Best Historical Hotels in Belgium

Set in an opulent mansion that would make Louis XIV proud, Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof is a short stroll from many of Ghent’s most enchanting historic attractions. The attention to detail in this establishment is especially impressive and guests enter through the old carriage passage before climbing a spiral staircase to reach the large and decadent lobby. The spa and swimming pool are located in the old coach house, while there are palatial gardens to explore as well as a well-stocked bar that comes complete with a roaring fireplace. However, the guestrooms are extremely comfortable and boast plenty of modern touches such as air-conditioning and Nespresso coffee machines. There is just one Reylof Suite available, which boasts sixty square metres of space and a beautiful bathroom, while the unique Presidential Penthouse Suite features a spacious terrace for guests to unwind on as well as two bedrooms and a large fireplace in the comfortable living room.

This former convent is a resting-place for all seasons, with a sunny terrace that looks out onto the Dijver canal, and a bar that welcomes Christmas Market shoppers with its warming fire. The French Country-style rooms in this fifteenth-century gem have all the perks you’d expect, within an interior of pastel hues and antique pieces. The Markt is only a few steps away, with the Chocolate Museum taking about seven minutes to walk. Or take a boat trip along this canal to view traditional Flemish architecture at its best.

This fifteenth-century dwelling also sits alongside the pretty Dijver canal and is equipped with saunas and an indoor swimming pool. Relax with a drink on the terrace, or sip Prosecco with breakfast in the elegant dining room. Rooms are decorated and equipped to a high standard, with family rooms in the modern annexe, while some upgrades may include four-poster beds and canal views. The hotel is close to a bus stop, the Markt square and the Groeningemuseum, constructed on the site of the medieval Eekhout Abbey, and housing six centuries of Belgian and Flemish art from Van Eyck to Broodthaers.

Originally a 1930s mansion and retaining its period facade, this award-winning family-run establishment provides every comfort, with upgrades available to make the experience even more special. The Champagne Breakfast is a must, but guests will also want to linger in The Bowler bar, which displays pictures of comics such as Laurel and Hardy on the wall. Centrally-situated but on a quiet street, the Flemish-style Prisenhof is a short stroll from the main sights around the Markt, with a free walking tour on offer during the week. Packages include a themed guided tour and museum tickets, while nearby amenities include bike, scooter or moped hire, and golfing.

The Hotel Heritage lives up to its name in every way. The nineteenth century building, in a UNESCO World Heritage area, has a dining room dating from 1869, a fourteenth-century wine cellar, and a gym housed in twelfth-century quarters. Part of the Relais and Chateaux group, rooms range from Classic (with an iPad) up to a suite with a Belfry view. The hotel is conveniently situated in the middle of medieval Bruges and close to theatres, shops and restaurants serving Belgium’s acclaimed cuisine. A horse and carriage ride starting from here would be a pleasant way to take in the rest of the compact city centre.

Home to the Van Cleef dynasty for over seven hundred years, and now an Italianate boutique hotel overlooking a canal, room amenities include minibars and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. Upgrades bring canal views and wooden-beamed ceilings, but all guests can enjoy the artworks lining the restaurant walls, and the ideally-placed waterside terrace. Run by the team behind The Pand and De Orangerie, it won a Belgian Hospitality Award for Best Hotel Concept in 2015. The Van Cleef is a short distance from the medieval Belfry of Bruges, and one kilometre from the Church of Our Lady and its Michelangelo sculpture.

Individually-decorated rooms in this eighteenth-century boutique hotel feature antiques as well as Ralph Lauren fabrics and up-to-date facilities, with suites including whirlpool tubs and four-poster beds. The luxurious bar boasts leather and mahogany furniture, a theme continued for the wood-panelled walls in the lounge, while guests can also relax in a peaceful courtyard. The Pand is close to the city’s historic heart, and just five minutes away from the Markt square with its imposing historic guilds, bustling restaurants and the Belfry tower. Alternatively, a seven-minute walk will deliver chocoholics to the Choco-Story chocolate museum.

Luxurious, antique design is merged with modern comfort in each of the 20 rooms and suites at the Boutique Hotel de Castillion. Guests can opt to enhance their experience with a trip to the sumptuous breakfast buffet on offer in the 15th-century basement or indulge in one of the unrivalled Afternoon Tea options in the lavish Golden Art Deco Salon. Each room has a beautifully decorated, private bathroom and a lift is at guests’ disposal. This newly renovated, family-run establishment extends a warm welcome into a world of elegance and class with a cosy bar for socialising in an excellent location. The hotel is located directly across from the marvellous Sint-Salvatorskathedraal gothic cathedral in the central Steenstraat Quarter. The hotel also boasts a commitment to sustainability and offers eight on-site parking spaces for electric cars.

In the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre of Bruges, the Grand Hotel Casselbergh is nestled in a charming location just meters form Market Square. There are 118 lavish rooms and suites to suit individual needs and desires which have all been equipped with necessities and decorated with a contemporary, decadent feel. Nine meeting, conference, and board rooms are available for hosting functions for up to 160 persons and the hotel offers on-site parking. The hotel serves a warm welcome in the form of a delicious breakfast buffet, with plenty of choice, and a cosy lounge bar for relaxing and socialising. Guests can experience a truly unique wellness experience at the Grand Hotel Casselbergh’s gym and spa, situated in the former thirteenth to seventeenth basement of the historic edifice, and complete with a sauna, steam room and relaxation room.

The Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce presides over the intersection of two canals in Bruges’ historic centre. This boutique hotel comprises of 16 luxurious rooms adorned with traditional, classic décor with a contemporary flair. Each room offers guests a tranquil view of the calming canal waters or courtyard and a luxurious lounge invites guests to unwind in a blend of old and new styles. A breakfast buffet is available as well as excellent room service. The central location of this waterfront hotel encourages guests to explore the city of Bruges and is a stone’s throw from the famed Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed -where tourists flock to the remarkable site that claims to house a relic containing the blood of Christ. An array of nearby bars, cafés and restaurants in the charming, medieval streets will satisfy any craving and the quaint Market Square and Belfry make for an adventure that’s certain to leave an impression.

The four-star Hotel Julien is situated on Korte Nieuwstraat, a street that passes through the historic centre of Antwerp and is regarded as one of the best places for an overnight stay in the city. Guests can unwind in the luxurious spa, detoxify themselves in the sauna, relax in the comfortable living room or have a drink in the trendy bar before retiring to their cosy and well-furnished rooms. Bath and shower facilities are available in the deluxe bathrooms while free Wi-Fi, iPad and iPhone docking system, minibar and writing desk are available in each of the hotel’s twenty-one rooms.

Although utterly contemporary, there’s no mistaking that this was once an Augustinian convent. Hotel August retains a paired back, minimalist style, with crisp white Egyptian percale bed linens contrasted by dark beamed timber ceilings and wooden floors. Each of the 44 bedrooms and suites is unique, some of the latter with Juliet balconies revealing views of the courtyard, chapel and swimming pond and all with trendy Le Labo toiletries. Outside, the Cour Anglaise caters to ice scrubs in the al fresco shower and a swimming pond sets the scene for a refreshing back-to-nature dip. A restaurant is found in the corridor surrounding the original chapel with an outdoor dining terrace and bar.