Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp - The Leading Hotels of the World

The room was lovely, with a bath and shower, and the bed was a dream. The spa was wonderful and relaxing, and the location is good. Then at 5.45 in the morning, trucks loading and unloading outside made so much noise that I was jolted out of bed. I booked this hotel for my first day off as a mom. It took me two years to finally get an evening and night to myself. I live on a street that’s had roadworks since I was pregnant, and I fought with the police to make sure they weren’t breaking the rules about noise before 7 am. Here I was in a deluxe room at a deluxe hotel, paying about 500 euros a night, and they couldn’t manage the outside noise before 7 am. It wasn’t even 6! I told the front desk, and all I got was, “I'm sorry. We will look into it for the next guests.” There are so many staff and so much attention to detail, yet they couldn’t manage the bare minimum of making a hotel somewhere people can rest. Great service. I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who actually wants to sleep. My first night away from my baby, and I woke up even earlier. It cost me a lot, too. That doesn’t deserve even one star.

The spa and swimming pool are top notch, with great saunas and lots of little extras, and feel worth the five-star hotel price. Our room service order went missing. I called again after 45 minutes, and they did their best to get it to us quickly, which they did. We also tried to get a drink at the hotel bar around 17:30, but the queue was at least 30-45 minutes, with no sign of hotel guests being prioritized, so we didn’t wait. At the brasserie, I ordered the filet pit. It was very tough and not dierendock quality at all. They gave me a free glass of wine, but at that price I still expected the right quality.

The pool was perfectly sublime, a real plus for me as a swimmer. We spent a couple of nights at Botanic Sanctuary while exploring Antwerp, and the breakfast buffet was a treat, with so many choices that there was no need to order extra plates. Our Monastery room had high ceilings and original rustic wood-slat ceilings. The furnishings were comfortable, with fluffy pillows, downy duvets, and crisp linen that made for deep, undisturbed sleep. Harry's Bar was a comfortable place to end the evening, with cushy couches, swirly chairs, and fluffy pillows for an after-dinner drink. Hope your stay is as nice as ours. Enjoy!

We came from London for a birthday treat, and the team made us feel welcome from check-in onward. Everyone was warm and friendly. Room 202 was ridiculously clean and perfectly kept, with a gorgeous bathroom, luxurious linens and towels, and lovely birthday treats waiting in the room. The bar was lovely, and breakfast was top notch and then some. My only complaint was the walk from our room to the spa. Having to pass the restaurants and bar, then reception, in a bathrobe wasn’t for the faint of heart. Still, it was undoubtedly a five-star experience.