When I hopped into a taxi at Antwerp’s central train station heading to August, the driver started chatting without me even asking: “Your hotel is right where all the different neighborhoods meet. On one side, there’s the Orthodox Jewish quarter, right across is the Arab neighborhood, and just nearby, you’ve got the Turkish community”. Once I stepped out of August and went for a walk, I saw he was spot on—the hotel really is nestled right in the middle of all these vibrant neighborhoods, in an area also known as the Green Quarter.

​

In fact, August’s founder and owner, Mouche Van Hool, had envisioned this kind of interaction from the very beginning. Reflecting on the hotel’s fifth anniversary, she says: “Bringing locals and hotel guests together is something I always love when I travel. With August, that’s exactly what I wanted to create—a space for encounters, but also a place that feels like a warm embrace.”

​

And she’s absolutely right about that “embrace.” The moment I walked into the hotel lobby, I thought, “This place feels like a sanctuary, an oasis.” Especially when I spotted the bar to the right of the reception! It’s located in what used to be the chapel of the old monastery, and its combination of grandeur and understated simplicity is nothing short of breathtaking. Right next to it, the restaurant stretches along a long, narrow corridor beneath a sleek black steel and glass roof.

​

I didn’t get the chance to fully experience the restaurant, curated by head chef Gerd Govaerts, but I did sit at that stunning bar, sipping on a margarita while trying the Beef Bun and North Sea Crab Salad. Both were absolutely delicious—fresh, flavorful, and satisfying.

​

A MODERN MEDITATIVE HAVEN

 

August opened its doors in 2019, and its design is the work of Vincent Van Duysen, the legendary architect known for his mastery of “silent luxury.” With August, he’s created what he describes as “a modern meditative haven”—a place where the spirit of historic Belgian architecture meets a sleek, modern sensibility. It’s also a love letter to craftsmanship; everything, from the cabinets to the light fixtures, is custom-made.

 

As for the rooms... I stayed in room 10 on the second floor. The first thing I noticed was the beautiful wooden ceiling panels—perfectly preserved and full of character. They give the room a warm, chalet-like feel. Sleeping under that ceiling at night was an experience in itself—simple, cozy, and utterly peaceful.