The Verhaegen, Ghent
Where Rococo Elegance Meets Contemporary Belgian Design
Why DNA Hotels Loves It
● A meticulously restored 18th-century townhouse where historic grandeur and contemporary design exist in perfect harmony.
● Just five rooms create an intimate, residential atmosphere unlike any traditional luxury hotel.
● A deeply personal project by designers Jan Rosseel and Marc Vergauwe, where architecture, craftsmanship, and hospitality become one.
An Aristocratic Townhouse Reborn
Hidden behind a discreet façade in the heart of Ghent, The Verhaegen is one of Belgium’s finest examples of sensitive architectural restoration. Built in the 18th century as an aristocratic residence, the house was lovingly revived by designers Jan Rosseel and Marc Vergauwe, who approached the project less as a renovation than as the careful resurrection of a remarkable home. Rather than transforming the mansion into a conventional boutique hotel, they preserved its residential character. The result feels intimate, authentic, and quietly luxurious—a place where guests become temporary residents rather than hotel visitors.
History with Room to Breathe
The Verhaegen beautifully balances Rococo splendour with contemporary restraint. Original mouldings, marble fireplaces, antique mirrors, chandeliers, and elegant architectural proportions remain untouched, while carefully selected contemporary furnishings, modern lighting, and curated artworks introduce freshness without disturbing the building’s historic soul. Nothing competes for attention. Instead, old and new exist in quiet dialogue, allowing every room to feel timeless rather than nostalgic. It’s restoration at its most sophisticated.
The Grand Salon
The emotional centre of the house is its magnificent Grand Salon. Here, extraordinary Rococo murals by 18th-century painter Pierre Norbert van Reysschoot stretch across walls and ceilings, filling the room with remarkable lightness and movement. Tall windows overlook a beautifully restored French garden, where clipped hedges, citrus trees, and geometric pathways create an oasis of calm in the middle of the city. Despite its exceptional craftsmanship, the space never feels museum-like. It remains warm, welcoming, and wonderfully lived in.
Five Unique Retreats
With just four guest rooms and one private apartment, every stay feels highly personal. Original parquet floors, generous windows, marble bathrooms, antique furnishings, bespoke lighting, crisp linens, and carefully chosen contemporary pieces create rooms that celebrate atmosphere over decoration. Each has its own identity, shaped by the building’s architecture rather than a standardised hotel concept. Luxury here is found in craftsmanship, proportion, silence, and exceptional attention to detail.
A Living Design House
Part of what makes The Verhaegen so special is that its creators continue to live and work within the property. Rosseel and Vergauwe’s design studio remains integrated into the house, and many of the bespoke furnishings, lighting, textiles, and decorative objects were conceived only a few metres from where guests now experience them. This close relationship between design and daily life gives the interiors an authenticity that cannot be manufactured. Everything belongs because everything has a story.
A Quiet Perspective on Ghent
Although Ghent’s canals, medieval streets, museums, and lively cafés lie only moments away, The Verhaegen feels remarkably secluded. Mornings begin with garden views, afternoons invite leisurely exploration of the historic city, and evenings end surrounded by centuries of architecture, thoughtful design, and complete tranquillity. It offers a slower, more contemplative way to experience one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities.
Why It Works
The Verhaegen is far more than a beautifully restored townhouse. It is a deeply personal expression of Belgian craftsmanship, architectural preservation, and understated contemporary design. By allowing history and modern living to complement rather than compete with one another, Jan Rosseel and Marc Vergauwe have created one of Europe’s most remarkable small hotels. Intimate, elegant, and rich in atmosphere, The Verhaegen demonstrates that true luxury is found not in excess, but in authenticity, craftsmanship, and soul.
