Ostend Belgium

[micko1962]

Going to stay at the George VI hotel in Ostend on May 4th-7th, has anyone been there ?? whats it like, and is there much to do in Ostend ??
I hear there is a horse racing track in the centre, is there any racing on that weekend ??

[vehelpfulguy]

Some info here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostend

At the bottom of that page are some links to other web sites about Ostend.

[Buenchico]

I love Ostend. It's packed with great bars and restaurants and there's a really vibrant atmosphere about the place.

Many of the best restaurants are by the harbour. (The bars are simply everywhere!). Ostend is a shop-a-holics paradise with everything from cheap seaside 'tat' to classy designer clothing widely available.

While Ostend has plenty to keep you occupied all weekend, it's easy to get to lots of other interesting places. The coastal tram line serves several other resorts, both large and small. (I like Blankenberge). However, the real jewel is the beautiful city of Brugge (Bruges), which is less than twenty minutes away by train.

The official tourism website is here:
http://www.toerisme-oostende.be/index.phtml?la nguageid=3

Unfortunately the racetrack (Wellingtonrenbaaan) only operates from July to September but you'll still find plenty to do. (If the sun's shining, you might just want to spend time on the beach. The sand is great and swimming is very safe, due both to the very gentle slope of the beach and the diligence of the the lifeguards).

Chris

[micko1962]

Thanks Chris, very helpful. There is a coach load of 46 going on this trip as we are having a day trip to Bruges on the Saturday. I have also been told to that Blankenberge is a lovely place, so will try and get there to............time permitting.
Dont suppose you could recommend any good restaurants and pubs could you ???

[Buenchico]

Thanks for the reply. Although I've got a favourite bar in Ostend (the Melrose), I wouldn't particularly recommend it to others. (I like it because I can guarantee that I'll be the only tourist in there; it's just a local boozer full of odd characters and with a landlord who uses his perfect English to express some rather strong opinions!).

In Ostend, some of the best (and liveliest) bars are right in the centre of town. Simply 'follow the bright lights' and you'll find them. The best restaurants (particularly if you like seafood are around the harbour, near to the railway station and tram terminus).

In Blankenberge, for both bars and restaurants, try the streets which run off the main shopping street. (i.e. parallel to the seafront). The places on the main shopping street (which runs at a right-angle to the seafront) tend to be either very basic (e.g. burger and chips) or simply over-priced.

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS: In Bruges, the restaurants around the Grand Place are generally ridiculously over-priced. Check out the side streets and you'll find the places the locals use. They offer great food at far more sensible prices.

Chris

[micko1962]

Thanks again Chris, certainly take it all on board.

[pega]

Hello, I have visited Belguim many times and Bruge is glorious stayed there many times, Ostend has good shops,and nice sea side, but I want to say about the Hotel
George Vl I went with retirement fellowship group by coach and we stayed there, its near the sea front and shops, but the hotel was dreadful there is a very small lift from the street which takes you to reception, the food was really dreadful, no one liked it, service poor, the rooms very small, I had paid �80 extra for single supplement for 4 days
and was given a room with no where to sit, they gave me another room which had no window, and small TV didn't
work and I told them but had no TV all the time I was there. I would not recommend this Hotel, and the coach could not
park near hotel as was in shopping mall and the coach drivers weren't happy they had to park miles away the outside of the hotel looks good but inside very poor.
However your enjoy belguim good food in cafes. Theres a macdonalls just a minute from hotel good coffee.