Kaneohe

I'll be in Antwerp for 4 nights in September and need some deciding on hotel location. I'll be using public transportation or walking, so prefer something central and have been looking at the Stadspark area, the Central Station area and Old Town area. Since Stadspark seems to be in the middle, that's where I've been focusing my search but need some feedback on this. I've read that the Central Station area can be a bit dodgy (a common problem with large train stations) and haven't really seen many comments about Old Town.

One of the hotels I'm looking at is the Radisson Blu Park Lane, which gets pretty good comments on TripAdvisor. Can anyone comment on location?

Thanks
K

MyriamC

There is not a lot to see or do in the immediate surroundings of the hotel, not even restaurants. It's a residential area where mostly Jewish families are living. And Stadspark doesn't have a very good reputation either ...
It's a fair 25 min. walk to the historical city. There is a bus going to the historical centre (bus no. 9, takes around 12 mins.).

If I were you I would pick a hotel in the historical centre (old town). You will be near all the sights, have restaurants/bars on every corner, and there will always be people walking, day or night.
For instance:
Rubens Grote Markt http://www.hotelrubensantwerp.be/
Diamond and Pearls (very charming location) http://www.hoteldap.com/
Hilton Antwerp http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/bel...ITW/index.html
Julien http://www.hotel-julien.com/
't Sandt http://www.hotel-sandt.be/
Banks http://hotelbanks.be/pages/english/home.php
...

parkhill24

My wife and I stayed at the t' Sandt some years ago and it was excellent -- both the hotel and the location. I would consider staying there or in that area; it's pleasant and convenient.

joannyc

I stayed at the Hilton and liked the location.

Vttraveler

I would also vote for staying in the historic center. We only took a long day trip last year and did not stay overnight. We did think that if we went back we would stay at a B & B called Le Patio right near the cathedral.

Emro2

MyriamC is right on.
Apart from the Station itself and maybe the Zoo there is nothing really worthwhile in the Central Station area.
Ditto for the Radisson in the Stadspark area.

The historic centre is more interesting and lively.

Avalon2

I envy you! I love ANtwerp!

MyriamC

Le Patio is in the same little (traffic free) street as Diamond & Pearls. Perfect location!
http://www.lepatio.be/

Vttraveler

One other thought: If you don't stay near the train station or arrive or leave by train, it is worth taking a trip to see the station which is absolutely beautiful.

MyriamC

I do agree with Vttraveler on Antwerp Central Station! It really deserves its nickname 'The Railway Cathedral'.

hpluss1

What do you all love about Antwerp? I've always wanted to visit but actually know nothing about the city, and my husband has to be convinced. Thanks for any info ! Going to look into these hotel recs, of course...

Vttraveler

hpluss1--you can find some ideas of things to do in Antwerp in my trip report from the fall of 2011 (Day 8)
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...etherlands.cfm

we really enjoyed the day we spent there and as I mention in my TR wished we had a second day to see other sights.

isabel

I can recommend this hotel - Residentie Elzenveld (Lange Gasthuisstraat 45, www.elzenveld.be/hotel/index.cfm?langue=nl) amazing. €76/night A restored 11th Century monastery with courtyards, old church buildings. Like a museum. It’s been converted into a hotel conference center and the lobby area is very modernized but the place is still extremely charming. The room was recently renovated and spotless, very comfortable, quiet, large flat screen TV, free wi-fi, water bubbler in the hall. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the Grotte Markt, the shopping street is only about 5 minutes. The train station though is close to half an hour walk, and while there is a tram stop just in front of the hotel, it requires a change to go to the station.

Here's the rest of my report - just scroll down past the Luxembourg Part - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...etherlands.cfm There is a link to my photos of Antwerp as well.

hpluss1

Thanks Isabel! Can you or anyone else here recommend any restaurants or shops?

Vttraveler

We liked our meal at the Groote Witte Arend near the cathedral. Lots of good beers and good food. If you are interested in Art Nouveau architecture, be sure to stop by the Grand Cafe Horta

MyriamC

What I like about Antwerp? It's my city of which I'm very proud. Antwerp is both cosmopolitan and provincial. Whether you are interested in architecture, culture, fashion, gastronomy, ... it's all there.

As to restaurants: there are so many restaurants of all kinds, from the simple 'fritkot' to the Michelin 2* 'Het Zilte'. Belgian, Italian, French, Indian, Thai, ... you name it.
It's a bit hard to recommend a restaurant to foreigners. I, for one, was not pleased with the cuisine of De Groote Witte Arend. It's your typical tourist place. If you want to experience the city food-wise, do as the locals do and pick a restaurant in one of the trendy neighbourhoods: Eilandje, Zuid or Zurenborg. One advise: take your time! We, Belgians, are never in a hurry when we're enjoying a good meal.

Avalon2

I loved Antwerp. Excelent food and museums rival SOme Pariaan ones. We did a harbor tour while visiting the museum there and I reallly enjoyed that. Of course I had an excellec=nt local guide in Myriam C!!!!

goldenautumn

The Da Vagant jenever bar is unique, and chocolate in Antwerpen is my favorite. My all time favorite. Antwerpen has lovely, lovely restaurants, cafes and beer bars.

The historic center of Antwerpen has some of the best modern art galleries I have seen, including in NYC, Berlin, London and Paris. Alas, its old-fashioned museum of fine art is being renovated, and not due to re-open for many years.

It's cathedral is a miracle of architecture.

Antwerp is nicely situation for day trips to other places by train -- and its historic train station itself is one of the loveliest in that part of Europe.

Lots of polite people who speak excellent English and are happy to share their town with you.

goldenautumn

Excuse my typo -- it is DE Vagant

mohun

We finally settled on the Matelote in Antwerp.