Ghent's canal-side Graslei is one of Flanders' most photographed waterfronts, and it now has a hotel that keeps an almost secret profile. 1898 Porter's house is an ultra-small luxury retreat tucked behind its bigger sibling, 1898 The Post, in the historic Hôtel des Postes et des Télégraphes complex. The building that once housed the postal service's porter's quarters has been reworked into a hotel with just four rooms and suites.
The interiors come from Geraldine Dohogne, the Belgian designer behind 1898 The Post and a finalist on The Brit List 2026. Her brief here was less about restoring the past than continuing it: the building's original role as a place of arrival and pause shapes the layout, with gradual transitions and light handled almost like a building material. She pulls from Ghent's working-port heritage and the Graslei itself, leaning on tactile, long-lasting materials — wood, leather, marble, heavy textiles — meant to age gracefully rather than chase trends.
The palette is anchored in deep reds, with green, blue and gold woven through, giving the rooms warmth without clutter. Because there are only four keys, furniture is custom-made to fit the old building's quirks: desks, minibars and storage are built into the existing architecture instead of standing awkwardly against it. Guests can dial the layered lighting up or down to set their own mood.
The standout feature is outdoor space — rare at this scale in a medieval city centre. One suite opens onto private terraces above the Graslei canal, sheltered by carved stone balustrades, while another terrace frames a direct view of Ghent's famous clock tower, the Belfort. The terraces are designed as extensions of the rooms, effectively private lounges in the open air.
Dohogne's stated philosophy is that luxury should come from emotion and atmosphere rather than showiness — amenities are integrated and understated, closer to a very refined guesthouse than a grand palace hotel. That approach served 1898 The Post well, and 1898 Porter's house is essentially its quieter, smaller sibling.
Who is it for? Travellers who want a design-led stay in Ghent with genuine privacy — think couples on a city break, design enthusiasts, or anyone pairing Ghent with Bruges and Antwerp and wanting one memorable night in the middle. With only four rooms, availability will be tight, so it's the kind of place worth booking well ahead for a special occasion rather than hoping for a last-minute slot. If you can't snag a terrace suite, 1898 The Post next door offers the same design sensibility at a larger scale.
