Page 264 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

262  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

former denotes something a than is usually associated with
little more special – perhaps a hostel stays. Accommodation
warm welcome in a beautiful may be in double or single
farmhouse, a manor house or rooms, or in dormitories.
a historic building. In the Although called youth hostels,
Flanders region, many farm there is in fact no age limit for
B&Bs belong to the movement guests. Flanders, Wallonia
known as hoevetoerisme and Luxembourg each
(farmstead tourism), under the have their own youth hotel
umbrella federation Vlaamse association. Members of
Federatie voor Hoeve- en Hostelling International,
Plattelandstoerisme. Its equiv­ or an equivalent approved
alent in Wallonia is Fédération national organization, will
des Gîtes de Wallonie, which, find the rates less expensive
like its Flemish counterpart, also than non­members.
covers self­catering holiday There are also numerous
Antwerp's Hilton, a landmark with an cottages, or gîtes. hostel­like budget hotels,
ornate 19th-century façade (see p268) particularly in popular tourist
cities such as Brussels and
Travelling with Children Apartment-Hotels Bruges. Called logements pour
Children are welcome in just A number of city hotels offer jeunes or jeugdlogies, they are
about every hotel in Belgium apartments rather than rooms. specially geared and styled for
and Luxembourg. Indeed, For instance, the Citadines young people, and may offer
many hotels make a concerted company has two “apart­hotels” a more characterful (not to
effort to cater to the needs of in Brussels. The rooms may be say hit­and­miss) experience
those travelling with children. suites, with a sitting area as than official hostels.
Most allow one or two children well as kitchen facilities,
under the age of 12 to stay in though the hotel may also
their parents’ room without have a breakfast room for Gay and Lesbian
extra charge, or for a small guests. Reception services can Accommodation
supple ment. Some hotels be as minimal as collecting the There are no specifically
extend this to travellers key, registering and paying. gay or lesbian hotels, but
under the age of 16, or Apartment­hotels are designed same­sex couples should
even under 18. for guests staying a number of have few problems finding
days, if not weeks, but some are welcoming accommodation.
happy to offer accommodation Tels Quels is a good source
Bed-and-Breakfasts for one night only. They can be of information for Brussels,
A pleasant alternative to staying very useful for families on a and there are websites for
in a small hotel, B&Bs are essen­ longer visit. Antwerp and Bruges. Rosa
tially rooms in private houses. Lëtzebuerg is the main LGBT
The style of accommodation association in Luxembourg. The
varies considerably, from the Youth and Budget website provides information
mundane to the truly special. Accommodation about LGBT events and
For instance, some may be in There are youth hostels in most activities, as well as listings for
historic homes, close to a city major towns and cities. These places of interest in and around
centre or set in the countryside, tend to have excellent modern Luxembourg. The Navigaytor
with antique furniture and high facilities, reasonably priced food website includes Belgium in its
standards of comfort. Many are and the chance of more privacy worldwide listings.
run more like mini­hotels, with
owners who are careful to pro­
vide a high level of professional
service in such details as the
quality of linen and breakfast.
Tourist offices can supply lists
of B&B accommodation. Visitors
can also check Bed & Brussels
for more information.

Hoevetoerisme and
Chambres d’Hôtes
There is little to distinguish
chambres d’hôtes (guest rooms)
from B&Bs, but usually the The stately Ter Brughe (see p267), a budget hotel in Bruges

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