places to stay near spa

[methodwares]

Don't know if this is the right place to ask this question, but here goes--

Taking the family, and some extended family (7 maybe 8 in all) over to belgium for the fia gt race in late july. we are going to spend 3/4 days there. the girls will go shopping while the boys enjoy the racing and loads of beer.

What is the best/cheapest way over? Fly and rent a car? or drive and use which ferry crossing? and are there any recomendations for hotels, bed and breaks in the area. I don't mind staying a bit away from the track (15 miles or so).

Oh yes, any one else going?

Thanks

John

[Racing Rod]

www.hotels-belgium.com/spa/dorint.htm

[irm]

we go to that (me and the eldest) and have done for a number of years - prefer it to le mans very few English

we stay in malmedy at the youth hostel - bit basic (use as a base) but we spend most of the time at the track or the ring which is only an hour or so, eat out in malmedy - some nice little places and designer shops as well as the usual town dross

you can camp for a few euros, just turn up plenty of space

last year 2006 we went with Norfolk line to Dunkirk as it was £60 return usually go Euro tunnel

This year we will camp

Driving is easy, Belgians are a bit nuts, easy route ring road around Brussels ok just get in the right lanes (obviously)
Fly drive - don't know which airport to do that easier to take your own car(s)

You can view all the cars - relaxed atmosphere, walk about 90 - 95 % of the track - i put three spa pit photos on the Jan photo competition in another section as "working"

if you want to pm with any specific questions feel free

proximus web site may still be up with details

Edited by irm on Thursday 11th January 22:10

[irm]

www.proximus24hours.com/htm/hotels.asp

[methodwares]

The youth hostle / camping is fine for me. I'm guessing the wife and the other girls will want a proper hotel / b&b. I'll start with those links and do some more research.

Thanks

John

[rude-boy]

I could tell you of a brilliant one, but seeing as though our lot have just fully booked it out

There are a couple in spa that you can try which are quite nice as far as things go. i'll try to remember to look the details out over the w/e and post up.

[RichUK]

When we go to Spa we tend to stay in Liege which is a 40 minute or so drive from the circuit, there are lots of shops, hotels and bars / restaurants there.

I think I'm going for the 24ht GT race but might just camp near the track this time.

[NigelJ]

This is the place Murray Walker and Martin Brundle used to stay. The food is excellent, the people very friendly and it is about 20mins from the circuit. Strongly recommended.

Make sure you try the strawberry pancakes!


Cheers

NigelJ

www.findhotel.co.uk/auberge-du-pere-boigelot-basse-bodeux/

[methodwares]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was going to drive, but she wants to fly. Which airport is the best to fly into? doesn't have to be in belgium. I think there is a close one in the netherlands and dussledorf is a possibility.

[Finchy172]

Cant beat the hotel in Spa itself. Its about 300m from the access tunnel to the pits,

Its very basic, but if you want lots of beer and a steak this isnt a bad place. Most teams end up here in the evening for a few beers till the early hours. Cheap price per room as well!!

[bennno]

methodwares said:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was going to drive, but she wants to fly. Which airport is the best to fly into? doesn't have to be in belgium. I think there is a close one in the netherlands and dussledorf is a possibility.

Its only about an 1.5-2hrs from Dunkerque, its probably further to drive from Dusseldorf.

Bennno

[Simon Leith]

If anyone needs to rent a luxury American motorhome for any of the race meetings please drop me a line at [e-mail] or on 0771 00 66 589.

[happy snapper]

methodwares said:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was going to drive, but she wants to fly. Which airport is the best to fly into? doesn't have to be in belgium. I think there is a close one in the netherlands and dussledorf is a possibility.

You can fly to the small air field at Spa but Brussels isnt far

[redlake27]

Brussels airport is about a 90 min drive, but there are very few budget flights to Brussels.

Ryanair fly from Stansted to Charleroi, which is closer.

You could also try Cologne or Dusseldorf (Lufthansa, Air Berlin, Easyjet) - again only 90mins

Luxair and VLM fly from Manchester and London to Luxembourg, again about 90 mins south.

The closest airport is Liege. AerArran did a very convenient Birmingham Liege service, but have stopped doing it now. Not sure if anyone else is doing it.

[methodwares]

actually, now looks like i'm going to drive. the wife has decided not to go. don't know if anyone would be interested in meeting up and convoy over together.

I have AA cover through my bank account, not too sure if it covers continental trips... would it be worth it to get my own AA cover just to make sure?

[kenthardy]

Hotel International Malmedy - www.hotel-international-malmedy.be/ - highly recommended

[cappocoupe]

Accom - try Neil & Anne Leigh at www.aeaventures.com

Neil runs a lot of euro biking events but has b&b within hearing distance (I think!) of Spa.

Tell him Mark from the Ring Total June booking sent you!!