There is no denying that the Kempinski Hotel Dukes’ Palace is a building of beauty and grace in the very heart of the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bruges. And that’s exactly the way the royalty who once walked the wide hallways of the palace would have wanted it—elegant quarters in what was one of Belgium’s most sophisticated cities of the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries.
The Middle Ages were a golden age for Bruges—trade and commerce hummed along, driven by the lucrative international cloth markets. The core of the city is now a meticulously preserved find of medieval architecture and winding cobblestone streets, hemmed in by a ring of canals. Typical Flemish buildings, with step-gables marking the rooflines, rise impossibly from canal waters, and small stone bridges arch over the narrow waterways. By daytime, Bruges is irresistible and charming; by nighttime it is a place that speaks to romance.
And where better to kindle the flames of romance than in a palace? Once known as Prinsenhof—the former royal residence of the Dukes of Burgundy—the small palace in the city is now an exclusive and magnificent five-star hotel property.
The former Prinsenhof has been the place of royal weddings (in 1468 Charles the Bold married Margaret of York in the chapel) before it became a spiritual retreat house and eventually an orphanage. In 2008, after extensive renovations and upgrades, the historic doors were opened as the Kempinski Hotel Dukes’ Palace (ninety-three rooms, including twenty-two suites).
True to history: The lobby, common rooms and several of the suites have stayed true to the elegant décor and colour schemes of the period. Sculptures in the outdoor gardens are changed every six months, and period artwork graces the walls of the bar, hallways and rooms. Many of the high ceilings are lined with fifteenth century frescos.
Stay: The rooms and suites are fit for a duke and duchess … but with all the twenty-first century amenities you would expect in a top-of-the-line property. Rooms have spacious marble bathrooms with heated tile floors, beds topped with soft 300-thread count cotton sheets, oversized down pillows, and a peace and quiet that’s surprising in the middle of a thriving city centre. The highlights of Bruges are a short stroll away: the belfry tower, the historic Market, the commanding cathedral, seven Michelin star restaurants (of the city’s 300-plus eateries), and the must-do canal boat rides. The walk into the centre of town passes by a dozen fine chocolate shops, cafés, and boutiques.
Taste: Bruges is known as one of the culinary capitals of Belgium. The restaurant at the Palace property serves classical Belgian cuisine in an elegant setting. The menu features regional ingredients including lamb, white asparagus, mussels, King crab, scallops, and sea bass.
Indulge: The spa and wellness facility boasts the only indoor swimming pool in Bruges. A small fitness centre contains the usual cardio equipment, each with dedicated audiovisual screens. The luxury spa features Thalgo beauty products (known for its use of ingredients from the sea), a sauna, hammam, and a full range of treatments including an ultimate package for couples that combines a light lunch, body scrubs, massages and facials.
If you only have one night: The palace makes a perfect romantic getaway, a memorable stop on a honeymoon or anniversary. And, as with many of the finer things in life, the more nights, the better.
For more information check out:
www.kempinski.com/en/bruges
www.brugge.be
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By Josephine Matyas for TripAtlas.com
