Ghent's BEST Kept Secret? This B&B Will SHOCK You!
Ghent's BEST Kept Secret? This B&B Will SHOCK You!
Ghent's BEST Kept Secret? Get Ready to be SHOCKED! (Spoiler: Maybe Not in the Way You Think) - A Review that's Frankly Exhausting to Write (and Read!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just spent a weekend at a B&B in Ghent that claims to be the "BEST Kept Secret." Did it live up to the hype? Well, let's just say my expectations, like the Belgian waffles I devoured, were… layered.
First Impressions & the Initial "Wow!":
The B&B is tucked away on a cobblestone street. Finding it was a bit of a treasure hunt, thankfully, the taxi service was easy, and the driver knew the spot. The car park [on-site] was a welcome bonus, especially after the stress of navigating those narrow streets! The exterior itself is charming, maybe even romantic in that slightly-too-perfect-Instagram-filter kind of way. The Exterior corridor gives it a motel-chic vibe, which I won't lie, I kind of dug. Check-in was super Contactless check-in/out, which, let's be honest, with the state of the world, is a HUGE plus. The Front desk [24-hour] was a relief, knowing someone was always reachable. And okay, the Room decorations were… well, they were very designed. Think minimalist-meets-luxury, with a Mirror strategically placed to catch your (hopefully) flattering reflection. My Non-smoking room was, thankfully, Soundproof, which was a blessing because the cobbled streets can be noisy.
The Room Itself: A Love-Hate Relationship
My room? Oh, the room. Let's start with the good. The Extra long bed was a dream. Seriously, I could practically cartwheel on that thing. Linens were crisp, the Bathrobes plush. I loved the Alarm clock (a simple, functional one, thank god, not one of those touch-screen nightmares). The Shower had seriously good water pressure… and plenty of hot water! Complimentary tea and coffee were a lifesaver in the mornings. And the Blackout curtains… oh, the blackout curtains! They were total game-changers at getting sleep in a foreign city.
Now, the downsides. The bathroom, while boasting a separate shower/bathtub, felt strangely cramped. The Toiletries were… fine. Nothing to write home about. The Air conditioning worked, but it felt a little Air conditioning in public area…a little hesitant. And the internet access – wireless was a bit patchy. I mean, they offered Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, right? But the signal seemed to vanish whenever I needed it most, like when I was trying to video chat with my mom to tell her my trip was still safe. And there's a Coffee/tea maker, but no coffee cups ready? It's just… a small thing, but irritating.
The "Service" Side: Where Things Get Interesting
The Daily housekeeping was efficient, but a little… impersonal. The staff were polite! The concierge, I have to admit, was a lifesaver. They helped me with everything from finding the best restaurants to booking a canal tour. Another thing I loved, was the 24-hour room service. You know, for that late-night waffle craving. My stay included Breakfast in room, with a decent, though somewhat bland, European-style breakfast… Though the Breakfast takeaway service was a convenient option if you're in a rush.
And here's where things get a bit… messy.
The Spa & Relaxation Zone: Promised Paradise or Overhyped Hype?
The B&B boasts a Spa, a Swimming pool [outdoor] and inside, a sauna and steamroom. My thought: Perfect. This is where I'm really looking forward to letting loose and relaxing.
So, first, the Swimming pool [outdoor] itself? Beautiful setting. A gorgeous view, surrounded by lush greenery. But… it was FREEZING. The Pool with view offered a panoramic vista of… well, other buildings. The water was frigid. I lasted about five minutes before I retreated to the Spa/sauna. Now, the sauna, I'm a sucker for and the Sauna was… okay. A little small, but functional. But the Steamroom? That was a disaster. It was broken!
This is where the "shock" from the title really starts to hit home.
I tried the Body scrub anyway. They said it was a "signature experience". It felt like I was being scrubbed with sandpaper. I actually ended up requesting some soap on my skin. Then, I opted out of the Body wrap, because frankly, I was afraid.
I guess I should be thankful for the foot bath and massage? Ugh, the Fitness center was as neglected as my gym membership. But hey, the Happy hour was pretty good, so I shouldn't complain.
