Hotel Franq – Antwerp

Franq is located in a stately building that was converted into a bank office for the Crédit National Industrial in 1911: visitors walk past the bank’s hermitage in the basement. The authentic building has been carefully and thoroughly restored in recent years to bring out the original elements as well as possible.

The hotel is named after the former Belgian currency. And is housed in an old stately bank building transformed into a smart and comfortable bolthole. While the area of the hotel was one of the main gateways into the city of Antwerp in the 16th century. Nowadays the street where Franq is located is not the most glamorous or exciting place to be. However, Antwerp is a compact city so it’s just a five-minute walk from the hotel to the main sights and shopping streets.  Popular streets such as the car-free Meir street and the majestic Cathedral of our Lady are just a short walk away.

It’s stately and grand from the outside; elegant and neoclassic on the inside, with a bright and airy atrium home to the reception. Decorated with striking marble pillars and comfy sofas in soft velour fabrics.

Downstairs you can choose a bottle of fine wine in the old vault of the bank and enjoy a glass in the Parisian-style bar, which also has outdoor patio seating in summer.

Interior design

The combination between the monumental architecture and the warm, contemporary design has been particularly successful. Materials such as marble, glass and aluminum are in perfect harmony with the colorful, soft fabrics, the wooden floors and the artistic decoration.

Rooms & Suites

Tranquility and serenity in the rooms at Hotel Franq A total of 42 rooms are divided into different types. The 42 rooms fit with the design concept of the rest of the hotel, although they are a bit less opulent than the communal spaces. All five room categories are both elegant and contemporary in style, with clean lines and natural stone tiles in the bathrooms and Elemental Herbology amenities. Some of the rooms are hidden below the roof with wooden beams still visible. But others have large windows looking out over the quiet patio. The Marshall speaker and Nespresso machine in each room add a nice modern touch.

Restaurant & Bar

Franq is not only a beautiful hotel:  The restaurant and bar area of the business is just as important here. Here you’ll find , both the hotel guests and an audience of business people, fine dining lovers and locals. As the hotel is situated in the vibrant city center of Antwerp this is a great hotspot for dinner and/or drinks!

At the stylish bar you can order delicious cocktails, lovely small bites or coffee and tea specialties. You have the choice to nestle in the cozy seats at the low coffee tables or to have aperitif in style on the high, comfortable bar chairs.

Both the restaurant and the hotel certainly look luxurious. Under the imposing ‘beaux arts’ style dome, natural light and easy seats in sophisticated colors create an instant ‘feel good’ feeling. At the back, the courtyard is an ultimate city patio: an ideal place for a dinner outside.

Tim Meuleneire is cooking in the open kitchen. Tim earned his spurs in, among other things, the star business De Koopvaardij and is now ready for a new challenge. The impact of the kitchen is French-Belgian with a high degree of sophistication. We loved our dinner on the patio with the service of the super friendly staff.

Anyone who goes to the cellar – where the wines are stored and where there is also a meeting room and toilets – will encounter the former bank vault that has been restored.

Partners of FRANQ

Because at FRANQ they strongly believe in working with partners with specific expertise, they can present an impressive list in that area. This is how Bollinger takes care of the champagnes. The bread is cooperated with the Toon De Klerck bakery. The coffee here is from Caffe Mundi and the chocolates with the FRANQ logo are made by top chocolate maker DelRey.

Franq is a top address to stay, to dine or to drink in Antwerp. This new urban-chic design hotel in the heart of Antwerp offers its guests a high-end service with a personal, friendly approach. Franq Hotel succeeded in transforming the authentic, monumental bank building into a luxurious boutique hotel with an amazing restaurant.