I admit I knew little about the city of Antwerp, when it was recommended to me as a stopover on my way from Holland to Brussels. Fortunately, what I was to discover was truly eye-opening – and one of my serendipitous finds was our hotel for the night: Mercure City Center Antwerp, a premium property affiliated with the Accor Group, the largest hospitality company in Europe.
Antwerp, one of western civilization’s earliest and most important financial centers, is famous for being the diamond capital of Europe – if not the world. As the home not only of the first diamond exchange but also other important stock and commodity exchanges – not to mention a thriving port – the city amassed a huge concentration of wealth, which translated into magnificent architectural grandeur, all of which is on view to the visitor and sightseer of today.
More recently, Antwerp has revitalized itself as a city of fashion and style, emphasizing the avant-garde to rival such traditional centers of couture as Paris and Milan. This additional dimension to the city’s character has rendered more it cosmopolitan than ever, adding to the excitement of a metropolis that certainly deserves greater recognition in Europe’s tourism landscape.
The theme of style is also evident in the decor of Mercure City Center Antwerp, whose striking new lobby is one of the fruits of an impressive refurbishment.
Add to this a location that is convenient not only to the diamond district and central railway station but also to downtown shopping and the historic quarter – accessed through a verdant central park, whose greenery is also reflected in the hotel’s charm – and you have the makings of a perfect headquarters for staying in Antwerp.
Moreover, the appeal of Mercure City Center Antwerp is further enhanced by the professionalism of the friendly and welcoming staff, who extend courteous and efficient service with a smile.
Naturally, the Accor Group behind the Mercure brand did not rise to its current level of success without knowing how to choose its personnel – or how to provide requisite levels of comfort and service to its guests. The 128 rooms of Mercure City Center Antwerp are divided into three main categories – Classic, Superior and Executive – each with varying levels of extras; even the most basic of them, however, come with everything a modern-day traveler needs and expects.
Every room, therefore, comes equipped with user-friendly climate and temperature control; a giant flat-screen TV offering multiple channels in a variety of languages; a laptop-sized safe for securing personal belongings, an espresso machine alongside an electric kettle for making tea; electrical outlets providing both European and American currents; and an iron with ironing board. In addition, there is the possibility of opening windows — no longer a given in many hotel rooms — as well as a working area with desk.
Free Wi-Fi extends to all the guest units, as well as the public areas of the hotel. (Foreigners who will be roaming around the city might want to get a Simify card in advance to have plenty of data.) For those who prefer, there is a public computer station just off the breakfast area, and the front desk will graciously print out hard copies.
The bathrooms come with spacious shower stalls, thirsty towels, and nicely illuminated mirrors. With a nod towards environmental responsibility, amenities are dispensed from fixed containers convenient to the sink and shower – yet they do not skimp on quality, serving up pampering Nuxe Reve de Miel shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. The Executive rooms also provide plush robes and embossed slippers.
Mercure City Center Antwerp has a small but adequate fitness center, which is available to guests 24/7, free of charge. There is no sauna or whirlpool bath.
The hotel also serves a lavish, all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, which can be ordered for a nominal charge at the same time you book your room. It is a full English breakfast, with two coffee machines dispensing a limitless supply of every imaginable variation. Plus, there are two gadgets that are great fun to play with: make-your-own pancakes and waffles.
For those who choose not to indulge in the breads, cheeses, meats, eggs made to order, or pastries – including a decadent house bread pudding – there is a health corner, complete with separate gluten-free section.
There is no conventional lobby in Mercure City Center Antwerp. Instead, the area opposite the reception desk is in effect a mini-convenience store, stocked with anything you might want to take up to your room, or on your way out.
Similarly, the bar is unlike any you are likely to find in comparable hotels. It is basically a counter that is an extension of the breakfast dining area and the Lunet Antwerp, the on-site restaurant that serves regional cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian accents.
Thus, since there is no cozy lounge area conducive to relaxing in the evening in an atmosphere bathed in dimmer light, it is more of a place to grab a casual drink than to linger. Which is just as well, since the cocktail menu is rather limited, with most of the classics not even listed, replaced instead by pre-mixed cocktail formulas. Still, if you are in the mood for some conversation, you might get the kind of friendly bartender/server that I did.
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Rates at Mercure City Center Antwerp start at $155 per night, and even less for members of the Accor All Loyalty Programme, which is free to join and offers additional benefits besides the across-the-board discount. Book your stay directly at the Mercure/Accor website or check Hotels.com and Booking.com to compare rates and make your reservation through one of those sites instead if they come out ahead.
Text by Buzzy Gordon, who was a guest of the hotel for purposes of review. Photos courtesy of the Mercure City Center Antwerp. .
