Vakantiecentrum Petit Rouge

This was our second visit to Blankenberge in as many years but the hotel we stayed in last year was too expensive so we sort another hotel and found the Petit Rouge. Located on the sea front parking is limited and must be worse in summer. Parking costs €15 for 24 hours. The hotel has some parking at €10 a day but there is a height restriction. Check in was very quick and very friendly. The standard rooms are spacious enough with a decent double bed with a comfortable mattress. There is a tv including some UK channels, large desk and bedside tables. There is a hanging section of wardrobe and many shelves and storage places. The bathroom is a good size with a large basin, bath with double shower and a partitioned toilet. The bathroom has soap and shampoo dispenser. The room was very warm, we turned off our radiator but it came back quickly when needed. We were there during the severe high winds that came across the North Sea from the UK. On arrival we had a snack in the bar. The food is good and reasonably priced. If you are having the toasted sandwiches don't have a double bolognese unless you are really hungry! They serve 4 draft beers and bottled Belgian beers are also available. Other than a drink one evening we didn't use the bar much. Breakfast is very good with hot drink machines and fruit juice dispenser. There is the usual continental cold foods with bread. There was also bacon and scrambled eggs for those like me that like hot food. Breakfast is served in the restaurant but we didn't try it for an evening meal. The hotel is very close to the main shopping street and about a 10 minute walk from the centre tram stop and railway station. The tram goes the full length of the Belgian coast and the train will connect with Brugge then stations to Brussels and beyond or Ostend the other way from Brugge. We went to Genk (Ghent, Gent) by train which is about 2/3 of the way to Brussels. Last year we drank in the bar Casino Royale about 5 minutes from the hotel but this time it was never open perhaps the owner was away. We ended up drinking in the bar by the main tram stop. There are plenty of restaurants on the sea front and a number in the streets but bars are few and far apart. The hotel has a small pool for those that like getting wet, it looks nice and clean. The staff are friendly and helpful and I would like to mention Sandri who phoned me when we were eating a meal in Calais before heading for the Channel Tunnel to tell me I had left my coat. She followed it through and sent it back to me through the mail so thank you Sandri. We would certainly go back to the Petit Rouge, Blankenberge.