Location
In the very heart of Antwerp, on a quiet side street near the Grote Markt, Hotel Julien occupies two listed 16th-century townhouses. From the rooftop terrace, you look straight at the spire of the Cathedral of Our Lady, one of the city’s defining landmarks.
Step through the heavy front door, though, and the bustle of the city fades. Inside, the mood is hushed, a blend of design and calm. Julien is less a hotel than a retreat, a private haven set in the middle of the old town.
A Boutique Hotel Pioneer
When Mouche Van Hool, formerly of Belgium’s advertising world, opened the hotel in 2004, her idea was simple: to create a place with character, personal touches, and a level of quality she found missing elsewhere. What started with ten rooms became an early example of what we now call a boutique hotel. Over the years it has drawn a steady following of creative travelers and design-minded guests.
Today, the hotel spans two adjoining houses with 21 individually designed rooms and suites. Despite its growth, the atmosphere is unchanged: intimate, elegant and infused with the sensibility of an art collector’s home.
What We Love
The two salons overlooking the courtyard garden invite long afternoons over tea, while in the evening guests drift toward the Red Bar, a moody gathering place that links the two townhouses.
The interiors bear the mark of Van Hool herself, shaped in collaboration with designers Peter Ivens and Bea Mombaers. Elegant artworks are scattered throughout the building, giving it the feel of a private residence as much as a hotel. The design has endured well, contemporary but not tied to a passing trend.
Rooms & Breakfast
Each room has its own character, balancing historic architecture with pared-down elegance. Whatever the category, every guest is personally shown to the room, a small ritual that adds to the sense of intimacy. Cozy linens, bright walls and fine bath products add a quiet note of luxury without excess.
Breakfast, served à la carte in the newly refurbished bistro, arrives on hand-painted plates. It comes at an additional charge, but sets the tone for a leisurely start to the day.
Private Spa
Down in the vaulted cellar, a private spa with a steam room and sauna can be booked by the hour, a pause from the city outside. Availability is limited, so check in advance.
Combine With
Van Hool has since opened a second property, august Antwerp, in a former Augustinian convent across town. Where Julien hums with the life of the city, august Antwerp is quieter, set in a residential neighborhood dotted with cafés and boutiques. Staying at both gives you a fuller picture of Antwerp: two hotels, two moods, one vision.
Antwerp
The city remains a magnet for design lovers. Since the 1980s, when the so-called Antwerp Six, a group of fashion designers including Dries Van Noten and Ann Demeulemeester, emerged from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp has had a reputation for creativity. Its historic houses, contemporary shops, and thriving café culture make it a perfect destination for a long weekend.
Getting There
Antwerp is compact enough to explore entirely on foot, so you won’t need a car, though there is a public garage a few steps away if you drive. From Brussels Airport, a direct train takes about half an hour.
Prices
Doubles from about 200 to 500 euros per night, depending on season and demand.
Booking & Contact
Hotel Julien
Korte Nieuwstraat 24
2000 Antwerp
Belgium
