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Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

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• Episode aired Apr 25, 2022

Joe and Katherine Parkinson explore Antwerp by hitting a golf ball around it, before they sample the local beer, have breakfast in a launderette and journey down into the subterranean tunnel... Read all Joe and Katherine Parkinson explore Antwerp by hitting a golf ball around it, before they sample the local beer, have breakfast in a launderette and journey down into the subterranean tunnels. Joe and Katherine Parkinson explore Antwerp by hitting a golf ball around it, before they sample the local beer, have breakfast in a launderette and journey down into the subterranean tunnels.

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• April 25, 2022 (United Kingdom)
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• De Witte Lelie, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
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8 of the best hotels in Antwerp

By Clodagh Kinsella

As the home of edgy fashion set the Antwerp Six in the 1980s, and Prada’s Raf Simons today – not forgetting interiors maestro Axel Vervoort –  Belgium’s  second city has long had first-class style. While such design credentials shine in the port’s many independent boutiques, its newly buzzing hotel scene offers another masterclass in Antwerp cool. It hasn’t always been this way. For years, any overnight guest was best served by booking into one of its characterful, antique-strewn B&Bs, but there’s no ignoring the new wave of attention-grabbing  hotels  in Antwerp: flamboyant boutique properties with hand-painted frescoes, or (as is the case with two separate new arrivals) spa- and Michelin-star-fuelled former monasteries. Indeed, the north Belgian region of Flanders counts more Michelin stars per head than  France  – and it’s this new fusion of food and fine style that’s particularly thrilling, with these hotels in Antwerp offering gastro-happy stays allowing guests to dine out without, well, dining out.

Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp

From the supercars looping the leafy courtyard to the four-Michelin-star-strong armada of restaurants, Antwerp’s newest arrival truly means business. Conference types do love the super-luxe ex-monastery (replete with a 15th-century chapel) but it’s R&R that rules at the city’s only five-star, befitting its location by the local Botanic Garden. Few  spas  are so serene: think greenhouse-like pool, panoramic Finnish sauna and rigorous treatment menu spanning top-to-toe massages and TCM treatment plans; you’ll also find the holistic Saint Charles spa products in the beautiful ex-apothecary-turned-boutique. Wabi-sabi fans will meanwhile adore the cosseting rooms and apartment-sized suites – some showcasing historical painting techniques, and all offering jungle-hot rainforest showers. The revival of Asian-inspired two-star Hertog Jan is the red-hot dinner ticket (they also run the classic brasserie Bar Bulot), but one-stars Fine Fleur (casual fine dining) and Het Gebaar (world-class  afternoon teas ) are more than mere understudies. Add in the epic, champagne-lashed breakfast buffet and Flanders’ medieval splendour is reborn. 

Hotel address: Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, Leopoldstraat 26, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £313

Hotel Flora

Hidden beyond a Rococo gatehouse, but with medieval roots, Antwerp’s most idiosyncratic new boutique hotel was once home to local printing merchants the Moretus family. These days, courtesy of interiors guru Gert Voorjans, there’s nothing old-school about the decor, from the super-saturated lounge, where gracious host Pieter dispenses the signature gin-and-calamansi welcome cocktail, to seven sui generis bedrooms eschewing generic prints for local artist Niels Verkaeren’s hand-painted golden rain frescoes. “Agate” has a leopard-print carpet (not for nothing is Mick Jagger a Voorjans client), canary-yellow walls and a toilet set in a pagoda-style turret. Another quirk: split-tension mattresses – though after complimentary Madeira from a vintage decanter you may just sprawl horizontally. Give the chef carte blanche at breakfast. On one visit that meant a sublime three-tiered array of small plates (omelette, pata negra, fine fruit) plus two types of bread made on-site. For added decadence, privatise the whole house.

Hotel address: Hotel Flora, Korte Nieuwstraat 12, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £245

Fêted Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen is behind the locally esteemed Hotel Julien’s spin-off in a former Augustinian convent in the upcoming Green Quarter. His purist, detail-oriented aesthetic reigns supreme throughout the five-building property, with 44 woody, neutrally toned bedrooms and suites juggling handwoven carpets and hand-glazed bathroom tiles alongside assured modernist touches. The centrepiece here is the stunning, high-ceilinged ex-nun’s chapel – now a clubby lounge-bar – but further lures are the well-curated in-house shop, and Bamford-fuelled Zen spa, with its outdoor swimming pond. While Nick Bril’s two-star gastro-temple The Jane is a minute away, he also oversees August’s ambitious bar menu (featuring cheese by Van Tricht, Belgium’s choice cheesemonger) and brasserie, turning out creative seasonal cuisine. You’ll need to tram or bike into town, but between the buzzing ex-industrial site PAKT on the hotel’s doorstep, and the architectural Disneyland that is the nearby Zurenborg quarter, there’s plenty to keep you locally.

