ibis Gent Centrum St-Baafs Kathedraal
by the TopOfHotel team
ibis Ghent Cathedral is the best budget option in the old town — a spot directly across from the Cathedral at ibis prices.
ibis Ghent Cathedral is the best budget option in the old town — a spot directly across from the Cathedral at ibis prices.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
ibis Gent Centrum St-Baafs Kathedraal is part of the Accor ibis family, which travelers worldwide know as a reliable clean standard at a price you can stomach. The standard rooms run 14-18 sqm and come with ibis's Sweet Bed frame, the one the brand likes to say sleeps better than the rate suggests — white linen, a soft-enough mattress, a clean bathroom with a shower, a flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi that's quick enough to get the job done. The rooms aren't big, but they cover everything one or two people need. The 8.2/10 score comes mostly from guests praising the cleanliness and the location.
Food and amenities
The ground-floor bar is the highlight that keeps showing up in reviews. It pours local Belgian beers, including Gentse Strop (Ghent's own) and Tripel Karmeliet, the bartenders give good recommendations, and it stays open late — perfect for a stop after a full day on foot. A breakfast buffet is available as an add-on, with bread, cheese and Belgian sweets. There's no pool and no spa here, so set your expectations to budget-functional.
Location and getting there
What makes this ibis stand out is a location that's hard to find at this price: it sits directly across from St. Bavo's Cathedral, the church that holds the Ghent Altarpiece, the masterpiece the Van Eyck brothers painted between 1420 and 1432 and which was stolen so many times it became famous for it. From the door it's 3 minutes to the Belfry, 7 minutes to the Graslei and Korenlei quays, and 10 minutes to Gravensteen Castle.
Things to know before booking
The rooms are standard ibis size at 14-18 sqm, so they're compact rather than spacious. There's no pool or spa. And prices climb in high season, so book ahead if your dates are fixed. One small tip: rooms 101-103 face the Cathedral, and booking direct on the Accor site often beats the OTA rate.
Our take
This is the best budget option in the old town for anyone who doesn't want to compromise on location. It suits solo travelers, couples on a budget and backpackers who want to be in the historic center without paying boutique money.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The location, directly opposite St. Bavo's Cathedral, is the best you'll find at this price point in Ghent.
- Rooms start from about $83 a night, which makes it the cheapest stay in the old town.
- It is a standard Accor ibis, so you know what you're getting: clean rooms, decent service and no surprises.
- The ground-floor bar pours local Belgian beers, including Gentse Strop and Tripel Karmeliet, and the bartenders know their pours.
- A breakfast buffet is available as an add-on, with bread, cheese and Belgian sweets.
- Rooms are standard ibis size at 14-18 sqm, so they're functional rather than roomy.
- There's no pool and no spa here.
- Prices climb in high season, so it pays to book ahead.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Ghent
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Insider Tips
- Ask for rooms 101-103, which face the Cathedral, so you can see it from your window.
- The downstairs bar stays open late and pours Gentse Strop alongside several other local beers.
- Book direct on the Accor site, which often beats the OTA rates.