B&B The Verhaegen

“Unique & gorgeous site, perfect location, friendly”

We stayed in a cosy room for one night. This was the perfect location to explore and walk everywhere. Jan, Marc and staff were very warm, friendly, and attentive and provided a helpful orientation to the city. The hotel itself is very special like stepping into a piece of history. Gorgeously de… more

We stayed in a cosy room for one night. This was the perfect location to explore and walk everywhere. Jan, Marc and staff were very warm, friendly, and attentive and provided a helpful orientation to the city. The hotel itself is very special like stepping into a piece of history. Gorgeously decorated. It was wonderful to have the chance to give the dog a few pets too! The cosy room was perfect for two and thoughtfully organized, had everything needed for a comfortable stay. Highly recommended!

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“Perfection”

For us, it was the perfect place to stay for a few nights before Christmas. It is original and interesting, with charming and very helpful hosts. An elegant mansion, decorated with style, and a wonderful collection of china. The dining room is a truly beautiful room; breakfast is a real delight, wi… more

For us, it was the perfect place to stay for a few nights before Christmas. It is original and interesting, with charming and very helpful hosts. An elegant mansion, decorated with style, and a wonderful collection of china. The dining room is a truly beautiful room; breakfast is a real delight, with the very best espresso possible in the most divine cup. Service was superb and friendly. Our room was delightful; bed extremely comfortable. The location is perfect; very close to the heart of Ghent, but happily slightly removed from the crowds. I can imagine that the lovely garden is an oasis of peace in warmer weather. I would not want to stay anywhere else. Initially we had tried to book into The Post Office, but there was no availability. We were so pleased that we came here instead and I would recommend it as a first choice to everyone.

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“Its all about expectation”

Having booked just a few days before I had planned to visit this B and B ( be clear - it's not a Hotel - but let's come back to that later) my friend pulled out at the last minute due to ill health. Now usually I would have cancelled but I having received an email from the owners confirming my book… more

Having booked just a few days before I had planned to visit this B and B ( be clear - it's not a Hotel - but let's come back to that later) my friend pulled out at the last minute due to ill health. Now usually I would have cancelled but I having received an email from the owners confirming my booking - which clearly stated that no refunds would be given within 7 days of a set arrival date - I decided to just go with the flow and have the weekend in Ghent with two other friends. I have to say I had very high expectations of this B and B based on their website and associated promotional video on Youtube, but as we pulled up in the car my heart sank as we viewed some awful graffiti adorning a side wall of the property. Not the most welcoming sight. We rang the doorbell and were greeted at the entrance by both owners - and their dog - who were kind and courteous. I had arranged parking for the car (30 euro extra) and one of the owners immediately went off with my friend to help him find the correct parking spot. I had booked the family suite - two bedrooms - lounge and bathroom. After 'signing in' we were then shown to the suite which was located above the stable block a short walk through the garden from the main house. I was not told that the suite was external to the main house when I booked and have to say that it would not have been my choice if I had been. I can understand why a family suite would be positioned external to the property as children can be noisy but for me I wanted to buy into the feel of the house and that was lost on me now being positioned at the other side of the garden away from the centre of activity. During the walk to the stable block we were given instructions on how to enter the property after 21:00 - as the main entrance is locked - and updated on the pool being closed - which was not told to me when I booked. Pity as we three were looking forward to having a swim. The suite was very clean and the beds proved to be astoundingly comfortable providing an amazing nights sleep - but I was disappointed by the sofa and the chairs that were provided. For me they just weren't in keeping with the surrounding vibe and were not so comfortable and as inviting as the sumptuous seating found in the rest of the house - and what is shown on the website and youtube video. There was also no tea making facility in the room. There was a coffee machine. There was also a mini bar. We unpacked and went into Ghent. When we returned I sat in the lounge and at around 20:17 was told by one of the owners that he had to get up in the morning to prepare breakfast. I was then asked to kindly go back to my room. I have to say I was initially shocked on hearing this but had simply failed to consider one important point when I booked - Verhaegen is NOT an hotel its a B and B and as such I was a guest in someone's home. Simply if I had wanted the dynamic and facilities of a hotel I should have gone to a hotel. So be prepared if you decide to come to Verhaegen - there is no bar - no lunch or evening dining - although the owners will of course provide you with coffee, tea or a gin and tonic if you are that way inclined. You are a guest in their house. Yes a paying guest of course but it's simply their house. If you have expectations different from that then you will be disappointed. So what's the plus points? Well simply Verhaegen is an oasis of calm and tranquility. The architecture is timeless. The formal internal garden well planned and immaculately manicured. The interior design of the property is sumptuous. Breakfast was a delight ( 25 euro per head). There is theatre and drama. Elegance and beauty and I was entranced by it all.

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“Beautiful and unnecessary rigidity”

The hotel is beautiful, my daughter called it scenes from Alice in Wonderland. The art used and placed, the choice of furniture and the rooms esthetic, all above par. Congratulations. The one thing that did stand out unnecessary was that everything cost extra. We were 2 adults and a 13 year old gir… more

The hotel is beautiful, my daughter called it scenes from Alice in Wonderland. The art used and placed, the choice of furniture and the rooms esthetic, all above par. Congratulations. The one thing that did stand out unnecessary was that everything cost extra. We were 2 adults and a 13 year old girl, so we needed a room that had enough space for an extra bed, this costs extra, but was a sofa with linnen on top, not even a fold out. Breakfast was separate, fine, but a fruit salad on top became a separate cost. Emotion wise, it could work better if the "extra's" don't feel like extra's. If the room we had was listed as 440 euro for 3 people including breakfast, it would have been fine. My advice, make these things inclusive, so they feel like luxury, I am sure the guests visiting you can afford staying there. We did sleep like babies, so thanks for that.

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