While it's not the most elegant place that I've ever stayed and it really is in need of updating, I…read morejust keep coming back to this place every time I'm working with our Benelux partner. My Belgian colleague lives near Gent and this a very convenient place for him to pick me up (much more so than going into the city). But beyond that, it serves as a much more cost-effective and convenient base for the time that I spend in Flanders.
Beyond the fact that this location works well for my colleague, it is also convenient to public transportation. I can fly to Brussels (or Amsterdam for that matter), take a train to Gent St. Pieter's and take Tram 1 to its terminal point at Gent Expo where it is less than a five-minute walk to the hotel. I can get there in a car-free manner which is a huge benefit in Belgium. On the flip side, if I want to go into Gent for dinner or to see the sights, it is a simple 20-minute tram ride to city center without changes (about 10 or 12 minutes to St. Pieter's). And I have to say that the fact that I love Gent and that it's one of my favorite cities in Europe adds to the overall general positive feeling about this place.
Part of the reason I keep coming back is the fact that the staff are very friendly and accommodating. The restaurant is also pretty good with a nice breakfast buffet and a decent dinner menu. It's built in the old Holiday Inn atrium style, which is nostalgic in a way, though I don't yearn for much in the way of 70s and 80s nostalgia. The rooms are very clean and well kept but the wooden cabinets and accessories in the room again scream 20th century. They could really use an update. On the other hand, they do offer a couple of interesting amenities including a pool table in the lobby lounge. They also have a full bar at the restaurant if you feel like just hanging around the hotel instead of going into town.
Aside from the convenience and accommodating staff, the other attractive thing here is the price. It is a very cost-effective option. Most of the time, I can get a rate between 100€ and 150€. My last stay was closer to 190€ with breakfast because of the cycling event in town. But that is not the norm. You also have to watch the events at the Expo and navigate around those, but that's not that difficult, really.
In general, I would say this hotel is a very good choice if you are visiting the wonderful city of Gent. The hotel location itself is not so exciting (unless you like IKEA, which is located across the parking lot). However, it offers easy access to the train station and the city and the staff are easy to work with. And a major plus is the fact that the price is right and you get your IHG points as well. It's a good choice for your visit to Gent.