An Honest Look at Ghent’s Marriott: Location Excellent, Service Lacking
About Me
Hi, I’m Ralu, a passionate traveller who traded routine for the thrill of exploring the world. What began as a simple getaway soon turned into a journey of discovery, shaping Making Miles and Memories into what it is today. From stunning landscapes and hidden gems to local cultures and travel tips, I hope to inspire your next journey.
About Me
Hi, I’m Ralu, a passionate traveller who traded routine for the thrill of exploring the world. What began as a simple getaway soon turned into a journey of discovery, shaping Making Miles and Memories into what it is today.
From stunning landscapes and hidden gems to local cultures and travel tips, I hope to inspire your next journey.
Introduction
This time, we ventured to the charming city of Ghent, Belgium, and chose the Marriott Ghent as our base. The hotel’s location was a major plus, giving us easy access to the lively city centre and ensuring we were always close to the action, day or night. On top of that, the bed and pillows were incredibly comfortable, giving us a restful night’s sleep.
One interesting tidbit we learned during our stay is that the hotel has a bit of a colourful past—it once served as a brothel. The exterior still features an emblem of two swans facing each other, a nod to its cheeky history.
Arrival and First Impressions
Upon entering the hotel, we were greeted by a striking interior lobby adorned with glass, infusing the space with modernity and brightness. The check-in process was a breeze, with no lengthy queues, ensuring a quick and efficient start to our stay.
Marriott Gent’s prime location on the main canal of the River Leie, right in the heart of Ghent, proved to be a strategic choice. It placed us within mere steps of the city’s historical centre, granting us easy access to Ghent’s most iconic attractions. This proximity became the cornerstone of our exploration.
The Accommodation
Our room at Marriott Ghent was clean but felt somewhat dated. The view from our window was uninspiring, mainly overlooking nearby rooftops. The bathroom, while small, was well-maintained.
However, one major drawback was the parking situation. On-site parking came at a steep 40 EUR per night, which felt excessive, especially considering nearby garages offer the same for less than half the price. We later discovered that booking directly through the hotel’s website grants a 50% discount on parking—a detail we wished we had known earlier. It would have been helpful if the hotel reception had informed us of this at check-in, rather than trying to charge us the full price. But as you’ll see later, this isn’t the only area where Marriott Ghent falls short. In the end, we chose a nearby indoor parking facility, which charged us a reasonable 22 EUR for our two-night stay.
As for room amenities, the lack of accessible sockets next to the bed was a bit inconvenient, especially for those who like to scroll through their phones before sleep, or who use their phone as an alarm and want to charge it overnight. If you have to walk across the room every nine minutes to snooze, it pretty much defeats the purpose of trying to get a few extra minutes of sleep. The furniture was also a bit worn, and although the room included a kettle with tea and instant coffee, there was no water to actually make the drinks. This was especially frustrating given that the mini bar was empty, leaving us without a cold drink after arriving on a sweltering 33-degree day. As you’ll see later, water and coffee seem to be in short supply at Marriott Ghent.
Culinary Delights
The bar area was nice, However, we were disappointed to find that the grand piano was there just as a display, so there was no live music to enjoy.
We also had a frustrating experience trying to get a simple cup of coffee. Late at night, after 11 PM, the bar staff informed us that the coffee machine had already been cleaned, and they refused to sell us a coffee, even though the bar was still open.
They pointed us to an instant coffee station down the hall, but it was out of service and lacked milk. When we asked for milk, it seemed too much of an inconvenience to the staff. The next morning, the coffee station was still out of milk, so we ended up without coffee, again, which was a letdown. After these experiences, we decided to skip breakfast at the hotel, so I can’t comment on the food.
What I can tell you is that if service is any indication of quality here, it is probably best we chose to skip it. Unless they had coffee.
Conclusion
The staff’s friendliness and attention to detail were lacking, which detracted from the overall experience.
Would I return? Probably not. At 248 EUR per night, it’s not the worst deal, but you will, without a doubt, find better value elsewhere in Ghent.
We have been to the city many times, but I found other hotels in Ghent that, despite costing less, provided friendlier service.
Location
The only category where this hotel excels is the location. In the heart of the old town of Gent, you are within walking distance of the city’s most exciting tourist spots.
Price
At 248 EUR per night via Booking.com, the cost isn’t outrageous, but for what you get, it is significantly overpriced. Considering the service and amenities, I’d give it a 5 out of 10 for value.
Venue
The hotel doesn’t offer much in terms of facilities, and the room furniture could definitely use an update. We also faced challenges with getting a simple cup of coffee, which was quite disappointing. Given our experience, it’s hard to believe there was no water or milk available anywhere in the hotel. How can this be the case at a Marriott? Overall, I’d rate the venue 5 out of 10.
Relaxation
The rooms were quiet, which was a plus, but there aren’t any spa or relaxation facilities available. For a short stay, that doesn’t matter, but the staff attitude counts more, I’d rate it 2 out of 10.
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While the location and the hotel’s interesting history are appealing, there’s significant room for improvement in both service and amenities.
ralu
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