Ghent Marriott Hotel

The Ghent Marriott was the simply the best hotel of our one month European vacation celebrating a significant wedding anniversary. We had alerted the hotel ahead of time and we were thrilled on arrival to find the staff had decorated our room beautifully to acknowledge our anniversary as well as gifting us some chocolate and champagne. So unexpected and so appreciated.
We also took advantage of the early booking offer in the lovely restaurant that included a complimentary glass of wine. We had an absolutely marvelous meal seated in a beautiful window seat overlooking the canal.
The hotel is ideally situated for walking to the historical sights and steps away from the canal cruise boats. All the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. We just loved our stay here and hope we will be back some day.
Ghent is beautiful and the Ghent Marriott is simply the best. Traditional historical exterior but with modern, updated and comfortable rooms.
Thank you to all the staff for making our stay so memorable.

We had reserved two rooms via the official Marriott website for the Ghent Marriott Hotel (reservation no. 83932420) for the night of January 1st to January 2nd, 2026. The reservation was cancelled within the authorized cancellation period, in full compliance with the stated terms and conditions.

Despite this, we were charged nearly €500. We only noticed this thanks to careful monitoring of our bank accounts — had we not been vigilant, this significant amount would have been wrongfully kept.

I immediately contacted both the hotel manager and the manager on duty in writing, but received no response at all. The only person who replied was a front desk employee, who told us that we would be refunded shortly. As of now, the issue remains unresolved.

I have been travelling extensively for over 25 years, both privately and professionally, booking around 100 hotel nights per year. This is the first time I have ever experienced such a situation — and it happened on the official website of the Marriott brand, which makes it even more difficult to accept.

Beyond the financial issue, the lack of communication and absence of any apology from hotel management are deeply disappointing. Guests’ money should be treated with care and respect, and unfortunately this incident reflects the opposite.

This experience does not meet the standards one would reasonably expect from a Marriott property.

Great location. This hotel is in the Ghent city center in the old town right next to the river. It is very loud outside nearly 24 hours. Bring earplugs especially if your room faces the river. The hoteal doesn't have bellhops or concierge assistance. You will need to carry all your suitcases. Thank you to Ms.Ilayda at the front desk for all your help. Hotel guests enjoy a discount on the river cruises. Do the boat cruise you will learn hidden history! Hotel's in-house Midtown grill has great riverside seating. The food is very mundane but the view is great. The restaurant staff are great. You may also notice the two golden swans on the building facade, a historical reference to the days when the building was used to offer alcohol and other entertainment for gentlemen ;)

Fantastic location
Very attentive staff, accommodating and helpful.
Great layout of the rooms coupled with nice quality furnishings.

We had a fabulous visiting Belgium for the first time from the States and staying at the Ghent Marriott for 5 nights. The location of the hotel is ideal. We very much appreciated the room upgrade which made our stay especially enjoyable and the staff were fantastic. Montse, Katrien, and Ilayda were very helpful at the front desk, and Louisa, breakfast supervisor, and Gregory, food and beverage supervisor welcomed us. The breakfast was delicious. We would love to stay here again if we return to Belgium and will recommend this great hotel to anyone.

