Normally Airbnbs without reviews are a no go, but in the case of The Printing Press we would trust the photos. That undoubtedly has to do with the fact that this apartment in the city center is one of the SHWAY's in the city. So far, all SHWAY accommodations have been good, and the very first (and at the time of writing also only) review from The Printing Press is very positive. The fact that it is on the third floor and you have to climb about 60 steps to reach the front door does not matter. Those words of praise are not a surprise, but it is reassuring to see in black and white that it is indeed good here. Something else black and white, with some beige and gray here and there, is the interior. Sleek, minimalist and pleasantly light.

The Printing Press

Another nice black and white with a bit of beige and gray spot in the heart of the city is this penthouse. Close to the Meir, Groenplaats and with a balcony overlooking the Sint-Carolus Borromeuskerk. Here too you have to climb stairs, because the apartment is on the fourth floor. The advantage of this is that you are much less bothered by the noise on the street, because it can be noisy in the weekend. The apartment is not very big, but spacious enough for two people.

Penthouse in the heart of the city

Even in the South it's black and white. Maison Montigny has black steel frames and a white wooden floor. The latter looks nice, but is not very practical. Unless you like vacuuming or when that floor is in an Airbnb that you do not have to keep spick and span yourself. Fortunately, that is the case here. The apartment is nice and spacious and has a walk-in shower, walk-in closet and a private patio. The tram stop is around the corner and to walk into the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp you only have to cross the street.

Maison Montigny

Does this place look familiar? It might. 1D LOFT has been published in several books and magazines and has been on television a few times. The loft is located in a renovated ice factory and despite the minimalist interior and sleek lines, it does not feel cold. If you do get (ice) cold, there is fortunately a bath that can be filled with warm water. Interior architect Filip Deslee initially designed the place for himself, but as is the case with architects, after a while he started to get the itch again and decided to focus on something new. Since then, the loft has been successfully rented out via Airbnb.

Loft 1D

In the garden of Filip and his children in Borgerhout there is a cute studio. Less than a ten minute walk from Antwerp Central Station and with a lot of nice restaurants nearby. Filip has, just like us, a lot of tips. The studio itself is still nice and fresh and new, although there is some retro furniture. Nice, such a yellow Formica dining table and wallpaper with flower print on the toilet - even peeing becomes fun. The studio does not have its "own" outside but guests are allowed to use the garden that is shared with Filip's family and the neighbors.

Studio in Borgerhout

As this list began, so it ends. SHWAY all the way. Also on Het Eilandje, a district in the north of the city, there is an apartment SHWAY. The interior of The First Mate's Watch is designed by Mariken Wiegerinck of Stekkie Amsterdam. The apartment has a bedroom with en-suite bathroom and living room with open kitchen and dining area. From the living room you have a beautiful view of the MAS Museum and the old port of Antwerp, although it is at least as beautiful inside.

The First Mate's Watch