Marriott has expanded its portfolio in Belgium with the opening of the 150-room, Ghent Marriott Hotel.

The hotel is owned by the Granite Group and managed by Interstate Hotels & Resorts.  The hotel is the first Marriott property to open in Ghent and the fifth in Belgium.

Situated on the banks of the Lys River, the Ghent Marriott Hotel brings modern design to one of the Europe's most historic cities. The hotel is conveniently located just a short walk from Ghent's shopping district and university, as well as many of the city's most historical sites.

"We are delighted at the continued expansion of our portfolio in Belgium," said Gitta Brueckmann, vice president of sales & marketing for Marriott International in Continental Europe. "As the premier hotel in Ghent, the hotel is ideally situated to attract leisure and business travelers. We are thrilled to conduct business in this historic city."

Perfectly located in the heart of the Medieval City of Ghent, the Ghent Marriott Hotel offers guests spectacular views of the city's many canals and historic 16th century architecture. The general manager is Paul Suy. The director of sales and marketing is Karen Verbiest.

For dining, the Ghent Marriott Hotel offers Restaurant Korenhuis featuring fine cuisine served in the ambience of a modernized 16th century Ghent's merchant house. Guests may also enjoy an aperitif, or cocktail, in Plush Bar & Lounge, open for both lunch and dinner in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.

For meetings and events, the hotel features seven meeting rooms and nearly 420 square meters of total meeting space. Recreational amenities include a state of the art fitness center.

The Ghent Marriott Hotel along with over 2,500 Marriott-affiliated hotels worldwide, participates in Marriott Rewards, the guest reward program that allows members to earn their choice of points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay.