A (birth)day with nothing more than shops, shops and shops

The Golden Tulip hotel is a four star hotel just behind the central train station, in the diamond quarter of Antwerp. I stayed here for one night during my latest shopping spree (Antwerp is just great for shopping anything) and had an amazing stay.

We were welcomed very nicely by some of the friendlies staff I've met in Belgium. Our room, just a standard, was on the fifth floor and was very modern and tidy. We couldn't expected better really. There was a nice view from the big window and the terrace, a pretty huge bathroom and a large lovely bed. I slept like a rose. Breakfast was simple yet delicious, in a quiet cozy area. There really isn't anything bad to say about this place, in my opinion.

The location is wonderful, close to everything. There were construction works around though, so the square in front of the hotel is pretty much a mess these days (November 2008). Yet not to much to be bothered about. Only little downside I might report is that I wouldn't have liked walking down the road to the hotel on my own at night. I wouldn't say it's an unsafe area, yet it is pretty deserted and a bit run down at night. We didn't encounter any problems though. And I think that when the works at the station will have completely finished you'll be able to walk all the way from the train to the hotel through the station building.

Golden tulip has 12 floors and about 170 rooms. It's a modern building (constructed only in 2007) with very nice interior, warm and luxurious but not too posh either. A standard two persons room is 104 EUR, including the buffet breakfast. I think this is a really nice price for what you get here. I would definitely recommend this hotel and will certainly stay here again.

I know this sounds really silly, to write a review about a station. I shall start by saying that I like this kind of environments: stations, airports, those kinds of things. But yet, Antwerp central isn't just a regular station. It is a magnificent building, a combination between classic and modern architecture, and different materials.

The station was build in 1837 as a dead end station, which meant that every train had to turn back to the way it came. Since march 2007 however, the renovation and expansion works ended and two tunnels were opened, underneath the original construction. Ever since, Antwerp central is completely different from the way it was before. It is even far more interesting.

I'm not an expert in architecture but I'll try to explain about the different parts of the building, that contrast with each other.

First of all there is the entrance hall, which is a classical room in eclectic style, with facades of stone. The area is rectangular and has several levels. On top of those is a dome which lets in the light, and adds a special atmosphere that you wouldn't normally associate with a station. A monumental staircase connects this reception area with the waiting rooms, and the actual platforms. The central position of this area is the essence of it's architecture, which is very typical for renaissance, but also very suitable, as the reception hall is the core of the station where everything comes together: administration, people leaving and people entering. The only aspect here that isn't based on this philosophy is the baroque stair. I must say there are pages and pages written about the entrance of the station. It's construction is far more complicated than what my short summary indicates, yet I'm trying to give a brief impression here.

The platform area is a completely different sight, although one can admire the interior wall of the classic entrance room from upon the platforms. Here, in the "hearth" of the station, where trains ride by and people wait for their connection, you'll find a more modern, less complex architecture and a different use of space. A huge metal cap, closed by glass, covers the rails and keeps the passengers dry. Yet it is not only a skeleton, it was also decorated by spacious and figurative elements. To me this part of the station feels somewhat like an old factory hall. It looks functional and industrial.

The mixture between this old and new was very significant for the 19th century architecture, and it makes the central station pretty unique. It's the posh and wealth at the one side, the simple iron on the other. The combination is somehow surreal but very interesting.

In 2007 however, a third dimension was added, in the depth. Tunnels were dug to make it possible for trains to ride straight under the original platforms without having to turn back, and mainly to expand the capacity of the station. This additional part is pretty big and modern, yet the architecture and color of the stones suits the original formation beautifully. It has given a more international flair to Antwerp central, and though some really don't like it, I'm a huge fan of the complete concept and the unity between the different parts and styles of this magnificent building.

To end, I'd like to say that from what I've seen, Antwerp central is by far the most beautiful station in Belgium. That is why I would highly recommend it as not only a functional place for transportation, but even more as a true sight of the city, that culture minded tourists honestly can't miss.