NH Collection Ghent Hotel Review: Is It Worth Staying Here?

When I planned a surprise winter weekend getaway for my husband’s birthday, I wanted a hotel in Ghent that was central, comfortable, and modern. NH Collection Ghent ticked all the boxes.

It’s right in the historic center, with the Christmas market and Ghent’s main landmarks just steps away.

It wasn’t the cheapest stay, though. So the real question is: was it actually worth the splurge?

Here’s what to expect from the rooms, location, and overall vibe — and whether I’d recommend it for your own city break in Ghent.

Aerial view of Ghent’s Saint Bavo's Cathedral towering over a bustling Christmas market filled with festive lights and decorated stalls.

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Quick Verdict: Should You Stay at NH Collection Hotel in Ghent?

Absolutely! If you want a comfortable place close to all the main sights, NH Collection is a great pick, especially if you’re visiting for the Christmas Market. The rooms are spacious and modern, and the staff are friendly and attentive. I’d gladly stay here again.

→ Check current rates & availability

Table of Contents

NH Collection Ghent Location

NH Collection sits on Hoogpoort Street, right in the middle of Ghent’s old town, and honestly, you couldn’t ask for a better base.

For starters, the hotel is right across from the Stadshuis, with its ornate Gothic facade. Walk a few steps further, and you’ll hit Sint-Baafsplein. Here you’ll find a cluster of key sights: the Belfry (a UNESCO-listed tower), St. Bavo’s Cathedral (the oldest parish church in the city), and the Royal Dutch Theatre.

Street view of Ghent’s iconic Belfry tower and Saint Nicholas’ Church with people walking along tram tracks on a damp winter day.

Detailed Gothic facade of Ghent’s Stadhuis (City Hall) with pointed arches, carved statues, and intricate stonework above a wet brick square.

The square itself is lined with restaurants and shops, and in December, it’s home to the Christmas market. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, pop into Chocolaterie Luc Van Hoorebeke. It’s right next to Bluet (another lovely pitstop), and definitely one of the prettiest floral shops I’ve ever seen.

A few minutes’ walk in the other direction brings you to St. Nicholas’ Church, which looks like it belongs in a Harry Potter film. The Korenmarkt is right next door, and one of the most impressive examples of Scheldt Gothic architecture in Ghent. Nearly 1,000 years ago, this was where grain was traded after arriving along the city’s rivers.

Row of decorative buildings in Ghent with a standout facade featuring bright red-framed windows and festive storefronts below.

Entrance to a Christmas market with a festive Santa decoration in front of the Gothic entrance to Saint Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent.

When we visited, the square was full of food stalls and vendors selling all kinds of Christmas treats. If you’re here outside the festive season, there are a bunch of great bars and restaurants along Klein Turkije. Moris is great for cocktails, and Giuseppe’s is one of the city’s best pizza spots.

You’re also close to Graffiti Street, a short alley worth a quick detour if you’re into street art. For breakfast, Mi Garba is a nice little café with fresh croissants and strong coffee. And if you’re in the mood for Belgian beer, both Trollekelder and Dulle Griet are great local pubs.

You can easily walk to Ghent’s most photogenic spots too, including the Castle of the Counts, Old Fish Market, Saint Michael’s Bridge, and the twin canals of Graslei and Korenlei.

Historic guild houses along the Korenlei reflected in the canal, with market stalls and crowds on a cloudy afternoon in Ghent.

Getting There & Parking

We drove in from the Netherlands, and if you’re planning to rent a car or also road-trip to Ghent, it’s good to know that there’s underground parking right below the hotel.

You don’t need to reserve a spot in advance, but reaching the car park is a bit of a mission. The parking entrance isn’t actually on Hoogpoort Street, the street right in front of the hotel. It’s actually off limits for most vehicles, and unless you’ve got a local permit, you can’t drive on it. Since the hotel sits in Ghent’s low-emission zone (LEZ), you’ll want to double-check that your car’s allowed before entering; otherwise, you risk a €150 fine. You can do that online here.

