Entries Tagged 'europe' ↓

Brussel Hotels – Manos Premier

A spectacularly styled hotel of deep comfort and character, the Manos feels like a large and elegant private home where everything has been carefully thought out to charm and surprise. There are comfortable public rooms overlooking an extensive garden, and a fitness suite with Moroccan-style hammam. Chaussée de Charleroi 100-106, 1060 Brussel. Continue reading →

Brugge Hotels – Oud-Huis Amsterdam

This canalside hotel with a 400-year-old façade is packed with antique treasures. Córdoba leather covers some walls, and there are original 18th-century chimneypieces and staircases. Bedrooms are individually decorated and furnished. There’s a bar in the old kitchen, a crackling fire in the breakfast room in winter, and a courtyard terrace for summer drinks. Spiegelrei 3, 8000 Brugge Continue reading →

Antwerpen Hotels- De Witte Lelie

This modish yet restfully decorated B&B hotel occupies three interlinked 16th-century houses in the oldest street in Antwerp, and is run by a mother and son. High ceilings emphasize the spaciousness of the bedrooms. In the morning, a filling breakfast is accompanied by the day’s newspapers. NKeizerstraat 16-18, 2000 Antwerpen. Continue reading →

BELGIUM AND ITS diminutive neighbour have much in common: they fall naturally into the same section. Many of their old castles and pretty half-timbered mansions have been converted into luxury hotels, and everywhere you will find an emphasis on food. Some hotels do two rounds of breakfast (the second starting at 11am). Expect generous portions.Simple soup can turn out to be a ‘relay race’ of several different flavours; a humble espresso may be elaborated with a side order of whipped cream and pralines. If the eating gets too much, you could try resting your liver at a ‘thermal centre’, such as one of those found in the Belgian town of Spa – parent of ‘health farms’ worldwide. Continue reading →

GRONINGEN Hotels – Hotel Corps de Garde

Bedrooms are in military guards’ former sleeping quarters in this relaxed hotel, which dates from 1634. Oude Boteringestraat 74, 9712 GN Groningen Continue reading →

Hotel Blakes

Overlooking the prestigious Keizersgracht canal, Blakes is arguably the city’s chicest hotel. Anouska Hempel has created a stylish retreat in a discreet location. Rooms are decorated in luxury fabrics and individually themed on Dutch history. The restaurant’s cuisine is equally distinctive, inspired by 16th-century merchant adventurers. Keizersgracht 384, 1016 GB Amsterdam Continue reading →

Aduard Hotels – Hotel Herberg Onder de Linden

In an inn dating back to 1735 is this Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, serving enticing French and Dutch specialities. The old building is well maintained and free of historic tweeness; rooms are decorated in restful, contemporary style. Burg. van Barneveldweg 3, 9831 RD Aduard.

EDAM Hotels – De Fortuna Hotel

A row of old step-gabled houses now makes a popular restaurant with rooms, decked in pine and patchwork quilts. Spuistrat 3, 1135 AV Edam.

De Smidse Hotel

Clapboard-clad guesthouse with simple rooms, good home cooking and quite old-fashioned atmosphere. Walkers welcome. Molenweg 9, 6285 NJ Epen. Continue reading →

DUTCH HOTELS offer some interesting contra Amsterdam you’l rows of canalhouses kno through to make one hotel. Decorated with great panache, these places mix antiques with contemporary urban Away from the big cities, you’ll find smart rusticity: old box beds, or flagged floors and candlelight, and great cooking. The level of hospitality is high, with some hotels prepared to set up the Jacuzzi or light a log fire for your arrival. If your taste is for gritty realism, head instead for the bustling port of Rotterdam, where the ‘left bank’ has been retivalized with bars and cafés, presided over by the Hotel New York , a stylish hotel in a landmark port building. Continue reading →

Casa de Outeiro

With its oil paintings, Oriental rugs and ancient library and lounge smelling of woodsmoke and leather-bound books, Casa de Outeiro abounds in faded grandeur. It is owned by the same family as the nearby Quinta do Sanguerinho (see below). Rooms have ancient beds and terracotta- and black-tiled floors; there’s also a self-contained apartment. Arcozelo, 4990 Ponte de Lima. Continue reading →

Hotel Infante de Sagres

In central Porto, an Art Nouveau feast for the eyes, with stained-glass stairwell and lounges filled with chinoiserie. Praça D. Filipa de Lencastre 62, 4050-259 Porto.

Casa de Sezim

 A grand manor house; guest rooms are chic and full of character, with Murano glass chandeliers and dark wooden floors. Santo Amaro, 4800 Guimarães. Continue reading →