Maek Hotel Antwerp Central, the City's Most Stylish Urban Hideaway

We arrive in Antwerp for our weekend getaway the way many travellers do: by train. Antwerp is known both as a fashion capital and for its gorgeous buildings, and Centraal station, with its massive dome and ornate detailing, certainly sets the tone. From the back of the station, it’s barely a five-minute walk to Maek Hotel Antwerp Central - Handwritten Collection, and the transition from monumental architecture to flourishing greenery happens almost instantly.

The hotel sits beside Stadspark, right in the heart of the Diamond District, which gives the area an interesting dual personality. There’s movement and business on one side, lushness and calm on the other. As for our hotel, it’s impossible to miss amid the browns and beiges of the neighbourhood. Maek Hotel’s exterior is clad in natural granite, with a gold entrance that’s quietly bold and very classy. Very Antwerp indeed.

Stepping inside, the lobby hits us first with colour – rich, vibrant, unexpected – then music, then a subtle yet spicy scent. Intentional and curated, but not fussy. The leather-and-wood front desk looks like an oversized vintage suitcase, as if someone’s just about to embark on an 18th-century style Grand Tour of Europe. Nearby, a mannequin stands dressed in hotel fabrics for now, but soon, we’re told, it will showcase designs from young Antwerp fashion talent. We love the understated gold accents everywhere, from lamps to decorative details, echoing the entrance outside and tying the whole aesthetic together.

Being the weekend, our fellow guests seem to be here for city adventures too, from families browsing souvenirs in the compact gift shop, to solo travellers soaking up inspiration from glossy books on fashion and Belgian architecture in the cosy sitting area. There’s an especially photogenic wall with a striking painting of a sophisticated woman in a swathe of colours and textiles, a spot we watch guest after guest stop at to pose.

As we check in, we notice the staff’s “passion pins” attached to their uniforms. One is of a cocktail glass, another of a football. As intended, they’re the perfect conversation starter: within minutes, we’re chatting about Antwerp bars and starting a friendly rivalry over whose football team is better. With our room keycard comes a small note with a gold key. This, we learn, is the hotel’s way of encouraging guests to explore the city beyond the obvious – the gold key unlocks a discount with a local Antwerp business. Sometimes a museum, other times a chocolate maker; to our delight, our treat is with a nearby brewery. We tuck it away safely for later.

We’re excited and more than just a little bit pleased with ourselves about bagging a Park View Superior Room on the eighth floor of the hotel. What’s so special about it? Well, city-centre hotels don’t usually offer much greenery, let alone park views, but Maek Hotel’s location makes it possible. From the wide windows, the park, with its lush trees and glassy pond, stretches out.

The room itself is cosy yet uncluttered, with a palette that leans into deep teal, warm ochres and natural wood. On the wall hangs a small painting of the same fashionable woman from the lobby, and there’s a sleek black desk with thoughtful leather details, including a cute design-forward tissue box. We smile as we discover an A4 drawing pad and pencils – an invitation to think, sketch, doodle and plan (or, in our case, leave each other silly notes). And the bed? It’s generous and inviting, topped with a thick, cloud-like duvet that practically demands an afternoon nap. 

We resist the temptation, though, and wander into the bathroom to freshen up. The toiletries are from The Botanist and The Chemist, with a distinctive spicy scent that feels warm and grounding on this crisp winter’s day.

It’s refreshing to learn that there isn’t a full restaurant here. Instead, the hotel actively encourages you to explore Antwerp’s food scene, offering curated recommendations nearby. For pre-dinner drinks and nibbles, however, there’s Maek Bar: an intimate, cosy space tucked into a quiet corner of the ground floor. With its dim lights and gold details catching the glow, it’s giving friendly neighbourhood pub rather than anonymous hotel bar, and we love it.

The star of the menu is the signature cocktail, The Final Stroke, an interactive nod to the hotel’s “Art of Making” philosophy. It comes beautifully presented in a ribbed coupe glass, with a dropper of grenadine on the side for us to add – the “stroke” that finishes the drink. We watch as the intense red dissipates hypnotically though the clear, gold-tinged liquid, then give it a quick swirl and taste. With gin, lime, honey syrup and a local liqueur called Elixir d'Anvers, it’s refreshingly tart and just nicely sweet, with intriguing hints of cinnamon and star anise. And if cocktails aren’t your thing, the local beer selection shines. Our companion is steered toward a light amber beer from the De Koninck brewery – an Antwerp institution – after the friendly bartender asks what sort of flavour profiles they prefer and offers a passionate explanation of the options on offer.

The bar menu is more varied than you’d expect, with the usual snacks like nachos and pizzas, plus a delicious-sounding Antwerp beef stew with a potato gratin, and tempting desserts like warm carrot cake and waffles with ice cream and chocolate sauce. The bar’s open until 1am, so if we need a naughty late-night pudding, we know where to come!

The next morning, we tuck into breakfast served in a bright, welcoming space. There’s a cold buffet with the usual suspects as well as Belgian specialties like Biscoff spread and a gorgeously rich butter cake. Hot options include sausages, mushrooms, bacon and at least one egg dish on the buffet – but if you ask, you can have them prepared by the chef just as you like them. The highlight? The self-service waffle-making station, a hit with the kids and the young at heart alike.

One of Maek Hotel’s biggest strengths is its location. From here, Antwerp is wonderfully walkable. An easy stroll takes us to the Saturday market in Theaterplein, where we sample some shrimp croquettes (a Flemish specialty) and browse stalls piled high with cheese, cured meats and a dizzying array of fresh produce. We then head to Grote Markt, the city’s main square and home to the grand, Renaissance-style City Hall. Our bearings found, we agree a plan for the rest of the day: Rubens’ masterpieces at the Cathedral of Our Lady; a waterfront stroll and the heritage St. Anna's Pedestrian Tunnel to admire the cityscape; and perhaps a spot of shopping or a drink at the local brewery recommended by the hotel's gold key before our evening at the Opera Antwerpen.

As we check out the next day, we're each handed a hand-shaped butter cookie, made by a local charity and inspired by Antwerp folklore. It may be a small gesture, but we're touched. It's personal, sweet and just a little unexpected – just like our stay in this exceptional city.

• Savvy travellers who appreciate bold design and personal connections
• Couples on a city break looking for a stylish but friendly base
• Solo adventurers after a social vibe and a central location
• Families seeking practical room layouts and thoughtful touches for kids
• Pet parents who love the idea of being next to a park and still in the city centre
• Business travellers who want to be close to Centraal station, the Diamond District and A Room with a ZOO

1. Lush views in the city centre: The Park View rooms offer that rare balance of urban energy and natural calm.
2. Minutes to the action: There are cafés and restaurants just around the corner, and the historic centre is a 15-minute stroll away.
3. Thoughtful details: Passion pins, sketch pads, gold keys – the small things here make a big difference.
4. Authentically Antwerp: From fashion references to local partnerships, Maek Hotel celebrates its home city.
5. A bar worth lingering in: Maek Bar is stylish yet intimate, with exceptional cocktails, local beers and fun, passionate staff.

Address: Quinten Matsijslei 25, 2018 ANTWERPEN, Belgium

Getting there: 5 minutes' walk from Centraal station