I was in Antwerp for three days last October. Normally I leave the day before to get a relaxing start, but this time I decided to drive to Antwerp the day the gig began. I couldn’t have made a bigger mistake. I was stuck in traffic for two-and-a-half hours, while normally, this trip only take me 75 minutes.

So after this really tiring first day, I finally managed to find my way to the hotel. I had taken a little bit effort this time to look for a nice hotel, as it’s right in between many of the travels I’m doing, so I like to feel at home in my hotel. I ended up in this small family-occupied hotel in Antwerp South, called Firean. It’s built entirely in art deco style with very nice glass-in-lead windows. I like family- or owner-occupied hotels a lot. I usually feel much more welcome than in a hotel of a particular chain. Of course in such a hotel you’re not sure what you’re getting up front. But then again, I’d rather take a little bit more of a risk and end up with the occasional miss hit rather than staying in hotel chains all the time.

So this hotel is definitely a hit for me and one I would easily return to if I’d ever went on a city trip to Antwerp. It’s very cozy, small and the staff makes you feel at home immediately!

The pictures do not do the hotel any justice. There’s no view to speak of. Of course this series is called views from hotel rooms, so I do need one pictures of the view. But I really do also need to post some of the pictures of the other parts of the hotel. Just this once… I don’t have pictures other than from my room. The other parts are soooo nice!!

Highly recommended!

By the way, I also made two other very good decisions that same week. On Tuesday, I ate at Sir Anthony van Dijck, a very classy and stylish restaurant in the centre of Antwerp (near the Groote Markt). Wednesday I felt like eating out again, and I made a reservation at the restaurant that’s owned by the hotel called Minerva. Both are excellent, upscale restaurant. Not quite cheap I would say, but definitely recommended!