The Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel in Antwerp is enviably located in the heart of the city, just across from the city's main rail station. Guests staying in the hotel can find themselves in the heart of the Diamond District and within walking distance to many of Antwerp's top attractions. Antwerp's famous zoo and the prestigious shopping areas of De Keyserlei & Meir are just a short walk from the hotel. Antwerp Airport Deurne is an easy 10 minutes drive from the hotel while Brussels International Airport Zaventem is just 35 minutes away.
Top Antwerp Attractions: (walking distance from hotel)
The Diamond District
As one of the most important diamond centres in the world, the Diamond District is where 85% of the world's rough diamonds, 50% of cut diamonds and 40% of industrial diamonds are traded. This breaks down to a staggering 127 million dollars in traded diamonds each day! Visit Diamondland, Antwerp's largest diamond showroom, and get an inside view of the mining, polishing and cutting of these precious stones. If you are in the market to purchase a diamond, look for the insigna of ADJA (Antwerp Diamond Jeweler Association) in the shops windows, indicating the authenticity of their stones. The hotel is located in the heart of the diamond district, providing the perfect base for exploring this glittering neighborhood. (The Diamond District is closed on weekends.)
A fashion epicenter of Europe
Antwerp is a surprising oasis of fashion and luxury goods as it was the launching pad for what is known today as "The Antwerp Six" graduates of the 1980 - 81 class of Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts, formed a fashion collective which would go on to garner world renown. The group includes top designers such as Dries Van Noten and others. The reclusive Martin Margiela is sometimes mistakenly referred to, though he instead went on to work under Jean Paul Gaultier before launching his own line. The hotel is a perfect base for visiting the historic neighborhood of Sint Andries, home to the flagship stores of these top designers as well as Modenatie, which houses the city's fashion museum (MoMu), the art academy and an artistic bookstore.
How to get there?
By car:
Coming from Brussels, E19 to Antwerp or from Gent, E17 to Antwerp
On the ring (R1), take exit 3 - at the traffic lights, turn left, direction “centrum” (Plantin en Moretuslei) - after going underneath the bridge, follow directions beneath as from*
Coming from Amsterdam/Rotterdam/Breda, E19 to Antwerp or from Eindhoven/Turnhout, E313/E34 to Antwerp.
On the ring (R1) follow direction “Gent” and take exit 3 - at the traffic lights, turn right, direction “centrum” (Plantin en Moretuslei).
*At the 3rd traffic lights, turn right (Provinciestraat) and go straight until the Y-road-junction - Turn right and follow untill the traffic lights - Turn left, you’re now on the Carnotstraat - Follow this street and at the 3rd traffic lights, you’ll see a big square at your left (Astridplein), the hotel is on your right. - Take the street on the right hand side of the hotel (Van Schoonhovenstraat) and stop at the 3rd gate on your left hand side. The gate will automatically open when you drive up close and you can drive into the parking.
By plane:
If you travel from or to Brussels, it is advisable to use the bus shuttle service from the airport to Antwerp. It stops just outside the departure hall at Brussels Airport and leaves every hour on the hour. The bus takes you to the De Keyzerlei at two minutes walking from the hotel.
10 minutes drive from Antwerp Airport Deurne (flights arriving mainly from Frankfurt and London)
35 minutes drive from Brussels International Airport
By train:
Here also Thalys trains arrive from Paris and Amsterdam. When leaving the station, follow exit “Astrid Square”. The hotel is located opposite Central Station.
Radisson Blu Astrid Hotel
Koningin Astridplein 7, 2018 Antwerp
info.astrid.antwerp@radissonblu.com
+32 3 203 12 34