De Zomere B&B is a Gothic gem hidden away in a mysterious alleyway in Bruges, Belgium. The building dates back to the 15th century and houses just 5 rooms decorated with a rare meticulousness. It's like being in a Flemish painting, full of details, hidden corners and secrets. Our favorite Bruges hotel.

We advise you to book your stay at De Zomere B&B via Booking.com, which often offers free cancellation. Send us a postcard if you go, we'd love it.

We had the opportunity to stay here... What can we say? Magical! It's an atmospheric place where the past constantly communicates with the present. Soft classical music floats in the air... Take a stroll, look into the bull's eye overlooking the street, admire the precious page of a medieval illuminated manuscript inlaid in the wall or look for the lovers' balcony.

On site, Frédérik greets you with his mischievous air. He's a clever cross between Indiana Jones and Sherlock Holmes. He renovated the house himself over a period of several years, as a kind of reconstruction of his own childhood, taking care to respectfully preserve everything that has been left over the centuries.

Even before Christopher Columbus discovered America in the Middle Ages, this house was occupied by a Bruges city councillor, then by bourgeois and merchants of southern Portuguese fruit, sugar and pepper. In those days, Bruges was considered the Silicon Valley of the West, while Amsterdam was a small village of 1,000 inhabitants and New York didn't yet exist.

Here are the 5 rooms:

1. Erasmus: located on the top floor, with the best view of Bruges.
2. Frederik: located on the 1st floor, it boasts a fantastic medieval brick fireplace.
3. Jan: this is the hotel's most secluded room, dedicated to calligraphy (look at the lamp!).
4. Johannes: this is the brightest room, with large windows overlooking the courtyard.
5. Katherine: at the front of the building, overlooking the Oude Zomerstraat.

We visited all 5 rooms and had the pleasure of sleeping in Frederik. We love them all, but we're particularly fond of Erasmus and Frederik.

In the morning, a breakfast included in your reservation is served in the light-filled dining room. Take a look at Frederik's superb study. What style! See the cupboard to the right of the desk? There's a photo of Frederik inside, when he was 2 years old and playing... in that very cupboard. Everything's connected here.

On the breakfast menu: freshly baked bread, pastries, freshly squeezed orange juice and eggs cooked to taste. We love the tableware made by Anne Perneel.

De Zomere B&B is located in the historic heart of Bruges, in a dead-end street. You have a fabulous view of the city's 3 great towers: the Church Notre-Dame, the Saint-Salvator Cathedral and the Belfry. If you're coming by train, the station is a 25-minute walk away. You can also take the free shuttle bus to the center every 20 minutes.