Hotel Julien, Antwerp, Belgium - Explore & Book

"Hotel Julien was one of the original boutique hotels that started the designer hotel revolution over a decade ago, and it still stands strong as one of Antwerp’s very best. Its 21 pale-but-pleasurable rooms are in the centre of the city and the hotel has everything you could wish for: the best of the best REN products in the bathrooms, huge comfortable beds, Eames chairs, luxury sofas with interior design books (and Grazia!) on their side tables, and homemade cake behind the well-stocked bar. It’s hard not to strut around the hotel like a supermodel - it just has that kind of ambiance that makes you feel special. Once you’ve stayed here, you’ll never call Belgium boring again. Spend a long weekend here and slip into the super-stylish life of Antwerp, where just a few streets away, fashion students play with looks in second-hand shops, ladies who lunch shop in world-class boutiques, and visitors flock to Rubens House for a glimpse into the city’s glittering art-filled past. Antwerp has delights at all levels, from the best chocolates in the world to groundbreaking modern art galleries, street food, fine dining and architecture to bowl you over. Highs Fantastic location by the cathedral, and within walking distance of everything in the city, including great restaurantsA soothing palette of cream, pine and purple, and lots of designer touches throughoutThe photographic art gallery spread throughout the hotel; it's all for saleA fab roof terrace with wonderful views of the Old Town - ask to eat your lovely breakfast up here if it's sunnyIt’s a hotel to namedrop Lows It's quite expensive - some might say overpriced - for a small boutique hotel; but we think the location and style warrant thisNo on-site restaurant, and limited room service & bar menuSome rooms experience noise from the street and tram tracksThe spa is small, though well equipped; and there is a charge, even if you're just using the sauna or hammamThe service can be patchy at busy times" - Laura Dixon