Lonely_Planet_Asia_February_2017

ANTWERP AT A GLANCE

It’s just turned three, and a tuneful chatter of
bells drifts in through the open doors of Hotel
O Kathedral. Set over two historic townhouses,
the design hotel has pride of place right opposite
Antwerp’s medieval Cathedral of Our Lady, a
Gothic masterpiece whose tower soars
dizzily above the old town. Most of
the 37 rooms have views, some
with window seats to gaze
out from, others have
skylights that frame the
spire. Inside, they pay
homage to another
Antwerp icon – the
artist Rubens, with
details from his
paintings spread across
walls and ceilings, their
rich colours contrasting
with the mellow blacks
and golds of burnished walls,
bathrooms and beds. Breakfast
is held downstairs, in a softly lit
area lined with vintage radios; at night,
this segues into a bar serving cocktails and local
beers. But Hotel O Kathedral is also a relaxing
hangout during the day – grab one of the tables
on the pavement outside and watch the world
pass by in the cathedral square.
l Rooms from US$80; hotelokathedral.com

The hotel

Above Details from

paintings by Rubens

feature across Hotel

O’s five types of room.

Inset The hotel’s façade

is typical of the old

town, whose squares

are lined with merchant

and guild houses

Above Mannequins

stand in the windows of

46 Kloosterstraat,

a retro shopping den.

Below The street’s

shops sell everything

from vintage toys to

designer homeware

and furniture

The Kloosterstraat is not an especially long

street, but a walk along it can easily last for

hours. Linking the old town with the arty

Zuid district, it’s lined with antique and

design shops selling a staggering inventory

of hebbedingetjes (things you want but

don’t need). Hunting among these is a

favourite Antwerp pasttime, especially on

Sundays. Come afternoon, the street buzzes

with locals strolling pavements heaped with

mannequins, suits of armour and second-

hand books. The variety is huge: junk

grottoes like Tante Brocante rub shoulders

with dealers selling ancient Egyptian

parchment or Congolese swords. For the

best pick of local talent, time your visit with

the monthly Market for Tomorrow, which

hosts young makers, as well as DJs and a

cocktail truck.

l kloosterstraat.com

The walk