The hotel used to be a bank and that adds extra charm and quirkiness to the building. You can see the vaults where money used to be kept, and this is why the hotel gets the name Franq, from keeping Belgian Francs in its vault.
As you enter the hotel you go straight into the lobby area above. This area is really gorgeous and has the wow factor for sure.
I also liked the entrance, which is quite discreet except for the chic sign.
Check in was simple and straightforward, the staff very helpful, and before long I was in my room.
My bedroom was a good size with a king size bed, a desk and chair complete with table lamp for working or writing, plus comfy chair for relaxing in, two bedside tables with lamps, and a large flat screen TV.
Complimentary water was a nice touch and you could use the fridge for other things as it wasn't a mini bar. Always useful to have that option.
The bathroom was sleek and modern with a rainfall shower and two sinks with power points and mirrors. If like me you have a partner that takes longer in the bathroom than you, then you will probably welcome the double sinks!
The toiletries provided smelt great and were from the Elemental Herbology range. These consisted of soap, hand and body wash, shampoo and conditioner as well as well as hand cream.
Amenities were provided including a shower cap, sewing kit, cotton wool pads and a shoe mitt (I'm not sure exactly was that last item is but if you know dear readers please enlighten me). Large fluffy robes, as well as well as slippers were also included for use, and it had that hotel essential these days, a good quality hairdryer. A separate toilet was opposite the bathroom.
Occasionally I despair of hotel rooms that do not have the functionality for modern living but I needn't have worried here. The room was well designed with both USB ports by the side of the bed as well as reading lights and normal table lamps too. A magnifying mirror in the bathroom was extremely useful, if like me you need to put in contact lenses and you are very short-sighted, or again is useful for putting on makeup or shaving. A full-length mirror which I feel is essential but not always provided in a hotel room was very welcome too.
Chic touches included black and white prints on the wall, and a Marshall radio in a retro style with Bluetooth capabilities was a stylish addition. A Nespresso pod coffee machine meant you could wake up to freshly brewed coffee before you went down to breakfast. Free Wi-Fi was available in the room and throughout the hotel.
If you wanted to order room service, a small menu was available which included chicken Ceasar salad, Galloway beefburger and homemade pasta.
Breakfast in the morning was included in the rate and was of the continental breakfast variety. A selection of breads, croissants, meats, cheeses and a soft boiled egg were included as well as a delicious homemade buckwheat granola, and a very smooth and creamy locally produced yoghurt. Fresh orange juice, tea and coffee were also available.
With your breakfast you get a breakfast paper, like a newspaper, explaining about the restaurant, its ethos and where the food comes from. It was interesting to read that almost everything was locally produced and the quality of the produce was of the utmost importance to the hotel.
I found the breakfast was big enough for me but if you wanted something more substantial you could order from a range of additional choices at an extra cost, including avocado toast, smoked salmon and fresh fruit salad. If you wanted to, you could even order a glass of Bollinger champagne with your breakfast too. How fabulous darling! One small point, I would have liked fresh fruit included in the standard option for breakfast considering it's a boutique hotel, however, I was very impressed that they made their own jam and nut spread (think Nutella but sooo much nicer).
After breakfast, I explored the rest of the hotel.
Next, to the breakfast room, there was a small bar area which looked smart and inviting, although I didn't get the chance to use it.
A small gym with running machines as well as a fitness ball and weights were in the basement.
There are a number of spaces for informal meetings and a decent size meeting room.
While I was staying at the Hotel Franq I was treated to lunch one afternoon, seafood bisque and poached salmon.
The seafood bisque was well seasoned and packed full of flavour and the poached salmon in a delicate hollandaise sauce was very well executed.
My salmon almost looked like a work of art and was delicious.
The petit fours were totally scrumptious and a highlight for me, the little chocolates even had the FQ letters for Hotel Franq!
As Hotel Franq used to be a bank, it was interesting to see the old bank vaults in the basement. You could really imagine diamonds and other precious items being kept here when it was a bank. If you do stay, I recommend you go and have a look.
You may wonder if I had any issues during my stay considering it had newly opened. The only issue I had was minor and due to a faulty keycard. The pleasant reception staff attended to this issue quickly and with smiles. Nothing appeared too much trouble for them, this is the mark of well-trained staff.
The hotel is aimed at the luxury market, and a night at Hotel Franq starts at 174 Euros per night, with suites from 299 Euros per night.
Hotel Franq is a beautiful well-designed boutique hotel in the heart of Antwerp. I felt like I was enveloped in luxury during my stay and this modern boutique hotel certainly has a touch of class. I think if you are looking for an upmarket hotel in Antwerp you cannot go wrong with staying here. I would certainly stay again in a heartbeat. Highly recommended.
Hotel FRANQ
Kipdorp 10-12
BE - 2000 Antwerpen
Belgium
0032 3 555 31 80
* I was a guest of Visit Antwerp on a press trip
I hope to go to Antwerp next year and this hotel looks gorgeous. Even the food is beautiful...love how they displayed the salmon.
