Hotel de Tuilerieen - Bruges, Belgium

Hotel de Tuilerieen

Bruges, Belgium

May 27, 2012

We took the train into Bruges on Monday and decided against finding our hotel on foot (a very wise decision, as we had the misfortune of learning in Amsterdam).  We hailed a cab outside of the train station - a shiny black car driven by a gray haired man who was delighted to drive two American girls on their first time in Bruges.  After commenting on how heavy my bag was (thank you, video light), he boasted about his city's canal tours, museums and chocolate shops.

Fun Fact: there are fifty chocolate shops in Bruges.  It is not a large city.

Then, he asked us where we were going, and as we said the name of our hotel, his eyes widened.

"Oohh!" he exclaimed. "Fancy girls!  The Tuilerieen is the nicest hotel in Bruges!"

And while I can't make a first hand comparison to the other hotels in Bruges, I'd be willing to bet our taxi driver was correct.

Our first hour in the city was spent excitedly exploring (and documenting) the Tuilerieen.  Our room was massive and beautiful.  Our bed was comfortable.  Our hallway felt like someone's home (albeit, a very wealthy, very stylish someone's home).  There was a spa and a pool, and a very attractive gentleman wandering around in a hotel robe (although I assume that last part wasn't a standard hotel provision).  There was a gorgeous bar.  Autographed photos of celebrities and royals lined the walls of the downstairs lounge (Ralph Fiennes and Colin Farrell probably, definitely, could have, maybe stayed in our bedroom.  No. Big. Deal.).  Even the mints at the counter were exceptional - and I would know, because I had at least twenty of them.

A tour guide later informed us that the hotel's windows are made from Venetian crystal.

Venetian. Crystal.

That being said, if you're going to Bruges, definitely look into staying at the Tuilerieen, and if you're going anywhere else, I recommend naming your own price on Priceline.  I use it every time I need a place to stay and I've had amazing luck with it.