This is my last post on my long weekend break to Belgium toward the end of March. During my visit, I stayed in Bruges and explored the city, and I also took a day trip to nearby Ghent. Overall, I had two and a half days (three nights) in Belgium. So, where did I stay while I was in Bruges sight-seeing? I stayed at Huis 't Schaep, which translates to "House of the Sheep". I'll tell you a bit more about it, but first, check out my room with this wonderful four poster bed.
So, if you're interested to see what I got up to in Bruges, you can read my post A Day and a Half in Bruges, Belgium, and if you're interested in what I did in Ghent, you can read my post Half a Day in Ghent, Belgium. But, if you want to read more about the guesthouse Huis 't Schaep (which partially dates to medieval ages), then continue reading.
The guesthouse today is located in the centre of Bruges; it is only about a ten-minute walk to the main square. The guesthouse is listed and has so much history. It actually used to be two houses, but these separate houses have been combined into one. One of the houses was built in medieval times, and the other part was built in the 1600s. They belonged to the Coucke family; the medieval house was their home, and the newer building was their workshop. The Coucke family made stained glass windows and tiles. The kilns for the stained glass were outside the workshop and are still in situ, though I think they belong to another building now.
Original stained glass artwork, tiles, wood carvings, and some revealed wall paintings are in situ. Before the House of the Sheep was used as a guesthouse in its current form, it used to be an inn in the 1800s, with spaces for horses and carriages to pull up in front of the old medieval part of the house (where the breakfast room is now).
In addition to the bedrooms, visitors can enjoy some time in an open lounge, which has been decorated beautifully and includes fantastic fireplace tiles and carvings. This room leads onto an outside balcony where visitors can sit and enjoy the outside. Here you will find some books and information about Bruges and a refridgerator with an "honesty bar" (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks).
The attention to detail is fantastic with original stained glass and beautiful details when you look at every corner.
I didn't get a good photograph, but when you come in the large door of Huis 't Schaep from the street, you enter into the inner courtyard between the two buildings and see a grand staircase and beautiful carvings. This entrance hall is made to impress and would have impressed many who had come to the family looking to have some artwork created. There are a couple of pictures on the walls depicting the original drawing contracts that the family had made.
I stayed in the Rembrandt room, and it is actually more than just a bedroom but probably best described more as a boutique suite. On the right-hand side is the spacious bedroom with the four poster bed. The bed even has a mechanism to lift the head half or leg half to aid in comfort while sleeping or lying in bed. Originally, these rooms were where the drawings and workings of the stained glass would have taken place, and bits of paint have been stripped back from the fireplace to reveal parts of the beautiful design underneath.
In the middle of the hallway is a separate toilet room and a bath room opposite with a large tiled shower, bath tub, and two sinks.
On the left-hand side of the door when entering the room is a separate lounge with a small television, books, coffee station, desk, and a beautiful fireplace with carvings. I watched a little bit of television while I wrote some postcards and read up about the things to do in the area. It was nice to have a separate room to sit and do this while the bloke slept in the other room.
Breakfast each day was held downstairs in a beautiful room with a tiled fireplace, carvings, and a collection of art and stained glass. Our host presented us with several options, such as the traditional Belgian cold meats and cheese with bread, a selection of pastries, yoghurt, fresh fruit, and an option of egg (omelette with salmon/bacon). Fresh juice was on offer, and we started the day each day full and with plenty of energy to sight-see.
The host was very kind and knowledgeable on Bruges and helped us make reservations for dinner at some of the best restaurants in the city. He also told us the best shops to buy chocolate and gave us other tips based on what we wanted to see while we were visiting the city. He was a wealth of knowledge and very helpful to make us feel welcome and get the most out of our time in the area, and we had the most perfect and stress-free experience here.
House of the Sheep (Huis 't Schaep) was perfect for a short break to explore Bruges, and as it's right in the centre, it is perfect for visiting a few shops or sights or heading out for a bite to eat with several really great restaurants around. I did not have a bad meal in Belgium. I would recommend staying here if you're visiting the city. (Note that this post is based on my experience, and I was not asked by the guesthouse to write a review. These views are my own.)
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