We visited Best Western Hotel Gulden Anker, a 4**** hotel, situated between Antwerp and Brussels from November 22nd. – 24th. 2007. It is at the edge of the city centre at about 300 mtrs. from the “Gote Markt” with its cathedral. Mechelen is a nice, old, little city, which character has been partly destroyed by running up several modern buildings. Originally the Gulden Anker was only a restaurant, now it is a hotel too with 34 rooms. Apart from the cosy restaurant there is a cosy bar and there is a sauna and terrace too. In front of the hotel there are some free parking places for hotel guests.
We had room 56, a room at the back side, with a rather small double bed with good mattresses but rather soft pillows. The eiderdown or duvet made it rather warm at night. It was not one of their large rooms, but it was acceptable. The room has, among other things, a bath/shower (with all the necessary amenities), WC, hairdryer, color-TV, coffee-tea facilities, telephone, mini-bar, airconditioning, a working table and a large linen-cupboard. The TV, with about 28 channels in Dutch, English, German and French, is the best we ever had in a hotel. Although the room was near the elevator it hardly bothered us, because between our sleeping room and the elevator was the bathroom. It is all very clean.
Breakfast is really very, very good with fresh cruds, buttermilk, meat products, hot sauces and egg and you even can press oranges by yourself. Both nights we had dinner in the restaurant which was excellent, although a little bit expensive. The wine list shows a large variety of wine. From the house wine the white wine is bad, but the red wine is acceptable (€11,00 for ½ l.).
Staff looks competitive in being as kind as possible and is very helpful, and can arrange five different cycling-tours.
All in all, the hotel is very recommendable at a rate of €174,00 for two nights. Have at least dinner there.