Hotel address: August, Jules Bordetstraat 5, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £173 

De Witte Lelie

Ring the doorbell to gain entry to rock stars’ favourite Antwerp getaway, in a trio of noble 17th-century gabled houses minutes from town and moments from the Old Masters of the Snijders&Rockox House. The name may mean “The White Lily” but this is no blushing flower: 10 gloriously unalike rooms and suites err towards the flamboyant, from whimsical number nine(Adèle’s favourite), with its Marilyn Monroe wallpaper, flying plastic fish and enamelled tin tub, to the Presidential Suite, where you shower beneath a chandelier and dry off in a Louis XIV-style living room. Style meets substance too, with fine linens, Hermès toiletries and complimentary mini-bars upstairs and (NB Tesla owners) an underground car park with electric charging. Beyond the lobby’s handsome black-and-white chequered tiles lies the glimmering Bronze Bar, two velvet-heavy sitting rooms (one with open fire) and a candlelit breakfast room, with eggs cooked to order in the vintage open kitchen – or feast in the floral courtyard in season.

Hotel address: De Witte Lelie, Keizerstraat 16, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £285

It may occupy a former bank, but this grand Relais & Châteaux boutique hotel makes a priceless first impression: step into the light-filled lobby and you’re struck by the superb Neoclassical columns, soaring ceiling and clove-rich in-house scent. Linger for a glass of welcome Champagne before heading up the marble staircase to the rooms and suites; albeit more understated than the public spaces, they’re just as classy, with mattresses by the supplier to the  British Royals  no less. Antwerp is a village and Franq lies at its heart, barely five minutes over the cobbles to the city’s medieval square, or Grand Place. After a pintje (pint) or two in a charismatic local brown bar, bank on dinner at Franq’s eponymous one-star restaurant: here Tim Meulenaire turns out note-perfect French-Mediterranean food against Rousseau-esque jungle backdrops. The prodigal chef also steers the hotel’s more accessible gastrobar and sporadic speakeasy. 

Hotel address: Franq, Kipdorp 10–12, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £175

Hotel Pilar

Borrowing Hemingway’s nickname for both his wife and fishing boat, this 17-room corner hotel had to wait five years to capitalise on its prime location—right opposite the Rubens-lined Royal Museum of Fine Arts, which reopened in Autumn 2022—in upscale ’t Zuid. Together interior architect Sam Peeters and hospitality pro-Christophe Ysewyn have created a template of the hip, multi-tasking destination hotel: downstairs is the hit all-day Foodbar, whose plates pick and mix influences with Ottolenghi-esque flair (mussels with dashi, coconut and chili, say, or fried eggs with labneh for breakfast); while it has recently expanded into the space that once housed their homewares shop, the art on the hotel’s walls is still for sale. Upstairs, rooms and suites abound in design objects and vibrant textiles, with the coveted terrace suites perfect for kicking back with a drink post-art, and two “eco” rooms featuring note- and soak-worthy wooden tubs. 

Hotel address:  Leopold de Waelplaats 34, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £114

U Eat & Sleep

The first of the new wave of gastro-hotels to set up locally, this 15-room boutique hideaway cements the growing appeal of the northern dockside neighbourhood ’t Eilandje. Overlooking the bobbing yachts of the city’s marina (not least from the rangy terrace), it was launched by Viki Geunes, chef of the three-star ’t Zilte restaurant in the showpiece MAS museum, just opposite, and TV personality Hans Otten. The idea was to create a place that’s more of a restaurant with a hotel attached than vice-versa; rooms are accordingly less splashy than the common spaces, but successfully mine the minimal-chic look, with quality minibars and beds. But it’s the food that sings: an embarrassment of riches, with refined, globe-trotting dishes (super-charged surf and turf such as wagyu beef and North Sea crab) and multi-course menus to be taken wherever “u” like – be it in the formal restaurant, lively open-kitchen bar, or cocktail lounge. \

Hotel address: U Eat & Sleep, Nassaustraat 42, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £152

Hotel ’t Sandt

This stately 16th-century building has quite an exotic history, having served as a warehouse where the first bananas were imported into  Europe  (the river Scheldt then flowed directly to its doors). The revamped riverfront promenade is now a block away, but the building’s heritage lives on—most dramatically in the “Mandarin Oriental” room (all rooms unusually namecheck other hotels) and Cathedral Penthouse suite, graced with the original wheels used to haul in the cargo. A hotel since the 1990s, current co-owner Sandy has continued its unusually informal, home-from-home vibe (no uniforms in sight) while revamping the gorgeous pink-and-red-hued living room, and the 29 individually styled rooms and suites. Many have exposed beams, while duplexes add cast-iron staircases and the Cathedral Suite a phenomenal view of Gothic masterpiece the Cathedral of Our Lady, just minutes away. The ample breakfast buffet should satisfy but, in keeping with their approach, they’ll cater to other whims. 

