Are you seeking a hidden gem in the Benelux region, a city that seamlessly blends historical charm with modern vibrancy? Look no further than Antwerp. This city is swiftly emerging as a coveted destination for discerning travelers.
Taking the train to Antwerp is the simplist of journeys, and the station is one of the most beautiful in Europe.
central Antwerp
Size: 108 rooms and suites
Style: Traditional Elegance & Lively
Year Opened: 2021
City-center boutique hotels don’t get much greener than the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp, set within the walls of the city’s botanical gardens. Here a monastery complex, some of whose buildings date back as far as the 12th century, has been transformed into a 21st-century luxury hotel, alongside a spectacular modern spa. The rooms and suites are delightfully varied and uniformly luxe, the spa is nothing short of sublime, and the hotel’s four restaurants are impressive as well, featuring outposts of the Bruges-based Hertog Jan and and Bar Bulot (with four Michelin stars between them).
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and more
historic center of Ghent
Size: 37 rooms and suites
Style: Contemporary Classic & Lively
Designer/Architect: Arnaud Zannier
Though completed at the turn of the last century, thanks to its neo-Gothic style Ghent’s old Central Post Office looks hundreds of years older than that. You don’t come to this part of Belgium in search of hyper-modern architectural experiments — you come in search of history, and 1898 The Post, a contemporary renovation of this beautifully preserved structure, has got a bit more than its fair share.
That’s not to say 1898 The Post is a precise historical reconstruction. Inside you’ll find echoes of varying periods, from the medieval atmosphere of the winding stairways and stone-walled public spaces to a sort of early modernist vibe in the richly colored and textured guest rooms and suites. The look is dark and moody, almost more like a film set than a typical hotel room, and that’s no bad thing. And in a delightful bit of whimsy, the categories are named for their relative size — from Stamp and Postcard up through Envelope, Letter, and Carriage (not quite to scale, presumably).
PART OF MY MICHELIN PARTNER PORTFOLIO
You get additional Amenities when I manage your reservation.
Paradeplein 1
The Jane is unique in Benelux. This designer-inspired culinary temple is quirkily housed in a large chapel, whose façade continues to bear a crucifix! A striking light fixture and stained-glass windows catch the eye in the theatrical interior, whose former altar provides a stage for the chefs to work their magic behind a glazed screen. Nick Bril takes you on a journey from Latin America and Asia to culinary paradise with dishes that reflect his personality.
2024 #36
2023 #39
2022 #23
2020 #8
listed since 2016
GO TO ► THE JANE WEBSITE
GO TO ► THE JANE MICHELIN REVIEW
Once Europe’s richest city, it is now both cosmopolitan and bourgeois in its compact size. It is mainly known for its exceptionally well-preserved historical centre.
The city centre is restored, and breathes the atmosphere of a thriving late-medieval city state. It is free of cars, so it is a very welcoming and open area.
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36 Hours: Antwerp, Belgium
The city is perfect for a weekend visit.
Five centuries ago, the northern Belgian port city of Antwerp was a thriving European center of diamonds, art and finance, with one of the world’s first stock exchanges. Today, works by the Flemish master Peter Paul Rubens await those who wander its churches, and the city is one of the continent’s edgiest fashion and design centers.
A Local’s Guide to Antwerp
Designer Rizon Parein on the outdoor cultural spaces and best food in Antwerp.
► VIRTUOSO: Antwerp and the Flanders Region Information Page
Here is a good place to start for some additional information on quality Hotels, Water Adventures and Activities.
► WIKIVOYAGE: Antwerp Page
A great resource for all the basic information you need for Antwerp and the Flanders Region.
Amsterdam General Information Page
Belgium General Information Page
& Visa and Entry Requirements
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page updated: February 2025
images courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Antwerp and the Flanders Region Tourism Board
Please Note: All Hotel / Resort / Cruise / Services Amenities are subject to availability and may have changed since the date of this being originally published.
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