Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp
Leopoldstraat 26/Lange Gasthuisstraat 45, 
2000 Antwerp, Belgium
Tel: +32 3 2690000
Web: botanicantwerp.be 
Price: from approx. € 295,-/night, 2 persons

Rest, relaxation and luxury in the modernized monastery in the middle of the Botanic Garden. © Hotel Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp

It has only just opened its doors, and already the Botanic Sanctuary - Antwerp's first 5-star superior hotel and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World - ranks as one of the best addresses in the world. And not without reason: the new hotel in the centuries-old monastery offers guests a luxury refuge with numerous amenities, from the finest Belgian cuisine and botanical wellness to a lively past.

A house with history

Today the boutique hotel looks back on eight centuries of change: founded in 1238 , the place initially served as a hospital. Only from the 16th century the existing monastery was built and then steadily expanded, to also include the botanical garden. Guests enter the oldest part of the building with the Chapel built in around 1400. 

Luxurious nights in the monastery: sleeping in the Botanic Sanctuary

The 108 elegant rooms, suites and spa suitesare spread over five carefully restored building complexes. A look out of the windows reveals the green expanses of the botanical garden all around. The wabi-sabi-inspired luxury accommodations in warm earthy tones sometimes even have fireplaces and private terraces.

A highlight

An experience of the extra class are the spa suites with an in-room wellness area including whirlpool, sauna as well as a treatment table.

Wellness at the Botanic Health Spa

The star spa architect Heinz Schletterer created a groundbreaking wellness oasis around "Botanical Wellbeing" over three floors. Sustainable eco-design with the natural materials wood, stone and glass meet high-class wellness here. In addition to classics like facial treatments, massages, TCM and detox, the spa menu also includes monastic medicine or regular sports retreats. The Botanic Health Club also impresses sports enthusiasts with a luxury gym including fitness classes and much more.

 "Botanical Wellbeing" at the Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp © AID architecten

Highlight:

Must-try at the Botanic Sanctuary: Monastic Medicine. Already the monks who lived in the Botanic in the centuries before were active as healers, practiced herbalism or bloodletting. Fortunately, the latter no longer takes place. Now, the concept is tailored to the 21st century and with spiritual monastic healing practices brings body as well as mind back into healthy balance.

In the Saint Charles Apothecary Shop, you can also travel back in time: natural products that bring the past and present into pleasant balance will remind you of the monastery stay of a different kind long after your stay.

Culinary at the Botanic

The gourmet heart beats faster: under the monastery roof of the Botanic Sanctuary, five award-winning chefs and four of the best toque restaurants have come together. 

1238
Here, Wouter Van Tichelen reinterprets authentic Belgian dishes. Exciting!

Highlight:

Hertog Jan
The name says it all - the duo Gert De Mangeleer and Joachim Boudens serve majestic, upscale cuisine between a greenhouse, beehives and a herb garden. A toque restaurant that is worth the visit!

The menu at "Hertog Jan" is this colorful. © Kristof Vrancken

Fine Fleur
Jacob Jan Boerma and Thomas Diepersloot focus on seasonal, regional ingredients and use them to create something extraordinary.

Bar Bulot
Conceptualized by De Mangeleer and Boudens, Bar Bulot brings urban flair as well as traditional Belgian-French cuisine to Urban Sanctuary.

When the festivities fall into the monastery

The Botanic Sanctuary: a unique location for weddings and events of all kinds. © Silverspoon Martimax Photography

The 5-star superior hotel sees itself not only as an oasis of relaxation in lively Antwerp. It also hosts festivities - from gala events, corporate parties and birthdays to weddings. Couples can also get married in the on-site chapel. A definite "Yes, we do!" for the Botanic Sanctuary.

Tip: Antwerp full of variety

Right outside the monastery doors, the port city awaits with historical sights and cultural highlights as well as fine cuisine and lively nightlife. Perfect to round off the long weekend in the Botanic Sanctuary.