Urban boutique hotel with exquisite interior in historic part of Antwerp
Julien / Antwerp / Belgium
On a side street in one of my favorite cities, Antwerp, you’ll find this little treasure of a hotel. Hotel Julien was where my interest for unique hotels started. I came here on a city trip with one of my closest friends and I was hooked. That was when I realized how much better any given city break could be if you chose your hotel carefully. Since then I have always researched my trips in a totally different way and started this hotel hobby that has given my so much joy ever since. And I have come back two more times to stay at this cool hotel since that first eye-opening time.
Hotel Julien is situated in two 16th Century town houses which makes the interior somewhat maze like with two bright courtyards and winding staircases that connects the buildings. It opened back in 2010 and the same owner now also owns one of my other favorites in Antwerp, August Hotel, that I will write about in another post later.
The design at Hotel Julien feels effortless. It is like they whole thing just came together on a whim. Of course that isn’t the case. It takes someone really skilled to create a look like this one where there is loads of patina but the place still feels fresh and contemporary. And one thing that deserves some kind of special reward are the beds. Out of all the hotels we have stayed at these beds are for sure among the top. Luckily Antwerp is such a fantastic city, otherwise it would be really difficult to drag myself out of the comfort of the hotel bed.
One of the two townhouses that Julien is situated in. It is difficult to see just how large the door is.
The common room facing one of the two courtyards. Old and new that melts into one.
M heading for one of the cosy corners of the living room to hang out. It is such a beautiful space. I particularly love the ceiling.
Ok, just one more photo of the lobby area since it is so stunning.
The second court yard where you can catch a slice of blue through the greenery.
Another photo from the courtyard. You can see the old, beautiful staircase through the massive window.
There are two courtyards belonging to the hotel. A great opportunity to flood rooms with light and connect the outside with the inside.
Maybe I don’t need to mention how obsessed I am with these courtyards…
The old, squeaky staircase leading up to the rooms.
This was the room we stayed in. I love attic rooms with slanted ceiling and exposed beams.
Or room for the night. It is visible to the naked eye just how well we slept in that bed. And I love how the ivy is covering the window giving the room a green sheen.
I love this window that looks like a painting. It gave our room a magical green light.
Gotta love a hotel that takes bathroom products seriously.
M is enjoying breakfast in the grand breakfast room.
M has finished breakfast and is ready to explore the fantastic little city of Antwerp.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…want to go for a city weekend and you (like us) appreciate to be able to retrieve back to a calm (beautiful) hamlet after spending the day criss crossing around town. Julien offers just that. The location is perfect as a starting point for your exploration of Antwerp.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is maybe sad, but I have to say the beds. So comfy! I also always like hotels that take their in-room products seriously. Julien has Aesop in all their rooms. The scent of their products are simply divine.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is Graanmarkt 13 which is both a concept store and a restaurant. They actually also have one hotel room that they rent out. It is easy to burn a hole in your wallet here. Actually Antwerp is a great shopping destination. Shopping, food and drinks. My kind of town.
If you like this place you might also like…
Alex, Perth, WA, Australia
Jardin Secret, Brussels, Belgium
Graace Hotel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