To actually reach the garage, you’ll need to enter via Onderstraat. Here’s the location on Google Maps, but honestly, I’d recommend emailing the hotel for the directions in advance. Waze didn’t quite get it right for us, and we ended up on the wrong street more than once.

Parking costs €30 per 24 hours for hotel guests (a decent discount from the standard €60/day). Just make sure not to lose your parking ticket.

One thing I really appreciated was that the hotel let us leave the car parked a few extra hours after check-out at no charge. It was a lovely way to squeeze in a bit more exploring before heading back home.

If you’re arriving by train or combining your trip with other Belgian favorites like Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, or Dinant, Sint-Pieters Station is about a 40-minute walk or a 20-minute tram ride away. The closest tram stop is just a 4-minute walk from the hotel.

Modern tram passing Saint Nicholas Church in Ghent with the Belfry tower in the background on a wet cobbled street.

Visiting Ghent soon? Browse my favorite trip essentials:

Stay connected: I recommend setting up an eSIM for Europe before you land. It works in Belgium and most of Europe, so you don’t have to switch SIMs if you’re visiting more than one country.
Travel insurance: Don’t skip it. I use SafetyWing for simple, affordable coverage.
Tours worth booking:
→ Cruise through Ghent’s medieval center on a 50-minute guided boat trip
→ Want something hands-on (and tasty)? Try this Waffles ‘n Beer workshop.
→ First time in town? The Legends of Ghent walking tour is a fun way to see the main sights and learn about the city’s history.

Our Room

NH Collection is a fairly large hotel with over 170 rooms spread across several floors, ranging from superior and premium rooms to suites, so there’s something for every budget and trip style.

Close-up of stacked white pillows on a neatly made bed with a rust-colored headboard in the Superior Room at NH Collection Hotel Ghent.

We stayed in a Superior Room on the third floor, which measured 35 m². It felt a bit smaller than I expected, and the lack of a big window was a little disappointing for the price.

Still, it was comfortable for two people and had enough space for our luggage. That’s not always guaranteed in Europe, especially in historic city centers. Even without a large window, we had a lovely little nook that had a charming view of the alley below.

Curved orange velvet chair in the corner of a softly lit hotel room, placed near a tall window.

Rooftop and alley view from the Superior Room window at NH Collection Ghent, overlooking narrow cobbled streets and historic buildings.

Aside from the window, the room lived up to its 4-star rating. It came with a comfy king-size bed with good linens, a 50″ flatscreen TV, strong wifi, a safe, a L’OR Barista coffee machine (always a win), and a mini fridge stocked with a surprisingly good selection of goodies — Gentse Strop, bubbly, soft drinks, and even Toblerone.

We also had a two-seater sofa, a marble coffee table, and a reading lamp, which made for a comfy spot to relax.

Tan leather sofa with two beige pillows next to a black round table and a modern floor lamp in a cozy hotel room nook.

Hotel room coffee station with a sleek black espresso machine, two white textured espresso cups on saucers, and a matte black kettle.

The bathroom had a spacious walk-in rainfall shower with strong pressure and consistent hot water (plus shower controls that didn’t require an engineering degree, which is always a bonus in my books).

I also liked the big, fluffy towels and the well-lit mirror. The toiletries smelled great, too.

Modern hotel bathroom with walk-in rain shower, round illuminated mirror, and black countertop with a white vessel sink.

Mounted set of NH Collection green tea toiletries, including shower gel, conditioner, and shampoo, on a chrome shelf in the shower.

Overall, we really liked our room. It was functional, well laid out, and felt clean, modern, and well-maintained.

→ See more photos and room options

Breakfast & Dining

Breakfast at NH Collection Ghent costs €25 per person if you book it the day before, or €27 if you just show up in the morning. It’s definitely not cheap. But considering that a nice brunch at a café in town can easily cost €30 per person, it actually works out to be a fair deal, especially if you’re hungry and like having lots of choice.

