Ghent HI Hostel - a dragon in the heart of the city
From the colorful posters in the entrance advertising interesting cultural events, to the chatty individual on reception, you are assured of a warm welcome at the Hostelling International Hostel in Ghent, Belgium, which is also charmingly called De Draecke, meaning The Dragon. By hostel standards, De Draecke is remarkably comfortable - even the standard dormitories have only four bunks, and are ensuite. There are also twin rooms available. There is a friendly bar, which is a good place to gather in the evening, sipping those Belgian beers, which the country is so famous for, and trading travelers’ tales with the other hostellers. There is even a good supply of board games to play.
There is internet access, so you can catch up on all those emails, and research the interesting things to see in Ghent.
The cost of the stay includes breakfast, which is a generous spread of different types of bread, eggs, cheese, ham, jams, and plenty of coffee or tea.
For your evening meal, there are lovely Turkish restaurants in nearby Sleepstraat where you can get an excellent Turkish pizza known as pide at a very reasonable cost. This is generally served with a good portion of mixed salad, and makes a very healthy meal. The Turkish restaurants are generally packed with groups of students in the evening, and the atmosphere is decidedly convivial.
De Draecke is right in the centre of Ghent, just around the corner from the famous Castle of the Counts, and yet on a quiet street, where you can get a good night’s sleep undisturbed by city sounds.
Ghent is an ancient medieval town with lots to see, and De Draecke makes an ideal location from which to enjoy all that Ghent has to offer.
