Hotel Gravensteen takes its name from the castle just a minute's walk away, and it combines a very convenient old-town location with a wider range of facilities than most hotels of its class. It is a three-star property on Jan Breydelstraat with a restaurant, a bar and lounge, a sauna, a gym, a terrace and a lift, which is not guaranteed in historic Ghent. The nine room types run from standard doubles and twins to triples, quadruple rooms and a large suite, so it works for couples, groups of friends and families. It is close to the Korenmarkt, the Graslei and the lively bars around Patershol, and it is a good-value alternative to the top-end hotels for travellers who want to be in the middle of things.
Location and getting around
Gravensteen castle is about a minute away on foot, the Korenmarkt about three, St Nicholas' Church five, and the town hall and the Belfry about six. Ghent-Dampoort station is a twenty minute walk, and Ghent-Sint-Pieters station is about seven minutes by car, so a tram or taxi is the sensible way to arrive with luggage.
Brussels Airport is about an hour away by car. Restaurants and bars, including the Otomat and the beer house Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant, are within two or three minutes. The centre is a low emission zone, so check access rules before you drive.
Rooms and facilities
The hotel offers standard and premium doubles or twins, triples and quadruple rooms, a luxury double in the main building and a suite of around eighty square metres. Facilities include a restaurant, a bar and lounge, a gym, a sauna, a terrace, a lift, free WiFi, air conditioning, a business centre and a meeting room, and the front desk is staffed around the clock.
A breakfast buffet is served in the morning for a fee per person. On-site parking is available for a nightly fee, with limited spaces and height restrictions, and there is off-site parking within a short distance, so book a space ahead if you arrive by car. The hotel is smoke-free and accepts only service animals.
Who it suits and what to know: this is a strong choice for sightseers who want to be beside the castle and within walking distance of everything else. Families can use the triple and quadruple rooms, and groups can book several rooms close together. The streets nearby are lively at night, so ask for a quiet room if you are a light sleeper.
Because the hotel is in a historic district, the approach by car can be tight, and the pedestrian zones mean you may need to walk the last stretch with luggage. Rates rise at weekends, in summer and during the December markets. If breakfast matters to you, compare the rate with and without it, and consider the cafes nearby as an alternative.
Why stay here
- ✓Restaurant
- ✓Bar and lounge
- ✓Sauna
- ✓Gym
- ✓Terrace
- ✓Lift
- ✓Triple and quadruple rooms
- ✓Free WiFi and air conditioning
Good questions
How close is Hotel Gravensteen to the castle?+
About one minute on foot. The Korenmarkt is about three minutes away and the Belfry about six.
Does the hotel have parking?+
Yes, limited on-site parking for a nightly fee, with height restrictions, plus off-site parking nearby. Reserve ahead if you arrive by car.
Are family rooms available?+
Yes, there are triple and quadruple rooms and a suite. Ask about bed arrangements when you book.
