The Pand—an intimate city escape, right in heart of warm and inviting Bruges.

Overview: The Pand hotel

Part of the small luxury hotels of the world and just steps from the canals in the heart of the beautiful city of Bruges, The Pand hotel is a family owned, award-winning hotel set in an 18th century carriage mansion. It’s decadently decorated with a snug library, lounge and bar, a small courtyard with a fountain and above all, an enticing and cozy atmosphere.

This is a real city escape. The Pand has the cherished feel of a private house with an exacting attention to detail. Sometimes, my wife Cathy and I sit in the library surrounded by antique paintings and objet d’art in front of a warming fire.

The rooms at The Pand are tastefully decorated with exclusive fabrics. Enjoy a delicious champagne breakfast, followed by a one minute walk to the Rozenhoedkaai. Next, enjoy the historic marketplace, the castle and Belfry of Bruges, Belfort Bell Tower. Afterwards, return to The Pand hotel for a quiet drink in the romantically lit bar before dining in a local restaurant.

Cathy and I usually take the Eurostar from London, or fly directly into Brussels and in both cases, take any of the regional trains to Bruges. The trains are about an hour from Brussels Central Station.

The hotel is a 15 minute walk over cobbled streets. Baggage doesn’t deal with that well, so we taxi the short five to eight minute ride from the station.

Our room

We usually book a luxury suite. But all 26 bedrooms have been individually decorated and offer modern comfort for the discerning traveler. Expect free WiFi, telephone, minibar, flat screen TV, DVD player and a safe. All rooms have marble or granite bathrooms, complete with a hairdryer and magnifying mirror.

The junior suites are decorated in stunning Ralph Lauren fabrics, and often include a four poster bed for the true romantic. They include a jacuzzi tub, high quality body care products by Hermes, canapes and tasters to give each room a unique charm.

As mentioned earlier, fully cooked breakfast with waiter service and champagne is served on white linen tablecloths and napkins with embroidered initials and silver tea pots. Eggs are prepared according to your wishes on Granny’s AGA stove.

Behind the name: Bruges

The name Bruges was first founded in the 9th century on coins, then the name was spelled Bryghia, a Celtic word which means Quay, since an estuary “Het Zwin”, arose by multiple floods over the years.

The link with the sea was the beginning of the economic prosperity in Bruges in the Middle Ages, and what came to be known as the 15th century golden age of Bruges. The Dukes of Burgundy made Bruges their primary residence and attracted a large number of artists. This has resulted in beautiful buildings, and the heydays for painters of the Flemish School of Primitive Painting.

From the 16th to the 19th century, Bruges (Flanders) was occupied by the Austrians, the Frenchman and the Dutch. With the independence of Belgium in 1830, gradually an economical and cultural revival occurred. Bruges became a cultural capital in 2002 and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

We love Bruges at any time, and it’s especially romantic in December as you approach Christmas. Take in the Christmas market, and the abundance of small, hospitable hot chocolate venues. Summer gets very busy, so if you’re prepared to deal with all the tourists, it’s nothing short of the spectacular Paris to the North.