Charming apartment in 'historic heart' of Antwerp

Everything went well. Highly recommended.

Hilde and Koen's property is a lovely, clean and well-kept apartment in the centre of Antwerp, close to Grote Markt and all the major attractions. The apartment is big and spacious and Hilde and Koen were very kind and always eager to make sure I had everything I needed. It was a lovely stay and I highly recommend!

The hosts were incredibly friendly and accommodating. They kept clear lines of communication and were flexible when our travel dates needed to change. We loved the kitchen (and made use of the appliances), having three pieces of furniture that could sleep us was helpful (a futon, a bed, and a sleeper sofa), and the location was easy to reach from the train station. I think we had the unfortunate timing of arriving while it was below freezing in Antwerp. As a result, the apartment struggled to warm up, the breaker tripped twice while trying to accommodate the space heaters and appliances, and the bathroom and entrance stairwell were frigid. The weather only improved as the trip progressed which mitigated most of the problems. The main other criticisms were: - There was only one set of keys so that required some planning if we ever went different directions. - The apartment smells strongly of cigarette smoke. I might suggest an air purifier or something similar to help with that. - The apartment is on the second floor of a walkup. - The hot water heater had trouble keeping up with three people showering. We managed to make do, but a few times whoever took the third shower was in for some frigid water. - The apartment has a layout that isn’t conveyed incredibly well in the available photos. The bathroom is outside of the main unit (and isn’t heated) and one of the beds is in the same room as the shower (in the unit) which was a bit odd.

The house was nicely decorated, lots of nice bars and restaurants nearby and a nice atmosphere. The host was attentive and kind. All of the beds were sofa beds or fold out futon type beds so not very comfortable but apart from that I’d recommend the place ! Thank you

After initial communication with Hilde, I truly looked forward to meeting her and seeing the wonderful apartment. It did not disappoint. Her aesthetic sensibility of furniture and textiles (most of which are her own creations) was familiar territory for me. She welcomed me and my friend for conversation and I wish we had more time to visit. I highly recommend this opportunity.

The apartment is very spacious and located on a quiet street just a few minutes walk from the central town square (Grotke market). We had no problems locating the apartment or finding our way around. There is a convenient grocery nearby. Hilde and her husband were excellent hosts and we greatly enjoyed visiting Hilde's art studio on the ground level. We loved Antwerp because everyone was very friendly, helpful and polite. Antwerp is a great city to walk around at a leisurely pace and dart into and out of shops, cafes, restaurants, etc. Transportation on the subway to Antwerpen Centraal is very easy and allowed us to take a day trip to Brugges. Sincerely, Alan

In 10+ years renting via VRBO we’ve never written (or needed to write) a negative review. We reserved the apartment for 3 nights but ended up leaving early in the morning after the 1st night. We couldn’t sleep due to the makeshift bed, the lack of heat and the overpowering smoky smell. The main issue we had is that the property is completely misrepresented in the description on the website. Here are the issues we had: 1) There is no central heating. There is a gas space heater in the dining room and a plug in, rolling type portable electric space heater in the room with the bathtub/bed which was useless. 2) There aren’t 2 bedrooms-there aren’t any bedrooms. The one bed is in the “bathroom” and is too small for two adults to sleep together. The other “bed” is actually a sofa in the living room that gets reconfigured into a very uncomfortable “bed”. We ended up sleeping on that sofa but couldn’t actually sleep. It was freezing cold and the apartment reeked of smoke. 3) There aren’t 2 bathrooms. There is one separate toilet in the hallway with no heat source, and the bathtub/shower is actually in a separate room with a small bed in it. 4) If you do stay with more than two people, you have to walk through the living room area of the sofa bed to get to the toilet. 5) We found the stench of the former smoke house unbearable. When I read the owners’ description, I imagined it was years ago and probably in a different part of the building than what we were renting. The smell is evident when you walk into the door on the ground floor and it gets stronger as you get to the 3rd floor apartment. The owner told me that the rental apartment was the drying room i.e hams were hanging from the ceiling in the apartment. The smell is completely imbedded in all of the furnishings and surfaces. The smoke smell made it impossible to sleep and seemed unhealthy. It got in our hair, our clothes, our wool coats. We had to clean everything after being there one night. 6) The summary should say that the apartment is on the 2nd European floor/US 3rd floor. The owners were very welcoming when we checked in. We quickly left to go for dinner and returned late to realize the situation. Since it was late when we got back for the night, we decided to make the best of it but couldn’t sleep, got up early, booked a hotel room and rushed out. It was my husband’s birthday so we didn't want a confrontation with the owners to spoil our vacation further.

This apartment was comfortable and quiet even though the location was central and convenient. Our hosts were particularly kind and helpful and the apartment is in a beautiful old house. We were very glad we chose this home.

From welcome to farewell, our stay was comfortable and very lovely. The location is perfect for access to all of the city’s highlights, shopping, restaurants, cafes, and culture, all of which can be reached on foot or by various forms of quick public transport. There is a launderette within a minute’s walk. The apartment features all the necessary home-away-from-home needs, and the property itself is historic and intriguing. The owners, Hilde and Koen, are exceptionally kind individuals; they are always ready to help you with advice and assistance. This is supplemented by a drawer full of brochures and guides of things to do and see. By the way, right when you step onto the pavement, you can see the Grote Markt which is very cool. All in all, this is THE perfect spot for an extended stay in the beautiful city of Antwerp.

