Hotel of the Week: A 13th Century Monastery in Belgium Adds a Unique New Suite

Here, five historic buildings once encapsulating a 13-century monastery have been gloriously reimagined as a five-star hotel with 108 rooms and suites, on-site dining destinations that have been awarded a total of four Michelin stars, an ultra-exclusive whiskey club, a 15th-century chapel, and myriad wellness spaces including a tranquil spa and impeccably curated apothecary.

The newest development in the hotel’s reimagining is the debut of the Botanic Suite, a serene aerie with private rooftop terrace offering sweeping views of the Antwerp skyline. The cozy room perfectly reflects the building’s unique characteristics, where no two accommodations are alike. Some, like the Spa Suite come equipped with fitness equipment, sauna, and whirlpool for total relaxation, while others boast the soaring cathedral ceilings with exposed rafters that allow for an immersive sense of place.

But with so much to offer on site, guests will find a multitude of reasons to venture out of their suites and into the stunning public areas. Epicureans will find it hard to resist the tantalizing offerings of Head Chef Gert De Mangeleer and Sommelier Joachim Boudens at Hertog Jan, served in the former cloister masterfully reimagined by designer Benoit Viaene. The restaurant’s three-hour omakase experience incorporates ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own greenhouse and garden. Michelin-starred Het Gebaar is home to award-winning pastry chef Roger Van Damme while chefs Jacob Jan Boerma and Thomas Diepersloot elevate local flavors at Fine Fleur, earning the destination its own Michelin star.

Those enticed to sample the city’s cocktail culture won’t want to overlook Henry’s Bar, or try to coax their way into The Unprecedented, an invite-only private club for whiskey aficionados secluded in Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp’s vaulted cellar which serves varieties so rare they’re no longer available anywhere else in the world.

Horticulture enthusiasts will want to meander about the surrounding garden, while those looking for rejuvenation should explore the extensive spa that draws from nature for holistic wellness experiences. Wile away the hours in the swimming pool with panoramic views; luxuriate in the sauna, steam room, and botanical showers; or take a plunge in the ice fountain. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal training for those looking for a more invigorating transformation or cutting-edge facial and body treatments, plus customized traditional Chinese and European medicine offerings as a calmer alternative. Natural Saint Charles spa products sold at the picturesque apothecary lets visitors carry the experience home after their stay.

Whether visiting Antwerp for the art, food, or fashion, this remarkable retreat in the heart of the city makes for an ideal base for experiencing it all.

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