Following research, we loved what we saw about Sleepstreet and asked to drop by to take some shots. They were kind enough to provide us with accommodation, however all thoughts and opinions are – as always – formed independently and without agreement to be favourable.
Searching for incredible design hotels and hostels whilst travelling has always been one of our core focuses, and returning to Europe last summer has presented a fantastic opportunity to see the best the travel industry has to offer, especially as many accommodation services are branching further into the sector of boutique accommodation.
For us, that’s meant exploring many different alternatives to the design hotel idea, from incredible hostels like The Cats Pyjamas in Berlin, to hybrid concept ideas such as the unforgettable Superbude St.Pauli in Hamburg that blew our minds last October, so much so that after our few days there we had no intention of ever leaving.
Whilst more companies are exploring how to bring a design ethos into their hotel or hostel without pricing themselves out of the budget of most of their traveling clientele; the one place many of them perhaps fall down is the idea of ‘my personal space‘, something people really come to value the longer the’re on the road. Just ask any regular travelling businessman or backpacking traveller if they’d like somewhere quiet to call home for a couple of days and they’re most likely to snatch the keys out of your hand.
Thankfully, there are some places emerging that put the trio of personal space, an eye for design and affordability into their plans for unique design accommodation choices, one of which we had the pleasure of seeing and staying with during the ten day long free music festival in Ghent.
Decades Of Vintage Style
Sleepstreet in Ghent has established something extra special for travelers such as ourselves that like to have our privacy, but love to be surrounded by great design – and in the case of this unique collection of apartment accommodation to rent in Ghent – stunning vintage design that will transport you back through the years to another time and place.
Since 2011 Sleepstreet has been offering four unique apartments for short and long-term lease for both travellers and families to use as their own home and base of operations whilst they stay in one of Europe’s most under the radar cities for rail travellers (as mentioned by Becky and Gray of GlobalGrasshopper recently); and having spent time there for ourselves we can completely understand why people choose this incredible place to spend a long weekend.
Of the four apartments available (Sleepstreet have also just opened an extra breathtakingly cool house for bigger groups too) we were lucky enough to stay in one of the finest, entitled ‘Sleepstreet 1‘. With an open kitchen living room space and a comfortably sized double bedroom, we were in such utter comfort from the moment we stepped through the door that we dropped our bags and immediately took out our camera.
The living room is a great size, with plenty of chairs and a sofa for us to throw ourselves onto after a long walk along the canals and center of Ghent, and what better place to sit and observe the decorations around the room?
Having the kitchen to ourselves was also a great advantage even though we were certainly having no trouble finding vegan treats in Ghent, being able to cook a meal was a great break from the varied cuisine we’d had during the course of the following week.
The kitchen was great not just because of the opportunity it gave us to cook, but also because the design options for the room were so well chosen and presented. With a stylish cabinet filled with a lovely selection of classic polkadot bowls and cups, we were really happy to sit and enjoy a bite to eat, a cup of coffee, or to do some much needed work.
That Extra Something
We clearly loved Sleepstreet and its design apartment offering from the beginning so when the time came to leave we knew we’d find it hard, regardless of the fact we’d be spending the next few nights meeting locals via Couchsurfing; we’d miss it because of the freedom it gave us to do what we wanted, when we wanted, and in our own personal space that you don’t always find in a hotel or hostel.
We also loved the apartment for the little things, the little extras. Like the classic retro lamp and bedside table in the bedroom, the postcards by the window, and the many differing pictures on the walls.
Heading To Ghent?
If you too would like to call this incredible design apartment in Ghent your home for a couple of days either during the same free music festival we experienced, or during the celebration of light next year (as highlighted by Ashley of No Onions Extra Pickles) be sure to get in touch with this fantastic design and vintage lovers paradise at Sleepstreet by going to their website to make a reservation.
Would you like to spend the night at Sleepstreet?
Wow! Fantastic stuff !
Apartments can definitely be the way to go if you don’t need a lot of space. I spent most of my young adult years living in various apartments.
I really like this apartment , Very classy and interesting designs ! Thanks for sharing Buddy !
Hey bud!
Beautifully maintained!
I loved the way you have maintained your apartment.I personally like the drawing room area and the the broad mirror .I also like the dinning area setup and the showcase that have put up on the left side .Truly commendable guys.Keep posting such stuff.I am gonna put the same mirror in my home.Thanks for the share!
I would love to be there for a long!!
Lovely arrange of various things at this apartment is certainly praiseworthy. What all I can say is brilliant job done!
Looks great, doesn’t it?
Wow, looks like a great place to stay! Very unique and interesting designs for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted…Why (and How) I Write: A Blog Hop Post
It’s the design that makes it so fantastic and delightful 🙂
Looks like a fun and inspiring spot to call home for a few days.
Kenin recently posted…Get Amped at Little Amps Coffee Roasters in Harrisburg, PA
Honestly, we wish we could have stayed there for much, much longer.
Dale recently posted…The Grey Line Between Travel Bloggers And Writers
It’s lovely to have some kitchen space when traveling – sometimes you don’t want to go out for breakfast or just want wine, cheese and a salad for dinner. These design apartments sound ideal…
Having the choice to make a meal is a huge one. Sometimes we do just want to crash out and eat a simple salad for dinner, but on occasion we want something a little more filling, and having the kitchen at Sleepstreet was perfect for that.
Kind of like Airbnb really, in that you can have those little extras if you want them.
Dale recently posted…Ghent Festival – The Oldest Free Music Festival in Europe
How cool is SleepStreet!? Amazing!! I never really had Ghent on my to-visit list, but this place presents a strong pull in that direction!
Emily recently posted…My Birthday
You really should give a visit to Ghent some strong consideration, not only for this fantastic place, but also because the city itself is great for wandering around in. Maybe like Bruges it’s best for a day trip, but a couple of days there will also give you plenty to see and do.
Dale recently posted…Amsterdam Canal Parade, Our First Gay Pride Experience
I love Ghent and their quirky outlook on life, this place looks gorgeous!
Becky Padmore recently posted…In pictures: a weekend in Angers, France
Us too. The people we met though Couchsurfing were really nice, and the people on the street having a good time during the festival were great too.
I think this place sums up the people from Ghent pretty well 🙂
Dale recently posted…Ghent Festival – The Oldest Free Music Festival in Europe
Wow! What an incredible looking apartment! Where you stay can so often shape the rest of the trip, so I think it’s SO important to get somewhere that both looks good AND feel safe. I’ve never actually considered visiting Ghent, but I might just have to go in order to try out this place…
Emily Ray recently posted…11 Pictures That Sum Up My Trip to Amsterdam
We couldn’t recommend it higher, honestly. Any of their apartments will be great for you if having somewhere safe and good looking is what you’re after.
Dale recently posted…Spirit, A Hub Of Vegan Choice In Rotterdam
Wow, takes me back to my nan’s house in the 70’s. I would love to stay there.
Steve recently posted…My Next Trip
I know exactly what you mean, though my nans house still looked like that when I was a kid in the 80’s.
It probably still does. She should rent it out.
Dale recently posted…Our Vegan Travel Challenge Has Ended (Will We Stay Vegan?)
This place looks awesome! love the vintage wallpaper and paintings. It looks like a place full of genuine detail
rebecca recently posted…I was a little disappointed by Warsaw
Are you thinking of making a visit yourself?
certainly am! The next time I’m back in Europe Ghent is somewhere I would really like to visit.I’m thinking around the time of the Ghent festival for sure!
rebecca recently posted…I was a little disappointed by Warsaw