When booking a hotel stay, you first think about your room, logically. Here you look a little further and make a choice between a stay with or without breakfast. And possibly a room upgrade. Once that’s arranged, the countdown can begin. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Emiel, our Front Office Manager, regularly sees guests at the reception who only discover upon arrival what is possible in the hotel. Some are even surprised that certain facilities are just included with their stay. Our three restaurants are sometimes overlooked, for example. Would you like to dine somewhere? Then Emiel recommends reserving a table in advance, so you don't have to discover on the spot that your favorite time is already fully booked.

Carine, our Housekeeping Manager, adds that you shouldn't forget the relaxation options either. At Hotel Ghent, for example, as a hotel guest you can make free use of the spa and fitness. Quite a pity if you only find out when your weekend is almost over.

Therefore, their golden rule is to check the hotel's website in advance and see if there are things you better arrange or consider beforehand.

Planning a birthday, anniversary, or wedding night? Then your stay can naturally be a bit more special. But did you know that you can often arrange this before you arrive?

Emiel certainly recommends notifying the hotel of special occasions in advance. At Hotel Ghent, for instance, you can have a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of champagne prepared in the room. Nice as a surprise for your travel buddy or partner, but also if you want to pamper yourself a bit more. There are also various ways to upgrade your stay.

Do you also have a preference for a quiet room or a particular view? Feel free to pass it on, says Emiel. Not every wish can be guaranteed, but the earlier the team knows, the better they can see what's possible to make your stay even more special.

You’ve booked your hotel stay and are looking forward to your stay. Until you discover upon arrival that you actually reserved for next week. Sounds unlikely, but Emiel regularly sees guests who confuse their booking date.

Clicked a month too far or accidentally selected the wrong arrival day? It happens faster than you think when you make an online booking. His advice? After booking, take a moment to check your booking confirmation, which is almost immediately sent to you by your hotel.

Check not only the arrival and departure dates but also the number of people, the chosen room type, and any extras. Do you see something that isn’t right? Then contact the hotel as soon as possible to see if your reservation can still be adjusted. This quick check can save you a lot of hassle later.

Need a taxi, looking for the fastest way to get to the center, or wanting to discover Ghent in a different way? You don’t have to figure it all out yourself.

Emiel notices that guests mainly associate the reception with checking in and out, while the team can do a lot for you during your stay. For example, guests sometimes simply inquire about the best way to explore Ghent and are surprised to discover that you can also rent a Vespa or e-chopper at Hotel Ghent.

For practical questions or local tips, you can also turn to the team. The reception is even available 24 hours a day. For Emiel, good hospitality doesn’t just mean answering questions, but also thinking along with guests and suggesting possibilities they might not have thought of.

Imagine: you arrive in your room and notice that something isn’t working or missing. Not ideal, but you decide not to mention it. After all, you are only away for one or two nights. According to Emiel, this happens more often than you think. Sometimes staff only hear at checkout that a guest had an issue. A pity, because at that point the team can do little to make the stay more enjoyable.

Do you notice something isn't right? Then let the reception know immediately. This way, the team gets the chance to find a solution during your stay, instead of only when you're already going home.

A freshly made bed, a neat bathroom, and everything in its place. When you enter a hotel room, you probably don’t think about the amount of work that goes into it.

Carine and her housekeeping team ensure daily that the rooms and other facilities are ready for new guests and remain cared for during their stay. And as a guest, you can help with a few small habits.

For example, are you staying multiple nights? You can help the team by putting personal belongings aside a bit. Do you prefer to sleep in or not be disturbed at all? Then hang the Do Not Disturb card on the door. Just keep in mind that the team might not be able to clean your room as long as it hangs on the door.

Your suitcase is closed, you’ve checked out, and you’re already on your way home. Until you suddenly realize that your charger is still in the socket. For Carine and her housekeeping team, forgotten items are no exception. From clothes left in the closet to electric toothbrushes in the bathroom: personal belongings regularly emerge during cleaning.

Her advice? Take one last tour of your room before departure. Especially check the sockets, the closet, and the bathroom. Left something behind? Then contact the hotel so the team can check if your items have been found.

You're in the bathroom and discover that you forgot your toothbrush at home. Or you didn’t pack your razor.

Before you start looking for the nearest store, Carine suggests checking with the reception first. At Hotel Ghent, various small extras are available through housekeeping, such as a toothbrush, razor, shower cap, or vanity kit. You can even inquire with the team for an iron and ironing board.

Not everything is always on hand, but it's worth asking at the reception first. Maybe you won’t need to leave the hotel at all.

Whether it’s a question at the reception, a forgotten item, or the care of your room: behind every hotel stay is a team that deals with these kinds of situations daily. Thanks to Emiel and Carine's experiences, you now know better what you can arrange in advance and what you can turn to the hotel team for during your stay.

Curious what that looks like in practice? Discover for yourself during a stay at Hotel Gent, where Emiel, Carine, and their colleagues are ready for you.