THE STORY: If the devil is in the details, this Ghent guest house is haunted right down to its smallest nooks and crannies by a rather shrewd rococo spirit. The Verhaegen is the masterpiece of a lifetime, that of its main residents and charming owners, interior designers Jan Rosseel and Marc Vergauwe, who reawakened the gildings of this small 18th-century Flemish palace. Divided into two wings, it houses six bedrooms each with their own unique character: like Paola’s Room, inspired by a lover of the previous owner, complete with a king size bed, a small private lounge and a mirrored bathroom; or the Deluxe, with a four-poster bed with satin sheets, plus a spacious bathroom that’s as big as the bedroom itself; or the 90m2 Atelier d’Arthur suite, featuring a drawing room with office space, an open fire and even a well-equipped kitchen space… Think maximalist design filled with sublime kitsch finds and other original pieces (two lithographs by Cocteau, a painting by Yves Klein…), which makes you want to make the place your own, including the cozy communal living area, which is also occupied by the owners’ English Setter. Quite simply, you’ll leave feeling starry-eyed in delight. Double rooms starting at €189 a night. // Laszlo Dela
TOILETRIES: Floris body wash, shampoo and conditioner.
BREAKFAST: €25, consisting of a hot drink, juice, viennoiseries, baguette, jam, honey and eggs (scrambled, boiled or fried). Plus ham, cheese or Champagne upon request for an added charge (€4-42).
LITTLE LUXURY: Splash around under the gothic vaulted ceilings of the indoor swimming pool, after pretending to be the Princess of Sweden in the Versailles-worthy gardens.
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