B&B The Verhaegen

Rooms

There are 5 bedrooms and 4 large and impressive suites spread across the 18th-century mansion and the newly restored 17th-century extensions at the end of the garden.

All mansion rooms have original 18th-century mantels, dramatic high ceilings and elaborate cornicing, but they are completely different in décor, with bright colour washes and handpicked antiques (parchment leather washstands, vintage screens, marble tabletops). Retro touches, like Roberts radios and modernist art, act as a clever counterpoint and add a lived-in feel.

The aptly named Cosy is very private, tucked up in the eaves with a bath hidden in a cupboard. Tranquil Paola’s Room (the Junior Suite) overlooks the manicured garden. Its sitting room is decorated in vibrant hues of red, and quirky artwork - a 'Pasta' poster by the French artist Razzia - hangs above the old fireplace. It also has an illustrious history: the Queen of Belgium stayed here as a young princess. For complete and utter decadence, splurge on the enormous Suite Années '40. It's airy and luxurious, with grey and cream walls, a private reading room and a lovely balcony.

We stayed in a Deluxe, named 'La Chambre des Amoureux' due to its romantic appeal. A cosy nest for couples, it's the highest part of the house and has a hugely spacious ensuite bathroom with twin basins, floor-to-ceiling mirrors and a generous bath. The grand four-poster kingsize bed had the softest sheets I've ever slept in, and clever placement of lamps kept the room feeling warm and romantic - Jan and Marc's interior intuition coming into play again.

In a buttercup-yellow stable house at the end of the garden are four more opulent suites: beautiful (and enormous) Atelier d’Arthur Suites, which have the best views and come with kitchens so you can self-cater. The Family Suite has one double and one twin bedroom, plus plenty of living space for a family of 4. There's another Cosy room, too, which can be combined with one of the Atelier Suites to form a 2-bedroom apartment.

Bathrooms have big tubs, waterfall showers, complimentary Floris products, marble finishes and exclusive taps, often in silver or gold. Minibars hide a selection of fine wines and champagne.

Guests are encouraged to make use of the gorgeous communal areas, which go way beyond anything you’d expect to find in a B&B. The Grand and Dining Salons are magnificent with fabulous furnishings, while the serene and fragrant garden is the perfect spot for a cup of tea. Despite the grandeur, these areas feel lived-in and loved; piles of books are casually stacked in corners and on tabletops, and toys litter the floor here and there in the wake of Tomba the dog's play. In all of its opulence and finesse, it is easy to forget that this is someone's home, but these little reminders breathe life into this historic monument.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Fan
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Marc and Jan's scrupulous attention to detail continues at breakfast, where perfectly cooked eggs are served in a cloche and fresh bread and flaky French pastries bulge out of their baskets. I washed my scrambled eggs down with freshly squeezed orange juice, to a soundtrack of soothing classical symphonies. The Dining Salon is stunning; a heavy chandelier takes centre stage above original herringbone wood floors, 250-year-old Rococo murals by Pierre Norbert van Reysschoot adorn the walls, and a log fire burns in winter. It is quite expensive to have breakfast here, but it all felt suitably ceremonial. If you're tempted to linger in bed, ask for breakfast to be delivered to your room. Dietary requirements can be catered for - just ask.

If you're staying in one of the Suites Atelier d’Arthur you get a little kitchen for self-catering, which is complete with a fridge, oven and dishwasher. There's a dining table in the living area.

Ghent’s restaurant culture is booming, with a number of Michelin-starred restaurants continuing to spring up around the city. Generally, the cuisine revolves around local seafood and you're an easy stroll from an eclectic mix of bars and eateries. On Jan Breydelstraat, The House of Eliot is a 1920s-style brassiere recommended for its lobster menu. Down in the 14th-century Patershol quarter there are some great fish restaurants. A Flemish staple is waterzooi (a stew made with fish or chicken) and this can be sampled at many restaurants, including the well-known Pakhuis - an industrial-chic former warehouse. Jan and Marc will spend time going through the top spots in the city at check-in, so listen out for their recommendations.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Communal dining
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Stroll along the canal to the Graslei, Belgium’s most famous quay. It’s only a 5-minute walk to the busy medieval port with its lively restaurants and specialised old merchant shops
  
• Ghent is famous for its splendid 18th-century Flemish architecture, dating from its textile-trade past. Marc and Jan can organise a private guided tour of the historic centre
  
• The SMAK museum holds a world-class collection of contemporary art, including Hockneys and Warhols
  
• St Bavo’s Cathedral is a must, with 3 impressive towers and a Rococo pulpit built from Danish oak. It’s worth the token entrance fee just to see The Adoration of the Lamb altar piece - one of the finest examples of religious art
  
• Head to Zwarte Zusterstr for clothing boutiques and artisan products. Recommended shops include Volderstraat, Henegouwenstraat and Vlaanderenstraat
  
• Listen to jazz and admire the art at the Hotsy Totsy Club, just down the road from the hotel. Over 30 years old, it's popular with artists and photographers
  
• Check out the Parisian-style second-hand book market of Ajuinlei, located along the Lys. Hunt down some old classics or stock up on vintage postcards and records
  
• While in Ghent, it would be wrong not to sample the mouthwatering chocolates at patisserie Joost Arijs. The owner used to work in the famous Michelin-star restaurant Hof van Cleve and his cookies are sublime

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Children are welcome and will love the fairytale vibe and friendly dog, although it's not an obvious choice for a family stay. It's probably best suited to babies or older children. Baby cots/extra beds are available.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

There's a Family Suite with two bedrooms (one double, one twin) and a living area. The Suites Atelier d’Arthur have kitchens for self-catering. A few rooms can fit a baby cot; the Suite Annees '40 can fit a rollaway bed. Some rooms can be combined to form large private suites.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

B&B The Verhaegen is situated in the centre of Ghent (Gent), northern Belgium. It's at a crossroards between Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. The easiest way to get here is by train.

By Air:
The nearest airport is Brussels International (50km). Or you can fly into Lille in France and cross the border.

From the Airport
Taxis are available from Brussels airport (likely to cost around EUR100) or you can hire a car.

By Car:
We would not recommend driving here - it’s far easier to take the Eurostar or train, then a taxi, bus or tram. However, if you do want to drive, see our car rental recommendations. If you're hiring a car from Lille, check you're OK to take it into Belgium. The hotel has private garages which can be used by guests for an additional fee.

By Train:
You can reach Ghent by rail from across Europe; if travelling from the UK by Eurostar, rail travel around Belgium is often included in the price. Gent Sint-Pieters station is a 15-minute taxi ride from B&B The Verhaegen.

Getting Around:
Ghent is best seen by foot and the hotel is perfectly placed for walking around the centre. The tram network is a good way to get a more scenic tour of the city.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.