22 Best Hotels in Ghent and the Leie, Belgium

This stately boutique hotel, on the quayside of the Graslei, occupies two floors of Korenmarkt's magnificent old neo-Gothic post office, which was the setting for the 1913 World's Fair before settling into a life of service. Its cocktail bar-lounge Cobbler makes a charmingly bookish old-world escape, dotted with old sketches by the building's original architect, Louis Cloquet, and wax royal seals; afternoon tea is served here until 5. There's also an honesty bar up in the rafters if you just want a bit of quiet. Rooms are elegant and simple, with all but the smallest "stamp" rooms split over two levels. Most come scattered with old writing desks and vintage ephemera, while the most fairytale suite of all sits high in the old clock tower, affording some of the finest views in Ghent. 

If you're walking up from the station into town, you can't miss Grupello; it lingers elegantly on the crossroads like a friendly stranger. Its bustling brasserie is popular with locals and visitors alike. The building is also a work of art. Art Deco stained glass lightens the breakfast room and restaurant, while rooms are likeably simple, with little in the way of fuss. Like most places in town, it caters well to cyclists—you'll even find a puncture repair kit on hand.

Nestled amid the elegant town houses of Groeningestraat is arguably the most stylish retreat in town. Hotel Messeyne is a slick boutique stay, but one that manages to squeeze in the extras normally found in newer hotels. A gym, sauna, and hammam offer a dash of luxury, while rooms are crisp affairs, with those in the eaves accented by original beams. Restaurant Messeyne is also one of the finer spots in town, not just for its French-Belgian menu but for the pretty terrace garden that offers a rare chance to sit outside in the city in peace.

This 18th-century manor house makes charming use of its setting, with an elegantly finished interior and delightful terrace and garden. Rooms are decked in light-wood floors with a crisp grey-and-white design that gives the overall impression of simple, chic elegance. Brunch, breakfast, high tea, dinner can all be arranged. 

This sturdy country house was built by the artist Albert Servaes, who used it as both a home and studio between 1917 and the end of World War II. It has been recently taken over by new owners, who at the time of writing were just beginning to renovate its (currently rather dowdy) 11 rooms, in addition to adding a couple more. What won’t change, however, is the setting, with its stern redbrick facade rising above one of the more bucolic terraces in the region. You come for not only the history, back when this was one of the gathering points for the burgeoning stars of Flemish Expressionism, but the sheer peace and quiet of it all.  

A truly unique B&B crafted by a pair of interior designers and antiques dealers, Jan and Marc, with a reverence for the past that borders on the zealous. This beautiful mansion house dates mainly from the 18th century, built by the Lord of Leeuwerghem, who began fashioning it in the style of the day: elegant salons decorated in huge canvases and Chinese-print wallpaper. The current owners have worked wonders in restoring as much of that era as possible, with the manor house (where they live and share their space) almost like a living antique. A magnificent courtyard parterre garden separates the main living area and the recently renovated servants' quarters to the rear. There you'll also find a converted workshop where a vast, original glass-and-lead window pours light into the more modern kitchen-apartment space. There is nothing else like it in Belgium.

That this friendly, simple, family-run hotel with large shuttered windows was once a home won't surprise you once you see the bright rooms, breezily comfortable with cane chairs and tables, colorful bedspreads, and large wooden wardrobes. Public areas are done in warm colors, with wall sconces and accents of polished wood. The place is in a tidy but somewhat bland residential area near train and tram stations.

This riverside inn, in one of the area's prettiest settings, lies on a calm bend of the Leie and boasts a fine brasserie with a terrace that lingers on the water's edge, its grassy lawns scattered with colorful modern art. The magnificent view, over the river and across to the flowering meadows, is the main lure. A handful of its rooms face the water and are highly prized. The hotel even has its own jetty, and boat excursions can be arranged for trips along the Leie. 

Get a different perspective on Ghent by staying aboard this restored riverboat, which dates from 1953 and has been docked on the Leie since Portus Ganda opened. Cabins are large and bright, with bathtubs available in rooms on the upper floor. The wood-floored, sunny breakfast room also doubles as the evening gathering spot. Free parking is available on the road nearby. Just bring your sea legs: even though it's tightly anchored to the shore, the boat does tend to rock a bit.

Sitting across from the 19th-century church of Sint-Aldergondis, on the cobbles of Duerle's tiny main street, its five bedrooms have a rustic gentility and make a fine base for those exploring the trails and museums of the area. It's a quiet spot, with little to do but eat and drink in the evening. Downstairs, the brasserie (open Thursday–Monday) does a fine line in classic Belgian fare, from eel in green sauce to stoofvlees (stew) with a side of mashed apples.

This small and friendly hotel is in an attractive old town house just a few minutes' walk from the Grote Markt. High ceilings and light furnishings give the elegantly appointed guest rooms an airy, spacious feel.

