Help please to find a centrally located hotel with character in Antwerp, elegance and luxury. Thank you

We enjoyed the Park Lane Hotel, directly across from the lovely park. Excellent service, clean, business class, but not Ritz elegance.

Hotel Rubens (http://www.hotels.be/hotel.rubens) and Hotel 't Sandt (http://www.hotel-sandt.be) are small and luxury and right in the city centre.

Furthermore a few luxury B&B's that can easily compete with the best 4/5* hotels: De Witte Lelie (http://www.dewittelelie.be) - 10 min. walk from Grote Markt (Mkt Square), Charles Rogier XI (http://www.charlesrogierxi.be) - 20 min. walk from city centre.

Hotel Firean (http://www.hotelfirean.com) might also be an option, although location is not so central (20 min. walk approx).

If you prefer a chain hotel (Park Lane is a Radisson Sas), I'd rather stay in the Hilton at Groenplaats (next to Grote Markt). Far better located than Park Lane. Hilton is a nice hotel with good restaurant, but not what I would call a hotel with character.

My parents were just there. Here's there response:
Interestingly enough, we stayed at the Hilton in downtown Antwerp and
absolutely loved it. It's in an ancient building and has been redone
with enormous sensitivity and charm. The staff is attentive, bright,
enormously accommodating, and knowledgeable. It is important to note that we did have an "executive"room (#524) on the club floor, which added to the feeling that we were staying in an elegant and wonderful boutique hotel (the sort of hotel that is always our choice - a
Hilton isn't usually what we seek, but a good friend insisted that we stay there.

Thank you all very much for your suggestions we are following up on them.It was kind of you all to help.

Agree with previous post; the Hilton is in a beautiful building, in the very best location on the Groenplaats, practically next to the cathedral. For something smaller with lots of character though, try De Witte Lelie in the Keizerstraat. Also very close to everything, in a beautifully restored townhouse, individually decorated rooms; an absolutely charming, luxurious hotel. It is very near the most beautiful square in Antwerp, the Conscience Plein. I'm sure you can find more info on it, if not post another message and I'll get you the number.

And if you want any restaurant recommendations, let me know. I live near Antwerp.

Tulips! So do I ...
And the details about De Witte Lelie are in my initial post.

Thank you ,thank you. Is the De Witte delie better than the Villa Mozart (best Western)and please any restaurant suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You're right Myriam. Didn't read it carefully enough! It is very nice, the Witte Lelie isn't it.

Difficult msbugsy!
The location of the BW Villa Mozart is top, facing the main entrance of Our Lady's Cathedral, it's on a lovely square that - on the other hand - might get very busy on a summernight!

Because I live near Antwerp I haven't stayed in either place, but I'm pretty sure the Witte Lelie (which means white lily) will give more personal service.

Restaurants: where shall I start?
French/eclectic: Via-Via, Pelgrimsstraat - www.resto.be/viavia
Eclectic/French: Chez Fl'Eau, Tavernierskaai, overlooking the Schelde river - www.resto.be/chezfleau
Belgian/French: 't Zolderke, Hoofdkerkstraat - www.resto.be/zolderke/default.cfm
Belgian/French: Folies d'Anvers, Reyndersstraat (with roof terrace) - www.foliesdanvers.com
Belgian/French: De 3 Fluwelen, Hofstraat
French: De Lepeleer, Lange St. Annastraat
Provençal: Mistral, Pelgrimsstraat
French (more expensive): Neuze Neuze, Wijngaardstraat
French (more expensive): Sir Antony Van Dyck, Vlaeykensgang (Oude Koornmarkt)
Trendy: Hollywood Witloof, Hofstraat
Trendy: Dock's Café, Jordaenskaai (overlooking the Schelde river) - www.docks.be
Trendy/eclectic: Lollapalooza, Pelgrimsstraat - www.lollapalooza.be

These are all places where the locals eat and all are located in a circle of max. 300m from Grote Markt (Market Square).

Of course you will find asian, african, south american restaurants as well - the ones I listed are my personal favorites.

Please by all means avoid the typical tourist places (you know, tourist menu at xx euro)!!

That's a good list Myriam. I am a big fan of Sir Anthony Van Dijk; it's a gorgeous restaurant, in one of the oldest buildings in Antwerp. Also really like the 3 Fluwelen, and the Docks Cafe (more casual). You can't go wrong with either of these restaurants. And if you do decide the stay at the Witte Lelie, ask the owner. I haven't stayed at this hotel, living near Antwerp, but friends have and they say both the hotel and the service are absolutely charming.