ReplyDeleteIt really does have the wow factor when you walk in.
DeleteOh I love hotels or restaurants housed in former banks - such wonderfully grand buildings! I love the colour scheme of the lobby and the fact that you can still see the safety deposit boxes :)
ReplyDeleteI stayed in another hotel housed in a former bank in San Diego. The lobby is beautiful.
DeleteWe love staying in hotels that have a history behind them and this looks like a hotel we would love. Am book marking this for a trip next year x
ReplyDeleteThis place looks gorgeous! I love the way they source the breakfast locally. There's nothing quite like lounging around in the morning getting breakfast served in a nice hotel room.
ReplyDeleteYes I love the newspaper with information about the breakfast how everything is sourced. It was a nice touch.
DeleteThe hotel looks really nice and its history is quite interesting, being a bank in the past. I like how the bathroom has two sinks, for when you and your partner are in a hurry and need to get ready in the same time.
ReplyDeleteThis hotel looks so nice! The decor is absolutely beautiful! I would love to see and stay at this location. The food looks divine as well! Glad you had such a great time!
ReplyDeleteThe food was delicious and well presented.
DeleteThat is one beautiful and swanky hotel!! Now if they lost that avocado toast,I might like to check it out one day...
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely looking place to go and stay and that food looks absolutely amazing, I would definitely love to pop in myself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning hotel the decor is just amazing! The food looks delicous too and the vaults sound Interesting
ReplyDeleteTo see the old bank vault was really interesting I must admit.
DeleteWow what a stylish hotel! The décor is stunning and so modern too, and the food looks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI love that they provided you with a breakfast paper that told you that all the food was locally sourced and produced.The continental breakfast looks wonderful x
ReplyDeleteYes that is a lovely touch.
DeleteLooks like a great hotel. The beds look very comfy too
ReplyDeleteWhat a luxurious and comfortable looking hotel! The food looks outstanding, and I love the quirkiness of the bank vault in the basement.
ReplyDeleteIt was so interesting seeing the old vault.
DeleteWOW now this certainly looks like my kind of place to stay! I love that they have Elemental Herbology products in the bathrooms- I use those at home! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh really? I hadn't heard of this range before.
DeleteWhat a stunning looking hotel with so many nice individual touches.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a cool radio, and I love it when hotels have USB ports just incase you forgot your adapter x
ReplyDeleteUSB ports are so useful these days!
DeleteWow such a lovely hotel, it sure looks like luxury! I would love to go here one day
ReplyDeleteWow the lobby area downstairs is GORGEOUS! I would absolutely love to stay here :D
ReplyDeleteI know!
DeleteIt looks so modern and I love the fact it used to be a bank as it gives it a quirkiness. If I stayed here I would never want to leave x
ReplyDeleteThe hotel looks so plush and I'm loving those lovely toiletries! x
ReplyDeleteThe hotel sounds and looks wonderful. The bathroom sounds lovely with the rainfall shower, they have thought of everything haven't they. The poach salmon looks delicious as do the petit fours!
ReplyDeleteIt was a really luxurious stay.
DeleteWhat a beautiful hotel, I'd stay there for sure! I love the decor. x
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous lookng hotel, I love places like this, with history and character. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMe too Nicola.
DeleteLooks gorgeous! I would love a rainfall shower. They sound amazing. x
ReplyDeleteWell done on your first press trip to Antwerp. The hotel looks amazing and your photography is beautiful x
ReplyDeleteThis was my first press trip to Antwerp but I've been lucky enough to go on press trips before. It's always exciting though!
DeleteIt looks gorgeous and cosy. I love the idea of the breakfast paper what a nice little touch I also love that it was a bank.
ReplyDeleteThis hotel looks lovely! I'd love to visit Antwerp!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous looking hotel with a fab history. A shoe mitt is to polish your shoes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous hotel. I love staying in hotels in the heart of the city.
ReplyDeleteEverything was walking distance too.
DeleteI love boutique hotels - and this one looks like a good choice. I have never been to Antwerp, but I can only imagine it being a beautiful - and very temping jewellery-wise! :-)
ReplyDeleteX Louise
Antwerp is somewhere on my list to visit. It looks like there is a ton to do and I love the vault in the hotel.
ReplyDeleteThere is lots to do, It's a very underrated city.
DeleteThis is gorgeous. I have never been to Antwerp. x
ReplyDeleteoh thi looks lovely i defintiely love the freebies you get in the hotel room too lol, i cant believe theres an actual vault in there x
ReplyDeleteIt was super cool to see the vault!
DeleteWhat a stunning and luxurious experience! I'd love to visit Antwerp. x
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous, perfect for instagram places! You make me want a holiday! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet hotel! I love that that bank vaults are still there!
ReplyDeleteYes Sky, it was a novel touch!
DeleteIt looks gorgeous! The food really does look like a work of set!
ReplyDelete