Tourist Attractions
Brussels
Although staying in Antwerp and visiting Brussels during the day is always an option, there are people who believe Brussels to be more appealing than Antwerp as a starting point to explore Belgium. Brussels is very much worth visiting and has so many interesting things to offer.
Brussels is only 45 min away by train and if you decide to spend the night in the European Capital, you can choose between a lot of hotels Brussels that will be an answer to your needs. You will perhaps notice that hotels Antwerp usually have a more authentic feel to them but overall, hotels Brussels are pretty much the same for most standards.
The biggest difference with hotels in Antwerp is that hotels Brussels can be located further away from the historical city centre, mainly due to the fact that Brussels is bigger than Antwerp. Hotels in Brussels are, due to the vicinity of many European institutions, also a little more focused on business travellers and diplomats.
Ghent
Ghent, only half an hour away from Antwerp by train, has less tourists than Antwerp, except perhaps during summer, when the biggest stream of visitors arrive. Combining your stay in a hotel in Gent with the ten day long very vibrant street festival called the "Ghent Fests" (Gentse Feesten in Dutch) is a fantastic idea but Ghent is also recommended when you're up for a quiet holiday.
The city, the 2nd largest in Flanders, is very vibrant and cosmopolitan but has managed to largely maintain its peace & quiet. Perhaps hotels Ghent don't offer the same cosmopolitan feel than hotels Antwerpen, but this is not always the case.
Ghent's beautiful historical settings, its high quality hotels, and above all, its absolutely sparkling atmosphere at night (30.000 students live in the city!) are only a few reasons why you should definitely book a stay of one or more nights in Gent.
Bruges
At a little over an hour by train from Antwerp, lies Bruges. Choosing a hotel Brugge that is located right in the historical city centre, will perhaps here and there remind you of your stay in Antwerp.
Ofcourse Bruges is, due to its small size, far less cosmopolitan or trendy than Antwerp, although you can find some remarkably modern hotels Bruges as well. Most important advantage of hotels in Bruges, compared to hotels in Antwerp, is that it will take you less time to enjoy all the architectural and cultural highlights Bruges has to offer.
Keep in mind that hotels Brugge, mainly due to the city's reputation as the Venice of the North, are generally more expensive than hotels in Antwerp.