Casa Christel
A minute from the Kazerne Dossin memorial
About this hotel
Casa Christel is one of the simplest stays on this list, a small guesthouse a minute's walk from the Kazerne Dossin memorial and two minutes from the Kazerne Dossin museum, with Sushito Sushi Mechelen six minutes away for dinner. There's little in the way of extras here, no listed pool, spa or restaurant of its own, but the position puts a family closer to this part of Mechelen's history than to Grote Markt or the cathedral. For a Plopsaqua trip, that means a shorter run out to Nekkerspoel than from the outlying budget or spa cluster, without the higher rate of the four-star hotels nearer the old town's centre, and without the crowds that gather closer to the belfry and market square during peak season.
- Near Kazerne Dossin memorial
- Simple guesthouse
- Central Mechelen position
Our take
Casa Christel suits a family who wants a simple, low-cost base near the Kazerne Dossin memorial and a shorter trip to Plopsaqua, without needing extras like a restaurant or pool on site. It's a smaller, quieter stay than the hotels further up the price range, better suited to a group who'll spend most of their time out rather than at the property itself.
- ✓Book dinner at Sushito Sushi Mechelen or elsewhere nearby, since there's no restaurant on site here.
- ✓Confirm exactly what's included before booking, since this is a simpler stay than the area's full-service hotels.
- ✓Check the travel time to Nekkerspoel directly with the property before assuming a short trip.
Why we love it
- A minute from Kazerne Dossin memorial
- Simple, low-key stay
- Close to local dining options
- Shorter trip to Nekkerspoel
Why guests love itThis is about as simple as a stay gets on this list, no restaurant, no pool, just a small guesthouse a minute from the Kazerne Dossin memorial. That suited us fine for a short trip built around Plopsaqua rather than the hotel itself, and being closer to this side of Mechelen's history than to Grote Markt gave the non-water-park part of our stay a different flavour than the postcard old town.