Antwerp is a city with two personalities: one lives in the world of Rubens and 17th century Flemish architecture, the other favors minimalist furniture from Maarten van Severen and parties with the fashion crowd in Antwerp Zuid, the new trendy neighborhood where Belgian designers Dries van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester have their flagship stores.
But, these two worlds come together in the recently renovated B&Bs and boutique hotels that have sprouted up across the city in the last seven years. I have never been to a city that has so many chic B&Bs and boutique hotels, especially one that happens to be off the beaten (tourist) track.
In recent years, Antwerp has become a regular stopover for the fashion and design crowd. It is the headquarters of the Belgian fashion industry: the Modemuseum (fashion museum) is outstanding; its fashion and arts academy ranks among the best in the world, and the competition among students is brutal. Antwerp designers’ creations are carried in major department stores and boutiques around the world. Antwerp excels in furniture and interior design as well. And you won’t be disappointed on the gastronomic front. There are so many good restaurants that I’m already wondering how I’m going to select my top ten for a future blog post.
I had enough trouble putting together this list of my favorite hotels and B&Bs in Antwerp. If you want to read more about them, look at the gorgeous photos, and view an availability calendar, visit the wonderful Weekendhotel site, which is a tremendous resource for hotels and B&Bs in Belgium and the Netherlands. Here is a link to Weekendhotel’s Antwerp page.
Boulevard Leopold
Belgielei 135
Antwerpen
+32 486 675 838
http://www.boulevard-leopold.be/
Elegant 19th century house in the Jewish quarter, my favorite place to stay in Antwerp
Hotel Matelote
Haarstraat 11A
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3 201 88 00
http://www.matelote.be/
Boutique hotel that brings 21st century chic to a restored 16th century building
Delaneau
Karel Rogierstraat 20
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3 216 27 85
www.delaneau20.com
Elegant, modern hotel and spa
M0851
Nationalestraat 19
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3 297 60 66
www.m0851.be
Trendy guestrooms across the Modemuseum (fashion museum), perfect for fashionistas
Room National
Nationalestraat 24
2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
+32 3 226 07 00
www.roomnational.com
Down the street from the Modemuseum, above the Violetta and Vera Pepa boutique, perfect for the fashion crowd
De Gulden Baers
Sint Katelijnevest 23
Antwerpen
+32 3 231 89 94
http://www.deguldenbaers.com/
Restored 18th century house owed by a real estate agent who specializes in historic houses, close to the most beautiful square in Antwerp (the Hendrik Conscienceplein)
Hotel Julien
Korte Nieuwstraat 24
Antwerpen
+32 3 229 06 00
http://www.hotel-julien.com/home.html
Luxurious boutique hotel in an historic house; minimalist modern design that still manages to be warm and inviting
Miauw Suites
Marnixplaats 14
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 (0)3 2484 707
http://www.miauw.com/
Industrial chic, light-filled apartment in the heart of Antwerp-Zuid, owned by Dutch fashion designer, Analik
Bed, Bath and Bread
Justitiestraat 43
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3248 1539
http://www.bbantwerp.com/
B&B in a restored Belle Epoque grand house
La Rimessa
Lamorinierestraat 127
Antwerp, Belgium
Tel +32 (0) 3 286 70 98
Mobile phone: +32 (0) 476 78 07 83
http://www.larimessa.be
B&B in an Art Nouveau townhouse
Antwerp Dreams B&B
Begijnenvest 20
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3 293 66 21
GSM: +32 475 48 19 16
http://www.antwerp-dreams.be/home/
Brocante-inspired B&B in the trendy Antwerp-Zuid neighborhood
Lobby
Jan van Beersstraat 51
Bolivarplaats
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3 233 6483
www.lobbyantwerp.com
Three uniquely designed suites; restaurant serves French-Belgian food
Hotel The Black
Amerikalei 113
Antwerp, Belgium
+32 3 298 4 298
www.hoteltheblack.be
Stylish, intimate three room boutique hotel in the trendy Antwerp South
About Esme Vos
