I stayed here for a sense of the monastic life, and now I know why the nuns at school were always so cranky! There is a range of accommodation with appropriate pricing, with spartan lodging for a budget price. Spartan rooms do not appeal to everyone, but those of us on tight budgets distressed by lousy exchange rates are grateful that these options exist. I never saw the higher-priced rooms so cannot comment on them. The city location was fine once I had sorted that out – just a short walk to the #1 tram line. My only complaint concerns the room numbering system that can be a problem when retrieving one’s room key. There are several buildings – that offer the varying levels of accommodation – but the same room numbers in different buildings.

I am American, and was visiting on business as a gospel musician. My fingers swelled from jet lag, so I placed my ring in its velvet box and left it on top of my suitcase as I went to bed. The next morning I rushed to my first press engagement, and forgot to hide my ring, as the chambermaid entered my room. My wedding ring was stolen by the Chambermaid, and when I went to the office to request a proper investigation, the response that I received was, "don't you have insurance in America?" I threatened to remove all of the alabaster from the hotel, and I let them know that no questions asked, I want my property back. I returned that evening to a note under my door suggesting that I look for my ring again. I found it tucked away in another piece of luggage, but the box was damaged, and the ring was wet! I also discovered a missing Amex card, and a $100 bill was gone; the Amex had already been used at a nearby shop in Ghent. Beware of the usual suspects.

Stayed at the Poortackere as part of a business group for one night. Found that the elevator reaches only till a certain level, after that you have to haul your luggage over wooden steps! Room was farly large but not very clean. Bathroom is old and needs renovation. Though they want to offer the austerity of a monastery, it needs to have some standards of cleanliness! Location was ok.

Previous reviewers have given this hotel sometimes a rather negative evaluation. We booked rooms there with some trepidations, but since the building had been a monastery many years ago, I wanted to stay there because I led a group of students researching the Middle Ages. It was not quite easy to find the entrance to the reception, but from then on it was an incredible and charming experience. Everyone just loved it and was full of praise. Mind you, we had nine rooms in various wings, and we looked at each room inspecting it carefully. Most were very large, some were gigantic in size (up to 6 beds with just two guys staying in one). Ours was in the attic (easy access through the elevator), and it was so charming, well renovated, bed was great, nice bathroom (right above the chapel!), and we also had free wireless most of the time (sometimes a bit difficult). Heating worked quickly (not quite, so it seems, in all rooms, but we stayed there in June!). Then we had breakfast, and it was astounding, so much, such a variety, so fresh and appetizing. I am afraid I might have gained some weight, could not resist the temptations. The hotel is centrally located, with easy access to the old part of the city. We also could quickly reach the stop for the tram to take us to the train. Just two streets away we found great and relatively cheap restaurants, and everyone in our group of 19 agreed wholeheartedly: this was one of the best hotel on our whole trip across Europe, the one with the most charm combined with all the modern luxury.