From Ghent to Ostend

I just got back from some very nice couple of days in a one of the best hotels in Ostend, the one and only coastal city in Belgium, luring thousands of tourists to its shores each year. Ostend is a Belgian city located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. In earlier times, Ostend was a small village built on the east-end of an island (originally called Testerep) between the North Sea and a beach lake. The village rose to the status of "city" around 1265 when the a market hall was built. With wind never in short supply, modern Ostend has become a destination for kite surfers as well as an important port.

Nowadays, Ostend is a very popular seaside resort, famous for its sea-side esplanade, pier and fine beaches. It has six beaches around the city. No wonder so many people, whether they are business travellers, single or have families with children, decide to stay a weekend or longer (sometimes even an entire summer) in a hotel in Oostende. Famous tourist attractions Ostend has to offer include the James Ensor museum, showing where the artist lived from 1917 to 1949. The Mercator, a tall ship of the Belgian merchant fleet that has been converted into a maritime museum. And Fort Napoleon is a tourist attraction. But all tourists go mainly for the beaches!

A visit to Ostend is always exciting and spending your holiday in one of the many fine hotels Oostende is absolutely a great idea! Ostend is a great place with something for everyone. I have stayed in Brugge before and think it is better to stay in Ostend and visit Brugge on the train for the day. Brugge is lovely, but I feel you can easily see all there is in one day. It is only 15 mins on the train. Ostend is a fish lovers paradise. You have all the seafood stalls along the quayside.

Checking in in my hotel in Oostende was easy, the staff was very helpful. There was a small swimming pool and some very good breakfasts. Later I heard from a colleague that I chose one of the absolute best hotels in Oostende, I didn't even know so I guess I got very lucky! I was a great Ostend hotels with a balcony and sea view which was excellent this time of year. As for Ostend, simply relaxing to wander around and eat and drink at leisure, was all I did in this luxe hotel in Oostende...