Port Stays Hotel is small-scale, full-service business hotel in Ghent port

In the summer of 2024, Port Stays Hotel will open in the port of Ghent. A small-scale business hotel with five comfortable rooms and a personalised approach. During weekdays, companies book accommodation there for guests and employees, while culinary packages are offered at weekends. 

Vincent Lybaert is 26 years young and knows exactly where he wants to go within the hospitality sector. After studying at Ter Duinen hotel school and internships at restaurants such as Vrijmoed and Cuiness 33, he started his own business delivering meals and sandwiches to companies at the age of 19. Today, he combines that with a network of food vending machines in the region. In 2017, he offered the concept of private dining in his parents' home in Doornzele under the name Vincent.Kitchen. Across the Walgracht, on his grandparents' land, Vincent will open Port Stays Hotel this summer. Why do you want to know this family story? Just that warm, homely and personal approach forms the basis of the bespoke business hotel Vincent wants to put on the map. 

"We are starting the concept with five rooms and are looking at further expansion possibilities within the concept," says Vincent. "We are focusing mainly on companies in and around the port of Ghent and packages in combination with Vincent.Kitchen. There is a fully customised approach. Booking is possible for short or long stays and is disconnected from all kinds of formulas and obligations. We offer at least the quality of a four-star hotel and consciously choose to put star ratings aside. Tailored to the customer's needs and budget, we work out a concept to enter into sustainable partnerships with companies in Ghent port. At the end of August 2024, Port Stays Hotel will open its doors and welcome its first guests. The first rooms can already be booked from April."

With Port Stays, Vincent fully opts for sustainability. On the one hand, the necessary initiatives for this are taken during the construction process. This results in a high-tech building with a low E-level. Investments are being made in some eighty solar panels, six charging stations, its own small windmill to generate energy, a D+ ventilation system, heating and cooling via heat pumps and the necessary controls via home automation. "There is underfloor heating and cooling combined with air conditioning in each room. Guests can control this individually via a thermostat in the home automation system. A base temperature can be set via the Stardekk software to welcome hotel guests in a pleasant climate. We offer high comfort and try to do this with as much respect as possible for the environment and nature around us," says Vincent. "By sustainability, I also think about reducing our ecological footprint and avoiding waste. We source our products as much as possible from local producers and initiatives. We deliberately do not propose a large breakfast buffet but opt for a reservation system in which guests choose and customise their breakfast formula. From a full breakfast on site to a grab-and-go breakfast are offered."

Sustainability also manifests itself in the choice of suppliers. Belgian companies are specifically chosen, preferably from the region. This is already evident in the choice of contractors and suppliers for the building project. Just think of sanitary equipment from Toch, interiors and kitchens from FL-Interieur or Clarysse for the bed linen. In addition, Cleverr supports the integration for home automation, My Spectrum internet, telephony and audio-visual techniques and Inbraakveilig supports security and access control with products from SALTO Systems, among others. "We are also working with Stan Verstringe. He brings the necessary hotel expertise on board and is our key person to take our project to the next level."

In this bespoke concept, nothing is done recklessly. "We work to suit the client's needs and get guidance from the right experts in their respective fields. They help us convey our vision correctly to the client. Alone you are nothing, you need to be surrounded by a team of experts to get your vision right on the map."

A conscious decision was made to provide more spacious rooms, with plenty of natural light. Thus, Port Stays offers an extra four square metres of area compared to other hotels in the area. "This gives us the opportunity to install the toilets separately from the bathroom and ensure privacy for business bookings. Each room is modernly decorated with high-quality materials and in a soft colour palette to unwind. Full-size box-springs by Revor were chosen for bedding comfort. The two single beds can be moved apart. The rooms are given a homely feel with a comfortable lounge with work table, instead of a fixed desk."

Each room is on the ground floor and has a private terrace. From an enclosed and secure car park, you walk into the hotel. Guests have digital access to the building and facilities such as coffee, tea and water. In combination with Vincent.Kitchen, there is always the possibility of ordering quality fresh meals and drinks. "We offer a mix between customisation, efficient self-service and a homely setting. There will always be someone around to cater to customers' needs," Vincent concludes.