Hôtel Julien: Inside One of Antwerp's Best Boutique Hotels
Book nowWe have been visiting Antwerp for years now, so we've had the chance to watch the city evolve. Back then, specialty coffee wasn't on every corner. You had to seek out the few cafés that really cared about what they served. Then, almost overnight, they seemed to appear everywhere.
One thing, however, has always been part of Antwerp's charm: its beautiful guesthouses and intimate boutique hotels. Rather than large international chains, the city has long embraced historic townhouses transformed into elegant places to stay, each with its own personality.
As long as we can remember, Hôtel Julien has been at the top of our list. While some of our favourite addresses have sadly disappeared over the years, Hôtel Julien has remained. It has quietly built a reputation as one of the city's finest hotels and, after finally staying here, we completely understand why.
One of the many reasons we keep returning to Antwerp is how wonderfully easy it is to navigate. Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a few days longer, most places can easily be reached on foot, with public transport available whenever needed.
If you're arriving by train, you're already off to a good start. Antwerpen-Centraal is easily one of Europe's most beautiful railway stations and well worth taking a few moments to admire before heading into the city.
From there, Hôtel Julien is around a 20 to 25-minute walk through the historic centre. You could, of course, take a taxi, but Antwerp is a city designed for walking. Every street reveals another independent shop, gallery or café, making the journey part of the experience itself.
The entrance to Hôtel Julien is surprisingly discreet. Had it not been for a kind gentleman standing outside who noticed our slightly confused expressions and assured us we had arrived at the right place, we might have walked straight past it.
Stepping inside feels less like entering a hotel and more like being welcomed into someone's beautifully designed home. A dark wooden staircase immediately draws your eye upwards, while the reception is intentionally understated. There is no imposing front desk or grand lobby. Instead, a simple table, carefully chosen objects and a peaceful courtyard naturally connect the different spaces. It's elegant without ever feeling formal.
Life here
The service perfectly reflects the atmosphere of the hotel. Always present, yet never intrusive. If you need assistance, someone is there within moments. If you don't, you're left to explore the house at your own pace.
And exploring is exactly what you'll end up doing.
The funny thing about Hôtel Julien is that it constantly surprises you. Just when you think you've reached the end of the house, another room appears. What initially feels intimate slowly reveals itself to be far more spacious than you first imagined.
One of our favourite discoveries was undoubtedly the bar. Tucked away slightly below the main living area, its deep red walls, mirrored backdrop and soft lighting create a completely different atmosphere from the calm neutrality found elsewhere in the hotel. It feels intimate, sophisticated and wonderfully inviting. The sort of place where you order one drink and somehow find yourself still sitting there two hours later.
Throughout the hotel, every detail feels intentional. Original architectural features sit comfortably alongside contemporary Belgian design, with natural stone, warm woods, linen fabrics and carefully selected vintage furniture creating spaces that feel both timeless and incredibly comfortable. The recent redesign by Belgian designer Bea Mombaers and architect Peter Ivens hasn't taken away the building's character; if anything, it has allowed it to shine even more.
As you continue wandering, you'll discover a beautifully designed spa hidden within the old vaulted cellars, offering the same understated elegance found throughout the rest of the hotel. Then, almost unexpectedly, you reach the rooftop terrace. Looking out across Antwerp's rooftops towards the Cathedral of Our Lady, it's the perfect place to pause after a day spent exploring the city.
The rooms
Walking into our room, one feeling immediately stood out: calm.
Natural light filled the space throughout the day, making even the simplest moments, enjoying a coffee or reading a book on the sofa, feel particularly relaxing.
Although the bedroom is separated from the living area, the layout remains wonderfully open, allowing the light to flow naturally from one space to another. Even the bathroom follows the same philosophy. Soft yellow tiles in the shower, natural stone, warm timber and Aesop amenities all come together without ever feeling overdesigned. Everything has its place, and nothing feels unnecessary.
The large sofa quickly became one of our favourite spots. It's the sort of place where you could happily spend an afternoon doing very little at all, something we rarely find ourselves saying about hotel rooms.
Perhaps that's Hôtel Julien's greatest achievement. It never feels like a room designed simply for sleeping. Instead, it feels lived in, comfortable and deeply personal, like the home of someone with impeccable taste who has thoughtfully anticipated everything you might need.
Breakfast
Breakfast is served in a beautiful dining room overlooking one of the hotel's quiet courtyards, and much like the rest of Hôtel Julien, simplicity is what makes it so memorable.
Rather than an overwhelming buffet, the focus is on quality ingredients, freshly prepared dishes and a relaxed pace that encourages you to linger a little longer. Fresh pastries, seasonal fruit, perfectly cooked eggs, good coffee and thoughtful presentation make for exactly the kind of breakfast we appreciate most. Nothing feels excessive, yet nothing is missing.
It's the perfect way to begin a morning in Antwerp before heading back into the city's streets.
