From the outside, The Notary barely hints at what’s waiting behind its unassuming door. Step inside and the world outside slips away: soft music, carefully designed lighting and even a signature scent create an instant mood shift. Within minutes, I’d forgotten I’d been hauling a suitcase down cobbled Bruges lanes (made for carriages, not for cars, as the receptionist noted) just moments earlier.
The Notary isn’t a large-scale luxury hotel – it’s a converted 19th-century manor with just nine suites and a very particular sense of style. Staying here feels like borrowing someone’s fantasy life for the weekend: elaborate interiors, quiet walled gardens, and a hidden canal-side terrace you can only spot when walking through the property to its very end, as though you’re being rewarded for finding a secret level.
Why stay at The Notary
Because it’s a whole mood. Henri Paul Joseph van Caillie bought the manor in the late 1800s, and his family practised as notaries here for generations. It still feels like a home (albeit a castle-like one) with its sweeping staircase, grand dining room, and a magnificent private garden leading to a terrace on the city’s first hand-dug canal, where ducks drift past and it’s quiet enough to hear a breeze in the trees.
That sense of luxurious seclusion is the biggest draw. Step inside – or out into the gardens – and it feels worlds away from a city famous for its visitor crowds. The Notary is made for lingering, not rushing out. Bring a book and someone you like, and you might just spend the whole weekend indoors.
What are the rooms like at The Notary?
Each suite is dramatically different, and the one you choose shapes your entire stay. I stayed in the Cloister Suite (all white and cream, a generous 62 sqm) as well as the Morian Suite, a red-hued, Moroccan-inspired space under the roof. You decide whether you want bright and airy with garden views, or a darkly cosy hideaway with deep colours and a hand-hammered bronze tub.
All share the same opulent, House of Porters aesthetic: gilded mirrors, decorative objects everywhere, draped curtains, mountains of cushions. It’s gorgeous to look at, but sometimes form wins over function. Some windows are partly blocked by furniture (be prepared to climb through a bathtub if you want them open), and the rooms are so curated that there’s not much space to spread out your own things. But that’s part of the experience: you’re living inside someone else’s aesthetic vision.
Each suite comes with the expected luxuries at this level: an emperor-size, supremely comfortable bed, white bathrobes and slippers, Sonos sound system, tablet-controlled lighting and temperature, and bathrooms with freestanding tubs and rain showers. You’re welcomed with water bottles and a praline shaped like a swan. The only miss? No kettle (though there is a Nespresso), and while the large TV has all the streaming apps, you’ll need your own login. Prices scale with size.
What is the food like at The Notary?
Breakfast here is anything but a quick coffee-and-croissant affair. The hotel serves a six-course, butler-delivered breakfast featuring charcuterie, French cheeses, pastries and other European delicacies. I didn’t try it myself (as a vegan, I found the menu tricky) but if you want to start your day with a serious indulgence, book ahead (€54). There’s also a choice of à la carte dishes and a simpler continental breakfast (€32).
The same approach applies to dinner: The Notary’s Signature menu (€120) might feature foie gras with truffle and mango, while the seasonal menu (€85) includes dishes like burrata with smoked duck and fish of the day.
Everything is prepared by in-house chef Kurt Tombeur in the manor’s open kitchen, where guests can watch him at work and chat with the team. The whole idea is to make it feel like a home – and the kitchen is part of it.
What’s the service like at The Notary?
I was greeted with homemade ice tea upon arrival, a welcome touch after the bus ride and walk from the station. The staff are friendly and professional, and service feels thoughtful: my poolside chardonnay arrived with crackers and a tiny edible flower on top. Whether you’re on a lounge chair by the pool or seated on the terrace, someone will be right with you.
Room service comes with an €8 surcharge per order, which feels a bit steep if you just want a snack. Some things you might expect to be included (breakfast, spa access, bringing your dog, parking) come with additional fees, which might catch you off-guard given the nightly rate. It feels a bit salesy at times: the house's beauty products displayed at the reception come with price tags.
What are the pools and facilities like at The Notary?
The star attraction is the natural swimming pool, which curves across the lawn, framed by plants and with a fountain in the middle. It looks almost too pretty to actually get in – but you can. It’s unheated and filled with plants and fish, making it feel like plunging into a private pond. Some might have to get over the slippery steps and dark water, but I found it magical. I swam alone on a sunny afternoon, and it felt blissfully private. Loungers, all provided with fresh towels, are spaced far apart. There’s also a tiny spa, with sauna, jacuzzi time or massages bookable for an extra fee.
There are also several inside rooms you can lounge around in, like the cosy library. I imagine it lovely in the winter, with the fire crackling. It has the feel of a country estate, even though you’re right in the heart of the city.
What’s the area like around The Notary?
This part of Bruges is ideal if you want peace without being far from the action. You’re inside the medieval city ring but tucked away on a quiet street. The Market Square is about a 12-minute walk: Far enough to escape the tourist crowds, but close enough to wander out for dinner. The canal behind the hotel has a small bridge that sees more local dog walkers than travellers, and the surrounding streets (especially Ezelstraat) are home to small galleries, antique shops, and independent boutiques – a refreshing change from the chain stores in the centre. Highlights include Lazoulli for handmade shoes, Marianne for contemporary ceramics, Lucy Wine Bar for a pre-dinner glass, and Locàle by Kok au Vin for organic, locally sourced dishes meant for sharing.
Why you should book a stay at The Notary
This is a very specific kind of stay: a hotel you book for the experience, not just a roof over your head. A cocooned, romantic little kingdom, it’s perfect for couples. Book in summer if you want to make the most of the garden and pool. Yes, it’s pricey, and there are potential extra charges, but for those who want the hotel to be the main event, it’s worth the splurge. Its elaborate interiors and carefully staged atmosphere might not be to everyone’s taste – but if that’s what you’re into, you’ll absolutely love it.
DETAILS
Address: Moerstraat 54, 8000 Bruges
Price per night: from €420 per night
Closest transport: Brugge train station is just a short bus ride away