Finding Finland: Digging Out from the Whole Year Inn

April 28, 2012

Hello All! I'm posting here from the swanky Crowne Plaza Hotel in idyllic Brugge, while I'm downing a bottle of Blanche de Namur-voted "World's Best Beer". Sounds pretty awesome huh?...Well, let me tell you how it really is... I have been looking forward to this Belgium trip probably more than any other trip. I have been planning a vacation of gluttony: world's best chocolate, beer, and waffles! What could be better??? It started out great. A quick trip to Brussels, where I forgot change for the lockers at the train station so I had to buy not one, but two pricey bottles of water just so I could get the change. No, really, we had a great time giggling at Manneken Pis and enjoying a modest lunch with a spectacular view of Grand Place. We even rubbed the bronze statue of Mayor Evrard. Rubbing the statue of this unfortunate man, who met his violent demise in 1356, is supposed to bring "the rubbers" good fortune. So that is why I'm wondering how my first hotel choice went so terribly wrong.

I plan all my European vacations using Rick Steve's guide books and then cross reference the recommendations on Trip Advisor. I spend hour upon hour researching hotels. Some places are better experienced by staying in B&B's. Don't get me wrong, we are Hilton Diamond members, I wouldn't trade that for anything, nor would I trade the awesome experiences we have had at some amazing European B&B's. However, my experience today may have just ruined me on B&B's. Months ago, I picked a B&B in Brugge, that was listed in RS's guidebook and had glowing reviews on Trip Advisor as well. When we finally found it (after looking for about an hour in the pouring rain and wind), we thought it was a funky quirky B&B. When we got to our room...let's just say, even the kids were taken aback. I could go on and on and write a scathing review on Trip Advisor, and to Rick, but I probably won't. I try to be a positive person. Moving your family to a foreign country is a pre- requisite for this, but this, this, was the limit. So I was sitting in the room, frozen in shock and disgust (trust me, you would be too), wondering what to do. This hotel, as well as most European hotels, require your stay be paid in full and in advance, not to mention, most places were totally booked! We go back down to reception and explain, in the nicest way possible, we CAN'T stay here. As our complaints were not unfounded, they had no problem letting us check out without any fees. As "good fortune" would have it, while we were lost, looking for our original hotel, I happened to notice a discreet sign for the Crowne Plaza, and thank God they had one opening just for us. So, as I'm washing my hands with my seaweed infused soap, I'm washing away the experience of that dreadful hotel, and am ready to make this vacation in Belgium, the best yet!!!

"...travel, like the world, is a series of hills and valleys. Be Fanatically positive and militantly optimistic. If something's not to your liking, change your liking."

-Rick Steves