Photos courtesy of Hotel Dukes’ Palace
The Prinsenhof was built in 1429 in celebration of the marriage of the Duke of Burgundy, Philip III (Philip the Good) to his third wife, Isabelle of Portugal. Known for his extravagant court, he was a patron to Flemish painter Jan van Eyck. In 1430 his troops captured Joan of Arc and handed her over to the British. One of the sons of this union became known as Charles the Bold, whose early death was the beginning of the end of the Burgundian state.
Some of the more illustrious guests who came to stay at the palace during its heyday were Cardinal Wolsey, Thomas More, Erasmus, and the first person to introduce the printing press to England—William Caxton.
The building we see today is much smaller than the original, which once held a library, swimming pool, tennis court, orchard, and zoo.
After the death in 1482 of Mary of Burgundy, the only child of Charles the Bold, the palace fell largely into disuse as a royal residence. In 1576 much of the estate was sold and parceled out, and by 1662 the remaining buildings were turned over to various religious orders.
Pamela’s Perspective
For those with a car, the hotel has a secure parking garage for a hefty fee, and for those of you who are thinking about renting a car, do so after you leave Bruges. Here, it would only be a huge burden and expense.
Hotel Dukes’ Palace
A 15th-century palace
Contact
Prinsenhof 8
8000 Bruges
Tel: ++32 (0) 50 447 888
Hotel website
Reserve with Booking.com
Fast facts
110 rooms and suites
Double rooms: 138–298 euros
Suites: 278–498 euros
Open: all year
Getting there
The Dukes’ Palace is right in the heart of the medieval center of Bruges with easy access to the railway station. If driving, the hotel has a private parking garage for a fee.
What to do
On site: spa; Dukes’ Art Gallery
Nearby: Bruges; golf
Weddings
Yes. Historical listed chapel on site.
If your fantasy of a palace hotel runs to soaring turrets, gardens, first-class service, dreamy beds to dive into, and all the requisite creature comforts, this stylish hotel has a room with your name on it. Best of all, it’s within walking distance of the magnificent historical center of Bruges.
An elegant central staircase (or an elevator) will whisk you up to your lodgings for the night. Unless you’re opting for one of the suites, the best rooms overlook the garden, while those rooms in the castle building have the most character. The heritage-listed Mary of Burgundy suite features a unique 15th-century fresco as well as decorative wall and ceiling ornaments. Another suite has the original wooden beams overhead.
En suite marble bathrooms have large tubs and showers with lots of amenities including L’Occitane toiletries.
Elegant dining may be found at the “Manuscript” restaurant. More casual cuisine is available in the Bar Atelier, while a lounge with a huge open fireplace is the place to cozy up for a drink during the winter season. Breakfast in the morning is immense and offers just about anything you can imagine, including Belgian chococate and Spanish cava.
Something special
A 15th-century chapel with original stained-glass windows and frescoes.