Page 140 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Brussels Bruges Ghent & Antwerp

138  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

WHERE TO STAY

For most of the year, Brussels is primarily represented in the city, with equally keen
a business or political destination, and prices. Bruges is famous for its fabulously
accommodation is often priced accordingly. romantic accommodation, in top-of-the-
The wide range of top hotels has one range luxury hotels as well as its B&Bs,
fine advantage for the visitor – weekend but there are also plenty of competitive,
and summer deals make it possible to stay standard hotels for the more cost-conscious.
in some of Europe’s most luxurious Antwerp and Ghent are also both rewarding
establishments on even a modest budget. places to stay overnight, and have a good
The mid-range of hotels is also well range of hotels to choose from.
Where to Look Most hotels serve a good, person per night, but can be as
Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and continental-style buffet breakfast much as €9.50 per night in a
Antwerp are all good for (with patisserie, cereals, sliced five-star hotel. There may be an
walking in – so if you are visiting charcuterie and cheeses) and additional charge for parking,
these cities to see the sights, some offer English-breakfast- up to about €25 a night. While
find somewhere near the style cooked food. Breakfast can some hotels are happy to allow
centre. If arriving by train, the cost anything between €10 and pets (do check in advance),
stations deposit you fairly near €35 per person, so if you intend they are likely to add a small
the centre of all the cities, with to have breakfast in the hotel, nightly charge to the bill.
the exception of Ghent. In check in advance if it is included
Brussels there is something of in the room price.
a geographical divide between It is usual to be charged extra Hotel Gradings
and Facilities
the historic city centre around if you place additional guests in
the Grand Place and the a double room, sometimes even Hotels are graded on a star
European Quarter, which has its if they are children, so be sure to system (1–5 stars) overseen by
own cluster of hotels, but there ask when you book. Youth the regional governments of
are many hotels in between, hostels cater very well to the Belgium. Stars are awarded
and the distances are never budget or student traveller and according to the features,
very great. some also have family rooms. facilities and services provided
by the hotel, but they are not
necessarily an indicator of the
Room Rates Taxes and Charges
quality of the experience of
In Brussels, hotels at the top Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and staying there. Four-star hotels
end of the market offer Bruges post City Taxes on rooms may tick all the boxes (the
exceptional standards of at varying local rates, based on rooms will all have a desk,
comfort and convenience to rather complex calculations. The minibar, safe etc), but the three-
their largely corporate clients, City Tax element in the price star hotel next door may be far
and their prices tend to reflect should be given to you in more agreeable.
this. In general, room rates are advance, and is not usually Almost all hotels and B&Bs in
higher than in the rest of included in the room price. It these cities now offer free Wi-Fi
Belgium, but on a par with comes to about €2.50 per access; many of them (especially
other European capitals. For a
night in a luxury hotel, expect
to pay between €250 and €400
for a double room.
The average price for a
room in the city is around
€130 per night, tracking the
accommodation allowance
for EU officials, but prices
may rocket upwards during
special events, such as during
the Seafood Expo Global
in late April. In Brussels, look
out for bargain weekend and
off-season rates. Bruges is
generally more expensive at
weekends, but many of the
high-quality B&Bs hold the
same price year-round. Unique frescoes decorate each room at Bloom (see p141)
Restaurants along the Rue des Bouchers, near the Grand Place, Brussels

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