5 Best Hotels in South of the Center, Antwerp and the Northeast

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.

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.

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.

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.