I stayed at Marco's place for two months while on a summer research exchange. For such a long term stay, I needed a place that would feel like home and Marco's place quickly filled this need.
The place is located right next to a beautiful park, within walking distance of groceries, and about 25 minutes of transit to the center of the city. This location makes it the perfect balance between being a launching point for exploring central Antwerp and for escaping from the bustle of the city with a quiet walk in nature. The guest room is on the ground floor and is composed of a large bedroom and a beautiful sunroom with a sitting area with kitchen amenities (a sink, a mini-fridge, and a small table). I quickly fell in love with the house after waking up from a jet-lagged nap on the couch and looking up to see mesmerizing swirls of rainwater falling against the glass skylight above.
From the glass of fresh orange juice every morning to a personal bike tour of the city, to invitations to dinner once a week, Marco and Alex took every pain to be excellent hosts and excelled in providing the small touches that go a long way in making a place feel like home. They even accommodated extraordinary requests that came up over the duration of my long stay. They agreed to host my parents for a week. When I lost my luggage on a train ride, they helped me locate and recover my lost belongings. Without their perseverance, I would have never been able to navigate the Kafka-esque bureaucracy of the Belgian railway. During my stay, they even advised me on my proposal to my girlfriend while in Belgium. Their support made for an unforgettable trip to Belgium.
I would absolutely recommend Marco's place to anyone visiting Antwerp. I could not have asked for better hosts, a better living environment, or better friends in times of need.