Food, Glorious Food (Mostly, Anyway)
The Restaurants: They claim to offer Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant. The truth? The main restaurant was fine. The Western cuisine in restaurant was bland, and the Asian breakfast and the Asian breakfast was nothing special, especially when compared to the amazing street food you find. But the Poolside bar was a great place, the only time I got to use the outdoor pool. I didn't get to try the A la carte in restaurant, but the Buffet in restaurant was OK. The Desserts in restaurant were good, and in the bar, I was looking forward to Happy hour. All in all, though, the Snack bar was my go-to.
The Not-So-Secret Stuff: Safety, Cleanliness, and the Fine Print
I'm normally not one to obsess about Cleanliness and safety, but given the pandemic, I paid attention. The B&B seemed to be taking things seriously. The Anti-viral cleaning products were used, the Rooms sanitized between stays, and there was Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Hand sanitizer was readily available everywhere, and the staff were adhering to Staff trained in safety protocol. Cashless payment service was available. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items gave me peace of mind. But I can't tell if there were Individually-wrapped food options. I never asked. One bonus, there was a First aid kit available.
On the other hand, I needed the doctor/nurse on call, because of that massage. Just kidding! But I certainly noticed the smoking area. Another reminder that everything isn't perfect…
The Verdict: Is This Place a "Secret" Worth Keeping?
Honestly? No. It's not awful. It's… fine. It's a perfectly acceptable B&B with some great amenities and some, shall we say, "areas for improvement". The staff tried hard, the location is OK, and the Free Wi-Fi (when it worked) was a definite plus. But the "shock" they promised? Well, the biggest shock was how underwhelming some the amenities were.
My Rating: 6.5 out of 10 Belgian Waffles (and I'm being generous).
Here's a summary of what I liked and didn't like:
Loved:
- The Extra Long Bed
- Blackout Curtains
- Contactless Check-In
- Concierge
Didn't Love:
- Broken Steamroom
- Patchy Wi-Fi
- Bland Western food
- Overhyped spa treatments
- The Room decorations were… well, they were very designed.
Metadata (Because even a messy review needs this):
Keywords: Ghent, B&B, Review, Travel, Accommodation, Belgium, Spa, Swimming pool, Sauna, Steamroom, Luxury, Hotel, Restaurant,
Target Audience: Travelers, Tourists, Foodies, Spa enthusiasts,
Accessibility: Accessibility (with emphasis on what was available, elevator. Facilities for disabled guests) Wheelchair accessible.
Amenities: Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi [free]. Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area, Bathroom phone, Bathrobes, Complimentary tea, Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Window that opens. Also: Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service.
Safety & Hygiene: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, doctor/nurse on call,
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned, bullet-pointed itinerary. This is me, wrestling with jet lag, questionable coffee, and the general existential dread of being a tourist, all crammed into a few days in Ghent. And yes, I'm staying at the B&B Hotel Gent Centrum. Don't judge. It was cheap.
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Greetings, and the Quest for Caffeine
7:00 AM (ish) – Arrival in Brussels and Train to Ghent: The Hallelujah Moment. Right, landed at Brussels Airport. Immigration? A blur. Did I even say "hello"? Probably mumbled something about needing coffee. The train ride to Ghent felt like… a train ride. Which is to say, a necessary evil. Though, must admit, the Belgian countryside did have a certain…greenness. My brain hadn't caught up with the greenness yet.
9:00 AM - Check-in to B&B Hotel Gent Centrum: A Humble Abode. The B&B. Looked exactly like the photos. Clean. Efficient. Surprisingly, the staff were genuinely friendly, which after a long travel day is such a relief. The room? Beige, functional, and I loved it. Also, needed caffeine immediately. (Coffee machine in the lobby: disaster. More on that later.)
9:30 AM – Wandering Lost in the City: The Canal of Confusion. Armed with a map and a desperate need for a sugar rush, I stepped out. Ghent. Magnificent. At least, I think it was magnificent. I was too busy trying not to walk into cyclists. Why are there so many bikes?! Ended up by the canals, marveling at the architecture, and feeling utterly, gloriously, lost. Found a tiny bakery. Ate a pain au chocolat. Peace.
