Aparthotel Castelnou ***

In dit hotel wordt je uiterst vriendelijk ontvangen. Na meerdere bezoeken wordt je een beetje een " vriend des huizes". Ontvangst is uitstekend en de bediening ( in het restaurant ) is zeer vriendelijk Ontbijt is vrij uitgebreid met verse produkten. Sfeer is gezellig.

Really friendly and obliging staff, who could not have been more welcoming and helpful. Room spotless, quiet and well equipped. A really nice place to stay. Secure parking, which although payable is a bonus in the city which is an easy 15 minute walk away. Spent a really relaxing evening at the Celtic Tower bar - relaxing live music and delicious beef in beer! Don't miss the entrance to the hotel car park when you arrive! - it is a garage door a bit before the hotel in the same road. Fob required to access.

We visit Ghent every Easter, and for the past three years have stayed at the Castelnou. We find its location, cleanliness and value for money hard to beat - easy enough to walk into the city centre without having to live with the noise and the crowds. It's about 20 minutes slow walk into the centre, following the canal, and with lots to see en route. Alternatively, a tram bus runs from a nearby stop. We stayed on the fourth floor, with views over the garden and terrace to the rear, in a large apartment with sitting room/kitchenette, separate bedroom and bathroom with bath and shower attachment. We agree that the bathroom needs revamping, but understand that the hotel is carrying out a modernisation project on all its rooms. The two single beds were comfortable, and cleanliness is a real virtue in this hotel. There are two leather sofas in the sitting room, comfortable enough to fall asleep on, and the TV has sufficient channels in English to keep us happy. Downstairs is 'The Dali' restaurant, where the food is excellent, both for breakfast and lunch, but especially so for dinner. Try the Stovrai beef dish - generous helpings and as many repeats as you would like. I had the Waterzooi - chicken in a broth, which was delicious. The staff are welcoming, but there is a slight blip in that reception closes mid to late afternoon - difficult to claw back any valuables left in the safe! Overall, however, we would very much recommend the Castelnou, and consider it our greatest find over 38 years of travel to the same city.

Cons: * not the most modern / fancy rooms. but good for the money you pay * no free wifi (come on, it's 2010.....) Pros: * good service from staff * large rooms with kitchenette and living area * walking distance from city centre

Ok so top marks go to the owners here for this apart hotel, very late arrival, barmaid had my booking and very friendly warm person to check me in, no issues at all. Decent secure car park, tho being a Brit right hand drive the barrier was on the wrong side (I'm joking) anyway.. Car park safe, secure and it's off the street where you can park, but there is a charge. The room, large, decent size, nice and clean and functional without the need of a wow factor. It amazes me now why all hotel rooms if they can don't open up to be more like apart hotels, Nothing to niggle over, agree with earlier reviewer there could have been a tv in the bedroom also... I must admit, the adlina apts in Germany score far higher than this... But I gave it a low 4 or high 3.5 if it was available. So...only niggle... Breakfast..food fine, the space available fine, but... There was nowhere you could sit as the waitress had not cleared the tables, so I sat where I thought I was in the breakfast area only to be told by frosty features "this is for lunch not breakfast" very rude indeed! So beware of the moody grump of a morning... And I don't mean your other half! Was on business in Ghent, drove through the centre...alas never had time, looks very picturesque. I will return but might order breakfast in bed..if allowed!