We stayed at the Empire over Christmas 2007. It's got a great location about 5 minutes walk to the train station and a 15 minute walk to the Grote Market. The room was very big and the bed was ok. The room was also clean, but like most say its a little outdated. The service was friendly and I guess the rate was ok, and the breakfast buffet was pretty good. But that's about all that was good that I can say. The biggest problem is there is a new night club either below the hotel or right next to it. It starts going at around 10:30-11pm and doesn't stop until about 5am. It is VERY loud and you can hear it throughout the building. It literally shook our room slightly. A constant vibration was felt, and they even had a siren they blew occasionally. The first night we didn't sleep (not kidding) only got to sleep at around 5:30am when the fun and games below was over. We tried kleenex in our ears but it did no good. When we complained the next afternoon, the receptionist was honest and said a club opened a few weeks ago. She genuinely seemed apologetic and embarrassed. She also said the owner was trying to take legal action against the club. Where the hell are Antwerp's zoning laws? Well, it was Christmas and didn't want spend the afternoon looking for a new hotel on vacation and wasting the day which was already shortened due to sleeping through the morning. We decided to deal with it and went to a gun shop across the street and bought ear plugs for 40 cents a pair. On top of the plugs, we made sure we were good and drunk before attempting sleep with our new earplugs. The alcohol and plugs worked, but it shouldn't have to be this way. Next problem was our old heater. It made a terrible screeching noise at random times and we couldn't seem to adjust the heat which was the not the warmest. The hot water also took 5 minutes to heat up for the sink or the shower. I am not exaggerating on this point either. On the subject of water, there was no shower curtain either. I think this may be typcial in some European showers but it really sucks. The shower head with removable wand is placed on the length side of the wall not on the traditional nose side wall with the water blasting towards the length of tub. Attempting to remain still while cleaning yourself is hard. Water still splashed all over the bathroom which luckily was pretty big. These were our problems at the Empire. If the heat in room, and heat in water and shower situation does not deter you, at least call and make sure that awful club has either been removed or muffled somehow. Good luck.

This hotel was booked by my boyfriend for a one night stay in Antwerp recently. The main reason for him choosing this hotel was the price/location and also ease of parking. The location is in the Diamond area, which I thought looked a nice area of town, a 15 minute walk down the Meirs (pedestrianised shopping street) to the Groenplaats, a few minutes also from the station. The car park was adjacent to the hotel and cost 10 euros for 24 hours which I thought was reasonable for a city centre location. The room (as the hotel in general) was a bit dated and 'rough around the edges' but perfectly acceptable and clean. The room had two double beds, and it was soooo comfortable, I slept like a log. It was nice to have a hospitality tray and trouser press, the latter I guess aimed at the business visitors but both something I haven't encountered outside of UK/Ireland Breakfast was just OK really, bread, cereals, pastries, cheese... as previous reviewers have mentioned you must book your time in 45 minute slots. Overall the hotel was just fine and good value at c£60 for the night.

Good, average hotel. Not great but also no bad. Only price is too high for quality offered. Basic, spacious room,buffet breakfast reasonabel. Ugly entrance, cheap feeling. Friendly staff. Small elevators.

I stayed here 22nd sep 2007. The only thing good about this hotel is the location. It is only a five minute walk from Antwerp Centraal station and Antwerp Zoo. The hotel itself is presented to an ok level - i say ok because you expect a lot more from a 3 star hotel. Our room was not cleaned properly and we had a massive air conditioning unit on the balcony!(YES ON THE BALCONY! the size of an american fridge!) This makes the loudest noise ever! and you will not sleep!!!. I even asked if this gets turned off and was lied to grrr!. Ok round two - the bedspread was filthy and covered in yellow stains, ill let you guess what this is, anyway i removed this and told reception then went out. On my return i was informed that " your room has been fixed" went to room and guess what? the same bedspread has been used to make my bed!!!. Whilst on the subject of beds how bout a broken bed supported by squares of wood not even the width of the bed? yep backache. You may find that your tour operator includes breakfast with your room- let me tell you that breakfast consists of bread and butter or jam anything else isnt covered and is in fact classed as extras. Round 3 - Bathtime! not in that bath it was filthy , black dirt at the bottom ground in , i tried to be polite and just wash it away but no joy . Got Kids? How about a free porn channel that runs all day and night with no lock? see this hotel really goes out there way to impress. It certainly did not impress me and if you have standards of hygeine i urge you to steer clear of this hotel. The one across the street looked much better and certainly more hotel like , as this one was actually part of a shopping centre it seems. I hope ive been of help please do steer clear and enjoy your antwerp holiday, you can see my reviews of Antwerp and places to go under my name. Ps i took photos of the dirt to show my tour operator and ask for my refund i will upload them soon. Gary.