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The 3-star Albion Hotel is conveniently located close to the central
market square (Grote Markt) of Ypres (Ieper) and just a few minutes walk
to the Menin Gate. The Albion hotel is also just a few yards from the
famous ramparts that encircle the eastern side of the city - as shown
below.
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The
area around the Albion Hotel 1917!
The Headquarters of the 3rd Australian Division at the
Ramparts, at Ypres, the day before the relief of the
Division by the Canadians. It was from here that the
operations of the Division at Broodseinde and Passchendaele
Ridges were directed. |
The Albion has a quiet, unhurried, ambiance coupled with a genuine
'Belgium' feel about the hotel. This is hardly surprising as the hotel
is not part of some larger chain, but in fact owned and managed
by Chris and Luc, supported by their daughter Ruth, who take a pride in ensuring that their guests are made
to feel most welcome.
Whilst the hotel offers a lavish breakfast for guests (one of the
best...) it does not have a restaurant for evening meals. This is
not a problem as the Albion Hotel is located in the centre of Ypres and
is surrounded by many excellent restaurants catering for all tastes.
Chris, Luc and Ruth will be pleased to advise you on where best to dine
(their helpful guidance will take you to excellent restaurants off the
usual tourist route...).
The entire hotel is
strictly non-smoking.
Additional
facilities:
- Wi-Fi (one hour
free for guests)
- Free
international newspapers
- Bar
- Free car
parking
- Bike rental
service
- Wide range of
tourist information
- Shoe shine
machine
- Safe deposit
box at reception
- Wake up call
- Iron on request
- Baby cots
Why not include a
personal conducted tour?
We can easily
arrange for an independent English-speaking guide to collect you at your
hotel and take you (or join you in your vehicle) on a one or two-day
tour of either the Somme or Ypres battlefields This will be a truly
personal service and as such you will not be joining a group comprising
other persons. This option costs a lot more when compared with joining a
fixed-itinerary ‘public’ tour, but is by far and away the best way to
see the battlefield, especially bearing in mind this may be your one
occasion to make the visit you are have in mind. A personal tour
is also better suited for the quiet exploration and reflection of past
events, without the possible distraction of others making up your group
- and the need for the tour leader to stick to a fixed time schedule!
The tour we
will arrange can easily focus on areas of specific interest to you, such
as battlefields where soldiers from any particular country or regiment
fought and died (especially helpful for those seeking to explore
battlefields where Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians etc saw
action). This service is included in the total cost you will pay,
thus making your battlefield visit a seamless experience with everything
arranged by us in advance.
Click above for
town map to see the
location of the Albion hotel
(as at March
2011)
Typical review
Date of review: 29 Dec 2010
We found this hotel on Trip
Advisor, and stayed here for two nights as part of a tour of Belgium and
Holland. We loved both Ieper and the Albion, and booked to return for
Remembrance Week 2010
The week we spent in Ieper in November was superb - The owner of the Hotel,
and her entire team are fantastic - Incredibly friendly, and very passionate
about what they do. As you can read from the other reviews, Ieper is the main
historical base for Flanders, and the owners are always willing to spend time
making sure that you know where the main historical sites are.
The bedrooms are great - spotlessly clean, roomy and recently refurbished.
There is a large lounge, which is mainly a breakfast area, but has a nice bar,
reading area (with a large WW1 library) and english newspapers.
There is a huge choice for continental breakfast, and well presented and
fresh.
If you are planning a few days here, a few tips:-
- The Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate is a MUST - It happens at 8pm every
night, and we would recommend getting there by 7.40pm at the latest for a good
vantage point.
- The square is full of great bars - The best is next to the Cloth Hall (The
Small Town Hall I think its called)
- Parking is very easy - you can normally park on the street - just be aware
that the car parking spaces in the Church Square next to the Hotel are Pay and
Display
- For first time visitors, the "Flanders Field Museum" at the Cloth Hall gives
a great context of Ieper in the First World War
- If you have a car,then visiting Tyne Cot, Hill 60, Sanctuary Wood and the
town of Poperinge will give you a good overview of the main context of the war
Anyway, we have already booked for Remembrance Week 2011 at the Albion, and I
am hoping to get over with my Mountain Bike next Summer (The Albion is Bike
Friendly)
In summary, Great town and a fantastic Hotel
Recommended by this reviewer? Yes
These reviews are
the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Hotel
bar/lounge and library
Bedroom
Bathroom
Internet desk
located in the
hotel's spacious bar/lounge
(also Wi-Fi throughout the building)
Breakfast!
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SOMME BATTLEFIELD
TOURS LTD