11:00 AM – Saint Bavo's Cathedral: Where the Van Eyck Brothers and My Jaw Dropped. Okay, whoa. This cathedral. Seriously. The Ghent Altarpiece? The actual Ghent Altarpiece? I’d seen it in books, sure, but seeing it in person… It was an experience. I spent a good hour just staring, jaw permanently unhinged. The detail, the colors! It’s enough to make you believe in…something. (And secretly wish you could swipe the damn thing.)
1:00 PM – Lunch and Beer: A Very Belgian Proposition. Found a little cafe near the Graslei. Ordered a local beer (obviously) and a plate of frites with mayonnaise (because, Belgium). The beer was perfect. The frites were… well, the frites were frites . But the people-watching was phenomenal. A couple arguing in Dutch, a dog wearing a tiny raincoat, a group of teenagers laughing hysterically. Life, in all its glorious, messy, wonderful chaos.
3:00 PM – Attempting Shopping: The Panic Attack. Tried to find some souvenirs. Failed. The shops were too packed, the choices overwhelming, the thought of having to talk to someone about exchanging currency filled me with dread. Gave up, bought a chocolate, and went back to the hotel room for a nap.
6:00 PM - The B&B Coffee Catastrophe. Remember the coffee machine in the lobby? Yeah. Turns out, it’s a sentient, caffeine-averse entity. After several attempts (and a lot of button-poking), I gave up and went to bed slightly caffeine-deprived.
Day 2: Canals, Canvases, and Cognitive Dissonance
8:00 AM – Breakfast: Conquering the Breakfast Buffet. The B&B breakfast buffet. The Holy Grail of budget hotel breakfasts. Surprisingly decent. A croissant to begin the morning.
9:00 AM – Canal Tour: The Gentle Float of Serenity. Okay, this was brilliant. A canal tour. Seeing Ghent from the water? Magical. The buildings, the reflections, the quiet. For a glorious hour, I wasn't a frazzled tourist. I was…a being of pure appreciation. Then someone on the boat loudly complained about the price. Reality bites.
11:00 AM – STAM - Gent and Its People: A Lesson in Humility. Headed to STAM, the Ghent city museum, and it was great. But the best part, in my opinion was getting to know Ghent through the people, their stories and how they had shaped the city.
1:00 PM – Lunch: Finding the Perfect Lunch Spot. Headed back to the Graslei. Found this bistro that looked interesting I ordered a Belgian waffle. Honestly, it was good. This city is all about waffles.
3:00 PM – The World of Museums: Went to Museum of Fine Arts. It was a great museum, with some really great paintings. I spent at least two hours there.
6:00 PM – Ghent by Night: A Quest for the Perfect Bistro. Walked around the city. There were so many great places around. I finally found a great place and got a table. The food was great. The wine was even better.
Day 3: Farewell, Ghent (and a Promise to Return)
9:00 AM – Breakfast: Final Buffet Glory. One last trip to the breakfast buffet. Squeezed in a final croissant. A tear may have rolled down my cheek as I ate it.
10:00 AM – Last-Minute Wandering: A bittersweet Stroll. One last walk by the canals. Said goodbye.
12:00 PM – Check out: The bittersweet end. Said goodbye to the hotel staff, and did the final check-out.
1:00 PM - Train Station and Departure: See you next time, Ghent. Train to Brussels, then home. Exhausted. Heart full. Already plotting my return. The people, the architecture, the beer… Ghent, you were a dream. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap and a serious caffeine intervention.
(Post Script: I’m not sure what day it is anymore. So yeah, this is how it went.)
Escape to Paradise: Menorca's Hidden Gem, Comitas Tramontana Park!
So, what's the BIG deal about this Ghent B&B? The hype is REAL, right?
Let's talk location. Is it *actually* hidden? I mean, I'm directionally challenged.
WHAT about the hosts? Are they as charming as the reviews say? This is CRITICAL!
The breakfast! The reviews are OBSESSED. Spill the beans! (Or, you know, the croissants...)
Give me the lowdown on the ROOMS. Are they as gorgeous as the photos?
Is it GOOD for solo travelers? Or, like, a romantic getaway?
Any dealbreakers? Anything I should know BEFORE I book?
Okay, real talk: Would you go back?
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