This refurbished townhouse-hotel encapsulates Antwerp’s singular style

In the early 2000s, Hotel Juilen led Antwerp’s great emergence as an international design hub. The suite of converted townhouses reflected all that the city promised visitors: outré personality, avant-garde design, refined taste and Golden Age history. The 2025 refurb only strengthens that original commitment to cosy, quiet luxury.

Undertaken by interior architect Peter Ivens and stylist Bea Mombaers, with input and inspiration from owner Mouche Van Hool, they introduced rich fabrics and furnishings with soul — elements the city provides in spades. Longtime collaborators from the Belgian coast, Ivens and Mombaers designed to a brief that emphasised warmth. ‘I started Hotel Julien over 20 years ago with the idea of creating a small-scale luxury hotel that feels like visiting close friends,’ says Van Hool. ‘I wanted to offer an intimate, welcoming place with a homely atmosphere. I’ve known Bea for a long time — I’m a big fan of her understated luxury, and I’ve come to know Peter as someone with a rare gift for reading spaces and creating atmosphere.’

Reimagining the distinguished address as a hidden gem for a distinguished and savvy customer, the duo preserved the original townhouse layout as well as vintage fireplace mantels, floors, rafters and cornicing — just enough to maintain the original character. But the boutique furnishings and custom wool rugs, accented by long, pooling drapes and Moroccan tile, tell a Belgian design story through muted colour and clean, tapered silhouettes.

There’s a serene lounge with painted-wood panelling leading out to the courtyard through Crittall-style doors, and a new breakfast area with wide banks of glass overlooking the pretty side street. In the cocktail bar, subtle lighting by Beirut designer PS Lab comes into play. The hammam-style spa offers ice-scrubs, a hot stone lounge and treatments.

Upstairs, the designers have amassed a collection of Egyptian linens and down pillows in the 21 guest rooms, and wrapped en suite bathrooms with Carrara marble. Their crowning achievement was the rooftop terrace, where guests can wander morning or night for views over the cathedral, and a city bursting with deep design heritage.