Where you stay in Antwerp matters because the city’s value is its compactness. For most men, the best move is to stay in or near the historic center, where Grote Markt, the cathedral quarter, restaurants, and much of the city’s walkable life are close at hand. That gives you atmosphere in the morning and convenience at night. If you prefer a slightly calmer, more local tone, areas beyond the tourist core can work well, but there is little reason to base yourself too far out. Antwerp is strongest when the hotel feels polished and central rather than merely practical.