Rooms

The 24 rooms are white-walled and wood-floored, with plenty of natural light. Their major design motifs are blown-up photographs, either covering the ceiling with Gothic details or offering panoramic wall-sized views across the city. A few rooms eschew photography for Gothically lettered ceiling inscriptions, giving them an even more minimalist look. Bathrooms have Grohe water-conserving rainfall showers and frosted glass walls instead of doors: not ideal for friends or families, but they do contribute to the light-and-airy feel of the rooms.

Try to get a room with a view if you can: being able to gaze out at Gothic and red-tiled rooftops adds romance, and the best on the upper floors have astounding Belfry views. There are several suites in an adjacent building, which have self-catering facilities (a microwave and a fridge) so could work well for families.

Features include:

• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is a help-yourself buffet of cereal, yoghurt, bread and pastries, and you can make your own Belgian waffles or cook your own eggs.

On street level, there's a chic café-bar with a Scandi-leaning aesthetic, pony-hide rug and a glass-encased open fire. Stop here for a coffee or a tea, a snack or light lunch, or an evening aperitif. It's got an outdoor, leafy terrace as well for sunny days.

Otherwise, the historic centre is packed with places to drink and dine: De Stove is an intimate place to sample fresh fish; Den Dyver specialises in artisanal beers, which are also used to create the sauces to accompany your meal; wood-beamed Flemish restaurant De Vlaamsche Pot serves hearty stews and juicy meatballs.

Features include:

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• You're only 150m from Bruges' focal point, the Markt Square, lined by medieval and Renaissance architecture. Here you can climb the 300 or so steps up to the top of the Belfry, for sweeping city views
  
• Take a boat trip to glide around the city's canals, one of the finest ways to explore the city
  
• Visit Burg Square with its 14th-century town hall and Basilica of the Holy Blood
  
• Go chocolate tasting at the city's myriad chocolate boutiques; for real chocaholics there's the chocolate museum: Choco-Story
  
• Hire a bike and take the route following the canal that rings the city centre
  
• Gaze at Flemish masterpieces at the Groeninge Museum

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling

Kids

Kids aged five and over are welcome, and rooms can accommodate up to four people. Though there are no specific children's facilities, the hotel's location makes it an excellent base for exploring the city.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The best rooms for families are the Marcel Suites (sleep 4) in a separate building, which have kitchenettes for self-catering. There are four guest rooms in the main building that can sleep three. Please note, children are not allowed to sleep in the same bed as parents.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hotel Marcel is in the centre of Bruges, steps away from Markt Square, in western Belgium. The best way to get here is by train and taxi.

By Air:
The closest airport is Brussels International, which is a hub for flights from all over Europe and beyond.

By Train:
Trains from Brussels to Bruges run at least every half hour and take about an hour. You can reach Brussels on the Eurostar from London St Pancras. You might want to bring a bike on your trip - it’s a great way to see the city.

By Car:
We recommend a car if you’re planning to explore Belgium; you don’t need one if you’re just coming to Bruges for a short break. Bruges is an easy drive from Brussels, just over an hour. Once you reach the city, beware of cyclists and one-way streets. Private parking is available at the hotel for a daily charge; request in advance as spaces are limited.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.