I just got back from some very nice couple of days in a one of the best hotels in Ostend, the one and only coastal city in Belgium, luring thousands of tourists to its shores each year. Ostend is a Belgian city located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. In earlier times, Ostend was a small village built on the east-end of an island (originally called Testerep) between the North Sea and a beach lake. The village rose to the status of "city" around 1265 when the a market hall was built. With wind never in short supply, modern Ostend has become a destination for kite surfers as well as an important port.

Nowadays, Ostend is a very popular seaside resort, famous for its sea-side esplanade, pier and fine beaches. It has six beaches around the city. No wonder so many people, whether they are business travellers, single or have families with children, decide to stay a weekend or longer (sometimes even an entire summer) in a goedkoop hotel in Oostende. Famous tourist attractions Ostend has to offer include the James Ensor museum, showing where the artist lived from 1917 to 1949. The Mercator, a tall ship of the Belgian merchant fleet that has been converted into a maritime museum. And Fort Napoleon is a tourist attraction. But all tourists go mainly for the beaches!

A visit to Ostend is always exciting and spending your holiday in one of the many fine hotels Oostende centrum is absolutely a great idea! Ostend is a great place with something for everyone. I have stayed in Brugge before and think it is better to stay in Ostend and visit Brugge on the train for the day. Brugge is lovely, but I feel you can easily see all there is in one day. It is only 15 mins on the train. Ostend is a fish lovers paradise. You have all the seafood stalls along the quayside.

Checking in in my hotel in Oostende was easy, the staff was very helpful. There was a small swimming pool and some very good breakfasts. Later I heard from a colleague that I chose one of the absolute best hotels in Oostende, I didn't even know so I guess I got very lucky! I was a great Ostend hotels with a balcony and sea view which was excellent this time of year. As for Ostend, simply relaxing to wander around and eat and drink at leisure, was all I did in this luxe hotel in Oostende...

I just returned home from a wonderful weekend in Limburg, particularly in a hotel in Hasselt. Imagine a region where you can endlessly cycling through the beautiful natural, safe, away from cars on wide roads, with no holes or bumps. Where people on your kindly greeting. Where on a sunny terrace to enjoy a nice refreshment or a delicious local dish. If you walk in Limburg than you will enjoy. Plenty. From the walk itself. Of the environment. From the pedestrian areas. And of the many hidden places which are accessible only to hikers. Rippling streams, natural ponds full of life, stiltegebieden, carpets dew in the morning, empty roads, scenic beauty, pleasant villages, beautiful city centers ...

The cultural offer in Limburg is very extensive, so much during my stay in a hotel in Hasselt clear. Several museums to learn more about the past, present and future. In Hasselt you can write to the National Gin Museum and the Fashion Museum, in the Gallo-Roman Museum Tongersestraat learn everything about the history of the oldest city in Belgium, there is the Museum of the Flemish Minor in Sint-Truiden, the oldest private pharmacy in the country is in the Maaseik Museactron ... And let us certainly not forget Open Bokrijk where Flanders anno 1850 alive. But not only museums provide the extensive cultural offerings in Limburg. You can also visit castles and mills, cultural events, there is no shortage, and if you want the typical Limburgse streekcultuur breathing you be sure to visit Limburgs a craft business.

Hasselt is an important trade center in Belgium and a shopping paradise for tourism. So who is addicted to shopping, have a weekend in one of the many excellent Hasselt hotels super good. The city has its charming traffic free shopping, colorful terraces and stylish shopping malls. Hasselt enjoy international fame through his extensive and exclusive fashion range, enhanced by the Modemuserum and a special mode circuit. In addition, the Hasselt jenerverstad par excellence. The Manneke Drink and the National Jenervermuseum have become the symbols of Belgium's capital jenever. Many hotels Hasselt to play this very well from tourism assets!

The history of the county Loon comes to life in the abbey and the house of refuge Herck Red. Art can be found in Hasselt in many places: in the Cathedral and the Virga-Jesse Basilica, in the museums, the Begijnhof and the numerous art galleries, parks and streets and on the Green Boulevard. Hasselt, the beating heart of the green Limburg, the city with the largest Japanese Garden of Europe, the city of Grenslandhallen, Kinepolis, Pukkelpop, Indoor Plopsaland the Jenerverfeesten, delicious spiced Hasseltse so on. During my stay in that Hasselt hotel I have several of my thumbs and fingers have to lick , so it was tasty!

