18 Best Hotels in Antwerp and the Northeast, Belgium

Set within the complex of a former military hospital, this stylish design hotel has been ingeniously built into an old Augustinian convent, its lounge and bar area occupying the beautiful old chapel. A brasserie restaurant is overseen by chef Nick Bril, the man behind neighboring two-star gem The Jane, and it offers a great way to sample Michelin-quality food at a (slightly) more affordable price. A trio of gardens are cloistered behind tall walls, with a spa complete with an outdoor swimming pond offering sanctuary. Rooms are more on the minimal side, echoing the old cells of the hospital quarters, though are considerably more plush than their forbears. High ceilings and concealed bathrooms yield simple, two-tone spaces decked in white and black.

Three step-gabled 17th-century houses have been combined to create Antwerp's most exclusive hotel. As soon as you enter the grand lobby, a stylish blend of old and new, it's clear that personal service is the watchword. Each room is individually decorated in bold-but-balanced colors, with original wooden beams, creatively designed furniture, and modern art. Elegant salons have grand fireplaces and animal-print sofas, and breakfasts are served on a loggia that opens onto the inner courtyard.

Informality is the trademark of this stylish, elegant hotel housed in two renovated 16th-century houses that spill over into a quiet patio. Despite the city location, the peaceful setting provides a relaxing refuge. Spacious rooms are tastefully decorated in cream and black with contemporary designs and both wooden floors and ceilings. A room with a view of the cathedral is worth the extra expense. Enjoy breakfast on porcelain dishes made exclusively for the hotel, then take it easy on the roof terrace. There's also a spa with sauna, hammam (Turkish bath), and ice shower.

This five-story complex incorporates the fin-de-siècle facade of what was once the Grand Bazar department store. Mahogany doors open onto spacious guest rooms with duvet-topped beds---in the bathrooms the mirrors are even heated so they won’t steam up when you most need them. Afternoon tea is served in the marble-floor lobby. Be sure to check out the glorious Belle Epoque ballroom, which can accommodate 1,000 guests.

Ideally situated a stone's throw from the basilica and the main square, this elegant boutique hotel in a central mansion has spacious, elegantly furnished rooms spread over several floors. The decor hints subtly at the building's former existence as a hat shop. While there is no room for an elevator (except a small one for luggage), there are two rooms on the ground floor for people with limited mobility.

Ideally situated on Hasselt's inner ring road, just a few minutes' walk from the central restaurants and shops, this welcoming hotel's spacious, modern rooms offer a comfort level that more than compensates for the slightly anonymous corporate styling. At the end of the day, the secluded rear courtyard terrace is a quiet spot to unwind with a drink.

Spending the night in a brewery doesn't have to be the exclusive preserve of devoted beer fans—anyone is welcome to enjoy this hotel's quiet but central location, and its spacious, comfortably appointed modern rooms. Notes in the decor alluding to the site's main purpose are cleverly subtle, such as the beer crate bedside tables. If you don't fancy walking into the center, dine in the brewery's on-site brasserie, which serves Belgian classics cooked with house beers.

Opened in 2017, Hotel Franq's Belgian-French restaurant gained its first Michelin star just a year later, and if that doesn't hint at what you're getting, then the first glimpse of its elegant, stately lobby will. Marble pillars, velour sofas, and light beaming down through its large windows sets an opulent mood. The building itself used to be a bank; its vault now doubles as the wine cellar as well as housing the gym. Suites in the attic come with wooden beams and large slanted windows; grab a room on the "old side" of the hotel and you can lie in your bathtub and gaze over the city rooftops. Otherwise, there's a rather chic library room in which to relax and contemplate your finances.

Yet another stylish address in the Het Zuid area, Hotel Pilar has the feel of an establishment where every last detail has been agonized over. A hotel, bar, and ceramic and textile shop is squeezed into a historic corner building with an emphasis on design: think high-ceilinged rooms, neutral tones, and walls strewn with bespoke art. Suites have fold-out sofas to accommodate extras, while the Foodbar downstairs (closed Monday and Tuesday) is a reliable breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot dishing up seasonal treats.

The reception and bar of Hotel Riga are located in what used to be the old Riga suitcase shop, hence the rather vintage sign that still hangs above its door—but don't be confused, because this stylish new boutique spreads across three buildings. The top suites are split over two levels and open onto terraces that peer over the rooftops. A bar/restaurant downstairs dishes out fine Italian fare. It's also just a minute's walk to the Grote Markt, yet Riga lies handily hidden down a quiet backstreet so you barely hear of the noise from the center.

Located directly behind the Grote Markt, a complete renovation has seen this tucked-away gem gain a new lease on life. Neutral tones, light-oak floors, and a cute ground-floor courtyard (for breakfast) replace the nouveau riche excess of the previous model. The deep bathtubs still make for a good soak at the end of the day, but its big appeal is still its location: one street away from the center yet far enough removed to seem like another world entirely.

Once a cardinal’s residence, this hotel shows remnants of its former glory with a mixture of turn-of-the-20th-century styles. The breakfast room, for instance, is a terrific example of the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) style. The hotel is owned by a friendly Dutch couple, and it’s close to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts. Rooms are
simple, with wooden furniture and basic amenities.

In the middle of the diamond district, and across the street from Antwerp Centraal railway station, this modern chain hotel is perfectly located for a quick getaway, or if you are in the mood for a bit of jewelry window-shopping. The decently sized rooms have big and über-comfortable beds, stylish modern bathrooms, and unusually well-stocked minibars.

Directly across from Antwerp's Centraal Station and a stone's throw from the National Express stop, convenience is the key at this refurbished old-stager, which now has the likable Made in Antwerp restaurants on hand, a Starbucks, and a rather minimalist look. The surrounding area might not be Antwerp's most attractive quarter, but it affords easy access to the Diamond District and shopping on the Meir, plus the adjoining Chocolate Nation attraction. A 24-hour gym complex includes a pool, Jacuzzis, and sauna.

A 17th-century neo-Rococo mansion that has served as a customs house, soap factory, and fruit importer, this is one of Antwerp's more endearing retreats. Each guest room has a unique configuration, with simple, neutral decor offset by rich furnishings and the odd antique. Try and bag a room in sight of the cathedral, or just take it easy on the tranquil terraced garden, which offers similarly impressive views.

The Het Eilandje "port area" has changed a lot over the last decade---gone is the slightly seedy edge it used to exude, replaced by an increasing number of stylish new haunts including this design boutique hotel. It has a great terrace outside for people-gazing and peering out over the remodeled docks. Its international-style restaurant is overseen by three-starred Michelin chef Viki Geunes, who co-owns the hotel and also runs the excellent t'Zilte restaurant in the nearby MAS museum. Upstairs, its 15 rooms are pared down, with large beds overlooking big floor-to-ceiling windows; the general air of well-thought-out design pervades everything here.

This ultra-trendy new hotel and hostel just a stone's throw from De Koninck Brewery features individually styled rooms, shared dorms, and thoughtfully laid out public areas, with bookcases and a stunning central multilevel vertical garden. The fact that YUST stands for "Young Urban STyle" will give you a hint as to what to expect.