Have you ever wanted to know how it must have been to live in Europe’s Middle Ages? Well, Bruges is the place to be! This charming city in Belgium, which is mentioned on a coin for the first time in 875 A.D., will take your breath away and its castles, museums, and promenades showcase the beauty of its Golden Age.

I suggest you stop at Hotel Dukes’ Palace, a gem in the center of the city which has found an original and gorgeous way to mix the cities’ past, present and future and which will surely leave a mark on your memory!

When entering the place, you will be amazed by the staff’s kindness and bright smiles, and you will also understand that a lot of guests who walk around have elected this jewel as their second home. Indeed, the real charm of this place is that although it is one of Flanders few five-star hotels, it keeps its feet on the ground and never treats anyone haughtily.

You will even be invited to walk around the grounds and get acquainted with this palazzo which seems to have lived so many exciting lives!

I fell in love with the lobby and its interior design, composed of daring, charming and dashing surprises.

The three halls that welcome visitors for a drink are each other’s neighbors, but their similarities stop here. Every room seems to open a door to another flabbergasting dimension which will transform your stroll into a historical adventure!

I would be tempted to call the first dimension Fall in a Winter Beauty Sleep, as its warm orange, yellow and brown tones envelop you with the coziness needed to enjoy the typical cold, rainy and (sometimes) snowy Belgian weather. Every surrounding element reminds of the fun and joyous aspects of fall and winter. Even its impressive flower bouquet will propel you down memory lane; when you used to play hide-and-seek with your friends in parks and forests.

The Art Deco in a Box dimension will steal your heart away and transport you to the fascinating universe of the Thirties, when Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were leading the dance! You too will want to fly and dance on the curved and shining big black table, grab the white lilies out of their stunning vase and throw them all over the place, created to welcome the beauties on the matching soft grey carpet. This unforgettable and magical scene will be reflected in the room’s huge mirror and brightened up by its dazzling chandelier.

Glamour in Bruges’ Hollywood will take you to an enchanting dimension with Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Humphrey Bogart as leading characters. They will accompany you to the hotel’s bar through their black and white framed portraits and will take out the shining star hiding in you. Thanks to the atmosphere and to your imagination you will slide into one of your best roles: your true fascinating and glamorous self!

But this is not all; the party will go on as Hotel Dukes’ Palace owns a stunning terrace and a 3.000-square meter garden where you will be invited to enjoy the ultra-shy Belgian sunshine which appears when least expected. Contemporary sculptures such as William Sweetlove’s red Cloned Pudle ornament this peaceful paradise, where the grass is indeed greener than in most gardens.

It will be hard for you to leave this stunning palace which offers the possibility to dream away, fall in love, dance with/like the stars and catch a different side of Bruges’ heritage!

This time machine into history is an absolute must!

HOTEL DUKES’ PALACE
Address: Prinsenhof 8, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
Tel.: +32 50 44 78 88
Click here to visit Hotel Dukes’ Palace’s website