Canalview Hotel Ter Reien

Location is superb and would reccommend that guests book the canal view rooms as it is a beautiful area. Hotel has it's own little courtyard which is nice to sit in. Breakfast is ok. Been to Bruges a few times and this was the most basic one I've had. Handy strip of bars/restaurants situated next to the canal directly opposite the hotel as well - but if you want to sit by the canal, you have to order food!

It's not far off being a hostel. The rooms are very basic, modernised to a standard, but still very basic. Regardless of the fact you have a great big window to the canal, firstly if you want to enjoy it you have to be low down as the bottom of the window is in level with the floor, secondly there's no extra space for a chair so you just have to sit on the floor if you wanted to enjoy the views. With space in mind, two people getting ready at the same time to go out is a bit of a challenge in such a small room. Shower/toilet area has a sliding door that slowly slides open and presents you as a prize to the rest of the room as you're relieving yourself. Also, if you want to use the toilet after someone has been in the shower, you've got to dry the entire floor first as it is just a wet room. The cleaner just lets herself into your room without warning as well. Combined with the above, does cause for some embarrasments. They will charge you £5 if you want any shower gels/shampoo etc. so make sure you bring your own. You can get a hair dryer on request at no cost. The bed itself is ok, but you only get two tiny pillows, so uncomfortable to sleep on. In hindsight I should have asked if there were any extra pillows I could have, but I mentioned this for other potential guests to bear in mind anyway. Hotel staff seem nice but would happily walk by without having to engage with their guests. Nit picking I know, but other hotels I've stayed at in Bruges are so welcoming and warm to all their guests. Hotel is also going under some sort of transformation so some building work is still visible, such as uncapped electrical wires underneath our bed! There are plenty of places that offer the same basics for a cheaper price. Also, check to see if you have been charged the city tax and "administration costs" if you pay in advance. They make you pay it at the check in desk as well.

We had a canal view from our room so that was lovely! Additionally it was extremely close to the main areas which was perfect!

The service could've been better, the staff was pretty rude. They do not provide any toiletries or water bottles. Additionally I booked this hotel because it had an elevator and we didn't want to climb any stairs - there were stairs just to get to the elevator and then stairs to get to your room once you get off the elevator. Also the bed was very high and therefore extremely uncomfortable to sit on, there were no chairs in the room either.