolley station to Plopsaland. The included breakfast was fantastic, with lots of delicious hot and cold choices. We were especially spoiled by the pancakes, fresh squeezed orange juice, and the best tasting scrambled eggs. We loved staying at Hotel Donny with the large Team Canada group. The staff were exceptional, so friendly and helpful, and helped us plan a day trip to Bruges. I’d highly recommend this hotel.

The location is excellent, and parking in the lot is free. The room was very spacious and well equipped, though it only just met the basics I expect from a 4-star place; I’d give it about 3.5 stars, or 3 for me. Breakfast had a rich buffet, but one staff member was oddly prescriptive about which glass I should use for juice. The reception staff, by contrast, were very friendly and helpful. The sauna wasn’t warm, and the hammam was shut off at 7 p.m. Is this a traditional family hotel or an old glory?

We booked for a quiet stay with my elderly mother, and the hotel is undeniably good, just a few minutes’ walk from the sea. I’m comparing it critically with other international 4-star hotels. The spa is a real highlight: a great pool, a couple of gym machines, and a spacious sauna with a view, although the sauna wasn’t switched on, so it was useless. Dinner was good and nicely presented, and you can book a three-course half-board meal at a special price. Breakfast was decent, but we missed the cava or sparkling wine common at many 4-star hotels; the morning coffee was pretty tasteless and didn’t feel 4-star quality. The staff were friendly from first contact through checkout. There’s free parking in front if you drive. By public transport, it’s easy to get there on a direct train from Brussels-Midi to De Panne, then take the tram from De Panne station to Esplanade, practically outside the hotel. The rooms were renovated in 2015, with the last ones in 2016, and were spacious, modern, and had HD cable TV. Our very roomy bathroom had a rain shower. There was no terrace, just an opening window, so we had to stay indoors. There’s no air conditioning either. If that’s for environmental reasons, mosquito screens would help. The rooms also aren’t soundproof: hallway conversations and people working their large keys in the locks were noisy. Maybe electronic locks would be better. The hotel says it’s dog friendly, but even a small dog can’t come into the restaurant, and according to the official rules you can’t leave it alone in the room either. That means dining out or breaking the rules, which may not be much of an issue with a quiet dog. They also charge 10 euros for the dog’s stay. So, was it a good hotel? Definitely. Would I return? I’m not sure, and might try nearby hotels first to compare. It seems to have the most and best facilities, but should address the drawbacks to become the best in its class.