One sector of the travel industry which has seen a growth rather than a decline is that of the short break. With low cost flights to Europe and bargains on the Eurostar to be had, business is booming for romantic city breaks on the continent. A perfect city for such a break is Bruges.
Only one hour from Brussels, this magical city is attracting visitors in their droves. Smaller than its neighbour, Bruges is fast becoming the main tourist destination in Belgium for short breaks. With its exquisite architecture and beautiful canals, it is not difficult to see why it has such appeal. When making a trip to such a magical place you need a magical hotel, and that is the Die Swaene.
Situated close to the market square in the old city centre, the Die Swaene enjoys an enviable position overlooking one of the canals. With the many shops, bars and restaurants being in such proximity, this hotel has everything you could want for your short break. Classed in the small luxury category, this hotel has won many coveted awards and is in the list of world’s top hotels.
These kinds of plaudits aren’t just given away and have to be earned, and everything about the Die Swaene smacks of that subtle luxury that makes this small boutique hotel so very special. The building itself is exquisite, and gives the visitor on arrival a tantalising idea of what gems lie within.
The hotel is actually made up of two parts, the main historic building on one side of the canal (above) and a more contemporary building on the other side of the canal situated next to the restaurant. We stayed in the more contemporary building, in a stunning room directly facing the canal.
There are 30 rooms in Die Swaene, each one decorated luxuriously and completely unique. You can tell that much detail has gone into elegantly fitting the rooms from features including the lighting to the furniture. Romance is the key here, and the comfortable four poster beds with traditional red drapes are the kind that would most likely impress you. There is even a cosy gas fire ideal for those winter nights. The en-suite bathrooms are of the same exemplary standard, with large showers, quality toiletries and soft robes, making it a very relaxing experience if you are in the mood for relaxing in your room.
After a days sightseeing around Bruges, the Die Swaene offers the ultimate in a luxurious retreat to relax for a while before your evening meal. While it is tempting just to stay in rooms such as this, the hotel also offers an excellent spa and wellness facility that is second to none.
Whether you choose to take a dip in the pool, relax in the sauna or take a massage, the Sky House will suit your needs. There are also relaxation packages available for couples which include access to the facilities, a ½ massage, a glass of wine and use of slippers, bathrobe and towels.
Once rejuvenated a good meal will be even more appealing. Again, the Die Swaene excels in this area. There are two restaurants to choose from; the young and trendy Pergola Kafee where in fine weather you can dine on the terrace overlooking the canal. The second restaurant is the gourmet eaterie Bib Gourmand which has been accredited with 2 red forks by the prestigious Michelin Guide.
After a good night’s sleep, you will be treated to one of the finest breakfast’s that I have had the pleasure of having in Europe. We were treated to a very warm and friendly breakfast service inside an elegant dining area adjoined to the conservatory. We were treated to a pot of coffee and a delicious omlette made with fresh herbs especially for us. The buffet selection was truely outstanding, featuring smoked salmon, a selection of cheeses, exotic fruit, freshly squeezed juices, variety of breads and speciality hams just to name a few. I would almost go back to Bruges alone just for the breakfast…
If you are planning a romantic break in Europe, there are few cities more suited to this kind of getaway than Bruges, and Die Swaene is the perfect place to start.
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