GHENT-RIVER-HOTEL ^{* * * *}

A tale of two halves.

The Good:
Great location, only around 5-7 mins walk from the main centre of Ghent with its market squares, cathedrals, Belfry, and situated right on the river.
The rooms are clean and tidy, on the more basic side for the money spent, but clean, tidy, roomy, cleaned everyday, with comfortable bed, a really good shower over bath, and nice citrus bath products. Kettle, tea and coffee on hand.
I didn't book or have a river view room so cannot comment (more later!)

The Middle:
This hotel was $442 for 3 nights when I went, £380, (Dec 2023). This is not decent value in my eyes. It is like an OK Premier Inn or Travelodge in the UK, so circa £79-90 would be acceptable for a night.
I was two weekends before Christmas which I guess leveraged the price.

The Bad:
Noisy, so so noisy.
The walls are paper thin.
First night 3am, I was awoken by my neighbours coming in, talking (not shouting or at any volume), but I could hear talking, coughing, urinating, and then one having a shower, and seemingly trying to hammer a plug into the wall socket (not a euphemism).
Also heard a baby one morning, not crying, just general baby-ness, and general occasional hubbub.

Final night was by far the worst. This is not really Ghent River Hotel's fault, maybe they need to have a word with the bar owners, but travellers should be aware.

A local bar, Blond, gets very noisy, it seems quiet and fine till about midnight then gets busier and busier, people drinking and smoking outside. As I was in a street based room opposite De Fabriek on Raffinaderijstraat, the bar is visible from there, down the small street. Revellers were at the bar till 5:50 am. Plus, as it’s an LGBTQ bar I believe there were some idiots causing antagonism, disagreement, loud voices, arguments and maybe protests from puffy jacketed youths outside. This went on till 5.50am when Police arrived.

Be aware, if you want a good night’s sleep. Go elsewhere.

This review is based on Room 114, first floor, non river side, in mid December 2023.

Konumu mükemmel, yürüyerek merkeze, Christmas markete 5 dk. Odalar konforlu ve temizliği ve manzarası çok iyi. Kahvaltısı çok çeşitli ve birbirinden lezzetli. Şeref bey ve Kadriye Hanım çok ilgili ve sıcaklar, kendinizi evinizde gibi hissediyorsunuz. Şiddetle tavsiye ederim.

Extremely clean helpful staff rooms well equipped close to all amenities, several good restaurants a few minutes walk away, downside was breakfast it only catered for those who liked a full breakfast, but there are many cafes 5 min walk away reasonably priced

La habitación muy agradable y confortable. El personal muy amable. Nuestra habitación daba al Canal.

La struttura è molto bella e curata, personale gentile e disponibile. Camera spaziosa e pulita, accappatoio, ciabatte e prodotti per il bagno inclusi. Prezzo leggermente alto per la camera, soprattutto senza colazione (sui 20/25€ a persona da pagare extra).