The Old Cornmarket Hideaways

Rooms

Each of the three suites has a similar formula - one bedroom (with queensize double bed), sitting area, shower bathroom, kitchen corner - arranged in a contemporary open-plan aesthetic within this historic timbered building. There are wooden floors, white walls, pot plants, and textures by way of sheepskin throws or natural fibre rugs. You get stylish bathrooms with walk-in showers, a hanging rail for your clothes, light flooding in from large windows, and views of Oude Koornmarkt square. 

They differ in details: top floor Suite 3, the smallest, has exposed original ceiling beams, the best views of the Cathedral, and its bathroom is a couple of steps down and around from the bedroom. Both Suite 1 on the first floor and Suite 2 on the second have high ceilings, and living areas separated from the bedroom areas by a curtain and some steps; bathrooms are tucked behind the bedrooms. These two look towards the River Scheldt, best seen from Suite 2's private terrace. Note that bathrooms don't come with doors, if privacy is an issue for you. 

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Bluetooth sound system
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Toiletries
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

Each Suite has a coffee corner, which is a small kitchenette with sink, small fridge and coffee machine (tea is provided as well), but no cooking facilities.

For stocking up on snacks and breakfast items, there are a couple of food shops, including a Carrefour Express within a 5-minute walk.

It is likely that you'll be eating out for the majority of your time in Antwerp, and your hosts can recommend an array of options from Michelin-starred cuisine (there are a few to choose from, including t'Fornius) to plant-based fare, as well as Mexican, moules frites in the Theatre district, casual diners for breakfast and lunch, and Asian small plates. For drinks, there are juice shops, cocktail bars and coffee shops galore.

Features include:

• Coffee maker
• Kitchenette
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• The vibrant Zuid District (15-20 minutes' walk) has both attractive Art Nouveau and modernist buildings, and runs alongside the Scheldt river. Check out the ambitious Nieuw Zuid (a huge urban renewal project along railway tracks), The Royal Museum of Fine Arts (whose collections span 7 centuries), FOMU (one of Europe's leading photography museums), and the Arts Centre in a former hydraulic power station
• If retail therapy is your go-to, Antwerp delivers. There are antique and vintage emporiums plus design stores clustered around Kloosterstraat (a short stroll away), the Antwerp Six's flagship designer stores led by Ann Demeulemeester and Dries van Noten, plus the weekly Exotic Market (Saturdays), which sells everything from food and drink to homewares and clothing
• Momu has fascinating displays of clothing, textiles and designs which showcase Belgian and international fashion, celebrating Antwerp's role in this global industry
• For outstanding Gothic architecture, the Cathedral of our Lady dates to 1352, and there are a plethora of medieval streets given a new lease of life to discover

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Kids are welcome and cots are available on request. Note that a child would need to share the bed with a parent as extra beds are not possible in the Suites.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Old Cornmarket Apartments are in a heritage building in the historic centre of Antwerp in northern Belgium, right by the Cathedral, just a couple of blocks from the River Scheldt. 

By Air:
Brussels is a big international hub with daily flights from around the world. It's a 25-minute drive to Antwerp via the ring road, or take the train. Local airport Antwerp only flies to a few destinations such as southern Spain, the Balearics and Tenerife.

By Train:
Antwerp's Central Station is well connected to most points in northern Europe by rail, and via the Eurostar from London (change in Brussels). The station is about 30 minutes away on foot, less by taxi or tram; most will arrive by train.

By Car:
We only recommend a car if you’re planning to explore Belgium; you don’t need one if you’re coming to Antwerp for a short break. For car hire, see our car rental recommendations. 

Getting Around:
Antwerp is best navigated by foot, especially for shopping and sights. You can hire bikes by the hour, or jump on a tram or bus.