Hotel address: Sand 17–19, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium Price: Doubles from £178 

The 12 Best Hotels in Antwerp, Belgium

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Effortlessly cool and unashamedly chic, Antwerp is the place to see and be seen. The dramatic city is well known for its remarkable art galleries, trendy cafe culture, vinyl record stores, and vintage fashion boutiques. Combine all this with mesmerizing Renaissance architecture, cobblestone lanes, and animated market squares, and you’ve got a wonderful city that captivates and fascinates!

In the mid-16th century, Antwerp was one of the most important cities in Europe. The Belgian city was also home to Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens, and you’ll find his masterpieces in the many art galleries scattered throughout the city. For even more gems, seek out Antwerp’s countless diamond stores, which practically took over the city after Lodewyk van Bercken created a new diamond-polishing tool in the 15th century.

Whether you want to find out more about Antwerp’s intriguing history or embrace the modern cosmopolitan culture on offer today, the city will leave you spellbound. Stay in one of the coolest hotels in Antwerp, and you can do it all!

Antwerp is home to loads of accommodation options, from contemporary and chic hotel rooms with state-of-the-art tech to centuries-old inns that invite you to step back in time. In fact, there are so many incredible places to stay in Antwerp that you may not be able to choose just one. To help you make up your mind, we’ve put together a list of the 12 best hotels in Antwerp!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 12 Best Hotels in Antwerp, Belgium

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

Where to Stay in Antwerp

There are loads of great places to stay in Antwerp, whatever type of vacation you’re planning!

If this is your first time visiting the city, we suggest staying in Antwerp Old Town. Also known as the historical center, this region is full of stunning Renaissance architecture, interesting museums, jazz bars, and bustling market squares. It’s also where you’ll find some of the best Antwerp hotels. 

Zurenborg is a fantastic choice if you’re visiting Antwerp as a family. This beautiful neighborhood has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that you’d expect from a small village. Here you’ll find all kinds of fun things to do, such as a day trip to the zoo, picnics in the park, and plenty of Art Nouveau-style streets to explore.

For the best nightlife in the city, choose Het Zuid. One of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, this area is brimming with cool restaurants, lively bars, and buzzing nightclubs. There are plenty of art galleries and museums to keep you entertained during the daytime, too.

If you’re looking for something a little offbeat, we recommend Sint-Andries. Also called Saint Andrew’s District, this gentrified zone boasts vintage boutique shops, antique stores, independent cafes, and contemporary art galleries. It’s also home to some of the coolest Antwerp hotels! 

12 Cool Hotels in Antwerp

1. hotel julien.

Nestled in the heart of the historic city center, Hotel Julien is a peaceful oasis in the middle of an urban jungle. Spread out over two 16th-century buildings, the hotel has been beautifully restored and combines gorgeous original features with contemporary extras to offer you the best of both worlds.

The rooms here are simple yet bursting with character. From wooden beamed ceilings and private terraces to limited edition photos and roll-top tubs, each room here has something special that makes it unique. Whichever room you choose, you’ll be treated to Egyptian cotton sheets, soft down pillows, and Carrara marble bathrooms with Aesop toiletries.

You’ve got to visit the hotel’s restaurant at least once during your trip. In the morning, you’re invited to indulge in a decadent breakfast buffet. A light menu with snacks and nibbles is on offer throughout the rest of the day and evening. For a drink with a view, head to the rooftop bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail and incredible panoramas of the nearby cathedral.

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2. Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt

One of the best hotels in Antwerp if you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing, Hotel Rubens-Grote Markt is located smack in the middle of all the action. The magnificent cathedral, excellent shopping streets, fascinating museums, gourmet restaurants, and vibrant bars are all just a short walk away.

With gorgeous focal walls, huge comfy beds, and modern marble bathrooms with rainwater showers, all the rooms here are superb. But if you’re celebrating a special occasion, we recommend splashing out on the Penthouse Suite. This dazzling room boasts a spacious lounge with a 50-inch TV, a Nespresso coffee machine, and an open-plan bathroom with a free-standing tub and double sinks. 

Start your day with a delectable breakfast buffet served on the patio of the hotel’s 16th-century Pagadder tower. With a wonderful selection of breads, pastries, cheeses, cold cuts, and Belgian waffles, you’ll find everything you need to fuel up for a big day checking out the sights.

3. Cabosse, Suites & Spa

If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation, consider staying at Cabosse, Suites & Spa . This glamorous hotel is tucked away in one of the most peaceful parts of the city, but it’s still within easy reach of all the major sights and attractions.

Pleasure and luxury are the priorities here. The boutique hotel is set inside a renovated mansion that dates back to 1864 and boasts a bamboo spa. The ideal place to relax after a long day, the spa features a sauna, hammam, and outdoor swimming pool.

