As a travel blogger and product review blogger, I often receive questions about “how to choose the right hotel in Antwerp”. Antwerp, the capital of art and fashion in northern Belgium, is not only famous for its diamond trading, ancient ports and prosperous art scenes, but also attracts tourists from all over the world for its unique accommodation atmosphere. However, the process of choosing accommodation is not always smooth.
1. Misunderstanding 1: Only look at the price and not the location – far away from the city center, it is difficult to move
Analysis of pitfall types
When booking a room, many tourists are often tempted by the price and choose a hotel located on the edge of the city or in an industrial area. Although the price is cheap, the commuting cost and time cost are often surprisingly high, especially when you plan to frequently move around the old town, the fashionable Zuid district or the museum. This choice will greatly reduce travel efficiency.
Correct practices and tips
Prioritize accommodation near Antwerp Central Station, around Meir shopping street, the old port area, and the emerging design district Het Eilandje. These areas are well connected and most major attractions are within walking distance.
It is recommended to use Booking.com and Hotels.com to filter by location, which can be sorted by “distance from the city center” or “close to attractions”. The platform also supports map mode to view specific geographical locations, which is convenient for avoiding remote areas.
Cost
Medium-priced hotels in the city center generally cost between 130 and 180 euros per night, and can be as low as 100 euros in the off-season. Although slightly more expensive than the suburbs, the transportation costs and time saved are completely worth it.
Suitable for tourists
Suitable for tourists visiting Antwerp for the first time, business travelers who stay in the city for a short time, and cultural travelers who like to walk around.
2. Misunderstanding 2: Ignoring the type of building-historical buildings are beautiful, but they may not be suitable for you
Analysis of pitfall types
Many boutique hotels in Antwerp are located in renovated historical buildings. Although they are full of retro charm, they are not necessarily suitable for everyone. Some hotels retain the original narrow stairs, wooden floors, and even no elevators, which is very inconvenient for tourists with large luggage or older tourists.
Correct practices and tips
Before booking, be sure to check the hotel building description and room configuration details, especially whether there is an elevator, air conditioning, whether checked luggage storage is allowed, etc. Many listings on Expedia and Agoda list building information in the “Hotel Facilities” column, which can help you determine whether it is suitable for your needs.
If you are looking for a classical atmosphere, you can choose a more modern historical hotel such as Hotel Julien and De Witte Lelie, which not only retains the sense of design but also takes into account comfort.
Cost
The price of a high-end historical hotel is between 200 and 300 euros. If there are no special facilities (such as a gym or air conditioning), it is recommended to compare the price-performance ratio.
Suitable for tourists
Suitable for couples or photography travelers who prefer design style and pay attention to space details. It is not recommended for the elderly or people with limited mobility to stay in a historical building hotel without an elevator or steep stairs.
3. Misunderstanding 3: Underestimating the impact of the exhibition season-missing the best price window
Analysis of pitfall types
As the fashion and business center of Belgium, Antwerp hosts numerous international exhibitions throughout the year, such as Antwerp Fashion Week and the World Diamond Conference. During these periods, hotel prices can increase by 30% to 50%, and many hotels need to be booked weeks in advance, making it almost impossible to book a room on the spur of the moment.
Correct practices and tips
It is recommended to check the exhibition and event calendar of Antwerp in advance (which can be viewed on the local tourism bureau website or ticket booking platform), avoid peak periods or book accommodation at least 4-6 weeks in advance.
Using platforms such as Airbnb and HotelTonight, you may find temporarily vacant rooms before holidays, which is suitable for those who need to adjust their schedules temporarily. At the same time, choose a room type with free cancellation to ensure flexible adjustment of plans.
Costs
During the exhibition period, hotel prices generally increase by more than 30%. For example, a room that usually costs 150 euros may increase to more than 210 euros.
Suitable for tourists
Suitable for business people and loyal exhibition visitors who have fixed itineraries and can plan their routes in advance. It is not recommended for independent travelers to enter the city during peak periods unless the itinerary cannot be changed.
