From Ghent to Ostend

I just got back from some very nice couple of days in a one of the best hotels in Ostend, the one and only coastal city in Belgium, luring thousands of tourists to its shores each year. Ostend is a Belgian city located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. In earlier times, Ostend was a small village built on the east-end of an island (originally called Testerep) between the North Sea and a beach lake. The village rose to the status of "city" around 1265 when the a market hall was built. With wind never in short supply, modern Ostend has become a destination for kite surfers as well as an important port.

Nowadays, Ostend is a very popular seaside resort, famous for its sea-side esplanade, pier and fine beaches. It has six beaches around the city. No wonder so many people, whether they are business travellers, single or have families with children, decide to stay a weekend or longer (sometimes even an entire summer) in a hotel in Oostende. Famous tourist attractions Ostend has to offer include the James Ensor museum, showing where the artist lived from 1917 to 1949. The Mercator, a tall ship of the Belgian merchant fleet that has been converted into a maritime museum. And Fort Napoleon is a tourist attraction. But all tourists go mainly for the beaches!

A visit to Ostend is always exciting and spending your holiday in one of the many fine hotels Oostende is absolutely a great idea! Ostend is a great place with something for everyone. I have stayed in Brugge before and think it is better to stay in Ostend and visit Brugge on the train for the day. Brugge is lovely, but I feel you can easily see all there is in one day. It is only 15 mins on the train. Ostend is a fish lovers paradise. You have all the seafood stalls along the quayside.

Checking in in my hotel in Oostende was easy, the staff was very helpful. There was a small swimming pool and some very good breakfasts. Later I heard from a colleague that I chose one of the absolute best hotels in Oostende, I didn't even know so I guess I got very lucky! I was a great Ostend hotels with a balcony and sea view which was excellent this time of year. As for Ostend, simply relaxing to wander around and eat and drink at leisure, was all I did in this luxe hotel in Oostende...

Visit Ghent

Ghent

The City of King Charles of Spain

Ghent plays a significant role in the history of Belgium. During the Middle Ages the Ghent was a bigger city than Paris. Ghent is often called the Artevelde city. Johan van Artevelde was a revolusionist and voice of the people in Ghent and Flanders during the Middle Ages. You can find a statue of him on the Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Square) in the heart of the city. In the 16th century another important historical figure was born in Ghent: Charles V, the first King Charles of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor. At present, Ghent is a thriving city with a huge student communicty and economical activity.

Ghent does not enjoy the same international fame as Bruges, consequently it attracts much less tourists. Nevertheless, the Artevelde city offers an equally stunning historical centre, one that is not crammed with tourists. Instead, it is possible to relax in the uncountable squares and alleys. There is a wide variety of hotels in Ghent. The fact is, it is a must to spend your night in Ghent, because the city has a sparkling nightlife that you would not easily forget. During the high season, it is wise to book your hotel in Ghent beforehand.

Accommodation in Ghent centre

Hotel accommodation in Ghent

There is a wide variety ofhotels in Gent: from a big international hotel to a hotel for your family. Mostly, the hotels in Gent are situated in the heart of the city, so all main sights are within walking distance.

There are some very nice hotels in Ghent, for example, the Hotel de Flandre in Ghent. It consists of a 19th century town house in the heart of the historical centre. Or you can stay at the Hotel Cour Saint Georges, that gives on the the majestic City Hall of Ghent. These two hotels offer just as much charm as most of the hotels in Bruges.

Want to spend the night in Ghent or Bruges

Hotels in Bruges

Hotel Fevery has been a small family business for over 40 years. Hotel Fevery is located in the historical centre of Bruges, only a stone's throw away from the old Market and the charming Canals. The hotelrooms of Hotel Fevery are equipped with free WiFi and there is private parking at charge.

Hotel Azalea is also located in the city centre. The four starred Hotel Azalea is suitable for both tourists and businessmen. Every room in Hotel AzaleaHotel Azalea has a bathroom with a hair drier and toilet, vault, minibar, tv, tea and coffee.

Hotels in Ghent

Hotels in Ghent

Ghent River Hotel overlooks the old river Lys, which was the border of Ghent during the Middle Ages. What makes the River Hotel Gent unique, is that it can be reached by boat. The hotel is a historical site: a renaissance mansion and a rice-mill dating from the 19th century. If you spend the night at the Ghent River Hotel, you will be in the true heart of medieval Ghent, from where you can go to all the monuments and cultural sights.

Hotel Chamade is situated in a residential area of Ghent, close the St. Pieters railway station. You can get into the historic centre of Ghent by a 10 minute walk. Both businessmen and sightseers will fancy Hotel Chamade, since it is equipped with modern business facilities and the main cultural sights are within a walking distance. All hotelrooms in Hotel Chamade have a bathroom, tv, minibar and telephone.

Hotel Gravensteen in Ghent is situated in the heart of the city, just around the corner of the famous Castle of Counts (19th). Hotel Gravensteen is the perfect accomodation for a weekend of relaxation in the historical grandeur of Ghent. The hotelrooms can serve as an attractive location for your businessmeetings. If you stay at Hotel Gravensteen, visitors have parking space, fitness accomodations, Wifi, sauna and bar.

Visit around Ghent ...

From Ghent to ... ?

Ghent is situated rather centrally in the Flanders region. From here, you can visit a lot of other famous cities in no time.

Bruges, for example, is approximately a 30 minute ride by car from Ghent. It is not surprising that Bruges is the most famous city of Belgium. The medieval authenticity of the city centre is unique and of ravishing beauty. Spending the night in a hotel in Bruges is never a bad idea. For example, Hotel Sablon is a perfect location for a stay in the historical heart of Bruges.

Certainly worth the visit is the picturesque village Sint-Martens-Latem, just a few kilometres away from Ghent. Sint-Martens-Latem offers green areas for walking, cycling or just relaxing at the branch of the Old Lys. Sint-Martens-Latem is well known for its writers and painters who came here to find peace and inspiration. If you want to enjoy the peace for longer than just one day, you can stay at Auberge du Pêcheur. This hotel is located at the restful banks of the river Lys.

Don't forget to visit the capital city of Belgium and Europe: Brussels. It is only a half an hour drive from Ghent. Brussels is a metropolis in comparison to Bruges or Ghent. Still, Brussels, too has a magnificent historical centre. Apart from that, the city holds a treasure of first class Art Nouveau architecture. You can spend the night in one of the many hotels in Brussels and taste the multicultural ambiance of the city. For example, the new Hotel Marivaux offers affordable prices. You can of course choose for real peace and quiet and stay at the Hotel St. Nicolas. Or lastly, the Centrale Hotel is the perfect location if you intend to visit as much of Brussels as possible, because of the ideal location in the historical centre of the city.