I left Belgium with one major question: Why isn’t Antwerp on everyone’s list of favorite European destinations? After this recent visit, my first time back in over a decade, Antwerp is certainly on mine. I love its clash of Old World elegance and cutting-edge style. Belgium’s second city may be synonymous with fashion, thanks to the legendary Antwerp Six and its influential school, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. But the appeal extends well beyond clothing.

Most notably, after an 11-year closure for renovations, the recently reopened Royal Museum of Fine Arts now ranks among Europe’s best museums, pairing Flemish masters with contemporary works in a striking architectural setting. The fine-dining scene is also impressive, considering the lackluster reputation of Belgian cuisine. The creativity apparent at some of the top dining spots floored me. In cosmopolitan Antwerp, almost everyone speaks English, but it’s a place where American travelers are still a novelty. When we told people that we came from the United States, they responded with delight. And not least important, we found two appealing — and very different — hotel options in town.

Botanic Sanctuary

What a relief to arrive at Botanic Sanctuary after a long travel day. Occupying an enormous footprint in the center of Antwerp, the property lives up to its name as an urban oasis. Set within a former monastery complex, the 108-room hotel extends across multiple carefully restored structures linked by an underground tunnel and landscaped pathways. The resort includes a church, botanical garden, apothecary, extensive spa complex and several acclaimed restaurants.