JAM Hotel / Gent / Belgium
There is something so interesting about when old buildings are preserved by giving them a make over, securing that they will stick around for another era. I find it extra interesting when the building takes on a new shape, like when a church becomes a nightclub, a lighthouse becomes a restaurant, or like this place, where an old military barracks has been made into a hotel. And it makes my especially happy when it is done with the level of quality like JAM Hotel in Gent, Belgium.
JAM opened at the end of 2025 in what used to be the Leopoldskazerne military barracks, in what is now called the arts quarter, an area that is up and coming, sitting on the outskirts of downtown Gent.
The 108-key hotel was designed by Lionel Jadot Studio and they have really gone to town with this place. The ambition was to reuse as much of the material from the previous design as possible, but to give it a complete make over, bringing in color, playfulness and energy. The result is an expressive, eclectic mix with a raw element, where they have played with different kinds of textures, materials and expressions. It is so great to experience the clash between the somewhat stern, classic exterior and the interior which is on the other end of the spectra. No military structure or order here.
There is a youthful vibe here at JAM, almost feels more like a hostel than a hotel, but will all the mod cons that you want from the hotel. I also really appreciate the wallet friendly prices where you don’t have to empty your savings account to stay the night.
Features that I really like is the green courtyard where meadow flowers are growing wild and the roof top, where there is both a bar and a pool. My favorite was to come here early in the morning and take a dip while enjoying the view of the rooftops of Gent.
Welcome to JAM Hotel Gent!
The hotel is housed in the Leopoldskazerne, an impressive set of old military barracks.
The interior by Lionel Jadot is very expressive. Raw and tactile.
Checked in and ready to head up to my room.
I really like the simple and playful design.
Love when there are plants in my hotel room.
On the top floor of the hotel, there is a bar and lounge area…
….as well as a roof top pool with views of the city of Gent.
Gent has a great coffee scene, which makes my caffein obsessed heart very happy. This is Goya Coffee, just down the road from the hotel.
And this is from one of my other favorites in town, Roar.
Roar also serves some delicious light bites. This is potato and spring onion pancake with coriander aioli and peanuts
And closer to downtown, there is a great little place, Cafe Loma, that serves really great smoothies.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…like when old buildings get a second lease on life, and is transformed into a design hotel. If you appreciate colorful, unique design with a young vibe and where the rooms won’t cost you an arm and leg, then you’ll really like JAM Hotel Gent.
My favorite thing about this place…
…the wild design. Many hotels strive to be unique but only a few really reach that goal, and this is one of them. I love the clash between the stern, military exterior and the expressive, playful, almost a little bit raw interior. Really unique!
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to go for a dip in the roof top pool early in the morning when you, like me, can be lucky enough to have the place all to yourself. Gent is a very walkable town, so bring some comfy shoes and hit the old narrow streets. And another thing, there are some really great coffee places. Above you can see two of my favorites.
If you like this hotel you might also like:
Hotel Amour / Nice, France
Regina Experimental / Biarritz, France
25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino / Firenze, Italy