Hilde and Koen have created an apartment that is an art experience in itself. All of the surroundings are very comfortable and simultaneously delightful to the eye. They are very kind hosts and were exceptionally helpful. This apartment is one of those spaces that even if weather prevented you from getting out to enjoy Antwerpen, you may have absolutely no problem with that because you already find yourself in beautiful surroundings, comfortable to work in and able to enjoy a serene view of the quiet park across the street. Also, for those who enjoy beer, please look to visit Billie's, and for coffee, Nelly's. Both are within walking distance.

We had a great time in Antwerp and it was largely because we had such a great place to stay! You’d be hard pressed to find a better location or price! Hilde and her husband were so kind and very helpful - we would 100% book with them again!

You can not get a better location! Right where all the action is but because of that it can be a little loud. Make sure you have a sound machine app on your phone. The owner is a very talented artist and her tapestries and rugs are all over the rental. She even has a book of her works in the rental that you can admire. Very clean and decorated nicely. The owners are warm and hospitable. I am very picky with my sleeping arrangements and found the beds to be uncomfortable but the rest of my family were fine. I would recommend.

Hilde and her husband were charming hosts, apartment is tastefully decorated. Bright with large windows front and back..Excellent location to stay to explore the city, just few steps away from the Grote Markt. Upper floor means less noise from street although it is not a busy street. Grocery store nearby. Excellent location to come back to after a busy day exploring the city. Authentic Antwerp living. Will definitely stay here again at our next visit!

Clean and spacious apartment a stones throw away from Antwerp's Grote Markt. Natural light covers the whole apartment and the windows offer views of a nearby park. Hosts are very gracious and hospitable. I would very much recommend to anyone visiting Antwerp to stay in this apartment. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Hilde's apartment and gallery.

Very nice, roomy apartment. You have all that you need. Walking distance to many sights. Hilde & her family make you feel like family. It’s like coming home.

Sehr nette Vermieter! Sehr zentral gelegen, aber trotzdem ruhig. In jeder Hinsicht empfehlenswerte Unterkunft!

Enorm aardige mensen, die altijd voor je klaar staan. Net appartement waar de schone handdoeken en beddengoed voor je klaar liggen. In het echt nog ruimer dan op de foto’s en een heerlijke locatie, om de hoek bij de grote markt van Antwerpen!

Check in und Aufenthalt waren perfekt. Die Schlafgelegenheiten könnten etwas beqemer sein.

Die Lage ist einmalig und die Vermieter sehr freundlich.

Hilde und Koonrad sind sehr nette, freundlichen und zuvorkommende Gastgeber. Die Wohnung ist hell und sehr schön. Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Vielen Dank

Hilde en Koen zijn fijne gastvrouw en -heer. De locatie is super. Het appartement op de tweede verdieping is ruim en goed voorzien. Wij hebben een heerlijk verblijf gehad.

Ik heb samen met mijn dochters van 18 en 20 jaar een paar dagen verbleven in deze heerlijke locatie. Ruim appartement, smaakvol ingericht en hartelijke ontvangst. Bovenal toplocatie in het historische gedeelte van Antwerpen!

Eine schöne Wohnung, ideal im Zentrum gelegen.

Schitterend

Hilde en Koen hebben ons hartelijk welkom geheten. We hebben genoten van Antwerpen. Het mooie, ruime, lichte goed ingerichte appartement ligt super centraal in een leuke buurt. Alles is op loopafstand. Ondanks dat het appartement aan een autoluwe straat ligt is er ‘s nachts wel veel geluid vanwege het uitgaanspubliek die door de straten loopt. Toen wij er verbleven was het warm en hebben we de ramen opengelaten ‘s nachts. ‘s Winters wellicht minder last van. Het enige wat ons tegenviel waren de bedden ( slaapbanken/futons), m.n het bed in “slaapkamer”. Hilde je vroeg om tips misschien dat bed vervangen.

Hilde en Koen zijn enorm behulpzaam en aardig. Huis was zeer schoon en mooi en met smaak ingericht. Alles was er, koelkast, magnetron, oven, kastjes, servies, pannen, kruiden, genoeg beddengoed, zeep, wijntje etc. Midden in het centrum van Antwerpen maar in een prachtige rustige stille straat om de hoek van de grote markt. Aanrader, ik bewaar dit adres ook!

L'appartement est dans une maison très bien située, dans le centre historique, et on peut tout "faire" à pied ou à vélo. C'est une location confortable, décorée avec goût et nous y avons passé un très bon séjour. Les propriétaires sont de plus chaleureux et très accueillants !!

La situation de cet appartement est ideale, les balades à pieds ou en vélo ont été très agreéables. L'appartement est très grand.

Sehr schöne, gut ausgestattete Wohnung in bester Lage. Die Wohnung hat viele Annehmlichkeiten und man fühlt sich sofort zuhause. Super nette Vermieter. Wir haben schöne Tage dort verlebt und kommen gerne wieder.

Sehr nette Vermieter, die auch sehr hilfsbereit waren. Es wäre schön, wenn in der Wohnung ein Doppelbett stehen würde. Das Schlafsofa ist nicht so bequem. Aber wir haben uns trotzdem sehr wohl gefühlt.

Herr und Frau Metz sind sehr warmherzige und hilfsbereite Vermieter. Wir können diese Unterkunft sehr empfehlen! Und kommen gern wieder.

Wir waren 4 Tage bei Hilde und ihrem Mann zu Gast und haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt. Die Vermeiter sind sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit und die Wohnung passte perfekt für 3 Individualisten (Vater mit 2 erwachsenen Töchtern). Etwas ungewöhnlich war der eine Schlafplatz hinter dem Badezimmer, aber bei etwas Absprache führte das zu keinerlei Konflikten. Und die Lage im historischen Stadtzentrum ist perfekt! Danke an Hilde! Bernd aus Bochum