Villa Parkbos

The location in the woods was quiet, and the service warm. The rooms were amazing.

Being right by the forest and close to Ghent is the one thing that earns Villa Parkbos two stars from me. If all you need is hostel-quality accommodation for visiting Ghent and the surrounding area, it could work. For a relaxing night or two away, it really doesn't. My partner and I stay in different places around Europe regularly, and it has been a long time since I've felt this disappointed. The room felt neglected and unclean: there were holes in the sheets, stains on the pillows, and we ended up scrubbing the toilet ourselves. Breakfast wasn't good either. The rolls were burnt black underneath. What disappointed me most was the response when I raised these problems with the host as we were leaving. He mainly said we could have mentioned them sooner. There was no apology or discussion of properly dealing with the situation or offering compensation. He said they always do their best to keep guests happy, but I didn't experience that. It felt like there was little care for the overall stay. For this price, there are definitely better options in the area.

The garden and park next door were a dream for our dog, with plenty of room to run around and lovely walks right nearby. Ghent is only about 10-15 minutes away by car, with lots of dog-friendly cafes and restaurants to choose from. The whole place feels peaceful, tucked between the forest and a beautiful park, and the grounds are lovely. We were welcomed so warmly that we felt at home straight away. Our room had a lovely view, a really comfortable bed, and a wonderfully warm bath. Breakfast was thoughtfully taken care of, and there was plenty to explore nearby. We all had such a relaxing stay, and our dog felt right at home too. 🐾🌳

There are just three rooms at Villa Parkbos, set on a spacious green property in a very quiet spot. Guests can use the coffee machine and water dispenser by the entrance, and there’s a small relaxation area in the hall between two rooms. The rooms are upstairs, but the windows are small, so the view is pretty restricted. From bed, all you see is sky, and shorter guests may need to stand on tiptoe to look outside. The furnishings are fine, though they feel a bit dated. Summer nights can be warm enough that you need to keep the windows open, and then mosquitoes become a nuisance. Mosquito nets might help. It’s sometimes listed as a bed and breakfast, but breakfast isn’t provided, which could be awkward on a Sunday. We found a bakery that was open, but it had no coffee. Some websites also list a pool table, though it’s in an area guests can’t access. There’s no daily cleaning, and you can reach the contact people on WhatsApp if you have questions.