I didn’t do much homework when I book Hotel Montanus I visited Bruges in late June. As it was a relatively last minute decision due my 2-week business trip to France was confirmed at the eleven hour. Moreover, I was contemplating on a few location for the weekend besides Bruges, such as Antwerp, Belgium and Strasbourg, France. As it is summer in Europe, most are out for holiday and hence hotel was fast book out and I just went ahead with Hotel Montanus as I like what I see.
Hotel Montanus is a four-star hotel in a Modern European style building. An interestingly, it has 2 building, a Main and an Annex.
I booked a Basic Twin Room for 1 night stay; checking in on 30 June 2018 and checking out on 1 July.
Surrounding and Location
Hotel Montanus is in the heart of Bruges and close to various attraction. In any case, Bruge is a very small town whereby one can walk from north to south or east to west within an hour. What is most important is that it is within walking distance from a bus stop (from Bruge Station), however the bus stop to Bruge Station is quite a distance.
In addition, a supermarket is close by.
Lobby
l was impressed with the lobby. It was decorated into a living room of a home.
Check-In and Out Counter
The check-in and out counter was simple looking with numerous guides including a dining guide. Both checking in and out was swift and the front desk staff was friendly and warm.
Though I arrived before the checked in time 3pm, I could check which I appreciate. This is one of the rare hotel in Europe that I got early check-in. As usual, check out is at 12pm.
Room
First and foremost, the room does not have air-conditioning. If that’s what you needed, you may want to look elsewhere. Otherwise, this is certainly for you. Personally, I won’t book it when it is at the peak of summer. Otherwise it would be find. The room has heating system, fortunately, therefore, winter isn’t a problem.
Entering the room, instead of usual tapping, guest need to insert the card into the reader.
My room perched on the 2nd floor (3rd level in Singapore context) of the Main building. Decorated in the modern looking design and I like it. With greyish blue wall and contrasting yellow bed cover.
However, the bed and pillow are too soft for my liking. As I find that it couldn’t support my back and neck. In addition, the duvet was relatively rough as it kept scratching my skin. Quite uncomfortable.
The wardrobe is on the left as one enter the room. In it beside the bathrobe and hangars, there is a safe and some amenities (vanity pack, sewing kit and shoes polishing material). The bathrobe provided was soft and comfortable, unlike what most hotels offered were rough.
Mini Bar was filled with various sparkling and still water and a handful of Beers and Coke.
Part of the mini bar includes Pringles, nuts and wafer. When checking in, I was handed the price list of the minibar for indicating of my consumption for billing during check-out.
There are various English Channels for the TV in the rooms beside other European languages; French and Dutch.
In the room was lacking of complimentary water, tea and coffee.
This room is facing the hotel courtyard, or rather outdoor of the hotel restaurant filled with green. It is actually quite beautiful, unfortunately I couldn’t lift the mosquito net. Since the window isn’t sealed, in the evening when groups of guests are dining, it could be quite noisy in the evening.
Bathroom
White was the colour theme for the bathroom with traces of wooden colour.
Thoughtfully, a chair was placed in the bathroom.
A bathtub with no separate showering area.
Adjustable height for the shower was available.
Interestingly, Hotel Montanus offers Shower Gel and Conditioner but there wasn’t shampoo. In addition, there is soap and shower cap.
Housekeeping standard seems decent except for the tissue box which trap lots of dust. I couldn’t comment more since I stayed only for a night.
Breakfast
At the hotel, breakfast was offered as well. Your room rate may or may not include breakfast. Otherwise, you may have to pay an additional of 19€ which I did. I have a post on the spread of breakfast at Hotel Montanus.
F&B
Hotel Montanus offers a Michelin plate restaurant, Den Heerd.
Others
Hotel Montanus offers complimentary coffee to guest daily from 11am to 6pm.
Price
The 1 night stay at Hotel Montanus was 169€ (breakfast not included), booked via booking.com. Breakfast was at 18€ per person. On top of the room rate, there is a city tax payable. All were paid at the hotel.
NAHMJ Verdict
Despite it is a non-air-conditioning hotel, I quite enjoy my 1 night stay in Hotel Montanus as I feel homely. If it is longer, I would be disappointed as the pillow and bed are too soft for my preference.
Hotel Montanus
Nieuwe Gentweg 78, Bruges, Belgium
Tel: +32 50 33 11 76
Website: http://montanus-hotel.hotel-in-bruges.com/en/
Rating: 7.5/10