Tag Archives: Leisure

De Witte Lelie: My Favorite Hotel In Antwerp

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The magical place to stay in Antwerp

It’s almost the holiday season, treat yourself to a weekend at De Witte Lelie: my favorite hotel in Antwerp! If you are a hedonist and appreciate the exclusive side of a confidential hotel with unique decoration, run by a refined Antwerp family, you will be in heaven! As soon as I entered, I felt elsewhere, in a world full of fantasy, cheerfulness and calm. While being in the center of Antwerp, near the shopping streets, trendy and luxury boutiques! The welcome is warm, you have the impression of staying with long-time friends.

The interior was designed by the talented Ann Dierick. It is a successful dialogue between tradition and modernity. I really appreciate her freedom, fantasy and Brit touch in combining very different textures with casualness. Her way of giving rhythm to the different spaces. It’s colorful, shimmering, sometimes a little rock’n’roll, but always with taste. Each room has a different decoration. My favorite is the one where I slept, with a rock star bathroom with a chandelier-shower (unheard of for me!) and Marylin on gold wallpaper. The bedding is impeccable, so I had a hard time getting out of bed and the room (photo montage below).

The other pearl of the hotel is the breakfast served in the interior courtyard by the very charming Tayla, the Manager. This small garden offers a touch of greenery in spring and summer. The table is set with care and the ingredients are of quality. Eating becomes a real pleasure as the setting is so pleasant! Here, we could also stay for hours, chatting, reading one of the art, architecture or Antwerp books taken in one of the lounges, or just daydreaming. Antwerp-farniente (relaxation Antwerp style)! Thank you to the entire De Witte Lelie team for this enchanting break!

                          All hotel pictures below

The Room

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The Breakfast and Lounges

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

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De Witt Lelie

Related articles : Hotel Reviews & Destinations

As always, these are my opinions. Obviously 😉

Strolling Around Bruges And Surroundings

A Huge Need for Beauty And Culture

At the beginning of spring, it was freezing cold and I walked for a long time in the historic center of Bruges without any real goal, just the huge need for beauty and culture. Cobbled streets, old buildings and the Reie river. Following the inspiration of the moment, I follow the narrow passage that opens onto an interior courtyard with a pretty garden. Continuing, near the canal, small bridge probably dating from the Middle Ages extremely curved and slippery. I observe the old stones steeped in history. And it’s off again to get lost in a maze of streets until nightfall. Walk, stroll and visit a museum!

In the city of chocolatiers, I finally tasted the famous chocolate (with hazelnuts) from Dominique Persoone, star chocolatier. Its chocolate is fine, subtle and tasty, without fuss: such a treat! I think the decor of his shop doesn’t represent well to the finesse of his creations. Close to the Ellis Gourmet Burger: very good burgers with quality meat. After many feasts (lololol), I finally head the Groeningemuseum to discover eminent Belgian painters over six centuries, starting with the Flemish masters Jan van Eyck (15th century) and Pieter Bruegel the Elder (16th century). The museum is not huge, but there are many major art works. A really exciting visit, collections absolutely to see!

The big breath of fresh air : on the way to Bruges, we made a detour through the landscape park of the Bulskampveld castle estate. The tour started with the Herb Garden (herbs that can be purchased from a vending machine; bring change). Then the Paths through the water: soothing landscape, even under a threatening sky. We continued into the nearby woods. Very pleasant walk without great difficulty, beneficial for both the mind and the body. As a reward for these 10 km walk: my first homemade ice cream of the season!

                                The day trip in pictures below

Stroll Through The Old Bruges

Flemish Painting, Chocolate And Hamburger

Bulskampveld

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Related articles : Destinations

Three Weekends in Holland: Amsterdam & Limburg (Part 2)

Limbourg Chic & Nature

The Hotel : Winselerhof in Landgraaf

Surrounded by vineyards, this elegant hotel set in an old farmhouse is a haven of peace. We had lunch in the lovely interior courtyard bathed in sunshine (photo above, 5). Tasty refined cuisine with Mediterranean accents (3 & 4). The breakfast is also varied and plentiful.

We are happy to get in our spacious comfortable suite (1 & 2), after a long (sporty) walk in the nearby forest (6: no, it is not the silhouette of a real wolf, but a sculpture). When we left the Winselerhof, we felt very relaxed and invigorated.

What To Do

Visiting Valkenburg & Maastricht

Direction Valkenburg aan de Geul, a picturesque medieval village (photos 2, 3 & 4 above). What a surprise when we arrived, the village was crowed by tourists! It is really touristy. To avoid the bulk of the crowd, move away from the center of the village.

Another option: driving to Maastricht, a charming little town with countless cafes whose summer and winter I never tire of (1). In the evening, we dine in Herleen at the Brasserie Mijn Streek, located on the top floors of the SCHUNCK museum (5 & 6). A nice view, really good food and friendly team. 

Arty Amsterdam

The Hotel : Conservatorium Hotel

For this new weekend in Amsterdame, we focused about contemporary art. The Conservatorium Hotel, a former music conservatory, is located in the museum district of Amsterdam. I did not know this lovely neighborhood.

As soon as we enter the imposing lobby (photos below 4 & 5), we are projected into a large space mixing cutting-edge design, massive architecture and lots of art. The hotel has a number of works of art as well as renowned restaurants. The reception and restaurant teams are  friendly and professional.

But the best is our large Rooftop Suite with a sleek minimalist design (photo above and photos below 1 & 2). Superb bathroom (3). A cocoon of luxury and good taste. I forgot, the breakfast in the Brasserie and Lounge is simply delicious. 

What To Do

Amsterdam Art Weekend

There are a thousand ways to visit Amsterdam. We decided to go there, during the Amsterdam Art Weekend  (the next session is scheduled from April 15 to 17, 2021). s 2021). We started our art walk by visiting of the artists’ studios in residence at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten  (1).

Then we spent the rest of the day in different private art galleries. And in the evening, we were at an exhibition opening in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the huge museum of contemporary art (2). After the event, what a treat to quickly be able to walk back to our hotel! 

The next day: long stop at the PAN Amsterdam,, the most important art and antiques fair in the Netherlands. Where among a thousand discoveries (it’s a real Alibaba cave), I really liked the sculptures of Vladimir Zbynovsky at the Etienne Gallery (3). In the afternoon: we went to the Moco Museum where I really enjoyed the works of Daniel Arsham (4). 

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

I Amsterdam

Related articles : Destinations & Hotel Review

Many thanks to Visit Holland and I Amsterdam, for this beautiful invitation. Also many thanks to the Winselerhof Landgraaf and Conservatorium Hotel and the restaurants mentioned in the article. As always, theses are my opinions.