You’ve seen the postcards of Bruges. The swans, the stepped gables, the mist rolling off the Dijver. It all looks like a film set, and honestly, a lot of the hotels in the city center feel that way too—a bit curated, a bit "tourist-ready." But then there’s Martin's Relais Brugge.
Most people mistake it for just another upscale boutique stay. They see the four stars and the canal-side address and think "standard luxury." They're wrong. This place isn't a single building; it's a living, breathing patchwork of five historic patrician residences that have been stitched together over seven centuries. It’s a hotel that demands you slow down. If you’re the type of traveler who wants a sleek, chrome-heavy lobby and a gym with twenty treadmills, you’re going to be very confused when you walk into a quiet parlor filled with 18th-century stucco and the smell of old wood.
Why Martin's Relais Brugge Isn't Your Typical Tourist Trap
The hotel sits along the Spiegelrei canal. This isn't the loud, crowded part of town where the tour boats congregate in a literal traffic jam. It’s the "Hanseatic Quarter," where the wealthy merchants of the 13th century actually lived and traded. Basically, if you were a big deal in medieval Bruges, this is where you hung your hat.
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Staying at Martin's Relais Brugge feels less like being a customer and more like being a guest in a private home that happens to have 44 rooms. The layout is wonderfully weird. Because it’s made of five different houses, the corridors don't always go where you expect. You might have to go up a small set of stairs and down another to find your door. It’s quirky. It’s organic. It’s the opposite of a Marriott.
The history here is dense. We’re talking about buildings that served as refuges and trading posts since the 1200s. When you stand in the lobby, you're standing on ground that has seen the rise and fall of the Flemish textile industry. You can feel that weight.
The Room Lottery (And Why the Attic Isn't Always a Loss)
There is a specific "issue" that pops up in reviews: the variety of rooms. Since these are historic homes, no two rooms are identical. Some guests book a "Canal View" and end up in a cozy attic room with a small, round window. If you’re expecting a floor-to-ceiling glass wall, you’ll be disappointed.
But here’s the thing—the attic rooms are where the character lives. You get the exposed timber beams and that feeling of being tucked away from the world. If you want the grand experience, you have to aim for the "Luxury" rooms on the lower floors. These have the high ceilings, the massive chandeliers, and the marble fireplaces that make you feel like you should be wearing a velvet robe and holding a glass of sherry.
Honestly, though? Even the smaller "Charming" rooms have that weirdly addictive Old World vibe. They’ve mostly been updated recently—around 2018 for many—so you aren't dealing with 700-year-old plumbing. You get the flat-screens and the Wi-Fi, but they're tucked away so they don't ruin the mood.
The Secret Garden You’ll Actually Use
Bruges can get loud. Even in the quieter quarters, the sound of carriage horses on cobblestones carries. One thing people totally overlook at Martin's Relais Brugge is the inner courtyard and garden.
It’s a walled-in sanctuary. In a city where every square inch of land is precious, having a private green space with shady trees is a massive flex. It’s where you go to drink a Belgian beer after walking six miles through the Markt. Speaking of beer, the hotel’s bar is intimate. It’s the kind of place where you actually talk to the bartender rather than just ordering a drink and staring at your phone.
What the Guidebooks Forget to Mention
- The Breakfast Room: It’s an 18th-century orangery. The light in the morning is spectacular. They serve a buffet that includes actual Belgian waffles (obviously), but it’s the atmosphere that wins.
- The "Relais" vs. "Brugge" Confusion: This is a big one. There are two Martin’s hotels in the city. Martin's Relais is the boutique, canal-side one. Martin's Brugge is the larger, more modern one right behind the Belfry. If you want the "historic mansion" experience, make sure you're at the Relais on Genthof.
- The Walk: It’s only a 4-minute walk to the Markt, but it feels like a different world. You’re close enough to the action to hear the bells, but far enough away that you don't have to fight a sea of selfie sticks just to leave the front door.
How to Do Martin's Relais Right
If you’re planning a trip, don't just book the cheapest rate and hope for the best. This is a "location, location, location" situation within the hotel itself.
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Request a room with a view of the Spiegelrei. Yes, it costs more. Yes, it’s worth it. Watching the light change on the water at 6:00 AM while the city is still asleep is the whole reason people come to Bruges. Also, talk to the staff about restaurant recommendations. They know the spots that aren't printed in every "Top 10" list on the internet—places like Tattie's nearby for a quick, authentic lunch.
One minor gripe guests often have is the temperature. These are old stone buildings. In the winter, the hotel keeps the heat cranked up. If you're a "cold sleeper," you might find yourself wrestling with the radiator. Just ask the front desk; they’re surprisingly helpful and used to people not knowing how to work European heating valves.
Martin's Relais Brugge isn't perfect, and that’s why it works. It’s a bit maze-like, the floors occasionally creak, and the windows might be smaller than you’d like in certain rooms. But it’s authentic. In a world of sanitized, "Instagrammable" hotels that all look the same, this place has a soul. It’s a remnant of a Bruges that existed long before the tour buses arrived.
Your Next Steps for a Stay
- Check the Room Type Twice: Ensure you are booking "Relais" on Genthof 4, not the sister property.
- Book the Luxury Tier: If you want the high stucco ceilings and the "merchant prince" experience, don't settle for the standard rooms.
- Arrive via Jan van Eyck Square: It’s the most scenic approach and puts the hotel’s historical context into immediate perspective.
- Pack for Cobblestones: You’re in the heart of the old city; leave the heels at home if you plan on walking to the Markt.