We didn’t try the hotel breakfast this time because we were set on checking out Luv L’oeuf (which was great, by the way). That said, from everything I’ve read, the hotel gets consistently glowing reviews for its breakfast spread. There’s a full buffet, plus several à la carte options, including Belgian waffles — always a pretty great way to start the day.

One thing that stood out to me is that breakfast runs until 12 pm, which is later than many hotels and ideal if you like a slow start.

If you’d rather keep things easy in the evening and don’t feel like heading back out, the hotel also has an on-site bar and restaurant called Grand Café Van Artevelde. We just popped in out of curiosity, and it looked cozy and inviting, with a relaxed vibe.

Tall wooden table surrounded by cushioned bar stools in a softly lit hotel lounge near tall velvet curtains.

Modern hotel lobby seating area with pale curved armchairs, cushioned stools, and a long tan bench under soft ambient lighting.

Staff & Facilities

Service was one of the highlights of our stay.

The staff were genuinely friendly and helpful. Check-in was easy, and everyone, from reception to housekeeping, greeted us warmly and made us feel welcome. I really appreciated how the front desk helped me pull off a little surprise dessert platter for my husband’s birthday, too. It was such a sweet touch, and he was properly surprised.

The hotel also has several great facilities, including a fully equipped gym, a sauna, and a lovely outdoor courtyard that looks like a great spot for a drink in warmer months.

The lobby and lounge were another highlight for me. There’s plenty of comfortable seating, along with thoughtful extras like flavored water and jars of sweets, which were surprisingly popular with guests, us included.

Lobby refreshment station at NH Collection Ghent with infused water, glassware, bottled drinks, and jars of candy next to a welcome sign.

What to Know Before You Book

When you check in, the hotel holds €32 as a deposit on your card. You’ll also need to pay a city tax of €3.50 per person, per night. This is set by the city of Ghent, not the hotel, and most accommodations in town are required to collect it. It’s not included in the room rate, so just something to keep in mind when you’re budgeting.

If you’re visiting during a busy time like the holiday season, I’d recommend booking a few months in advance. I left it a bit late and definitely paid more than I would have if I’d planned better.

Large mural featuring historical figures in military attire and period dress on the side of a building in central Ghent.

Fluffy Belgian waffle dusted with powdered sugar, topped with a bowl of warm cherry compote and served with vanilla ice cream at In Choc in Ghent.

Final Thoughts: Is the NH Collection Hotel in Ghent Worth It?

If you want to stay right in Ghent’s historic center, NH Collection is a fantastic option. It’s an easy base for sightseeing, and being close to the Christmas market in December is a big plus.

I’ll admit, the room rate felt a bit high for a one-night stay. I paid just over €240, and we didn’t get the fancy view I’d hoped for, but for a one-night splurge or a special occasion, I still think it was worth it.

The room was comfortable, the location couldn’t be better, and the staff added a personal touch that made a difference.

I’d definitely stay here again. Just next time, I’ll book a bit earlier to get a better rate.

Neatly made bed with white linens and a padded rust-colored headboard, flanked by dark nightstands and soft wall lighting.

FAQs

Is NH Collection Ghent well located for sightseeing?

Yes. The hotel is in the historic center, within easy walking distance of the canals, main squares, and key landmarks.

Is it quiet at night?

Yes. Despite the central location, the rooms are well insulated, and we slept well during our stay.

Does the hotel have parking?

Yes, but parking is paid and limited. There’s an on-site underground garage that operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is NH Collection Ghent a good choice during the Christmas market season?

Absolutely. The Christmas market is just a few minutes’ walk away.

Is NH Collection Ghent worth the price?

If you’re looking for a central location near all the major sights, then yes, definitely. You’re paying for comfort, service, and an accessible base right in the historic center.

Who is this hotel best suited for?

Couples, families, and anyone visiting Ghent on a short city break who want to stay within walking distance of the main sights.

→ Check current prices and availability for your dates

I hope this review helped you decide if this hotel is right for you. Enjoy your time in Ghent.

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