6 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.