Ghent Marriott Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
Ghent Marriott is the international 5-star with the best view in town — river-side rooms that look onto Korenlei after dark.
Ghent Marriott is the international 5-star with the best view in town — river-side rooms that look onto Korenlei after dark.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The 149 rooms split into river-side and street-side, and the difference matters. River View rooms add roughly $30-45 a night but look onto Korenlei, the old quay, and the medieval Korenbrug bridge that gets lit up after dark — most guests who pay the extra call it worth it. Standard rooms run 28-32 sqm in clean, functional modern Marriott style. The lobby opens out in glass onto the water, the boat moorings, and the line of Flemish facades across the river.
Food and amenities
Midtown Grill is the main restaurant, and it opens a terrace on the Leie in summer — the menu leans toward steak and European seafood, and reviews rate both the food and the view well. The Poppi Coffee & Wine Bar in the lobby is a popular stop for a morning coffee or an evening glass of wine. The fitness center is fully equipped and open 24 hours. On the work side, there are 9 meeting rooms and a business center, which makes this a default pick for people coming to Ghent on business, and you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points here.
Location and getting there
It is a 3-minute walk to Graslei, the prettiest historic quay in the city, 5 minutes to Gravensteen Castle, and 10 minutes to St. Bavo's Cathedral. The main station, Ghent-Sint-Pieters, sits about 2 km away. The overall guest score lands at 8.8/10, with reviews calling out the location, the cleanliness, and the dependable Marriott service.
Things to know before booking
There is no swimming pool here, unlike a couple of the other 5-star options in town. Parking is underground but expensive at $59 a day — a cheaper public car park nearby is the better call. And lower-floor street-side rooms can pick up some street noise, so it is worth booking up to a river view if quiet matters to you.
Our take
Ghent Marriott is the easy choice if you want a recognized international 5-star brand, a genuinely good riverfront view, and full business facilities. Rooms start around $205 a night, and a River View room over Korenlei at night is the reason to book here over the alternatives.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- River-facing rooms look onto Korenlei and the medieval Korenbrug bridge, which is lit up beautifully at night.
- Dependable international Marriott standard — clean rooms, solid service, and a predictable experience.
- Midtown Grill is the riverside restaurant, and it opens a terrace on the Leie in summer for steak and European seafood.
- Full fitness center, the Poppi Coffee Bar in the lobby, and 9 meeting rooms plus a business center make it work-trip friendly.
- Just a 3-minute walk to Graslei, the most beautiful historic quay in the city, with Gravensteen Castle 5 minutes further.
- There is no swimming pool, which sets it apart from some of the other 5-star options.
- Underground parking is steep at $59 a day — cheaper public car parks nearby are worth a look.
- Lower-floor street-side rooms can pick up some noise, so it is worth paying up for a river view.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Ghent
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Insider Tips
- Book a "River View" or "Deluxe River View" room — the difference from the street-side rooms is large, well worth the roughly $30-45 extra a night.
- Have dinner on the Leie terrace around sunset in summer (close to 9 pm) — it is the best time for the view.
- Use Marriott Bonvoy points if you have them; in high season redeeming points often beats paying cash.