You’ve got to try the hotel’s afternoon high tea. You’ll be treated to a glass of champagne, assorted sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream, various pastries, and tea or coffee in the stunning parlor. If you’d prefer something a little stronger, the hotel has an opulent wine bar where you can treat yourself to a wine tasting experience or sommelier class.

4. Hotel FRANQ

Thanks to its central location, contemporary design, and incredible restaurant, Hotel FRANQ is one of the best boutique hotels in Antwerp. The hotel is set inside a former bank and still boasts original neo-classical architecture.

The cozy rooms feature everything you need to enjoy your stay. Large smart TVs, Bluetooth speakers, Wi-Fi access, individual air conditioning, king-size beds, and free tea, coffee, and water all come as standard. Each room also features a stunning bathroom with a rainwater shower and luxury products from the White Company.

A reservation at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant is a must. Restaurant FRANQ dishes up an incredible lunch and dinner menu bursting with international plates and gourmet flair. 

For something a bit more casual, consider dining at Gastrobar FRANQ. Here you can choose from an excellent selection of tapas-style dishes designed for sharing, alongside an innovative cocktail menu.

Bar FRANQ is another place you can grab something to eat. This contemporary bar also serves tapas-style bar food along with a fantastic collection of wines, cocktails, teas, and coffees.

5. Lit d’Art Exclusive Boutique Hotel

Located in Het Zuid, Lit d’Art Exclusive Boutique Hotel is a luxury design hotel surrounded by things to see and do. Just steps away from the entrance, you’ll find a selection of tempting bars and restaurants, famous shopping streets, and incredible museums. 

While there’s also a great choice of art galleries in the local area, you don’t even have to leave to admire creativity. Wherever you are in the hotel, from the reception to your room, you’ll find stunning and thought-provoking works of art created by local artists. If any take your fancy, you’re welcome to make an offer and take them home with you!

The accommodation here is a work of art itself. The Art Nouveau building houses four opulent suites that have been designed with incredible attention to detail. Each suite is entirely unique, but they all feature a modern black and white color palette, high ceilings, herringbone parquet, and luxurious bathrooms with rainwater showers.

6. Hotel ‘T Sandt

If you like having a lot of space on vacation and you’re wondering where to stay in Antwerp, consider the Hotel ‘T Sandt . The hotel’s standard rooms are pretty spacious, but their suites are absolutely huge!

Located on the fourth floor of the 16th-century renovated warehouse, the suites feature extra-large beds, vaulted ceilings with wooden beams, and roomy lounge areas. One of the suites even has superb views of the nearby cathedral.

If you need a little pampering, pay a visit to the hotel’s beauty salon. Here you can treat yourself to wonderful facials, massages, waxes, manicures, and pedicures. If you’re getting ready for a special evening, you can even have your makeup done by a professional.

The hotel offers an Italian-style patio where you can enjoy a cocktail and relax on a warm summer evening. Although lunch and dinner aren’t served (there is an excellent breakfast buffet each morning), you’ll be spoiled for choice with cafes and restaurants in the surrounding areas. 

7. De Witte Lelie

Made up of just 10 suites hidden away inside three 17th-century cabled white buildings, De Witte Lelie is one of the most charming and intimate hotels in Antwerp. Ideally located in the center of the city, you can spend your days exploring everything Antwerp has to offer and then return to your comforting, peaceful room for a good night’s sleep.

There’s an excellent selection of accommodation options to choose between, from classic rooms and deluxe rooms to luxury suites and a presidential suite. The classic rooms are remarkably spacious, with whitewashed walls and cheery pops of color. Plus, each room comes with a complimentary minibar filled with Belgian beer, soft drinks, water, and fruit.

For an extra-special treat, book the presidential suite and be wowed by a living room decorated in Louis XIV style, a crystal chandelier, and a large bathroom with Hermes toiletries.

The hotel really invites you to make yourself at home, with two marvelous lounges with open fires, a cute courtyard filled with fragrant flowers, and the welcoming Bronze Bar that serves a fantastic selection of wines, champagnes, spirits, and soft drinks.

8. Hotel Indigo Antwerp City Centre

One of the most unique hotels in Antwerp, Hotel Indigo Antwerp City Centre has thought of absolutely everything! From gorgeous hand-crafted furniture and contemporary artwork in the guest rooms to super-fast Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and a free app that helps you explore the city, this hotel hasn’t left anything out!

QA’s Kitchen is a fantastic place to discover local food. Here you can dig into fluffy Belgian waffles, specialty coffees, addictive Belgian fries, and a great assortment of Flemish beers. 

For something a bit more sophisticated, make a reservation for The Jane. This Michelin-starred restaurant is tucked away inside a Baroque chapel decorated with spiked chandeliers and skull-shaped stained glass windows. Here you can treat yourself to incredible tasting menus and inventive cocktails.

