Ghent’s Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof is designated a 4-star property, yet reads as a 5-star experience in all the ways that matter.

Balance is the key to what makes Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof both an enchanting urban retreat for leisure travelers and a destination well-suited for small meetings and conferences requiring more personal, intimate and home-y settings. The way interior architect Lot Sturm combined practical and decorative elements gives it timeless style and substance. Under his influence, the early 18^th-century former residence of poet Baron Olivier de Reylof surrounds guests with charm rooted in history and contemporary design.

© Elyse Glickman

The physical property straddles a quiet residential neighborhood on the entrance side of the building and the vibrant historic city center behind it. The newer wing that brings the property up to 158 rooms and suites is blended neatly into a lush center courtyard, ensuring visual and sensory continuity. This flows into the original carriage house, Spa Reylof, sitting between the former residence and new wing, which holds a full-service spa, hammam steam room, saunas and fitness facilities.

© Elyse Glickman

The rich, earthy color scheme in the public areas offsets the original mansion’s 18^th-century grandeur in the lobby. The minimalist-chic restaurants, bar and meeting areas are enlivened with the juxtaposition of chandeliers, airy lanterns and light fixtures, as well as pops of color from a curated selection of framed modern photography and art canvases. Décor in the boardrooms and meeting rooms, including one that doubles as a private dining area, combine aesthetic elements from the lobby and restaurant. Behind the scenes, the hotel relies on micro-cogenerators and heat-recapture systems to keep its operations green and sustainable.

Guestroom and suite configurations include luxury rooms with or without balconies. Other categories include junior suite, Pillows suite, Reylof suite, family room and presidential suite. All rooms have parquet flooring, subtly ornate accents and wallpaper, floor-to-ceiling windows, and cozy furnishings. Other amenities include Nespresso machines, flat-screen televisions and rain showers. The higher-end terrace suites feature freestanding tubs and integrated sound systems. During the day, my room served as a cozy workspace or spot for informal meetings with its plump armchairs. There’s even a fireplace to stay warm during colder months.

© Elyse Glickman

Marquee restaurants LOF Restaurant and Olivier le Petit Bistro make Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof a popular destination for residents. For these reasons, reservations for both restaurants are strongly recommended. Fine-dining LOF is anchored by Chef Paul de Groote, whose approach to cooking maintains sophistication through simplicity and Flemish culinary underpinnings. Casual café Olivier le Petit Bistro assumes a similar respect for locally sourced ingredients used in its French and international dishes. Cocktail enthusiasts will enjoy The Living Bar, where classic and modern cocktails are mixed and served against a lavish Louis XIV backdrop after sundown.

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof

Hoogstraat 36, 9000
Ghent, Belgium
tel 32 9 235 40 70