Terrible night sleep- dont stay here!
We booked a 2 night stay at this hotel. Really looking forward to having a break away from our busy businesses. A big mistake staying here! On checking in we asked the receptionist if it was a quiet room as we requested a quiet room. My wife has had open heart surgery and needs her sleep. We were told yes it was. I said great as my wife and i needed a rest. The morning after the first night we were rudely awaken early by delivery guys below our window and we were placed next door to the cleaning room, by the lift. Again the staff were very loud banging in the room next door and didnt seem to care there were guests staying in the room next door. As we were on holiday, we thought we would let it go and maybe just a one off, but no it was even louder the next morning. On checking out we explained it wasnt a quiet room. The receptionist said she was sorry and even admitted it wasnt a quiet room! How rude that we were lied to. When we arrived at reception at 3.35pm to check in we should of suspected something as there were no rooms ready and the receptionist was ringing various people trying to get any room to no avail so obviously gave us the crap noisy room! We have just checked our credit card to find charges on there which we did not authorise. On phoning and speaking to Yentz who was less than helpful and explained the charges were for deposit for damages! We were never asked if this was okay or told this. We were told it would take a couple of days to refund. We have never encountered that before and it makes you think what sort of customers stay there! Yentz went on to explain that the receptionist hadnt been there long and then i asked if they weren’t suitably trained, why are they on reception giving incorrect information. He then asked why didnt we complain after the first night. We are on holiday and didnt want to move to another room after we unpacked. We didnt know it was a noisy room as we were lied too! The staff dont care one bit and at the end of the day it is our hard earned money not theirs. At approx £550 euros for room only we expected better service, not i’m sorry and i know sarcastically from Megan and Yentz. I think the managers need training from Head office!
This hotel sells itself as its on the river. There are better hotels in Ghent to stay in where the staff care.
Very disappointing experience and spoilt our break away.

Beautiful hotel set in the heart of Ghent. Next to canal. Clean rooms. Spacious and very welcoming. Only let down was the room we ate breakfast in was not decorated for Christmas like the others were for non bus trip customers. Felt we were treated differently in this respect and perhaps the manager running the breakfast room could of been a bit more friendly in her nature as

again

seemed irritated by having to open room for us on first morning and switch lights on. The other staff were great tho! Loved the hotel and would visit again

I had read good reviews about the great service/staff but then was so pleasantly surprised also by the location, right near the castle and main square, and overall amenities. Large lobby witg beautiful glass ceiling that looks modernbut then see the old brick (?) showing the medieval side. Stunning to be by the river view for breakfast. The front desk was so amazingly nice and helpful when we needed assistance in our room. One of the best, most memorable Marriotts I have stayed at, and as a Titanium bonvoy member, i have seen a lot - i hope to return one day!

Really central location, right on the river and for a city centre hotel the rooms are a really good size. The gym had just been refurbished (Oct 20025) and for a hotel gym it's really good. Bikes, treadmills, cable machines, a leg press and dumbbells (up to 20kg).
Service was also good. The Iron in my room wasn't a steam iron, I called the front desk to ask for a steam iron and within 15mins Emily from housekeeping delivered me a brand new boxed steam iron. Not sure if they had it in a store room or she went out and bought one, but it was very much appreciated.

An incredible place to stay with stunning views. The staff are exceptionally welcoming and helpful, especially the breakfast lady and boy. I highly recommend this beautiful hotel!

Very nice city and clean hotel

The hotel location is excellent. The room was clean and comfortable. The staff were exceptional. Special commondation must be given to the manager Gregory Mouton. We had a small concern and he dealt with us professionally, fairly and with respect. We were very happy with our stay and will always consider Marriott because of this experience.

Our trip to Ghent was a last minute decision as we expected to stay 2 nights in Bruges before heading to Brussels to catch the Eurostar to London. Oh my, what an incredible decision to make a stop in Ghent and blow off a second night in Bruges.

Ghent was my favorite of the 4 cities we visited in Belgium (Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels). Please don't miss it if you get an opportunity.

From the moment I arrived at the hotel, management went out of their way to make sure our one night in Ghent was truly magical, thank you!

I booked a canal view room at the Marriott Ghent overlooking the Kornlei River. Admittedly, I wanted to stay at the 1898 Post Hotel, but the only room available was the loft at $1K a night (twice the price).

RM 131 had a fantastic view of the canal and other side of the Kornlei River buildings. It's actually a high first floor because the lobby is on the first floor.

The room was huge, the bed was the most comfortable bed ever - although we lucked out with comfortable beds in our two hotels in Amsterdam as well. The View was fantastic. The location was perfect.

Here are some tips for dining and bars (mostly given to me by staff of the Marriott but also by others in the city) for 24 hours in Ghent.

While there are a ton of restaurants on the river and close to the hotel, we wanted exceptional, so we dined at Bar Bask - it was a 35 min walk or a 5 min walk to the tram and 8 min on the tram- we walked because we wanted to see the city. The restaurant was divine and just the vibe we were looking for - get the oyster appetizer if you go and the Sunday for dessert. Two things I wouldn't have gotten but I did and they were to die for.

