When does a hotel go from being basic to being a bit of a dive. I pondered this question on my recent stay at the Tourist Hotel in Antwerp.

The hotel as stated is in a block just across from the railway station so it was ultra easy to find. Our first impressions were good as the lobby seemed basic but clean and the staff were ultra friendly. Our room was not ready so we were able to store our luggage in a room just behind reception.

In the corner was the en suite bathroom with a door that did not quite shut properly. On first inspection it seemed not too bad but looking closely it was not quite up to standard. The bath had a handheld shower with mixer taps with nowhere to actually mount the shower so you had to have a semi shower semi bath. The plug did not quite fit and there was no shower curtain either so you had to be very careful or you would soak the whole bathroom. We were left two hand towels and a bath towel so had to ask the cleaning lady next day for an extra bath towel which we did receive. The wash basin had sen better days as it had a big chip and crack in it. Walking to the window it seemed that the curtains in the same pattern as the quilt cover should have been in the bathroom as they were a plasticy material which did not feel nice at all.

Each night we did get a semi decent nights sleep but each night we were also woken up in the early hours by our fellow residents. We were next to a larger room, which was home to a British stag do the first night then various continental school children the next two nights. Perhaps these are the types of clients the hotel does not mind as they are less likely to complain. You are not too bothered about the hotel if you are away for the first time away from your parents.

All I can say about Antwerp's Tourist Hotel was that it was a place to sleep and wash, as it was not very welcoming to spend any more time than that in the hotel room. There is supposed to be bar with specialty beers according to the website but why stay there when there are a million nicer places to spend an evening especially the jazz cafe near the cathedral. The Tourist Hotel was just about okay for what we paid for it via the special offer but I would not pay 75 euros for a double room per night. It also makes me wary of booking a 2 star hotel again. I have noticed that the Tourist hotel has been removed from the Great getaways offer in the Metro perhaps due to customers complaints. Avoid the Tourist Hotel unless you are a 16 year old and know no better.