Hotel accommodation in Ghent

The variety of hotels in Gent suits all tastes: from a hotel for the whole family to big international hotels. Most of the hotels in Gent are located in the city centre, therefore everything is situated within walking distance.

Ghent has some treasures to offer. Thus, among the hotels in Ghent there is the Hotel Cour Saint Georges, actually two 18th century mansions that are situated right across the beautiful city hall. Also the Hotel de Flandre in Ghent is highly recommended. This 19th century building is located nearby a lot of the main attractions of the city. Both hotels are just as charming as the hotels in Bruges.

In the neighbourhood of Ghent

Choosing Ghent as your operating base is not a bad idea. From Ghent there are a lot of other Belgian cities where you can go to in less than one hour.

For example, the small artist's village Sint-Martens-Latem next to Ghent has a lot to offer to its visitors. It has a unique green, landscape, with the peaceful old branch of the Lys. Sint-Martens-Latem is famous for its painters and writers who gathered there to find inspiration. It is a unique experience to spend the night in Auberge du Pêcheur, a hotel in Sint-Martens-Latem at the banks of the Lys.

Also Bruges, one of the most famous cities of Belgium, is only half an hour away from Ghent.

It is impossible not to fall in love with the medieval charm and beauty of this city. Being called the Venice of the north, Bruges offers a beautiful setting outside and inside. Moreover, the city holds a treasure of Belgian's finest art, with as a high point the Flemish Primitives. The hotels in Brugge are a bit more expensive than in Ghent, but surely worth the visit. Hotel Albert I in Bruges is an affordable family hotel Bruges that is a hop away from the city centre.

Lastly, also Belgian's capital city Brussels is only half an hour away from Ghent. Europe's political centre offers all kinds of touristic attractions to its visitors. At the one hand, Brussels is a true metropolis where one can find a vast variety of cultures. At the other hand, Brussels, like Ghent and Bruges has a beautiful historical centre. It consists of architecture from medieval times to top notch Art Nouveau style. There are plenty of hotels in Brussels where you can have a pleasant stay. For example, the Centrale Hotel is ideally situated in the historical city centre of Brussels. Or there is the Hotel Marivaux, newly opened and reasonably priced. If you are looking for something more intimate, there is also the Hotel St. Nicolas.

Looking for a hotel in Ghent or Bruges

Hotels in Bruges

Hotel Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam is located in front of a charming canal in the centre of Bruges. The classy Hotel Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam in Bruges consists of four identical beautifully renovated town houses, dating from the 17th century. In this hotel you can find a homely atmosphere that fits the cosy atmosphere in Bruges perfectly. The rooms in Hotel Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam are beautifully decorated with genuine antique furniture and paintings.

Also in the heart of the city, there is the Azalea Hotel Bruges. Both businessmen and tourists can fancy the four star Hotel Azalea. All rooms of Hotel Azalea are equipped with a bathroom with toilet and hair drier, mini bar, television, vault, coffee and tea.

Hotels in Ghent

Hotel Gravensteen is located in the centre of Ghent, within a stone's throw of the 19th century Castle of Counts. Hotel Gravensteen is an ideal location for a relaxed weekend in the dreamy atmosphere of historical Ghent. The rooms offer an impressive location for business meetings. Hotel Gravensteen is equipped with parking, fitness area, bar, Wifi and sauna.

Hotel Chamade is located in the residential neighbourhood of Ghent. The St. Pieters railway station and the historical heart of the city are both within a walking distance. Hotel Chamade suits both tourists and businessmen, as it is not far away from the touristic hotspots and in the meantime it is fully equipped with all the essential business facilities. The hotel rooms of Hotel Chamade offer a bathroom, telephone, television and minibar.

Ghent River Hotel is located on the right bank of the Lys, that formed the boarder of Ghent until the 15th century. It is a unique feature of the Ghent River Hotel that it can be reached by boat. The hotel consists of two parts: a 19th century rice-mill and a 16th century renaissance town house. If you stay at the Ghent River Hotel, you find yourself in the midpoint of historical Ghent, from where you can visit all main sights and museums.