Bruges is gorgeous – but it’s also packed. When the tourist crowds get overwhelming, this quiet four-room guesthouse is a welcome escape. Follow a tree-lined canal path (you’re in the Venice of the North after all), cross a small stone bridge, and you’ve reached your destination: a leafy cul-de-sac where charming old townhouses, all UNESCO-protected, line the street. Parked cargo bikes in front make it clear this is a genuine family neighbourhood.
At the door of a 1905 mansion, which differentiates itself through the contemporary glass cube built into its roof, you punch in a code you received by email and step straight into the hallway. Tiny, Kevin, or one of their kids might greet you if they’re home, and within minutes, you feel settled in like a local.
Why stay at Vegan b&b AM/PM Bruges
Because it’s a no-frills stay that’s stylish and personal at the same time – a little slice of ‘normal Bruges’ that most visitors never see. And because, above all, it has a clear philosophy: everything is vegan, from the food to the duvets, and things are done with having a light environmental footprint in mind.
Kevin and Tiny, who have been running the B&B since 2006, have redesigned the house into a modern home. Kevin is an architect – and it shows. He has kept the house bright and airy, but not over-designed: just enough colour and quirk to remind you you’re somewhere special. The setup is clever: guests have their own hallway and staircase, so you can come and go independently, while the family side of the house stays private. It’s the perfect base for travellers who want to explore all day and come home to peace and quiet.
What are the rooms like at Vegan b&b AM/PM Bruges
There are just four rooms, two at the front of the house with views over the canal and park, and two at the back. I stayed in one of the latter, looking onto private gardens and terraces. With two large glass doors to the rear you can throw open, you almost feel like you have your own balcony – I especially liked that I could watch the sky from the bed.
Each room has its own bathroom and shower, and basic amenities like a kettle, organic tea, a hair dryer, and a fan for the hot season. There’s no TV, no desk, no unnecessary extras – just a comfy bed, plenty of natural light, and a few standout design features like a translucent red wall that paints parts of the space in colour when the sun hits.
Lots of thoughtful little details show the care put into the place: Delicious rosemary-scented – and of course vegan – soap, or wall art featuring sheep, rabbits, and roosters, a nod to the ‘vegan for the animals’ philosophy. There are also maps of the city, a small photo book looking back on the history and renovation of the house, and information on how to support the animal welfare campaign against Bruges’ horse-drawn carriages. It all feels intentional and low-key, and more like staying in a friend’s spare room than in a hotel.
What is the food like at Vegan b&b AM/PM Bruges
Breakfast here is a highlight – and a statement of values. Before your arrival, you receive an email with many options to choose from, and you can customise your own plate by checking boxes and choosing amounts. Salty, sweet, or both: the options are endless, and even include homemade Belgian waffles. While it might feel a bit strange to predict what you will feel like eating in advance, it makes a lot of sense: it’s a sustainable touch that prevents waste and ensures you get exactly what you like.
At 9 am, you ring a bell next to the door that opens into Kevin and Tiny’s spacious, white, futuristic kitchen and dining area. The seating arrangement allows privacy but is also close enough that breakfast can turn into a social moment: We ended up sharing travel tips and life stories between Swiss, German, and Polish guests – including non-vegans, by the way: everybody is welcome. If you are worried about stepping into someone's living space: Kevin, who made sure everyone had what they needed and more, made everyone feel at ease. And socialising is not a must – it’s just as easy to eat quietly and slip back upstairs.
I had opted for homemade bread, homemade jam, yoghurt, fruit, juice, a fresh croissant and Tiny’s house-made cream cheese, which might ruin supermarket versions for you forever. As someone who really needs a good dose of caffeine in the morning, I especially appreciated the perfectly brewed coffee.
What’s the service like at Vegan b&b AM/PM Bruges
Laid-back and minimal. The hosts are happy to give advice when asked but otherwise leave you alone. There’s no daily cleaning or room service, which makes it feel more like having your own place.
What’s the area like around Vegan b&b AM/PM Bruges
The guesthouse is located just outside the city ring, overlooking a canal and a lush patch of parkland where you can sit under gigantic old trees at one of the picnic tables and watch the water. Walking into the centre becomes its own daily ritual: you have to cross a bridge and pass through the old city gate, the one with the grim Traitor’s Head hanging on the wall.
The neighbourhood itself is mostly residential, but there are a few great places worth checking out nearby. To Stera plant bar, a flower shop doubling as a café, it’s only a 5-minute walk. Just as close are the city’s first Afghan restaurant and, a few houses further, the colourful Biscuit café.
You can easily walk from and to the train station, and might even hear the occasional train rattling by from your room, but don’t picture a noisy or grim station area. This is the opposite: calm and unexpectedly idyllic.
Why you should book a stay at Vegan b&b AM/PM Bruges
Because it’s quiet, green, affordable, and thoughtfully run – a guesthouse with a philosophy of care: for you, for the animals, for the planet. This isn’t the kind of place where you spend all day lounging, though you of course could if you wanted to. It’s a great base for exploring Bruges on your own terms. For me, this was exactly the right mix: independent but not anonymous, homely but not intrusive, simple but thoughtful. I slept well, ate a fresh, homemade, delicious breakfast each morning, and came back at night to a space that felt like mine.
DETAILS
Address: Singel 10, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
Price per night: €120/night for more than one night (€130 for one night), excl city tax of €4 per person per night
Closest transport: Bruges train station, a 12-minute walk