Charme Hotel Hancelot is the sort of small hotel that rewards travellers who prefer character to scale. The name points to the charm of a historic townhouse converted into a hotel with just a handful of rooms, which means the welcome tends to be personal, breakfast is often a more intimate affair than at a large chain, and every room has its own look. Ghent is rich in such buildings, and staying in one gives a better feel for the city’s past as a wealthy textile and trading centre. The old centre is on the doorstep, so you can step out to the cathedral, the belfry and the quays, then return to a quiet, characterful room. It suits couples and travellers marking an occasion, and anyone who wants to feel they are staying in a home rather than an anonymous hotel.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the historic centre of Ghent, in the area of narrow streets, canals and gabled houses that makes the city so photogenic. Most of the headline sights are reachable on foot, including St Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, the Graslei and the Gravensteen, and the Vrijdagmarkt and the Patershol are close enough for an evening stroll. Gent-Sint-Pieters station is a tram or taxi ride away, and trams run through the centre. Check the exact walking time to the sights and the station for your route when you book.
Rooms
Boutique hotels of this kind normally offer a small number of individually decorated rooms, with comfortable beds, private bathrooms and free WiFi, and period features such as beams or high ceilings may be kept. Because rooms differ in size and layout, read the description carefully if you need a quiet side, a larger room or a specific bed type. Facilities such as a lounge, a garden or a breakfast room depend on the property, so check when you book what is included in your rate and whether breakfast is part of it.
Who it suits
Couples, honeymooners, travellers who like old buildings and independent hotels, and visitors who value a warm welcome and local tips from the staff. It is less suited to families who need several rooms together, to guests who want a gym or a restaurant on site, or to travellers who need a lift to every floor, since historic townhouses often have stairs.
Good to know
Small hotels have limited reception hours, so tell the hotel when you plan to arrive, especially if you are coming late by train. Rooms book up quickly for weekends, the Ghent Festival in July and the Christmas markets, so reserve early. Parking is difficult in the old centre, and public car parks outside the pedestrian zone are the easiest choice. Always read the cancellation terms before you pay.
Why stay here
- ✓Historic townhouse setting
- ✓Individually styled rooms
- ✓Walk to the cathedral and belfry
- ✓Free WiFi
- ✓Private bathrooms
- ✓Personal welcome
- ✓Tram and taxi to the station
- ✓Check breakfast and parking options when you book
Good questions
What kind of hotel is Charme Hotel Hancelot?+
It is a small boutique-style hotel in the historic centre of Ghent, with individually styled rooms and a personal feel.
Can I walk to the main sights from Charme Hotel Hancelot?+
Yes. The cathedral, the belfry, the quays and the Gravensteen are reachable on foot. Check the walking time for your route when you book.
Is Charme Hotel Hancelot suitable for families?+
It suits couples best. Families should check the room types and layouts when they book.
