Antwerp's BEST Hotel? Park Inn by Radisson City Centre Review!
Antwerp's BEST Hotel? Park Inn by Radisson City Centre Review: The Honest Truth (and Maybe a Few Rambles)
Okay, alright, deep breaths! I've just spent a whirlwind weekend at the Park Inn by Radisson City Centre in Antwerp, and I'm here to spill the beans. Forget those polished brochures and bland hotel websites. I'm giving you the unfiltered, slightly messy, utterly human truth. Let's dive in, shall we?
Accessibility, Accessibility, Accessibility! (And Did I Mention Accessibility?)
This is HUGE for me, and the Park Inn actually does a pretty decent job. Wheelchair accessible? Yep, ramps, elevators, the works. They've definitely put some thought into making this place user-friendly. I didn’t need it, but I saw the access and breathed a sigh of relief. Knowing it's there is everything.
Internet Access, Internet, Internet! (Because, Let's Be Real, We're All Addicted)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! Hallelujah! Fast, reliable Wi-Fi is a necessity, not a luxury, in this day and age. I’m talking solid connection, no buffering, the works. Seriously, I needed to work while I was there, and I wasn't pulling my hair out in frustration. They also offer Internet [LAN] if you're old school, and various Internet services if you get really stuck. Wi-Fi in public areas is readily available too. No complaints here.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 Edition – The New Normal
Okay, so this is where things get REALLY important. They’re doing a lot to keep things safe. I mean, a whole checklist of stuff. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere. They’ve gone all-out with the Hygiene certification. All staff is properly trained in safety protocol. I felt genuinely reassured by the measures in place.
They use Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They did their best to have Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and all that. Everything was as good as it could be.
Rooms: My Happy Place (and the Occasional Minor Quibble)
Where to begin? The rooms are generally well-equipped. Air conditioning that actually works (a godsend in the summer!). A decent desk (essential for us workaholics), a comfy bed (extra long, thank you!), and even a refrigerator. Free bottled water, always a nice touch. Complimentary tea and a coffee/tea maker. Wi-Fi [free], of course. A safe for valuables. And a decent shower.
I did have a minor grumble: the bathrooms, while functional, were a little… basic. And the lighting could be improved. But overall, a perfectly comfortable room, with all the essentials.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fun
The restaurants are decent, boasting an International cuisine in restaurant, and a Western cuisine in restaurant. You can get a breakfast [buffet] to start the day. They also provide an A la carte in restaurant, and have a Coffee/tea in restaurant.
The Poolside bar is nice for a relaxing drink, a bottle of water, or a coffee. They also offer a Snack bar, and Soup in restaurant.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Extras that Matter
The concierge was super helpful with recommendations. The 24-hour front desk is also extremely useful, for any issues. They offer Contactless check-in/out, which is a brilliant idea. Daily housekeeping kept the room spotless. There’s a convenience store for those last-minute essentials. They offer Laundry service, and Dry cleaning.
For the Kids (and Big Kids at Heart)
There are family-friendly options, and they have Kids facilities, so if you're traveling with children, it's definitely worth considering.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Finding Your Zen (or Not!)
Okay, let's be real. I was there for work, I didn't get time for the Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], etc. But they're there. You have the options.
Getting Around: Antwerp at Your Feet (or Wheels)
The Park Inn is conveniently located. Getting around is easy, because there are Taxi service, Airport transfer. Bicycle parking is available, and they have Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge].
Okay, Now for the Juicy Bits… My Personal Experience
The Room: Clean, comfortable, and quiet. I could work (important!) and sleep (even more important!). I loved the blackout curtains too; they were a lifesaver for those early mornings!
The Breakfast: The buffet was pretty solid, and the fact that they offered Asian options was a bonus!
The Staff: Genuinely friendly and helpful. They seem to genuinely care about their guests. Big points for that.
The Location: Perfect! Right in the city. Everything was walkable, which I utterly adore when I travel.
The Imperfections (Because We’re Human!)
I wish the bathroom was a little more stylish. The elevators could get a little busy at peak times.
The Verdict: Antwerp's BEST Hotel? Maybe…
Is the Park Inn by Radisson City Centre the BEST hotel in Antwerp unequivocally? Well, "best" is subjective, of course. But for location, accessibility, cleanliness, and overall comfort, it's a very strong contender. It's a solid choice, and I had a pleasant stay.
My Final Recommendation: Book It! (But Read This First)
If you need a well-located, accessible, comfortable, and professionally-run hotel in Antwerp, the Park Inn is a safe bet.
Here’s My Awesome Offer:
Book Your Stay at the Park Inn by Radisson City Centre Today!
Here’s Why You Should:
- Prime Location: Walkable access to Antwerp's best attractions.
- Modern Comfort: Modern rooms, comfy beds, and all the essentials.
- Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected without extra costs.
- Safe & Clean: Prioritizing your health and safety with enhanced protocols.
- Excellent Service: Expect a warm welcome and helpful staff.
Don't miss out!
Book Now and Get:
Bonus: Enjoy a complimentary upgrade based on availability.
Use code: ANTWERPBLOG to redeem your offer!
Click here to book! [Link to Park Inn Booking Page]
Disclaimer: This review is based on my personal experience and may not reflect every single guest's experience. I am not sponsored or affiliated with the Park Inn.
London Victoria's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Review!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is my Park Inn by Radisson Antwerp City Centre, Belgium, experience, unfiltered. Prepare for some wonky shifts, sudden bursts of enthusiasm, and the occasional existential crisis about hotel room lighting. Let's dive in!
Day 1: Arrival & Antwerp's Allure (Mostly - Don't Judge My Jet Lag)
1:00 PM - Arrival & Hotel Hustle: OMG, the flight was… a thing. Like, I swear the kid behind me spent the entire time kicking my seat. Anyway, finally at the Park Inn. Check-in was surprisingly smooth! Though, I immediately had that classic "did I book the right room?" moment. Yes, I did. It's tiny, but the bed looks comfy. I might have a nap before anything else.
- Anecdote: The lobby smelled AMAZING. Like, vanilla and a hint of…chocolate? Made me instantly crave a waffle, even though it's barely lunchtime. Clearly, the hotel knows how to lure in a weary traveler.
3:00 PM (ish) - Antwerp Scramble: Right, gotta see the Grote Markt (Grand Place), right? And Rubens' House, because ART. But first, coffee. Terrible jet lag, you understand.
- Imperfection Alert: Okay, getting lost. Yep. Somehow managed to walk directly away from the Grote Markt. Ended up in a charming, but definitely not-on-my-list, neighborhood. Beautiful, but I'm officially map-challenged. Also, my feet hurt already. Ugh.
- Quirky Observation: The cobblestones are murder on ankles. And heels are out of the question. Did anyone consider practicality when designing this city? (Probably not.)
5:00 PM - Grote Markt Glory & Regret: Finally! The Grote Markt. Stunning. Architecture that makes you want to weep with joy. Took a million photos. Now, regretting not having that waffle earlier. Hangry.
- Emotional Reaction: Seriously, the guildhalls! Just…wow. The gold, the details… I feel like I've stepped into a fairytale (minus the cobblestones). I almost forget I'm suffering a caffeine crash. Almost.
7:00 PM - Dinner Dilemma: Found a cute little brasserie. Ordered mussels. This could either be amazing, or a culinary disaster. I'm feeling brave (or delirious).
- Rambling: Okay, the waiter looks vaguely unimpressed with my limited Flemish, but I manage to order, and he seems relieved. I hope I don't look like a complete tourist (too late, I think). Is it just me, or does everyone here have better hair than I do?
- Opinionated Language: The mussels were…okay. I could have made them better, I swear! (Don't tell anyone I said that.)
Day 2: Rubens & Chocolate (More or Less)
9:00 AM - Breakfast Blunder: The hotel breakfast situation is… interesting. The coffee smells awful (and I'm already feeling the caffeine withdrawal from yesterday's crash). The scrambled eggs are… well, they’re scrambled eggs. I grabbed some pastries anyway. Everything seems slightly stale but its better than nothing!
10:00 AM - Rubens House: The Artist's Abode. This was the highlight of everything, to be honest. I felt like a bit of an art critic/ historian for these few hours. The place was huge and had such a diverse collection of painting in such great order!
- Emotional Reaction: Seriously blown away here
1:00 PM - Chocolate Delights, Or Not? Okay, Antwerp is renowned for its chocolate, so naturally I have to. The shop looks incredible.
- Imperfection Alert: I bought way too much.
3:00 - The Long Walk: I decided to do a bit more walking around. I saw some more of the city, but more importantly, I walked past 3 different gelato shops. I got one at the 3rd one. It was really good but I was already full of chocolate.
5:00 PM - Back to the Hotel: It's been a long day, I went up to my hotel room and laid in bed. I really need to get more sleep
Day 3: Farewell (But First, More Fries!)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast again. Not much to say about this…
- 10:00 AM - Fries! Fries! Fries! (And Some Regret)
- Stronger emotional reactions: I am officially putting fries as one of the best things to ever exist.
- 11:00 AM - Last look: I went to the hotel lobby and thanked the staff. They were really nice!
- 12:00 PM - Departure: Goodbye, Antwerp! Goodbye, tiny hotel room! Until next time, Belgium.
Park Inn by Radisson Antwerp City Centre: My Honest-to-Goodness FAQ (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, spill the beans. Is this Park Inn actually good? 'Cause the internet's a fickle beast.
