PhillyFan

Hi all. Any recommendations for places to stay in these cities?

For Delft, I'd like somewhere central not too far from the train station.

In Antwerp, I'd like to stay close to the train station as well, although I know that's not the greatest area, so somewhere not sketchy.

Other than a central location, I'm also looking for quiet and clean!

Thanks for any suggestions.

k.

PalenQ

IME Antwerp's grand old train station - one of the most exquisite inside and out in Europe is not in a seedy area but rather it's adjacent to the Jewish quarter where many of the diamond processing places are and it - the station - is a short walk from the town center.

One-night stays suck IMO - wasting too much time packing and un-packing - Delft is close to Antwerp by train via Rotterdam - maybe spend the day there and end up in Antwerp for a 2-night stay? Antwerp to me is a much livelier city at night than Delft.

annhig

we stayed here in Delft:

http://bridgeshouse.nl/en

very nice and clean and convenient for the station and a secure car park.

We liked the atmosphere in Delft and found plenty to see and do in the evenings, though we did have my 80 year old mother with us so we weren't looking for too much excitement.

There was certainly enough to do and see for the 3 days that we based ourselves there.

Andrew

I agree that the area around the Antwerp train station is not really bad but also not very exciting. I stayed at a cheap Ibis Budget for two nights prior to a flight out of Brussels airport the final morning. (I don't recommend the Ibis Budget unless you are broke or very frugal.)

Staying at the train station made a day trip to Leuven and the trip to the airport that final morning easy - but otherwise, I might recommend staying near, say, the Grote Markt. There are underground trams (not quite a "subway") from there back to the train station.

I really didn't much care for Antwerp, though, in part because, while I was there, the town was pretty dead (mid-week mid-May). The walk from the train station to the center of town / Grote Markt (if you don't take the tram) is nothing special but a lot of modern shopping options if you are into that. I did have some of the best french fries I've had in my life at a little take-away stand near the Grote Markt, though.

PalenQ

Yes Delft like any Dutch town has some nice things at night and the reason I suggested ending up in Antwerp was more to avoid one-night stands - packing up - unpacking - finding the new hotel, etc takes a couple of hours or for some I know half a day.

But Delft is a swell town at any time of day or night (I'll take annhig's word as I have not been there at night).

annhig

Delft was not dead at night when we were there - April about 3 years ago.

or perhaps we're just better at finding lively places, Pal!

PalenQ

It may depend on the night - Fri, Sat and Sun nights are pub nights it seems for many who may not work the next day or on Mondays to noon - not sure but those three days in Amsterdam with locals - the the Rembrandtsplein - swarm with younger folks at pub that frame the square - outdoors in nice weather and are main Dutch - weekends and Sunday nights hop - the other ones less so.

Anyway I retract the statement about Delft being dead at night and I do not think it is atypical of Dutch regional towns in that regard.

MyriamC

Antwerp
<i>The walk from the train station to the center of town / Grote Markt (if you don't take the tram) is nothing special but a lot of modern shopping options if you are into that.</i>
Such a shame you didn't look up to the beautiful façades on Meir (main shopping axe). Here you can see some of the most beautiful examples of eclecticism in the city. After our Central Station, that is.

I would not stay in the Central Station area, nor in the diamond district. With the metro (what's in a name?!) it takes exactly 5 minutes to get from Central Station to the historical heart of the city.

joannyc

I liked the Hilton in Antwerp. Great hotel and location.

PhillyFan

Annhig - thanks for that Delft recommendation.

PalQ - I am used to single night stays. it doesn't take me that long to pack and unpack and I am stumped how someone could take a half day to pack/unpack and find a hotel. I can do that in the time I would travel by train back to my original destination.

I have been to Antwerp before - this trip I am using It as a base to visit Lier and Mechelen. This trip is in March and it will not be great weather to walk to/from Grote Market.

annhig

Phillyfan - they do a nice breakfast too.

no lift though, if that matters to you.

PalenQ

I am stumped how someone could take a half day to pack/unpack and find a hotel.>

Well I'm like you - I even leave my heavy bag in a train station locker and take what I need to the hotel but some relatives I know and have traveled with take forever to pack up - I find it nicer to stay overnight in a town than just day tripping in too.

PhillyFan

Annhig - thanks so much for the Bridges House recommendation. It was perfect for me - close to the train station, close to the sights, and an included breakfast.

As a bonus, one of my favorite artists, Jan Steen, used to live there. Another bonus - it was very reasonably priced.

I found Delft to be a great base. And a beautiful town.

annhig

that's great, phillyfan - glad you liked it.

Shame I'd forgotten you were going - you could have picked up a replacement bowl for the one we broke recently! After walking round most of the china shops in Delft not finding what we wanted [bowls with cut out sides aren't much use as cereal bowls] we found just what we wanted in the shop in the Nieuwe Kerk, and bought 6. wish I'd bought 8, or 10, or...no, mustn't be greedy.

I suppose we'll just have to go back!