4. Myth 4: Superstition of “high star rating” – comfort ≠ luxury
Analysis of pitfall types
Many tourists are superstitious about four-star or five-star labels when choosing accommodation, thinking that the higher the star rating, the more comfortable it is. However, the star rating in Belgium focuses more on the number of facilities rather than the experience. Some so-called “high-star” hotels are not outstanding in terms of service, sound insulation, breakfast quality, etc.
Correct practices and skills
Pay attention to guest reviews, especially dimensions such as “cleanliness”, “service attitude”, and “bed comfort”, rather than just looking at the star rating. Tripadvisor and Trivago provide a collection of real guest reviews from different platforms, which can more comprehensively evaluate the accommodation experience.
If you focus on cost-effectiveness, you might as well choose a three-star hotel or apartment hotel with a rating higher than 8.5, which usually has better service details and actual experience.
Cost
A high-quality three-star hotel costs about 110 to 160 euros, while four stars and above may cost up to 200 euros, but the experience may not be stronger.
Suitable for tourists
Suitable for tourists who pay attention to details and want to get a value-for-money experience. It is not recommended to choose a luxury hotel with a “check-in” travel mentality.
5. Misunderstanding 5: Ignoring the matching of the accommodation groups – parents, couples, and backpackers have different needs
Analysis of pitfall types
Antwerp has a variety of accommodation, but different hotels target different types of guests. Some hotels are more suitable for couples to have a quiet vacation, while others are more welcoming to family guests. If you don’t distinguish them, it is easy to have an embarrassing situation of “mismatched styles”.
Correct practices and skills
Check the “suitable for the crowd” label or comment keywords on the booking platform, such as “family-friendly”, “romantic”, “business-friendly”, etc., to filter out the type of accommodation that suits you.
Booking.com provides a “couple favorite” label, Airbnb has family-friendly accommodation screening, and Expedia can choose rooms with kitchens and children’s play facilities to enhance the accommodation experience of family travelers.
Costs
Family-friendly hotels or apartments cost about 140 to 220 euros, and boutique hotels for couples cost about 170 to 250 euros.
Suitable for families
Family suites or kitchen apartments are the best choice for family trips; unique boutique hotels are suitable for couples; backpackers can choose cost-effective design hostels, such as YUST Antwerp.
VI. Summary of booking tips: avoid pitfalls, benchmark, and lock in good experience
Precise positioning, choose Booking.com and Hotels.com first
When booking a hotel in Antwerp, it is extremely important to choose the right platform. Booking.com and Hotels.com provide detailed map modes, which are convenient for selecting accommodation according to landmarks such as attractions and train stations.
Real reviews, check Tripadvisor user feedback first
Don’t be fooled by the glamorous photos uploaded on the hotel’s official website or platform. Tripadvisor provides a large number of real reviews and on-site photos from travelers around the world, which is especially suitable for judging the real experience of “non-hardware” levels such as cleanliness, sound insulation and service attitude.
Member discounts, make good use of Agoda and Expedia discount mechanisms
After registering as a member of Agoda and Expedia, you can enjoy exclusive prices, which are sometimes 10%-15% lower than other platforms. Some room types also support point accumulation and free upgrades, which are suitable for mid- to high-end budget tourists.
Emergency option, rely on HotelTonight for last minute bookings
When plans change or prices increase due to exhibitions, you can use HotelTonight to find available rooms on the same day or a nearby date. This platform is particularly suitable for independent travelers and travelers who decide to stay at a last minute, and there are often unexpected boutique hotels with discounts.
For multiple people traveling, Airbnb is flexible, efficient and saves money
For families or friends traveling together, it is recommended to give priority to Airbnb. Many apartments are equipped with kitchens, washing machines and multi-bedroom structures, which not only improve comfort but also save on eating out. Long-term tourists can also negotiate for better prices.
Accommodation is not just a place to stay overnight during the journey, but also a window to experience the culture, rhythm and temperature of a city.
Whether you are visiting for the first time or a frequent visitor, please remember: don’t settle for just one night. Choosing the right accommodation is like finding a comfortable place of your own in a foreign land. Make every trip a night that is truly “worth remembering”.
