Property
The Park Plaza Astrid in Antwerp is a newly renovated 4-star hotel with an indoor swimming pool and within walking distance of everything. It’s all very modern and sleek and the kids loved sitting on the window seats and counting the church spires from our 7th floor “executive room.”

Location
On the same square as the historic central train station, the zoo, the very cool Aquatopia (the trip highlight for our kids along with eating waffles and bakery treats), a bakery, a waffle and ice cream stand and the metro. Who could ask for more?

Sleeps
2-4 in the executive rooms (with 2 roll away beds). The ‘deluxe apartments’ sleep 4 in two king size beds (can add additional roll away beds for more).

Highlights
Beautiful rooms with a king size bed so comfortable that we vowed to find out what type of mattress they used so we can buy one for home. The hotel has an indoor pool and full fitness center and spa, a rarity in a downtown European hotel where space is such a premium.

Good to know
Buy your tickets for Aquatopia at the front desk rather than at the attraction- you get a discount and avoid the ticket line. It’s a perfect rainy Sunday morning activity. Ristorante Pizzeria Da Vinci, a couple of blocks away, was yummy and fun. The kids got to help roll out and toss the dough up in the air while we enjoyed a glass of wine. After the dough had landed on the floor a few times they got to bring it back to our table and play with it until their pizza came. Endless entertainment!

Contact
www.parkplaza.com/antwerpbe

October 7th, 2008 | by Jenny Jensen