Hotel Franq, Luxurious enjoyment in the heart of Antwerp

Be a tourist in your own country! Our beautiful country has so much to offer that we don’t need to go to Barcelona for a cool city trip. By the way, did you know that the city of Antwerp was in the top 10 ‘must do cities’ for 2018 by Lonely Planet? And if we can combine this citytrip with a great ‘Stay’ experience, then it’s totally awesome! Today more than ever, we can give the hoteliers in Belgium a shot in the arm!

If there is one trend that will continue apace, even in 2021, it is the trend towards small-scale boutique hotels. They are not part of large, uniform hotel chains, they are known for their more personal approach and they are usually located in buildings with character. Such is the case with Hotel Franq, the newest jewel in Antwerp’s hotel crown.

Tennis in the bathroom

After the nice reception, we eagerly await the room. Again, the design line of old and new is consistently maintained. We enjoyed the weekend in the spacious junior suite. Spacious is really an understatement, as you can easily play a tennis match in the bathroom alone. What stands out is the detail and quality of the finish of the materials. In the bathroom, high-end brands are consistently chosen in bath and shower. The latter comes in duplicate with a splendid walk-in shower. We plop down in the bed and are immediately sold by the quality box spring and soft linen. Dreaming away to the max: Check!

Star level in the kitchen

An additional advantage, and one that we had been looking forward to very much, is the possibility of eating at the hotel. Normally, we prefer the standard hotel kitchens, but in this case we are happy to make an exception! None other than Tim Meuleneire. Meuleneire was the first chef of Belgium Prosper Montagné in 2009 and also one of the youngest chefs with a Michelin star for his restaurant De Koopvaardij.

In a beautifully decorated restaurant, we opted for the winter walk; a four-course menu priced at 65 euros per person excluding wines. Optionally, you can also choose a cheese platter from Van Tricht. Throughout the menu, the Chef shows that he still has the skills of the top chef. The flavour combinations were pleasantly surprising and the preparations were perfect everywhere. The opener of scallops from Dieppe with salsify was a real mouth pleaser, the slow-cooked salmon with clementines surprisingly refreshing and finally the pheasant Albufeira with truffle deliciously wintery. And Meuleneire knows that you only score when the dessert is also top-notch. Here too, a shot in the arm with a reworked version of the classic Poire Belle-Hélène. We ourselves paired this tasty menu with a fine Bordeaux: Lalande de Pomerol, Chateau Perron 2012. After the degustation, the rich fruit bouquet of this wine came to life. Loved it!

Breakfast with the grandeur of the former bank

At the end of our wonderful weekend, we were treated to a delicious breakfast. Our morning mood soon made way for a broad smile, because breakfast is served at the table in the restaurant area. This service is highly original, by the way, because the menu is a kind of breakfast newspaper from the hotel. Cool! The breakfast itself is a delicious pleasures and healthy, including different types of bread, humus, cold cuts, fresh eggs and ditto fruit juice. They can wake us up like this every day!

Conclusion:

Hotel Franq is an absolute recommendation for a luxurious stay in Antwerp. Ideally located (Kipdorp, historic centre) a stone’s throw from the historic sites and the shopping Walhalla De Meir. Also practical is the private parking at the hotel. Enjoy, enjoy and enjoy the grandeur of the late 19th century with a contemporary twist!