The rooms here are colorful and quirky. Boasting vibrant blocks of color, original artwork, contemporary fabrics, and luxury bathroom amenities, spending the night in one of these rooms is like sleeping in a high-end boutique store!

9. U Eat & Sleep Antwerp

U Eat & Sleep Antwerp is a fantastic place to stay if you’re looking for a cool and trendy hotel in the city. Just steps away from the historical center and all the bars, restaurants, museums, and boutiques it has to offer, this hotel is perfectly positioned for exploring the city.

There are just 15 guest rooms here, so you can be sure of a peaceful, relaxing experience. If you’re just spending a couple of days in Antwerp, the “Cozy” rooms are ideal. But if you’re staying longer, we recommend upgrading to one of the larger “Charming” rooms. 

When you feel like splashing out, book one of the “Luxury” rooms. These large rooms boast beautiful views over the marina, comfy lounge areas, practical workspaces, and huge bathrooms with separate tubs.

A foodie’s paradise, U Eat & Sleep Antwerp offers three superb places to dine, one of which has been awarded a Michelin star. It also offers a stylish lounge where you’ll find a fantastic cocktail menu, along with light bar bites. 

10. Hyllit Hotel

One of the few hotels in the city that has a swimming pool, Hyllit Hotel is a great place to stay if you want to split your time between relaxing and exploring. The hotel boasts a prestigious location on the De Keyserlei shopping avenue and is just a short walk away from the Antwerp Central Station.

The Gran Duca restaurant is one of the hotel’s many highlights. Located on the hotel’s rooftop, the eatery dishes up sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine along with fantastic views of the city. If you’re just in the mood for a drink, check out the Emerald Bar. This exclusive lounge offers a fantastic drink selection in a relaxed, yet elegant atmosphere.

When you need to unwind after a long day of sightseeing, head for the health and leisure center. Here you’ll find an award-winning indoor swimming pool and a soothing sauna. There’s also a well-equipped fitness room and a beauty center where you can pamper yourself with all kinds of treatments.

11. NH Collection Antwerp Centre

Located in the Diamond Quarter, just steps away from the Antwerp Central Station, the NH Collection Antwerp Centre offers a bright and colorful hideaway in the middle of the busy city. With Antwerp’s main cultural attractions, Michelin-starred restaurants, designer fashion boutiques, and artisan chocolate stores in the area, you’ll have plenty to do if you choose this hotel.

Here you can pick from 186 simple yet stunning rooms spread out over eight floors. If you manage to snag yourself a room on the top floor, you’ll be treated to excellent views of Grote Markt and Antwerp Zoo. 

One of our favorite things about the rooms here is the bathrooms. Each shower features a floor-to-ceiling photograph of a famous part of the city. It really adds character and makes this a unique Antwerp hotel. The bathrooms also come with fantastic rainwater showers, fluffy white towels, and top-end toiletries.

There’s an on-site tapas bar that dishes up sophisticated, seasonal small plates, as well as wines, cavas, and sherries. If you’re looking for something a bit more local, you’ll find countless options available on the hotel’s doorstep.

12. PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp

If you’re traveling to Antwerp as a family, we recommend booking an apartment at the PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp . The ideal choice if you need a bit of extra space, these self-catering studios and apartments come with everything you need to feel at home.

Most apartments boast a king-size bed, a fully-equipped kitchenette, a spacious lounge area with a dining table, a modern bathroom with a power shower, and a private balcony or access to a shared terrace. They’re decorated in natural colors with subtle red highlights to inspire relaxation.

Don’t need all that space? PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp also offers a selection of deluxe rooms which feature a plush Seventh Heaven bed, coffee machine, mini-fridge, and balcony with city views.

Much more than just a block of apartments, this hotel provides you with access to a complimentary gym and laundry room. If you don’t feel like cooking, there’s also the 7th Heaven Food Café, where you can treat yourself to a breakfast buffet or the a la carte offerings for lunch and dinner.

That completes our list of the 12 best Antwerp hotels! Did we miss any cool boutique hotels in Antwerp? Comment below so we can add them to the list!

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If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation, consider staying at Cabosse, Suites & Spa. This glamorous hotel is tucked away in one of the most peaceful parts of the city, but it’s still within easy reach of all the major sights and attractions. Pleasure and luxury are the priorities here. The boutique hotel is set inside a renovated mansion that dates back to 1864 and boasts a bamboo spa. The ideal place to relax after a long day, the spa features a sauna, hammam, and outdoor swimming pool.

Thanks to its central location, contemporary design, and incredible restaurant, Hotel FRANQ is one of the best boutique hotels in Antwerp. A reservation at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant is a must. Restaurant FRANQ dishes up an incredible lunch and dinner menu bursting with international plates and gourmet flair. For something a bit more casual, consider dining at Gastrobar FRANQ. Here you can choose from an excellent selection of tapas-style dishes designed for sharing, alongside an innovative cocktail menu.

