Ghent Hotels With a Swimming Pool for Families

Ghent rewards slow days: the Gravensteen castle, the Graslei quay, St Bavo's Cathedral and boat rides on the canals all sit within a compact centre. That is easy to do with children, but it is still a lot of cobbles and standing, and a pool back at the hotel changes the end of the day. The three hotels listed here have three different kinds of pool: heated, on the roof and a wellness pool. I would choose by the age of the children, since only one of them has a kids' club and one has the rooftop terrace that older children will prefer.

Hotel Harmony is the most family-oriented of the three. This 4-star family-run hotel occupies two historic buildings in the Patershol district, and some rooms look over the oldest parts of the city. It lists a free heated swimming pool, a kids' club, spa and wellness facilities and family suites. A heated pool is the key detail for a northern European city, since it makes swimming comfortable outside midsummer, and a kids' club lets parents use the spa. I would choose it for families with children under ten, particularly on a trip outside the warmest months.

JAM Ghent offers a different kind of stay. This 3-star hotel has family suites with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, a work desk and a TV, and its pool is on the roof, next to a sun terrace and a garden. The hotel also lists spa and wellness facilities, a pet-friendly policy, a restaurant serving Asian cuisine, a bar and a coffee shop. Older children and teenagers tend to prefer the rooftop setting, and the Asian restaurant is a change from the traditional menus most parents find in the old town. I would pick it for a family that wants a modern base and a dog-friendly policy.

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof is more of an adult-leaning option, but it works for families who want a calm base. The 4-star boutique hotel is 500 metres from the historic centre and has a wellness pool, a historic courtyard garden with a terrace and a central area with a bar and lounge. Air-conditioned rooms and suites have high ceilings, large windows, original artworks and Nespresso machines, and bike rental is available. The listing does not mention a kids' club or family suites, so I would ask for a family-friendly room configuration before booking, and I would visit the pool at a quiet hour with children.

Practicalities shape the choice. Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof is 500 metres from the historic centre and Hotel Harmony stands in the Patershol district, so most sights can be reached on foot or by bike, and bike rental is available at Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof. Hotel Harmony's Patershol location puts you in a quarter of old lanes, which is atmospheric but can be tricky with luggage. I would travel light, plan sightseeing in the morning and keep the afternoon free for the pool, because children tire quickly on cobblestones. Ask each hotel about pool hours and age rules at booking, since the listings do not give them.