To book this hotel you need to phone, fax or do it in person, it does not have a website or email address and is not on any booking site, but it is worth the effort. If you can afford the extra, book a “seaside view” room, we found we had a table in the breakfast room with the same view.
There is friendly individual attention to guests, and the rooms are clean and bright with large windows so you can sit and watch the world go by, they are nicely furnished with beds, chairs and a television, no telephone, no safe and no tea/coffee making facilities, but other than this are fine for a few days stay. You can have a smoking or non smoking room. The bathrooms are also clean and bright, large and have a bath with shower and a separate shower cubicle, as well as the usual toilet and basin.
Breakfast in the seaside themed breakfast room, is set on the table for you, no queuing and jostling at a buffet. There is fruit juice, tea or coffee is served to your choice, sliced ham and/or cheese soft rolls, crusty rolls, croissant and a selection of jams and spreads are waiting for you, if you can’t live without a boiled egg or other breakfast items most are available at a small supplement.
The Cafe Bar Rubens downstairs is open to the public, there is an outside area and inside there are smoking and non smoking areas. The selection of Belgium Beers and other Alcoholic and Soft drinks is very large, and they are all served in the correct branded glasses. Teas, coffees and chocolate drinks are also available along with a small range of snacks (try the Croc Madame). Unusually for Belgium, there are no free nibbles with drinks, which appears to be reflected in the price.
In summary a small friendly clean Cafe Bar and Hotel, with friendly English speaking and attentive management and staff, we will be returning to the Hotel Rubens.