If you’re traveling to Antwerp as a family, we recommend booking an apartment at the PREMIER SUITES PLUS Antwerp. The ideal choice if you need a bit of extra space, these self-catering studios and apartments come with everything you need to feel at home. Much more than just a block of apartments, this hotel provides you with access to a complimentary gym and laundry room. If you don’t feel like cooking, there’s also the 7th Heaven Food Café, where you can treat yourself to a breakfast buffet or the a la carte offerings for lunch and dinner.

About the Author:

Nicola is a freelance writer with an insatiable hunger for travel. She swapped her home in the UK for the sunny Canary Islands when she was just 11 and she has been based there ever since. From crawling on her hands and knees inside pyramids in Egypt to swimming with baby sharks in Bali and searching (fruitlessly!) for the Northern Lights in Iceland, Nicola takes every chance she gets to explore new places. The incredible experiences she has around the world fuels her writing and inspires her to plan even more adventures for the future.

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Travel Man: SerieS 4

Christmas special  .

Hollywood actor Rebel Wilson joins Richard for a fun-packed whizz round Florence in a mini-break mixing art, action, gelato, a drive in a classic Alfa Romeo, and some tripe. HOTEL:

AdAstra Hôtel Particulier

adastraflorence.com

FOOD AND DRINK:

Meracato Centrale Market for the Tripe Sandwich: www.mercatocentrale.it/en/mercato-centrale-florence   In Fabbrica Restaurant, dinner in the silver workshop: www.restaurant.pampaloni.com   Cappuccino and budino di riso at Ditta Artigianale: www.dittaartigianale.it   Find Gelato Pasco at: ​Gelateria Pasco, Piazza di Santa Maria Novella ​ ​ACTIVITIES: 

Florence Cathedral: www.ilgrandemuseodelduomo.it   Meracato Centrale Market for the Tripe Sandwich: www.mercatocentrale.it   Uffizi Gallery featuring The Birth of Venus by  Botticelli: www.uffizi.org   Accademia Gallery, featuring Michelangelo’s David: www.accademia.org   Rafting on Arno river: www.firenzerafting.it/en   Hire yourself a classic Alfa Romeo: www.chianticlassiccar.com   Truffle Hunter Walk!: www.trufflehunter.net   Hidden Florence App for a free walking tour with fictional tour guide Giovani!: hiddenflorence.org   Find the wax anatomical collection  at La Specola, The Museum of Zoology and Natural History: www.msn.unifi.it

EpiSode One 

Comedian Rob Beckett joins Richard Ayoade in Russia's cultural capital, for a post-Soviet itinerary including an armoured tank, caviar, vodka, and a herring in a fur coat. HOTEL: 

The Official State Hermitage

www.thehermitagehotel.ru/en/ FOOD AND DRINK:  Soviet Café Kvartirka: www.reca.rest/restaurants/KvartirkaVO   The world’s only Caviar Bar in the Grand Hotel Europe: www.belmond.com/grand-hotel   Singer Café: Nevsky avenue, 28, Saint-Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, Russia, 191186 ACTIVITIES:  New Holland Ice Skating: www.newhollandsp.ru/en   Spa: www.thehermitagehotel.ru/en   Swan Lake: nab. Lebyazhyey kanavki, Saint-Petersburg, Russia   Horse and Cart Palace Square: Many available around the city   Metro station: Admiralteyskaya Coin Toss CHIZHIK-PYZHIK: Fontanka river embankment, Saint-Petersburg, Russia, 191023 ​Hermitage Musuem: www.hermitagemuseum.org/wps Ice Sculpture Festival at Peter and Paul Fortress, St Petersburg  

EpiSode TWO 

Richard and comedian Aisling Bea make a whirlwind tour of Hungary's fairy-tale capital, with selfies, goulash, cake, pubs, liquor, and a game of chess at the thermal baths. HOTEL:

www.lavendercircus.com/ FOOD AND DRINK:  Kehli Restaurant: www.kehli.hu/   Chimney Cake: Töltött Kürtős, Erzsébet tér 13, Budapest, Hungary, 1051   Ruin Bar:  ​en.szimpla.hu/szimpla-garden   Richard and Aisling tried Hungarian sparkling wine at the Piknik Pavillion: piknikpavilon.hu ACTIVITIES:  Fungarian tour: fungarian.hu Children’s railway: www.gyermekvasut.hu   Chair lift: www.bkv.hu/en/zugliget_chairlift   Széchenyi Baths: www.szechenyibath.hu Funicular: www.bkv.hu/en/buda_castle_funicular

