De Gulde Schoen

Do not book. This is no longer a staffed hotel, but a half-assed AirBNB still marketed as though it is a hotel. Their contact number is disconnected. We arrived to find a beautiful room, but soon found that is all this place has to offer. The climate control system does not function, so while it was 14C outside we spent the night sweating in 26C heat while the thermostat just flashed errors at us. No hotel staff to talk to, no contact number given. The solution to a leaky toilet was a bathmat. 0/10 would not recommend.

So much potential: Large rooms, cool design, but getting a little tatty. Cleaning is lazy, some dust on less used surfaces. Bins weren’t emptied from previous stayers which is disgusting. Room 1 (and 2) doors don’t open without shouldering it, significant health and safety risk in emergency! Clearly scrapes along the floor. Ac didn’t work just flashed.

This place is no longer a hotel! It has been transformed into an airbnb-style managed place but still claims itself as a professional hotel with a front desk on many booking sites. If you try to call the number they provide during the "welcome email", it is no longer active, and they do not respond to their email address, at least not within the duration of a several day stay. When we arrived, the hotel had "for rent" signs on the front window and looked completely abandoned. We ran into one guest who was staying here through airbnb and showed us how to enter, via a small side door. We then had to do the same for an older couple who were outside the following evening bewildered. They didn't even have a room number and had to go around to each room trying their access code since that is all that you are provided 48hrs before your stay, without clear instructions of what to do with it. The room itself, at first glance, was as beautiful as the photos showed, because it used to be a luxury hotel. However, they have not been well-maintained since the transition and are starting to lose some of their grandeur. Our room was incredibly dusty, the toilet leaked on the floor when it was flushed, one of the windows had been repaired with tape, and the heat/AC unit did not work. It seems like even when it does work, you are "restricted" in what you can set - nearly every button we clicked led to this - and whichever mode we tried to turn on, the unit would go on for a few minutes, make a lot of noise, blow zero air and then turn itself off. Despite it being several beautiful summer days and evenings in Antwerp - highs of 23C, lows of 10C - our room was unbearably hot at night to sleep. We had one window that could open and even with this, the room temperature only lowered by 1 C. Overall, the only positive about this place was its location. But at the prices they charge, if you were specifically looking for a real hotel like we were, (in order to avoid just these sorts of problems!), you will be sorely disappointed.

We had stayed at this hotel before and had a lovely experience, so we decided to return. How disappointed we were to learn that it’s no longer a hotel, but just rooms for rent. The restaurant and reception have been fully demolished. During our three-night stay, there was no room cleaning at all. Nobody replied to our WhatsApp messages, and we couldn’t leave our luggage after check-out because there was no lobby or staff available. It wasn’t communicated to us that the hotel had transformed into an Airbnb-style operation upon booking. When we checked their website, it stated that this transition would begin on May 14th, but we arrived on the 11th. Overall, it was a disappointing experience. I don’t think they should still represent themselves as a hotel at all.

This is a really lovely aparthotel - but don’t be fooled by the TtipAdvisor photos. This hotel has changed in recent times, there is no lobby, no breakfast etc. it is simply an aparthotel, so that means the room and room only. Thanks to a digital key system you don’t even meet anyone. The room itself is very nice. The hotel provided an extra bed for my 4 year old. The highlight, without doubt, is the location. It is simply perfect for seeing the best of Antwerp.

Fantastic location as just few mins walk away from main cathedral and where all the restaurants and bars are. Great value for money too.||We went with another couple and their apartment was stunning with a huge open plan bathroom and wooden and tiled floors throughout, definitely had the wow factor when you walked in! ||Our was very nice too but was not as open planned on two levels and the light coloured carpet was very grubby looking which was a real shame as the apartment itself had every thing you needed and was clearly a high calibre accommodation. ||It had a fabulous shower but be careful of the glass doors as there are no stickers on them and we both walked into them at least once during our stay as you can forget they’re closed - especially in the dark!!||Definitely happy to recommend for a short stay in Antwerp.

If you want to stay somewhere really special in Antwerp, this is your place. ||De Gulde Schoen is a really old building, refurbished over several years and turned into a boutique suite hotel with soul. ||When we arrived the staff prepared a welcome drink, invited us to the bar and gave us a great introduction to Antwerp.||Friendly, informative, smart, not pushy. Really loved the staff. If your in Antwerp for business you will be happy to experience fast internet, something we lacked at other locations.||We had breakfast in our room and it was one of the best room service experiencs in a long time. ||The service felt 5-star. Without the uptight nature of posh hotels. This has been my most enjoyable stay in years.||Expensive? Yes, but worth it for a special occasion.||Bonus: the subtle scent and the jazz playing when you open the door to your suite for the first time. A lovely welcome.

Many things were broken in de room, the AC which made an strange noise the entire night, the shower, the remote to the fire place etc.. the rooms look amazing, but functionality wise it wasn't what we expected.