Here are more restaurants that were recommended to me if you are a foodie.
Bar Bask
Door 73
Brassierie Midi
Debra
Elders
Publiek

If you like low key cool bars/lounges- definitely the Cobbler across the street (river) at the 1898 Post Hotel - very cool, sublime drinks.
Piu di pie Bar, and Jigger Bar about a 10 min and 15 min walk from hotel

We also hit up some bars that the younger generation recommended like Missy Sippy Blues Jazz Bar and Hot Club Ghent Jazz bar.

The Little Red Lobster Cocktail Bar was very cool.
On the way home at night, we found our way walking through Graffiti alley by accident, but how cool was that at night. Strangely, I never once felt concerned for my safety in this city, which was delightful.

If you have young adults with you, send them to Aperotheek outside bar or Bar Des Ami's (both too young for us)

After a fantastic dinner, a night on the town, and a perfect restful sleep, we were excited to seize the day before heading to Brussels for the night.

We at at Paikhus for an early lunch- it was a beautiful space, but we both found the food lacking - 5/5 for ambience, 3/5 for food.

We went to St Bavo's Cathedral ( The Adoration of The Mystic Lamb is there).

We went to then to the Belfry of Ghent Tower- took the elevator up $15pp and walked the tight winding stairs down.

Then a stop at Chocolate Deduytschaever - the top ranked Chocolatier in Flanders

Then back to our side of the river by the Marriott, we took a canal cruise. I mention this particular side, because we took a cruise on the type of boats on the 1898 Post side and they are noisy and hard to hear. The canal boats on the Marriott side (about a 30 second walk past the Marriott on the canal are the boats we took with the fabulous guide Alan. The name on the boats said De Bootjes Van Gent, and also Rederij Dewaele on it in red letters. They were electric boats so they were very quiet.

We then hopped out, got our bags, got a recommendation for a hotel in Brussels and were on our way in a 20 min taxi back to the train station to catch an IC train to Brussels that evening.

Welcoming and friendly staff. The rooms are bed, clean and comfy bed, good size bathroom, great shower. Modern and clean rooms! Breakfast buffet was ok, but very expensive and minimal choices, but very friendly and polite staff. The hotel itself is perfectly located, walking distance of the shops, coffee shops and restaurants, also lovely view of the canal. Highly recommended and we will definitely be back!!

Enjoyed all aspects of hotel and surrounding area.

Loved our room. We splurged for a canal view and stayed in Rm 131. It was a high first floor with great canal views. We adored the staff and management who spent a generous amount of time guiding us on what to do for our 24 hrs I in town. The suggestions were perfect for a couple in their 50’s. We crossed the bridge for drinks at the beautiful 1898 Post Hotel Cobbler bar. Walked 35 min to Bar Bask for an incredible dinner. Stopped by several bars on the way home. Went to the top of the Belfry tower (by way of elevator) to see the city (had to walk back down the stairs). Went inside St Bavos Cathedral. Took a $10 canal tour with the magnificent Alan - the electric boats nearest the back of the Marriott are better than the noisy ones on the opposite side of the canal. Lunch @ Pakhuis was beautiful but just ok food. Absolutely loved the beauty, the people and the kindness of Ghent. My absolute favorite of the 4 cities we visited.

Front desk associate, Jasmin, was wonderful. She was working the desk and helping at the lobby bar.
Special anniversary dinner at the Midtown Grill was excellent. Our server, Axel, was EXCEPTIONAL. And, the food was very good.
Rest Mgr, Cosmo, was super.
Hotel location is perfect.
I would HIGHLY recommend this hotel.

great location!

Lovely clean hotel and very comfortable. Easy to access with safe accessible parking.

We did not stay at the hotel, just wanted to have a drink on the terrace. The drinks took 30 min to arrive. We would have left, but had ordered - and pre-paid - through a QR scan system on the table.
Pathetic service for a 4 star hotel.