Alright, alright, deep breaths. Is it GOOD? Look, it’s not the Ritz, okay? But for the price? For Antwerp? Honestly, I walked in expecting… well, let's just say I've seen better lobbies (more on that later). But I walked OUT pleasantly surprised. It's a solid "yeah, I'd stay again." Maybe even a "hey, I miss that breakfast." So, yeah, it's good. In a pragmatic, "gets the job done" kind of way. But don't go expecting to be *wowed*. Unless you get a room with a particularly amazing view of a frankly ugly building. Which, you know, I did. More on that later...
**(A quick little anecdote, just for ya: I arrived after a train delay that involved a screaming baby and a pigeon that *really* wanted my croissant. This place was an immediate sigh of relief. A *real* sigh. Which, consider that my starting point. Anything after that was an improvement.)**
Let's talk location. Is it actually... *central*? Or is that just marketing fluff?
Central is… *ahem*… an understatement. It’s *ridiculously* central. Like, if you threw a stone (and, uh, please don't, I'm not responsible for any broken windows) in any direction, you’d probably hit a chocolate shop, a diamond dealer (it *is* Antwerp, after all), or a historic building that looked like it was plucked straight from a fairytale. The Grote Markt (the main square) is a hop, skip, and a slightly sweaty walk away. The train station is… a slightly longer, but still manageable, walk (though I’d suggest a taxi with luggage. My back *still* hurts from that walk). It’s perfect if you want to be IN the thick of it.
**(Warning: This means, of course, that things are a little noisy at night. Especially if you get a room facing the street, which, guess who did? It was the price I paid for the view of that… aforementioned ugly building. Trade-offs, people, trade-offs.)**
The rooms! What's the deal? Big? Small? Clean? 'Cause I'm a clean freak. (Mostly.)
Okay, the rooms. Let's be real. They're… functional. Clean? Generally, yes! I'm a clean freak too, and I didn’t find any lurking dust bunnies plotting world domination. They're not massive, by any stretch of the imagination. Think "efficient use of space." Which, in Antwerp, is probably a good thing, given how much cool stuff there is packed into every square foot of the city. The bed was comfy, the shower worked (crucial!), and the Wi-Fi didn't make me want to hurl my laptop out the window. Winner.
**(A confession: I *may* have spent an embarrassing amount of time staring out the window at a particularly ugly, but strangely fascinating, building. It was gray, symmetrical, and totally uninspired. But I couldn't look away. It was my own personal architectural enigma. And, yes, the view was from one of the rooms. Still worth it, I maintain.)**
Breakfast! Don't lie to me. What's the breakfast situation like? Is it worth getting?
OH, the breakfast. This is where things get GOOD. Seriously. I'm a breakfast person. I live and breathe for a good breakfast. And this breakfast? It delivered. A solid, plentiful buffet with everything you could possibly want. Fresh fruit (the berries were *divine*), pastries (hello, Belgian waffles!), eggs cooked to order (yes!), bacon (crispy!), and all the coffee you could possibly guzzle. It's absolutely worth getting. I'm still dreaming about those waffles.
**(The coffee, though… let's just say it was strong. Too strong. I think it might have given me the jitters for the entire first day. But hey, at least I was awake! And the waffles made up for it.)**
Anything *really* annoy you? Be honest!
Okay, *okay*. My biggest gripe? The lobby. It's...functional, just like the rooms. But it’s not exactly a place you'd want to linger. It felt a little… sterile. A bit like a doctor’s waiting room, but without the magazines (the ones I found were mostly about plumbing, which, no thanks). It could use some personality. Some plants. Some… *soul*. (Dramatic, I know.) Plus, the elevators felt a *little* slow, especially during breakfast rush hour when I was basically vibrating with caffeine and waffle anticipation.
**(Also, and this is a minor thing, but the gym was… tiny. Like, "three treadmills and a lonely elliptical" kind of tiny. Good for a quick workout, but don't expect to be pumping iron. But hey, Antwerp is best explored on foot anyway!)**
Would you stay there again? The million-dollar question!
Yes. Honestly, yes. Despite the blah lobby and the slightly industrial feel, I would. For the location, for the breakfast, for the fact that it was a clean, comfortable place to crash after a long day of exploring a seriously awesome city. It's not perfect, but it's a solid choice. And let's be real, I'm not exactly a five-star kind of traveler. I'd rather spend my money on chocolate and diamonds (okay, maybe window shopping for diamonds) than on a ridiculously fancy hotel room. Plus, there's that… view… of the… well, you know. And those waffles. Can't forget the waffles. So, yeah. I'd go back. Though I might bring my own plunger, just in case. You know, hotel life.
**(And let's be honest, Antwerp is amazing. Even if you stay in a cardboard box, you're going to have a good time. But at least this cardboard box has waffles.)**
