KaBa Hostel

I really liked the leave-and-take shelf for travelers to drop off things they don't need and pick up what others have left. The bathroom artwork was fun, too. It's a simple hostel, a short walk from the city center and public transport, with basic dorms, clean bathrooms, and a full-service kitchen. A great stay for the price.

The hostel is in a quieter, student-oriented part of town, with plenty of shops and bus and tram connections. It's a bit away from Gent's historic center, but a good place to unwind with a beer and a book. This is more of a chill-out hostel, so don't expect bar-crawl meetups. The beds were comfortable, the four-bed dorm was small, and the en-suite was nice. Continental breakfast for 5 euro was good, and the price was affordable. Check-in could be tricky: reception should be open during arrival times, especially on Subday, when it closes at 6pm. Some people arriving around 7 or 8pm couldn't get bedding or a room key. An electronic bell to reach staff would also work better than the standard bell, which staff may not hear.

It was quiet enough for me to sleep well. The kitchen is fully equipped and even has food storage. I borrowed a small towel for one euro, which was affordable.

There isn't an elevator, which makes this a difficult choice for anyone with reduced mobility or extremely heavy luggage. Also, light sleepers should consider somewhere else because the soundproofing is bad, even in the private rooms. On the plus side, everything was clean and well cared for, the beds were comfortable, service was excellent, and public transport is reasonably close.