A train ride from London brings you to Antwerp, where a 13th-century monastery has been transformed into one of Europe’s most exciting new hotels. Set within the city’s Botanic Gardens, Botanic Sanctuary is the result of an eight-year restoration that breathes new life into five heritage buildings connected by cloisters and courtyards. Within them, Michelin-starred restaurants, 108 rooms and a destination spa come together with unforced elegance.
The tone is unmistakably set the moment you arrive. Outside, sports cars line up by the entrance; inside, a glass conservatory filled with light and greenery serves as the check-in. It feels much more like entering a botanical retreat than a hotel lobby. A glass of champagne is offered, bags disappear and your stay gets underway smoothly.
The rooms at Botanic Sanctuary have a way of making you forget you’re in the city. Each suite has its own corner of the historic complex; high ceilings and exposed beams meet soft fabrics, muted interiors, and a carefully curated selection of books and contemporary art. Windows look over Harry Potter-esque cloisters and leafy courtyards, and select suites even come with private saunas and whirlpools. It doesn’t take long to see why it’s called a sanctuary: every detail comes together beautifully to create a space where you can truly switch off.
At Botanic Sanctuary, food isn’t just part of the stay: it’s the reason to be here. Few hotels in the world can claim three Michelin stars under one roof. At two-star Hertog Jan, chef Gert De Mangeleer and sommelier Joachim Boudens turn dinner into theatre, with an omakase-style menu full of surprises – such as Anjou pigeon roasted in hay, paired with fermented garlic and a smoky gravy.
Fine Fleur, led by Jacob Jan Boerma and Thomas Diepersloot, is modern European mastery, with standout dishes such as scallop tartare with black truffle and langoustine with fennel and vadouvan.
For a more casual bite, Bar Bulot reimagines Flemish classics, while Henry’s Bar & Bistro moves from cosy bar to sunlit conservatory, serving traditional French and Belgian dishes. Even breakfast is an event, with a bloody mary station and an extensive buffet.
Beyond gastronomy, there’s a quieter kind of indulgence. The Botanic Health Spa spans three floors, offering a type of wellness rooted in nature. In the main atrium, sunlight pours through the impressive, vaulted glass ceiling, reflecting off the 18-metre pool and loungers – the perfect spot for a dip. Below, the thermal zone offers steam rooms, saunas, an ice fountain and botanical showers, each designed to awaken the senses. Treatments are inspired by phytotherapy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and ancient monastic rituals, offering a holistic journey of restoration.
One thing that really sets this hotel apart is how it approaches sustainability: from sourcing produce locally and partnering with regional artisans, to using hybrid shuttles and energy-efficient systems throughout its historic buildings. The hotel is working towards Green Key certification, proving that heritage and high-end hospitality can evolve responsibly
Botanic Sanctuary makes an ideal base for exploring Antwerp’s galleries, boutiques and café scene – though with three Michelin stars and plenty of spaces to relax, it’s tempting to just stay put (I did). For food lovers and anyone craving a slower kind of luxury, Botanic Sanctuary is the place to stay when in Belgium.
Leopoldstraat 26, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium; botanicantwerp.be
Scarlet Bailey Tait is based in London and specialises in writing about travel and culture
Photos: Hugo Thomassen ©
