My wife and I stayed at the Hotel Heritage for 2 nights. We were staying in Amsterdam for a week and wanted to take 2 nights to visit Bruges. I booked the hotel months ago online directly at their website. Communication was excellent as they confirmed the booking via email very quickly. I paid via credit card and they emailed me a confirmation.
We took the train from Amsterdam and arrived in the afternoon. Our room was ready for us upon check-in. I believe it was one of the owners that checked us in. She was extremely friendly and courteous giving us a map, explaining some can%26#39;t miss things to see as well as where we were. She also gave us a certificate valid for a free walking tour. We didn%26#39;t end up using it as Bruges is so easy to explore on your own via walking and taking a Canal Cruise.
We were extremely happy with our room. It was a Suite on the 4th floor. It was on the back of the building so there was no great view but it didn%26#39;t matter. It was very quiet. They did a wonderful job renovating the hotel. It%26#39;s very charming and it maintains its classic decor yet had modern conveniences as well. For example, they had a HUGE 42%26#39; LCD TV, a work desk with a computer/keyboard there. Also, they had a Bose Wave Radio Alarm clock as well as a DVD player. There was also an electronic safe (although keep in mind it%26#39;s not bolted down but I doubt that would ever be a problem). There was also a spacious mini refrigerator.
The room was very big by USA standards and HUGE by European standards. Keep in mind this was a Suite. I%26#39;m sure the regular rooms are smaller. The bed we had was a King size bed and very comfortable. They AC system worked very well and was a modern system controlled with Thermometer like any big modern hotel.
The room itself had a living room area with sofa, desk area, the bedroom and the bathroom was HUGE! There was a separate shower stall with great water pressure, a double his/her sink and a very large modern bathtub with Jacuzzi jetted tub. They didn%26#39;t spare any expense as they are using Hermes Paris soap, shampoo/conditioner. The room also had an iron and ironing board which we appreciated as sometimes when we travel in Europe they don%26#39;t give you one. (For example when we traveled throughout Italy 2 years ago the hotels didn%26#39;t allow you to get an iron).
We are with our 1 year old and had booked for the hotel to have a crib in the room and they had it all set up. Keep in mind they charge €20 a night for a baby crib. It was amazing to see so many families with babies walking around. The city was full of them.
The friendly doorman brought our luggage to our room. In our room we had a basket of fruit for us which was a nice touch. Also, the first night they left us some red and white wine. We don%26#39;t drink alcohol but again it was very classy.
It%26#39;s clear to see the owners of the hotel have really thought things out. The renovations were very nice. I%26#39;m not sure how long ago it was renovated but I do tons of renovations in properties and it looks like the bathroom was recently done within the last few years. The windows have black out shades on them if you want to sleep in (but that is very doubtful as you%26#39;ll want to explore the city).
The same woman that helped us at the check in also helped us with train times back to Amsterdam. She was always so friendly and always had a smile on her face. I can%26#39;t say the same thing for some places around town. In some of the shops some of the people seemed unfriendly or didn%26#39;t smile much. It%26#39;s VERY evident that the city thrives/survives on tourism and sometimes in those types of towns people can get a bit bitter about the vast amounts of tourism but its clear the owners of the Heritage Hotel aren%26#39;t that way.
And one of the biggest advantages of the hotel is the amazing location! You are literally 1 block from Market Square which is the heart of the city and where all the life is at. It%26#39;s so great! Bruges is truly a remarkable city. I travel around the world frequently and have visited literally hundreds and hundreds of cities but Bruges was amazing! The easiest way to explain it is to imagine yourself magically putting yourself in a fairytale. It%26#39;s almost like a fairytale being in Bruges. So beautiful, incredible architecture and all so well preserved.
We got lucky and had wonderful weather. It only briefly rained a few hours our last day and the hotel had nice big umbrellas in the lobby to use.
I%26#39;d highly recommend a visit to Bruges and if you come I can%26#39;t think of any hotel that would be better than Hotel Heritage. It was literally a perfect visit! The owners do a great job and everyone is so friendly. The maid did a terrific job as well.
Also, something really great was that the website said they charge for internet access but at the check-in they told me they stopped charging for Internet access. It worked with a code they gave me. I used my own laptop not the one in the room.
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