7 Best Hotels in Oude Stad and Het Eilandje, Antwerp and the Northeast

Informality is the trademark of this stylish, elegant hotel housed in two renovated 16th-century houses that spill over into a quiet patio. Despite the city location, the peaceful setting provides a relaxing refuge. Spacious rooms are tastefully decorated in cream and black with contemporary designs and both wooden floors and ceilings. A room with a view of the cathedral is worth the extra expense. Enjoy breakfast on porcelain dishes made exclusively for the hotel, then take it easy on the roof terrace. There's also a spa with sauna, hammam (Turkish bath), and ice shower.

This five-story complex incorporates the fin-de-siècle facade of what was once the Grand Bazar department store. Mahogany doors open onto spacious guest rooms with duvet-topped beds---in the bathrooms the mirrors are even heated so they won’t steam up when you most need them. Afternoon tea is served in the marble-floor lobby. Be sure to check out the glorious Belle Epoque ballroom, which can accommodate 1,000 guests.

Opened in 2017, Hotel Franq's Belgian-French restaurant gained its first Michelin star just a year later, and if that doesn't hint at what you're getting, then the first glimpse of its elegant, stately lobby will. Marble pillars, velour sofas, and light beaming down through its large windows sets an opulent mood. The building itself used to be a bank; its vault now doubles as the wine cellar as well as housing the gym. Suites in the attic come with wooden beams and large slanted windows; grab a room on the "old side" of the hotel and you can lie in your bathtub and gaze over the city rooftops. Otherwise, there's a rather chic library room in which to relax and contemplate your finances.

The reception and bar of Hotel Riga are located in what used to be the old Riga suitcase shop, hence the rather vintage sign that still hangs above its door—but don't be confused, because this stylish new boutique spreads across three buildings. The top suites are split over two levels and open onto terraces that peer over the rooftops. A bar/restaurant downstairs dishes out fine Italian fare. It's also just a minute's walk to the Grote Markt, yet Riga lies handily hidden down a quiet backstreet so you barely hear of the noise from the center.

Located directly behind the Grote Markt, a complete renovation has seen this tucked-away gem gain a new lease on life. Neutral tones, light-oak floors, and a cute ground-floor courtyard (for breakfast) replace the nouveau riche excess of the previous model. The deep bathtubs still make for a good soak at the end of the day, but its big appeal is still its location: one street away from the center yet far enough removed to seem like another world entirely.

A 17th-century neo-Rococo mansion that has served as a customs house, soap factory, and fruit importer, this is one of Antwerp's more endearing retreats. Each guest room has a unique configuration, with simple, neutral decor offset by rich furnishings and the odd antique. Try and bag a room in sight of the cathedral, or just take it easy on the tranquil terraced garden, which offers similarly impressive views.

The Het Eilandje "port area" has changed a lot over the last decade---gone is the slightly seedy edge it used to exude, replaced by an increasing number of stylish new haunts including this design boutique hotel. It has a great terrace outside for people-gazing and peering out over the remodeled docks. Its international-style restaurant is overseen by three-starred Michelin chef Viki Geunes, who co-owns the hotel and also runs the excellent t'Zilte restaurant in the nearby MAS museum. Upstairs, its 15 rooms are pared down, with large beds overlooking big floor-to-ceiling windows; the general air of well-thought-out design pervades everything here.