Hotel Matelote

Erik made us feel welcome, and we really enjoyed staying in the Matelote Suite. It’s a charming hotel in a hard-to-beat location, and we’d gladly return.

Right in Antwerp’s old town, this small hotel is wonderfully placed, just a couple of minutes from almost everywhere. The room was very clean, with a big shower and a TV that had English channels. The decor could use a little updating, though it didn’t take away from our stay. Breakfast is included, which is useful since many cafes and restaurants aren’t open early. There’s a kettle in the room, but we didn’t need it because tea and coffee were available during the day at no extra cost. Nice mix of old and new.

We had the junior suite, a spacious, clean room looking out over the patio. The hotel feels like a peaceful hideaway despite being just off a busy area. Staff were professional and kind, and gave us helpful suggestions for places to eat and visit. We could walk to both the central station and Viking dock.

We stayed in room 10 and were struck by how spacious it was, with exposed roof beams and skylights. Even the restroom was laid out thoughtfully. Matelote is a charming family-run place, warmly welcomed by the owner, who marked our map with spots to see during our short visit. It’s on a quieter side street, but restaurants, bars, and boutique shops are all close. We’d stay again next time we’re in Antwerp.