Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp Hotel Review: Quiet Luxury in the City
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax”
Looking for a city break that feels calm without escaping the city? Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp might be exactly that. The hotel opened in 2021 inside a restored 15th-century monastery complex and combines five historic buildings into one luxury retreat. It’s a five-star property with more than 100 rooms and suites, a full wellness center, and five restaurants, including multiple Michelin-starred ones. It’s one of the few hotels in Belgium where you can sleep, spa, and dine on Michelin cuisine without ever stepping outside.
Since opening, it’s quickly become a favorite among celebrities like Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, and Madonna. And it does make sense. Even though the hotel is large, it doesn’t feel busy or overwhelming. The inner courtyards, high walls, and tucked-away corridors create a private, quiet atmosphere — the kind of “hidden in plain sight” setup that clearly works for anyone needing privacy.
It delivers that “quiet luxury in the middle of the city” feeling really well. But the big question is whether the full experience, the rooms, the restaurants, the spa, and the price tag, actually lives up to the reputation. Let’s dive into the stay and see what you really get.
Here we go! Let’s determine if staying here is worth it while we cover all aspects, from the rooms to the location and the restaurants:
The Location
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp is located in the historic center of the city, just behind the Botanic Garden (“Den Botaniek”). It’s a short walk from areas like Meir shopping street and the old town, yet the hotel itself feels surprisingly hidden. The monastery complex is enclosed by high walls and narrow entrances, so you step off a regular city street and suddenly find yourself in a quiet, enclosed courtyard. It doesn’t read as a big hotel at all from the outside, which explains why it attracts guests who value privacy.
We stayed for one night, driving from Amsterdam specifically to try the hotel and spa. If you’re also arriving by car, there’s valet parking, which is convenient in this part of the city, but it comes at a premium price of €65 per day. It’s steep, but the trade-off is not having to look for parking in the area (which isn’t easy), especially if you’re coming for a relaxing stay.
If you’re traveling by public transport, it’s about a 15–20 minute walk from Antwerp Central Station or a quick taxi ride if you prefer not to drag luggage through the city. Once you’re at the hotel, you won’t need a car, everything you’d want to see in the center is within walking distance.
Overall, the location hits a sweet spot: central enough to explore comfortably, yet private enough to feel like you’ve stepped into a retreat rather than a city hotel.
The Rooms
The hotel is spread across several historic buildings, so your room can be located in different wings of the property. We stayed in the main building, in one of the Deluxe rooms, which turned out to be a great choice. The room size was very comfortable, not overly large, but definitely not small either. We requested a bathtub when booking and got one, so if that matters to you, it’s worth mentioning when you reserve.
The interior design matches the hotel’s quiet-luxury atmosphere: calm colors, warm lighting, and a spa-like bathroom that all felt new and well-maintained. The room had everything you’d expect from a five-star stay — a coffee and tea setup, minibar, robes, slippers, and plenty of storage. The bed was very comfortable, and one thing that stood out to me was how dark the room gets at night. As a light sleeper, I really appreciated not needing an eye mask.
Noise wasn’t an issue either. Even with the hotel being fully booked, the room was quiet and didn’t have the usual hallway noise you often get in bigger hotels. During evening turndown service, the curtains are closed, the lights are dimmed, and the bed is prepared. You even receive earplugs, just in case, a thoughtful touch even if you don’t end up using them.
Overall, the room delivered exactly what the hotel promises: a relaxing, comfortable place to unwind, without unnecessary extras or overly flashy décor.
The Restaurant: Henry’s Bistro & Henry’s Bar
Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp offers several dining options, from casual drinks to Michelin-starred restaurants. On the property you’ll find:
Henry’s Bistro
Henry’s Bar
Fine Fleur ✶
Hertog Jan ✶✶
Bar Bulot
For our stay, we chose Henry’s Bistro. We love fine dining, but we wanted something a little more low-key this time. The interior is beautiful — cozy, classic, and elegant — and the bar area next to it is especially impressive. We actually moved there for dessert and cocktails, which ended up being a great choice.
The food itself was good, with generous portions, flavorful dishes, and a nice presentation. The service, however, felt distracted. Not unfriendly, just clearly busy. At one point, our waiter placed our starters on the table, started to say something, then suddenly stopped mid-sentence and literally ran off. We weren’t sure if he’d forgotten something that went with the dish, so we just sat there for a few seconds, wondering whether to wait or start eating. It ended up being quite funny — we joked about it for a bit because we were so confused.
Later on, another server brought my main course and said, “There you go, sir.” It wasn’t offensive, just another sign that the team seemed a bit overstretched and not fully focused on the tables. We started to guess they might’ve been short-staffed unexpectedly — pure speculation, but it would explain the pace. Together, these little moments didn’t ruin anything, but they did make the evening feel a bit off (especially considering the price tag). We spent around €300 for a shared appetizer, two mains, and drinks, which is definitely on the pricier side, but not surprising for a five-star hotel with Michelin restaurants on site.
Overall, it was an okay experience, but compared to the rest of the staff we encountered on the property, it felt like night and day.
