Hotel Harmony

This boutique is housed in two historic buildings located alongside the Leie, Ghent’s main canal. The structures date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, and a few of the original architectural details remain, adding a touch of history to the otherwise contemporary hotel. The atmosphere here is friendly and relaxing, with a rooftop area complete with a pool, and a central courtyard with plants and tables. The lobby is small and bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the canal, and a lofted front desk area. Decor is mostly contemporary with a few historic details, such as the striking carved-wood staircase banister. This decor extends to the rest of the common spaces and the rooms, some of which feature the original wood beams. A couple of the hallways have ornate golden mirrors on gray accent walls, which give the space a somewhat eclectic industrial feel. 

The hotel is located on a cobblestone street overlooking the Leie canal, one of Ghent’s main waterways. It is centrally located in the city’s oldest quarter, offering easy walking access to most major attractions, including Saint Bavo’s Cathedral (home to Van Eyck’s ‘Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’), Belfry Tower, St. Jacob’s Church, St. Nicholas’ Church, the Town Hall, and the Castle of the Counts. The Big Cannon, and one of Ghent’s main shopping areas are just across the canal. There is a tram stop a three-minute walk from the hotel, which makes getting to attractions a little further afield easy and quick. Gent-Sint Pieters train station, which connects Ghent to all other cities in Belgium, can be reached by tram in under 20 minutes.

Hotel Harmony has 40 large, modern rooms with up-to-date amenities, including flat-screen TVs, espresso machines, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Decor is contemporary, with dark wooden furniture; accent colors vary (we saw bed runners and pillows in red, purple, or bright pink). Though the look is modern overall, some rooms have exposed wood-beam ceilings. There are four room types to choose from: Cozy Rooms are the most basic, and are located on the ground floor. Contrary to what the name suggests, they’re fairly spacious and have enough space to each fit a table and two chairs; some have small furnished patios. 

All but one of the Luxurious Rooms have jetted tubs; the other unit has a walk-in shower and a furnished balcony. Exterior-facing Exceptional Rooms have terraces offering striking city and canal views, and jetted tubs in the bedroom; rear-facing Exceptional units feature jetted tubs, small living areas, and lofted bedrooms with four-poster beds. Junior Suites are the most upscale rooms in the hotel -- they feature four-poster beds, fireplaces, and separate walk-in showers and jetted tubs. Note that most bathrooms are separated from the bedroom by frosted glass doors, which might make some guests uncomfortable. 

A free breakfast buffet is served every morning in a bright, contemporary space with outdoor seating. Guests are treated to a selection of free tapas every evening at the bar, which also offers a drinks menu and coffee. The hotel features two stylish meeting rooms with natural light; on-site parking (for a fee), and free Wi-Fi -- but the highlight here is the rooftop pool. It is small and has a handful of chairs and loungers around it, but hotel pools are a rarity in Ghent and a welcome amenity for the warmer months. The property has a fitness center, but lacks a full restaurant or a spa.