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As you would expect from the name, a smart, well-run, modern hotel. It faces onto the Stadspark, about 1.5 km (1 mile) to the south-east of the cathedral. Fitness suite, swimming pool.

A group of 17th-century mansion houses lining the Spiegelrei canal, north of the Markt, is the setting for one of Bruges’ best-loved hotels. Rooms have handsome antiques, but everything is styled with a casual elegance, giving the hotel a relaxed and distinctive charm, which is reflected in the management style.

Close to the European Parliament and some way from the city centre, this hotel offers the service and comfort appreciated by MEPs and Eurocrats. At weekends, others can enjoy the benefits, including a pool and gym, at bargain prices. Part of the Marriott group.

This luxurious hotel, in a fine 18th-century town house, has made special efforts to live up to its “romantic” label. It is beautifully decorated in a very comfortable, deeply upholstered style, with canopied beds. Close to the Burg in a pretty tree-lined street.

Equidistant from the Grand Place and the Musées Royaux des Beaux-Arts, this elegant hotel has sumptuous, English-style bedrooms and marble bathrooms.

A friendly, well-presented and tranquil hotel. In its yard at the back is an unusual feature: a rare surviving example of the medieval lookout towers which used to dot the skyline of the city.

This small family-run hotel in the Grand Place has room prices that reflect its location rather than its level of comfort.

From its position overlooking a little square just to the south-west of the cathedral, this friendly, popular and well-priced hotel has views over the River Scheldt. It has old-world but unstuffy charm, with an oak-panelled breakfast room.

Some aspects of this centrally located budget hotel resemble a youth hostel (shared bathrooms; rooms inaccessible 11am–3pm), but it offers clean, modern accommodation and represents extremely good value, especially for families or groups. A newer, more up-market annexe called the New Sleep Well has en-suite bathrooms and rooms at three times the price of the older ones.