The Breakfast
Breakfast at Botanic Sanctuary was honestly one of the highlights of our stay, and it goes far beyond what a lot of luxury hotels offer. The dining room itself is beautiful and follows the same calming, minimalistic atmosphere as the rest of the property. It immediately feels like a place where you want to take your time.
What makes the breakfast special is the mix of quality and variety. Alongside the buffet (which has plenty of fresh options), you can order small à la carte dishes that are unique and genuinely good. I had shrimp with asparagus and rösti, which is not something you usually see on a hotel breakfast menu. The moment you sit down, they ask if you’d like coffee and champagne — a combination I fully support.
And then there’s the option to make Bloody Marys.
A guaranteed yes from us every single time.
A funny moment: whenever there’s an option to make a Bloody Mary, we’re definitely getting one, but when I first started staying at these kinds of hotels, I always felt a little awkward — like, “Is everyone judging me for starting the day with vodka?” Over time, I stopped caring and just made one.
After breakfast (Bloody Marys included), we were waiting for the elevator when another couple joined us. The guy looked at me and said, “I was so happy someone else took a Bloody Mary because I didn’t want to be the only one.”
So there you go — if you want something, just take it. I guarantee you, you’re not the only one; someone just has to be the first.
Overall, breakfast at Botanic Sanctuary is exceptional, exactly what you want on a relaxing city break.
The Activities: The Pool & Spa
The spa was one of the main reasons we booked Botanic Sanctuary, and it genuinely lived up to expectations. It’s beautifully designed — calm, spacious, and completely in line with the hotel’s quiet-luxury atmosphere. The moment you walk in, it feels like everything slows down a bit.
At first, we actually thought the spa was quite small — we only saw the pool, the jacuzzi, and one infrared sauna, and assumed that was it. But then we found another door, and suddenly there were multiple saunas, a steam room, and several relaxation areas tucked away behind it. So if you go and think, “Is this all?” keep exploring. There’s much more than you see at first glance.
This already made it stand out compared to many hotels that advertise a “spa area” but then only offer a pool and treatment rooms. Here, you actually get a proper range of wellness options.
Even though the hotel was fully booked, the spa never felt crowded or noisy. The layout is clever, and there are plenty of quiet corners where you can switch off. We didn’t book treatments this time, the plan was simply to relax, and the facilities alone were more than enough for a full afternoon of unwinding.
Overall, the spa adds real value to the stay. Whether you're visiting for a short city break or, like us, coming for a one-night escape, it feels like a proper retreat rather than just a hotel with a pool.
The (Winter) Activities: Veuve Clicquot Lodge
One of the fun seasonal extras at Botanic Sanctuary is the Veuve Clicquot Lodge, which appears during the winter months. It’s a small, cozy setup in the courtyard where you can warm up with a glass of champagne and enjoy that winter-market-meets-luxury-hotel atmosphere.
They also serve a couple of small bites, like oysters and shrimp croquettes, which fit the whole champagne-in-winter vibe perfectly. Just keep in mind that the space is limited. We went around 4:30 p.m., and by 5:30 it was already getting pretty busy. So if you want a more relaxed moment (or a good spot to sit), going a bit earlier is a smart move.
It’s a simple concept, but it adds a really nice seasonal touch to the property and is a fun little extra if you’re visiting during winter.
The Verdict: Is a Stay at Botanic Sanctuary Worth it?
I absolutely loved our stay at Botanic Sanctuary. Compared to many hotels in the region — and honestly even compared to some well-known luxury brands — this felt refreshing and genuinely high-end. From the moment you arrive, you notice the difference. You’re greeted with a glass of champagne, someone takes your luggage, and you’re personally escorted to your room. These are things you’d expect at a luxury hotel, but in reality, they don’t always happen, so it set a really positive tone from the start.
A small moment that really stood out happened later that evening. During check-in, I casually mentioned that it was my partner’s birthday — I hadn’t added anything about it when booking. We also don’t share a last name, and the reservation was under mine, so the hotel wouldn’t have had his details unless they looked them up during check-in. When we returned to our room after dinner, there was a handwritten birthday card on the bed addressed to him, using his last name. It’s a small gesture, but such a thoughtful one — and a perfect example of how much attention to detail the service team has.
Price-wise, I was pleasantly surprised. We paid €400 for one night, which, of course, isn’t cheap, but considering the level of service, the beautiful rooms, the spa, and the overall experience, it could have been higher, especially with how hotel prices have increased lately.
Where the costs do add up are the restaurants and the bar. Dining on the property definitely comes with a hefty price tag, so if you plan to eat in, it’s worth building that into your budget. That said, everything from breakfast to the Veuve Clicquot Lodge felt thoughtfully done and added to the stay.
All in all, it was a really lovely experience — calm, beautifully designed and perfect for a weekend city/spa break. I’d happily return, especially for a winter stay or anytime I want a hotel that feels special and genuinely relaxing.
I hope this was helpful. If you have any more questions, you can always reach out here or on Instagram, and I’m more than happy to answer any of your questions. Happy Travels!
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