Ghent is small enough that almost any central hotel works, but the details matter. The old centre has the best atmosphere, the waterfront has the best views and the area around the Opera has the best prices. Here is how the five hotels in this guide fit the city.
The historic centre
The streets around Hoogpoort, Hoogstraat and the town hall are the heart of Ghent, and staying here means you can walk to the Belfry, the cathedral, the castle and the quays in minutes. It is lively in the evening, with bars and restaurants close by, and quieter in the early morning before the shops open. Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof is the splurge here, a grand mansion on Hoogstraat with 156 rooms, a spa with a wellness pool and several restaurants and bars. NH Collection Gent, opposite the town hall on Hoogpoort, is the practical mid-to-upper choice, with 174 rooms, underground parking, a buffet breakfast and the cathedral, castle and Belfry each about five minutes away.
The Korenlei waterfront
The Korenlei and Graslei quays are the postcard view of Ghent, and staying beside them gives you the best evening walks. The Ghent Marriott Hotel stands on the Korenlei, with canal view rooms facing the guild houses, four minutes on foot from Gravensteen and about six from the Belfry and town hall. It has four places to eat and drink, a gym and valet parking, and it is the right choice for travellers who want comfort and a famous view. Expect a premium for a canal view room.
Oude Houtlei and the western edge
A little west of the quays, Oude Houtlei is quieter and still only minutes from the Sint-Michielsbrug and the Korenmarkt. Monasterium PoortAckere, a thirteenth century convent turned hotel with 109 rooms, a garden and a bar, offers the most character for the money. Gravensteen is about seven minutes on foot, and the Design Museum Ghent is within about ten. Note that the hotel has no lift, so ask about ground floor rooms if stairs are a problem. Parking is available on site at a daily fee.
Nederkouter and the Opera
South of the centre, the streets around the Opera and De Vooruit are livelier with students and cafes and cost less. ibis Gent Centrum Opera, at Nederkouter 24, is the budget option, with compact rooms, a breakfast buffet, a bar and parking for a fee. The Belfry and the cathedral are about a kilometre away, a fifteen minute walk, and the shopping street Veldstraat is close. Ask about roadworks nearby and request a quiet room.
Choosing quickly
First-time visitors who want to walk everywhere should choose the Ghent Marriott or NH Collection Gent. Couples looking for a treat should choose Pillows Reylof. Travellers who like history and character should choose Monasterium PoortAckere. Anyone on a tighter budget should choose ibis Gent Centrum Opera and spend the savings on tickets, tours and dinners.
Practical tips
Book early for weekends, the December markets and summer, since Ghent is popular with short-break visitors and rates rise. Ask about parking before you arrive, because most of the centre is a low emission zone. If you arrive at Ghent-Sint-Pieters station, take a tram or taxi with luggage, since the centre is a long walk. Breakfast is not always included, so compare rates with and without it.
