1898 The Post
by the TopOfHotel team
1898 The Post is the prettiest boutique hotel in Ghent — a Victorian post office reworked into something that feels like nowhere else in Belgium.
1898 The Post is the prettiest boutique hotel in Ghent — a Victorian post office reworked into something that feels like nowhere else in Belgium.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
1898 The Post sits in a Flemish neo-Gothic post office built in 1898, reworked into a 5-star boutique in 2017 with the original bones left intact — stone arches, tall windows and a wrought-iron spiral staircase. The 38 rooms were designed by Piet Boon Studio, with ceilings over 3.5 metres, deep-green walls set against pale wood, and hand-picked vintage furniture. No two rooms are exactly alike. The higher Deluxe rooms look out at the old church spires — a view several guests say they could stare at all day — and bathrooms come in marble and brass with strong rain showers.
Food and amenities
The ground-floor bar, The Cobbler, is the standout that locals and visitors both know. Tall arched windows frame three of the old town's church spires, and the cocktail list leans on gin — Belgium has a few good distilleries to draw on. Breakfast is served à la carte with fresh pastries, Flemish custard and Ghent waffles. Because the hotel is small at 38 rooms, service feels genuinely personal: staff recognise guests and point you to local restaurants that aren't tourist traps.
Location and getting there
Almost nothing in Ghent beats this address. It's a 2-minute walk to Korenmarkt, the main square, and about 5 minutes to Graslei, the historic waterfront on the Leie. Gravensteen Castle is 8 minutes on foot and St. Bavo's Cathedral another 5 — you won't need a car the whole trip. Ghent-Sint-Pieters station is about 2 km away, or a few minutes on tram line 1; from there it's roughly 30 minutes to Brussels and another 30 to Bruges.
Things to know before booking
The Superior rooms start around $229 a night and run small by European standards, though they're laid out cleverly enough that they don't feel cramped; Deluxe and Suite rooms give you more space and usually better views. With only 38 rooms, high season fills fast, so book two to three months ahead. There's no pool and no spa, and no on-site parking — you'll need a paid car park nearby if you drive.
Our take
This is the prettiest place to stay in Ghent, full stop. Guests rate it around 9.2/10 and keep coming back to the same point — the atmosphere feels unlike anywhere else in Belgium. If you want a 5-star room with spa and pool, look elsewhere; if you want a historic building, an unbeatable old-town location and a bar worth staying in for, this is the one.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The best location in Ghent — a 2-minute walk to Korenmarkt and roughly 5 minutes to Graslei, so you never need a car the whole trip.
- A genuine 1898 post-office building, converted to a 5-star boutique in 2017 with the original stone arches, tall windows and wrought-iron spiral staircase kept intact. Ceilings run over 3.5 metres.
- The Cobbler bar on the ground floor is a local landmark in its own right, with tall arched windows looking out at three of the old town's church spires and a gin-led cocktail menu.
- All 38 rooms were designed by Piet Boon Studio and no two are exactly alike — deep-green walls against pale wood, hand-picked vintage furniture, marble-and-brass bathrooms.
- Reviewers single out the welcome — warm, personal, and the kind of staff who know your face and steer you to local spots that aren't tourist traps.
- With only 38 rooms it sells out quickly in high season — book two to three months ahead if you have firm dates.
- There is no pool and no spa, so if wellness is the point of your stay this isn't the address.
- No on-site parking; you'll have to use a paid car park nearby, which is awkward if you're arriving by car.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Ghent
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Ghent — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in GhentAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Book a Deluxe room on the 3rd or 4th floor — those have the best views out to the church spires.
- The Cobbler opens at 16:00; arrive before the locals fill it up around 19:00 to get a window seat.
- Leave your bags at the desk after check-out and you can wander the old town for another half-day.