Pet-Friendly Family Hotels in Bruges

The five hotels below were chosen for a clear welcome for dogs, rooms that work for a family, and a location in the historic centre, so the Markt, the Burg and the canals stay within a short walk. Ratings run from 8.7 at Hotel Boterhuis to 9.4 at Boutique Hotel De Castillion.

For a central base, Hotel Boterhuis on Sint-Jakobsstraat is two minutes' walk from the Markt and the most reviewed hotel on this page, rated 8.7 from more than 3,700 reviews. Its family rooms fit two adults and two children, pets are allowed and the breakfast room is dog-friendly, which removes the question of who stays upstairs with the dog in the morning. The 24-hour reception helps with late arrivals by train. From the door, the Markt with its belfry and the Burg square are both within a few minutes, so short outings with a small child and a dog on the lead are easy.

Families who want the canals outside the window have three strong addresses, all rated 9.1. Boutique Hotel Die Swaene is a canal-front hotel with one of the few indoor swimming pools in the historic centre, and pets are allowed in most rooms. Hotel De Orangerie occupies a 17th-century mansion on Kartuizerinnenstraat, serves breakfast on its canal terrace and places a basket and a bowl in the room for the dog. De Tuilerieën, a 5-star townhouse three minutes from the Rozenhoedkaai, prepares pet bowls before arrival on request, though its family rooms are limited, so I would book it early.

Boutique Hotel De Castillion is the best rated hotel here, at 9.4, and the one with the most outdoor space. The former 16th-century convent has a walled garden with a pond, where the dog can stretch off the lead and children can watch the ducks, and reception sets out water bowls. Family rooms are split-level, which gives parents a separate space once the children are asleep. It sits about 15 minutes' walk from the Markt, so I would choose it for families who value a quiet garden over the shortest walk to the main squares, and who plan a slower pace through the city.

The historic centre makes daily walks easy. From any of these hotels, the Begijnhof and the Minnewater are within reach, and the canal-side paths offer flat routes for a stroller and a lead side by side. The cobbled lanes are uneven, so a sturdy stroller helps. On a wet day, Boutique Hotel Die Swaene's indoor pool gives children a way to burn energy while the dog rests in the room, and the cafés around the Markt make an easy stop. Bruges is also on the main rail line toward Ghent and the Belgian coast, useful for families travelling without a car.