Guesthouse Bernardin

To cut to the chase, Guesthouses Bernardin are really distinctive and characterful. They're now my favourite place to stay in Antwerp. Formed from six self-contained almshouses hugging the walls of the Sint-Jakobskerk, three are directly on the Sint-Jakobstraat (Nos 5, 11, 13) and three more in a courtyard (No. 15, 1-3) off the street that is particularly calm and peaceful. You can get a very good idea of the three on the street – and the entrance to the courtyard – from Google Street View. I first visited Guesthouses Bernardin in 2018 and fell in love with the place, returning in February 2019. So I've now stayed in two of the almshouses, and Stephanie Lescrinier (one of the owners) showed me several of the others that were unoccupied one morning during my first visit. ACCOMODATION. Each person staying at the Guesthouses has an almshouse to themselves with its own front door. This makes the place really special. The ground floor in each one, often with beautifully worn floor tiles, provides a living and eating area, with sofa and television. There are extremely steep stairs (see below) up to the bedroom above. There's quite a lot of variety between the different houses, probably because of their historical character and conservation issues when they were restored, but this gives a strong sense of character to each one. Some of the houses have baths and some only showers. One that I stayed in had the lavatory downstairs (which was a little inconvenient in the middle of the night), but in general I find the quirkiness delightful. DECORATION. The style of decoration is simple and modern, very crisp and clean, contrasting with the historic fabric of each building and the rough textures of stone, brick, and well-worn timbers. BREAKFAST. There's no communal breakfast room, but things are set up to bring breakfast to you (for 15 euros on my recent visit). I was a bit wary at first as I like to choose what I eat, but there's a nice range provided. Bernard and Stephanie Lescrinier used to run a (very good) restaurant close by and know all about quality in food. The breakfast is cold: slithers of ham and cheese with bread, muesli (which could be home-made), fruit salad, pastries, a boiled egg, orange juice and milk. Each almshouse has its own coffee machine. I was quickly converted to the luxury of having breakfast brought to me and eating it in private – and as it's all cold it doesn't matter if you're having a bath when it arrives. ROOM PROVISIONS. All the things that you might need are provided: shampoo, shower cap, hair drier, and so on, but not soap (though I have to say I didn't really mind its absence). MINUSES: (1) Everyone commenting online mentions the very steep stairs in each Guesthouse. They're for the reasonably fit and not to be tackled at speed. But for me they're part of the charm and character of the place. (2) Bernard and Stephanie are on call but you need a cellphone with you in case you have to make contact when they're not in the office. (3) The things that make the Guesthouses distinctive – particularly having your own house with its own front door – also mean that it's not like a conventional hotel with round the clock reception and room service. PLUSES: (1) The Guesthouses have a great sense of history. You really feel you're staying in historic Antwerp. British visitors who like Landmark Trust properties will like the Bernardin almshouses a lot. (2) The location is right in the centre of Antwerp but feels like a welcome escape from the city. (3) Each guesthouse is very private and tranquil, particularly the ones in the courtyard at No. 15. (4) As mentioned above, breakfast in the privacy of your own house is a treat. As you can see if you've read this far, I really enjoy staying here.