Hotel 1898 The Post
Ghent · Belgium
A former post office in the heart of Ghent, where dark interiors and
historic structure define the atmosphere.
38 rooms · Historic post office hotel · Ghent · Open year-round
The Hotel
Hotel 1898 The Post occupies a former post office overlooking the historic centre
of Ghent, Belgium.
From the outside, the building follows the rhythm of the surrounding architecture. Inside, the atmosphere shifts immediately. The transition is not gradual, but defined by material, scale and light.
The layout has not been opened up or simplified. Dark wood panelling, detailed finishes and a sequence of smaller spaces define the interior.
Corridors remain narrow, staircases are unhurried, and movement through
the building follows its original structure rather than a redesigned plan.
Spaces unfold gradually. One room leads into the next without a clear hierarchy,
and the sense of scale remains consistent throughout.
The result is a hotel that feels enclosed rather than expansive.
That is the point.
The Rooms
Rooms follow the same logic as the rest of the building, shaped by their position within the original structure.
Dark materials, heavy curtains and controlled light define each space. Windows act as the primary source of light, often directional and limited, reinforcing the overall atmosphere rather than softening it.
Some rooms open slightly towards the exterior, while others remain more inward-facing.
The variation lies in position rather than design.
Each room reflects the building it sits within, without departing from the overall approach.
Dining
The Cobbler bar sits at the centre of the hotel, both physically and in atmosphere.
The same material palette continues here, with dark wood and controlled lighting shaping the space. Seating follows the structure of the building rather than redefining it, maintaining the enclosed character found throughout.
Light enters selectively throughout the day, shifting the tone of the space without altering its overall feel. The experience remains consistent, whether in
the morning or later in the evening.
Wellness
There is no wellness or fitness space at 1898 The Post.
Within this context, that absence feels consistent with the rest
of the building, where atmosphere and interior take precedence.
Location
Set on the Korenmarkt in the historic centre of Ghent, the hotel overlooks
the Sint-Niklaaskerk, the canals and the surrounding squares.
From the upper floors, the surrounding architecture becomes part
of the experience.
Towers, rooftops and facades remain in view in multiple directions, reinforcing
the sense of being positioned within the older structure of the city rather
than apart from it.
The location is central, yet defined more by perspective than proximity.
Why we selected it
A historic building that remains fully intact
A consistent use of dark materials throughout
Spaces defined by enclosure, depth and sequence
An atmosphere shaped by light rather than brightness
A clear contrast to more minimal, open hotels
Some places are defined by light,
This one is defined by shadow.
Photography courtesy of 1898 The Post and The Concierge List