EpiSode Three

Richard Ayoade packs his case and heads to the Canaries to discover what lies beyond the all-inclusive resorts of the volcanic island of Tenerife.  Making the trip from LA to join him is writer, director and actor, Lena Dunham. HOTEL:

Hotel Emblemático Casa Casilda hotel-emblematico-casa-casilda.tacoronte.hotel-tenerife.net/en/ FOOD AND DRINK: Guachinche: Casa Lito – Calle Tijarafe, 35, 38390 Sta Úrsula, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain ‘Barraquito’ accompanied by Morcilla Dulce (sweet black pudding) at : www.lahierbita.com ACTIVITIES: Whale watching Tour: tenerifesailingcharters.es/sailingenglish Stargazing: www.volcanoteide.com/en   Golf lesson: www.golfcostaadeje.com/en   Auditorio de Tenerife: Av de la Constitucion, 1, 38003 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain   Mount Teide National Park, including the Roque Cinchado and the Las Canadas Luna Landscape ​Santa Cruz Sculpture trail: Rambla De Santa Cruz, Tenerife 

EpiSode Four

Richard and Rhod Gilbert's high-speed visit to Florida's famous hot spot takes in art, art deco, alligators, speedboats, an airboat tour of the everglades - and dominoes. HOTEL:

The Raleigh Hotel  raleighhotel.com FOOD AND DRINK: They had lunch at Joe Stone’s Crab:  www.joesstonecrab.com They stopped for a cold pressed juice at Jugo Fresh. ACTIVITIES: Speed boat tour with Captain Mike:  www.speedboattours.com Bingo with Miss Toto:  www.gramps.com   Air-boat ride in the Everglades:  coopertownairboats.com   Yoga on the beach:  3rdstreetbeachyoga.com   Wynwood Walls:  www.thewynwoodwalls.com El Cristo Cuban Restaurant, The Ball and Chain Bar and Maximo Park are all on SW 8th Street in Miami's Little Havana neighbourhood

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Flocking To

A Guide to Antwerp, a City of Avant-Garde Fashion and Art Nouveau Architecture

Five locals — including three of Belgium’s most influential designers — share their favorite stores, museums, restaurants and more.

By Gisela Williams

T’s monthly travel series, Flocking To , highlights places you might already have on your wish list, sharing tips from frequent visitors and locals alike. Sign up here to find us in your inbox once a month, and to receive our weekly T List newsletter. Have a question? You can always reach us at [email protected] .

In the 16th century, Antwerp, Belgium, with its busy docks along the river Scheldt, was a booming center of trade and one of Europe’s most influential cities, attracting artists, intellectuals and entrepreneurs. In 1576, Christophe Plantin ran a prestigious printing business (one of the continent’s largest) in the center of the city, a half-mile from where, a few decades later, the painter Peter Paul Rubens would build his own studio and semicircular sculpture hall, modeled after the Pantheon. Over the years, while other long-established port cities like Venice and Barcelona evolved into throbbing tourist centers, Belgium’s second city largely kept far away from the spotlight, yet it’s always quietly maintained a reputation as a place for innovation and creative expression. In the 1980s, it became an important fashion hub with the emergence of the Antwerp Six: a group of young designers, including Ann Demeulemeester, who had been educated at the city’s Royal Academy of Fine Arts.

Even now, despite its relatively small size (the population is about 545,000), Antwerp is still home to a cluster of people at the top of their creative fields, including the visual artist Luc Tuymans and Pieter Mulier, the creative director of the fashion brand Alaïa. “I can see the port from one side of my apartment and Antwerp’s historic center from the other side,” says Mulier. “Those views allow me to understand the richness of this city, not just financially but culturally.” Lately, there has been a renewed sense of dynamism in Antwerp, with a slate of recently opened restaurants, bars and hotels, including Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, a luxury resort housed in a converted monastery, as well as ambitious new architectural projects underway in the southern part of the city led by Tokyo’s Shigeru Ban and others. The art scene is also getting a boost now that KMSKA, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, has reopened after its decade-long renovation. Here, Mulier and four other notable locals share some of their favorite spots in the city, from beloved relics to new diversions.

The Insiders

The Costa Rican Cuban painter Ileana Moro lived in New York City, Los Angeles and Mexico City before moving to Antwerp in 2022.

The fashion designer Pieter Mulier , the creative director of Alaïa, divides his time between Antwerp and Paris.

Karen Shu , the chef and owner of the plant-based restaurant And/Or and a former chef de cuisine at Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s ABC Kitchen in New York, moved to Antwerp in 2021.

The architect and designer Vincent Van Duysen , who founded his firm in Antwerp in 1989, has designed a number of buildings and interiors in the city, including those of the hotel August in 2019.

The interior designer, gallerist and antiques dealer Axel Vervoordt is known for prominent design projects throughout his hometown, as well as international ones.

