Hotel August Antwerp celebrates five years of design and hospitality
Hotel August Antwerp marks its fifth anniversary with a refreshing new chapter: an updated à la carte menu at its restaurant, a bar now open seven days a week, and a new collaboration with local natural skincare brand Maiwe for its wellness area. This milestone not only celebrates the evolution of one of Antwerp’s most iconic hotels, but also the consolidation of a space that has redefined the concept of boutique hospitality in Europe.
From Augustinian convent to contemporary refuge
Opened in 2019, August occupies a former Augustinian convent in Antwerp’s historic Green Quarter. Designed by the acclaimed Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen—his first ever hotel project—the complex consists of five interconnected buildings, harmoniously blending the spiritual character of the original architecture with a serene, contemporary modernism.
With 44 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a wellness area and gardens by Wirtz International Landscape Architects, August has become a genuine urban sanctuary for international travellers and Antwerp locals alike—those who seek calm, design and sensorial experiences that linger.
The vision of Mouche Van Hool
The creative spirit behind August is Mouche Van Hool, also the founder of Antwerp’s boutique Hotel Julien. Her philosophy of hospitality revolves around creating places of encounter—modern sanctuaries where guests feel part of the city rather than spectators apart from it.
“The bar within the chapel is without doubt the most spectacular space, while the restaurant beneath the steel-and-glass roof offers a refined culinary experience. August is a place of interaction between locals and guests—a space that embraces.” Mouche Van Hool
Architecture and design: the poetics of Vincent Van Duysen
The hotel’s immediate success is largely due to the unmistakable imprint of Vincent Van Duysen, widely regarded as one of Belgium’s most influential architects.
His approach was not to create a corporate hotel, but rather an intimate environment deeply connected to its urban context. Everything you see in August has been designed bespoke—from the wardrobes to the lighting—an ode to the modern artisan.
“We wanted August to be unique, not a benchmark for others. Five years later, we see how architecture can both honour history and create a contemporary, meditative refuge.” Vincent Van Duysen
Gastronomy: the return of the à la carte menu
The August restaurant welcomes a new culinary direction with the arrival of chef Gerd Govaerts.
After refining his craft at Michelin-starred Dôme in Antwerp and Le Chalet Zannier in Megève, Govaerts brings his own distinct vision to the August kitchen.
The new menu balances house classics—such as Côte à L’Os, grilled young turbot, or the timeless Dame Blanche—with creative additions like razor clam and cockle soup with Vadouvan. It’s a flexible, contemporary menu that allows diners to design their own experience rather than follow a fixed tasting format.
The chapel bar: an everyday gathering place
Set within the hotel’s majestic, light-filled chapel, the August bar is perhaps its most iconic space. The new menu invites guests to enjoy everything from oysters and Pata Negra to Holstein beef tataki, pulled beef buns or a North Sea crab salad.
Now open seven days a week, it has become a social hub for both hotel guests and Antwerp residents—a vibrant meeting point where design, gastronomy and community converge.
Wellness with Belgian identity: partnership with Maiwe
The August wellness experience takes on a new dimension through a collaboration with Maiwe, a Belgian skincare brand founded by bioengineer Maayke Ruyffelaere. Maiwe’s natural formulas feature wild rosehip oil harvested from the Andean forests of Chile, marrying science and sensorial pleasure.
The spa includes a sauna, hammam, ice treatments, outdoor shower and natural plunge pool. Open to both hotel guests and external visitors, it positions August as a true holistic wellbeing destination in Antwerp.
The gardens: a secret oasis in the city
Designed by Wirtz International Landscape Architects, August’s walled gardens connect the different parts of the hotel while offering a tranquil, secluded space in the heart of the city.
These gardens host weddings, receptions and private events, yet also serve as a quiet place to stroll and unwind—a green lung within the urban fabric.
Five years on: a contemporary classic
In just five years, August has established itself as a destination in its own right. More than a hotel, it has become a place of encounters, celebrations, culinary experiences and restful escape, where history and modernity merge with elegance and purpose.
Mouche Van Hool summarises its spirit beautifully: “I hope people experience August as a relaxed, informal place where almost anything is possible—from a cocktail to a wedding, from a work meeting to an unforgettable night in Antwerp.”
Ultimately, Hotel August Antwerp transcends its category. It stands as an architectural manifesto, a tribute to contemporary hospitality, and a living testament to how historical spaces can be reinvented for the present day.
A perfect reflection of how Antwerp has emerged as one of Europe’s leading capitals of design and lifestyle.
(*) Photography: Robert Reiger, Buro Bunito, Thor Van Damme, Eleonore Van Bavel, Tibods.