This small B&B with just three guests rooms and a studio is instantly recognizable from the street thanks to its bright, colorful exterior; things are more subtly finished on the inside, while the studio comes with a small balcony and modern kitchen. The owners are happy to help arrange a number of day trips. There's even storage for bikes; handy given what a cycling mecca this is.

There aren't many places to stay in Dendermonde, which makes this B&B on the banks of the Dender something of a precious rarity. Large rooms with bay windows and views over the water are accompanied by big breakfasts, walk-in showers, and a helpful owner.

Genial owners Annik and Kristof have turned this elegant, 1756-built town house into a delightful stay. A communal lounge comes with lashings of tea, coffee, and cake to devour among newfound friends in front of the fireplace. High-ceilinged walls are decked in mostly Belgian contemporary art, while many of the original fixtures and fittings have been kept, adapted, or sensitively replaced. Those that didn't make it (old doors, etc.) have even been recycled as decoration. In the rafters, suites have been carved from the old attic, where the original beams, built without using metal nails, are still in situ. You don't even have to bother with keys; keypads have replaced locks on the rooms. This is a living relic that has been wonderfully preserved and updated, and the owners even run a home-wares shop on Serpentstraat if you're taken with their design. 

Stepping into the modest front door of this hotel on the Korenlei cannot prepare you for the change of scene that awaits within—behind the medieval brick facade lies a futuristic glass atrium containing the reception and lounge, from where glass elevators carry you up to balconies on several upper floors, off which are the large and well-appointed guest rooms.

Lying on the banks of the Leie, Hostel Uppelink is cheap, cozy, and surprisingly storied. It occupies one of the oldest buildings in Ghent, dating from the early 13th century, and was once home to a Spanish king, though like the rest of the Korenlei this step-gabled canal house got a retro-medieval overhaul in time for the 1913 World Fair. It's also a meeting point for both the free city walking tour (10:30, 1, and 6 daily; booking required) and Kayaks Korenlei (€29 for three hours) if you want to paddle the canal. The dorms are surprisingly large; the private rooms are neat and clean, with views out over the canal. The best panorama is from the breakfast room, though, as you tuck into your morning repast (€6.90).

The location of this regal city-center stay, right across from the belfry, takes in some of the more cherished real estate in Kortrijk. The rococo exterior dates from 1769, and its litany of past guests is no less grand, ranging from kings to presidents. The interior is suitably classical, while a well-respected cocktail bar and brasserie (which is accessed via the Grote Markt) complete the boutique picture.

This unassuming boutique hotel in the Patershol area features 40 rooms, split between old and new parts of the building, a pool (open April–October), bar, small gym, and a fixation with Japanese-style toilets make it an unsuspecting gem. Simple, elegantly designed rooms come with black-and-white murals of town life splashed across their walls. Try to bag one at the front; a few even have balconies with canal-side views. Duplex rooms in the older section are bigger for families if a little sparser in look. If you can't bag a room, note that it has just opened a sister hotel and comic-book museum in the nearby Prisenhof area called Comic Art Hotel. 

A tidy, elegant boutique stay in the center of the city. There's little that makes Leopold Hotel spectacular, but all the little things add up: clean, simple rooms, storage space for bicycles, free parking at the front, bountiful breakfasts, a bar with a likeable terrace. The overall orderliness and efficiency mean it's hard to find any fault, which is an achievement in itself.  

This rather plush stay by the railway station has the air of a luxury business hotel. The Belgian-French bistro doubles as a breakfast room, and you can add the convivial Jules Bar and wellness center to the overall waft of urban elan. Rooms are restrained and largely nondescript, though the larger family-size rooms at the corners of the building are blessed with giant windows and balconies, to take in the cityscape. Parkhotel have also recently opened a newer branch in the city center, called The Market, which sits atop a burger restaurant. This is cheaper but swaps plush extras for convenience.

This converted 18th-century town house hotel is one of the more distinguished addresses in town, with a luxurious spa that occupies the former stables and the pervading sense that you've just stepped onto a particularly meticulous film set. Neutral greys and Scandinavian browns have replaced the old camp majesty of what used to be one of Ghent's most flamboyant hotels, but it's no less impressive. The addition of the excellent LOF restaurant is also a definite bonus. And while the rooms are a tad toned down these days, the addition of a free minibar that you're actively encouraged to rifle through and empty means you probably won't notice.

For those unaware, "Yalo" is a local slang term for "Wow." Ghent's new urban boutique hotel certainly gives off a need to impress. What else could have prompted them to build its "disco toilets"—yes, they're public bathrooms with a big button on the wall that turns off all the lights, strobes flashing colors (epileptics beware!), and blares out deafening dance music. Indeed, there is something sweatily hip about it all, yet YALO is also pretty impressive. There are plans for Ghent's first rooftop bar to open here in 2022; the central bar-restaurant does a fine line in cocktails and makes good use of what was once a vacant mall, and there's just no other hotel quite like it in the city. A humidor, gym, and excellent wine cellar (the owner even has his own Belgian vineyard nearby) tick off the luxuries, while many rooms come with fine balcony views. Just don't hit that damn button!