Illustrations by Richard Pedaline

“For a small city like Antwerp to have something as high-end as the Botanic Sanctuary hotel is quite astonishing. The level of everything here, from the restaurants to the service to the rooms, is unbelievable. They took a very long time to do it and had quite an eye for detail. That’s very Flemish. We take a lot of time for things.” (Rooms from about $590 a night.) — Pieter Mulier

“ August was once a military hospital and Augustinian cloister. The high ceilings and old convent windows have so much charm, and I love the way the garden is set away from the street so it feels completely private. It’s perfect for an aperitif or drinks after dinner.” (Rooms from about $190 a night.) — Karen Shu

“ Hotel Julien is a very welcoming and charming townhouse located in the city center. The aesthetics belong to the culture of Antwerp: minimal, elegant and historic, but also modern.” (Rooms from about $225 a night.) — Vincent Van Duysen

Eat and Drink

“ Osaka is a special place — the people, the atmosphere and the design. Inside the surfaces are all stainless steel, very futuristic. The natural-wine list is exceptional, and the oysters are really good. In the summer, people sit outside on the terrace.” — Ileana Moro

“ Tazu is my favorite cocktail bar. It’s gorgeous, and Julian Youssef, the head bartender, is a master cocktail curator and can make you a drink depending on your mood.” — K.S.

“ Restaurant Veranda is very Antwerp, but it also has a bit of a creative Brooklyn feeling. The interiors are simple and understated, and the chef Davy Schellemans makes great seasonal food with the best ingredients. ’t Fornuis is a rustic Flemish place with heavy wood interiors. It’s [an aesthetic] I wouldn’t normally connect with, but the food is incredible. It’s Belgian cuisine with a slightly Mediterranean touch. Sir Anthony Van Dijck is in the heart of the oldest part of the city, where Axel Vervoordt started his career. You have to ring a bell and someone opens the door for you. And then you enter this beautiful place designed by Axel.” — V.V.D.

“ Houben is one of the most iconic multibrand stores in Antwerp. The couple who own it have a very good eye, and the shop has been going since the ’80s, when they were selling Comme des Garçons and Yohji Yamamoto. I still visit them regularly.” — P.M.

“Antwerp is very much about fashion, from Ann Demeulemeester to Dries Van Noten, but my favorite exclusive place to window shop is Verso . It’s so chic, with a mix of designers, from Dior to Vince.” — K.S. “ Het Modepaleis is the flagship store of Dries Van Noten, one of my favorite Antwerp designers, who’s also a close friend. His collections are inspired by artworks, the fabrics are very original and distinguished (both for men and women).” — Axel Vervoordt

“I’m obsessed with bed linen. Marie-Marie sells luxurious linens, and there’s no end to the options. It has its own line, which is of an unbelievable quality.” — P.M.

“ Graanmarkt 13 [designed by Van Duysen] is a cabinet of wonders. It’s a place to discover things. Everything that the co-founders Ilse Cornelissens and Tim Van Geloven choose, whether accessories or objects or clothing, is one of a kind.” — V.V.D.

“The art park at the Middelheim Museum is one of the most beautiful sculpture parks that I’ve ever seen. It has an excellent, diverse collection — you can find everything from a Rodin sculpture to an Ai Weiwei, and there’s a nice cafe. Located in the harbor neighborhood Het Eilandje, CASSTL functions as a hybrid of an artist-run space and a gallery. It was founded by Luc Tuymans and the artist duo Carla Arocha and Stéphane Schraenen. They promote noncommercial projects, including performances and installations.” — I.M.

“The Kanaal project — an industrial complex with residences, offices and art spaces [including the Axel Vervoordt Gallery] outside Antwerp — was imagined and developed by Axel and his family; you just get absorbed by their personal taste. It’s a complete universe. You go from one space, such as the Anish Kapoor installation, to another, such as a vast gallery of historic sculptures, and all throughout you travel from dark to light. The whole complex plays with the light of Belgium. The Museum Plantin-Moretus is the house and workshop of the 16th-century printer Christophe Plantin. There’s a beautiful library there.” — P.M.

“If you appreciate architecture and want to discover Antwerp from another era, you have to walk through the Zurenborg neighborhood . I love the Art Nouveau buildings.” — K.S.

“Peter Paul Rubens contributed to the decoration at St. Charles Borromeo Church . It’s from the early 1600s, and the interiors are exquisite. Sometimes I go there by myself. It’s walking distance from the city center. You follow small, narrow streets and then suddenly it opens up to a square, one of my favorites in the city. Everything about it is very poetic. KMSKA , or the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp , has an incredible collection of Belgian painters and a very nice grand cafe. Also, I love the water sculpture at the front of the museum that was created by the artist Cristina Iglesias. The bottom of it is a bas-relief of a bed of leaves in cement, and the water goes in and out like a tide.” — V.V.D.

These interviews have been edited and condensed.

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