By Carl Dombek
Located in the city’s Historisch Centrum (historic center), it is within easy walking distance of many of the things the city has to offer. Those attractions that are farther out are easily reached via the city’s excellent system of bus and tram lines. The Number 11 tram runs right in front of the hotel with a stop about 60 meters down the street, Lange Nieuwstraat.
The sleeping area of our guest room was 12 x 13 feet, fairly generous for Europe, and included a sitting chair, work station, flat screen TV, coffee and tea station, refrigerator and safe. In the entrance was an open closet space, shelving and drawers along with a couple of full-length mirrors and an iron and board.
The bathroom was equally generous with a walk-in shower including both an overhead drench showerhead and a hand-held wand. There was also a blow dryer and plenty of towels, which were refreshed quickly upon request.
On the main level, the Sapphire Bistro served an excellent breakfast spread with all the things both Americans and Europeans reach for: bacon, sausage and eggs; museli, cheeses and cold cuts for the more continental. There is also a good selection of breads and other pastries. Depending on the guest’s Marriott Bonvoy status, breakfast could be included, or would incur an additional cost of €35.
Dinner and small plates are also available but the menu is somewhat limited. We enjoyed wine and small plates several times, but ventured forth for full meals. Fortunately, there are many restaurants in the historic center and the hotel has thoughtfully compiled a list of their recommendations, complete with the number of dollar signs.
As nice as a property’s physical plant is, service can make or break the entire experience. Service at the Sapphire House was top-notch.
We were checked in by a young woman named Bleun, who not only took care of the required paperwork, she actually took us to our room. Not just pointed us to the lift; took us to the room and made sure we were settled.
Service in the restaurant was also excellent. Lia, one of the breakfast hosts and Xeno, one of the bartenders, were always cheerful, polite and attentive.
On one occasion, I encountered another staff member who was delivering a task chair and commented that the one in our room had a couple of stains. Daniel immediately offered to replace it and was at our door within five minutes with a clean chair. Talk about excellent service!
Without wanting to overstate matters, I would put this hotel on a par with The Savoy in London and the Empress in Victoria, British Columbia. We were extremely pleased and expect that you will be, too.
Far and away, our favorite hotel during our recent two-week trip to the Netherlands and Belgium was the Sapphire House hotel in Antwerp, Belgium’s old town.
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the Sapphire House is situated in a building that dates to 1500. The property is both beautiful and historic. Both the exterior and the interior are beautiful as well, with nods to the building’s history along with thoroughly modern touches.
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the Sapphire House is situated in a building that dates to 1500. The property is both beautiful and historic. Both the exterior and the interior are beautiful as well, with nods to the building’s history along with thoroughly modern touches.
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| Entrance to the Sapphire House |
Located in the city’s Historisch Centrum (historic center), it is within easy walking distance of many of the things the city has to offer. Those attractions that are farther out are easily reached via the city’s excellent system of bus and tram lines. The Number 11 tram runs right in front of the hotel with a stop about 60 meters down the street, Lange Nieuwstraat.
The sleeping area of our guest room was 12 x 13 feet, fairly generous for Europe, and included a sitting chair, work station, flat screen TV, coffee and tea station, refrigerator and safe. In the entrance was an open closet space, shelving and drawers along with a couple of full-length mirrors and an iron and board.
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| Guest room #310 |
The bathroom was equally generous with a walk-in shower including both an overhead drench showerhead and a hand-held wand. There was also a blow dryer and plenty of towels, which were refreshed quickly upon request.
On the main level, the Sapphire Bistro served an excellent breakfast spread with all the things both Americans and Europeans reach for: bacon, sausage and eggs; museli, cheeses and cold cuts for the more continental. There is also a good selection of breads and other pastries. Depending on the guest’s Marriott Bonvoy status, breakfast could be included, or would incur an additional cost of €35.
Dinner and small plates are also available but the menu is somewhat limited. We enjoyed wine and small plates several times, but ventured forth for full meals. Fortunately, there are many restaurants in the historic center and the hotel has thoughtfully compiled a list of their recommendations, complete with the number of dollar signs.
 |
| "The Lost Boy" statue in the nearby Old Town Square |
As nice as a property’s physical plant is, service can make or break the entire experience. Service at the Sapphire House was top-notch.
We were checked in by a young woman named Bleun, who not only took care of the required paperwork, she actually took us to our room. Not just pointed us to the lift; took us to the room and made sure we were settled.
Service in the restaurant was also excellent. Lia, one of the breakfast hosts and Xeno, one of the bartenders, were always cheerful, polite and attentive.
On one occasion, I encountered another staff member who was delivering a task chair and commented that the one in our room had a couple of stains. Daniel immediately offered to replace it and was at our door within five minutes with a clean chair. Talk about excellent service!
Without wanting to overstate matters, I would put this hotel on a par with The Savoy in London and the Empress in Victoria, British Columbia. We were extremely pleased and expect that you will be, too.
Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.
Photos by Carl Dombek
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