Ghent River Hotel is located on the right bank of the River Lys, which formed the city border of Ghent from the 11th to the 15th century. Because of the old jetty, Ghent River Hotel is the only hotel in Ghent that can be reached by boat.

The site comprises 2 buildings: a Renaissance house from 1518 and a rice mill built in 1857 on the foundations of a sugar refinery. This building subsequently served as a steam-cotton mill (1873), warehouse (1879), and as a steam-driven bread bakery (1892). The latter company had several expansions until 1909.

Opposite the hotel there is a small square where, from the Middle Ages until well into the 19th century, the yarn market took place. Next to the hotel we find one of the many typical "water streets".
Barely a few meters further you will find the Friday market with the statue of Jacob Van Artevelde.