Is Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere a good base for exploring Ghent?

Yes, Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere is an excellent base for exploring Ghent. The city's main sights are all within a short walk: St Michael's Bridge is 4 minutes away, the Castle of the Counts and the Belfry of Gent are each 7 minutes, and St Bavo's Cathedral is 9 minutes on foot. A bit further, STAM - Ghent City Museum is a 12-minute walk, and the Museum voor Schone Kunsten is 21 minutes away. For anything beyond that, the city's pedestrian-friendly centre and nearby tram stops make getting around easy. You can start your day at the hotel's lounge bar, Bar Poortackere, and head out to explore from there.

Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere Ghent: Location & Reviews

Name: Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere
Address: Oude Houtlei 56, Ghent, 比利时

Guest reviews

4.1Very good(1,085)

Excellent536
Good330
Average117
Poor34
Terrible68

What guests say about…

Property
Service
Location
Sleep
Breakfast
Atmosphere

Guests like

Location: Guests praise the central yet peaceful setting, close to the historic centre and easy to explore on foot.
Unique Ambience: Reviews highlight the unique setting in a converted monastery, with charming interior and atmospheric spaces like the church and bar.
Comfort and Breakfast: Several guests note the comfortable beds and the quality of the breakfast spread, calling it a feast.

Guests mention

Layout Note: The hotel's converted monastery layout includes stairs throughout, so guests note it may be worth asking about room accessibility when booking.
Breakfast Timing: Some guests report the breakfast area can be busy, with staff directing diners to the garden, so an earlier start may be more relaxed.
Room Choice: Reviews mention that some rooms are newly refurbished while others feel less updated, so requesting a renovated room at check-in could help.

Summary for your reference

Reviews from

Mikel P

4/5

Google· 4 months ago

Good hotel, with lovely location and with more charming in the storytelling than in reallity. Perfect for a 2-3day stay to discover the city, with correct rooms and bathroom. Service is not so welcoming, they did not let us finish the breakfast (send us to the garden) but they did not clean the table…nonsense. Also the cool place to eat (refractory) is not available.

Alison Van Demmer

5/5

Google· 2 months ago

This was probably the most unique hotel I have stayed in. Being in a converted church/monastery, the layout is fascinating (think stairs everywhere), but the rooms are updated and quite comfortable. The location could be a touch closer to the centre/action of Ghent, but it's totally walkable. The breakfast is spectacular - the best I've ever had at a hotel!

Patricia Lenaghan

5/5

Google· 5 months ago

Absolutely loved my five night stay at Monasterium PoortAckere. Brilliant location. Quick walk to historical squares, beautiful bridges over the canals, imposing churches and the counts castle. Yet a peaceful oasis. The breakfasts are a feast and the small bar a lovely place to wind down after a day of sight seeing. Many rooms are newly refurbished. My bed was super comfy and the Rombouts coffee in the rooms a treat. Im grateful at the effort on preserving and repurposing this beautiful heritage building.

Ole Gauteplass

4/5

Google· 2 months ago

Very cozy and interesting hotel interior and exterior. Great location for walking into the city center. Affordable parking on site. Skip the breakfast though it is too expensive for what you get.

B Loic

5/5

Google· 6 months ago

Stayed here for one night with my partner and honestly it exceeded expectations. The Monasterium is exactly what the name suggests — a converted convent right in the heart of Ghent, and the building itself is stunning. Walking in feels like stepping into somewhere that has no business being a hotel, in the best possible way. High ceilings, stone walls, that particular kind of quiet you only find in places that were built for silence. Our room was on the third floor, flooded with natural light, calm and genuinely comfortable. The bed was the kind you don't want to leave in the morning — which made the breakfast situation a real internal conflict. Because the breakfast buffet is worth getting up for. Generous, well put together, nothing to complain about. We took our time with it. The team was warm throughout — the kind of welcome that feels genuine rather than scripted, which makes a real difference. If you're spending a night in Ghent and want somewhere with actual character rather than just a clean room, this is it.

Trip.com Member

4.5/5

Trip.com· 4 months ago

We stayed for 2 nights. The location is perfect, just a few minutes walk to the city centre, however tre environments is quiet and secluded. Aber there's a church inside, makes it so special, different from the other hotel. Breakfast is fine, and diners can have their breakfast in the garden. Nice stay!

L-

Lina -

3/5

Google· 2 months ago

We were really looking forward to staying at this hotel. We had booked a family room and were hoping for a monastery-like atmosphere. Unfortunately, the room was cramped and felt more like a large closet than a pleasant space. There was no storage space or privacy. It was incredibly loud at night, and there were lots of mosquitoes and spiders. When we lifted the comforter, a spider crawled toward us. That’s just not nice at all. Overall, we didn't have a pleasant experience.

jennypenny_sea

5/5

Tripadvisor· 3 months ago

Great location. Walking distance to many things. The AC worked amazingly. The staff were friendly. Comfy bed. Peaceful setting.

Frequently asked questions about Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

Where can I eat near Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere?

For a special meal, the hotel itself offers a 3-course dinner with a welcome drink in its converted Refectory on Friday and Saturday evenings. For other dining, the hotel's public lounge bar, Bar Poortackere, is open all day for drinks. Since the hotel is in the city centre, you are a short walk from the medieval heart of Ghent, where you will find many restaurants and cafés. The Belfry of Gent is a 7-minute walk away, and St Bavo's Cathedral is 9 minutes, so you can easily explore the area and choose a place to eat. You could also join a walking food tour to discover local food spots.

What is the area around Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere like?

The hotel sits in the heart of Ghent, a short walk from the medieval core. St Michael's Bridge is 4 minutes away, with the Castle of the Counts and the Belfry of Gent each 7 minutes on foot. The lively Graffiti street is 8 minutes away, and St Bavo's Cathedral is 9 minutes. The area is a mix of historic monuments, canals, and pedestrian streets, with the STAM city museum 12 minutes away. The hotel itself is a former monastery with a green courtyard garden, offering a calm retreat right in the city center.

How do I get to Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere from the airport or main train station?

From Gent-Sint-Pieters station, take tram 1 toward Korenmarkt and get off at Korte Meer or Korenmarkt, a short walk from the hotel. The station is also a 35-minute walk away, following the tram route along Koningin Elisabethlaan. Taxis wait at the station's lower level. From Brussels Airport, take a train to Gent-Sint-Pieters, then use the tram or walk. From Brussels South Charleroi, take the Flibco shuttle to the station, then continue by tram or on foot.

What's there to do near Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere in the evening?

In the evening, you can walk to the Castle of the Counts in 7 minutes or St Michael's Bridge in 4 minutes, both lovely spots to see the city lights. The Belfry of Gent is a 7-minute walk away, and the area around it has a lively atmosphere. For a drink, the hotel's own Bar Poortackere is open all day, and the green courtyard garden is a peaceful place to relax. You could also join the Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent to explore the city's history after dark. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the medieval center, so you can wander and find a spot for a bite or a drink.

Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

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You might want to ask

Good to know

Amenities

Room types

Guest reviews

Guests like

Guests mention

Create your own trip to Ghent

More hotels near Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

Sights near Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

Things to do in Ghent

Frequently asked questions about Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

Sights near Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere

Guests like

Guests mention

Things to do in Ghent

More hotels near Hotel Monasterium PoortAckere