Middelkerke Seaside Escape: Luxurious Duplex Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because judging by the name "Middelkerke Seaside Escape: Luxurious Duplex Awaits!" I'm expecting serious, serious luxury. Let's dive into this thing, shall we? I'm going to be honest, thorough, and utterly myself. You've been warned.
Let's get this review STARTED, shall we?
Right, Middelkerke. Seems like a fancy mouthful. I'm already picturing myself sipping something expensive with a little paper umbrella. Let's see if the reality lives up to the marketing hype.
Accessibility & Getting Around: The Important Stuff (and the potentially frustrating)
Okay, vital first question, can I actually get there? And once I'm there, can I actually do anything?
- Accessibility: Sounds promising. Hopefully, they mean proper accessibility – ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. Fingers crossed!
- On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Huge point for them if they've nailed this. Makes a world of difference. No one wants to spend the whole trip barricaded in their room.
- Wheelchair accessible: See above! Absolutely essential for inclusivity. If they mess this up, I'm hitting them with a full-on rant.
- Airport transfer, Taxi service, Valet parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station: Okay, they've clearly thought about getting there. Good. Free parking is always a win. And a charging station? Bonus points in this electric-car future. Hopefully the taxi is actually available!
- Elevator: Essential for any multi-story building where people might have accessibility needs.
Internet Access: Gotta Stay Connected (or NOT! depending on your mood)
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Okay, they've got the basics covered. Free Wi-Fi is pretty much a given these days, but it's always appreciated. And the LAN connection? Good for the serious online gamers, or anyone who wants to stream a film without the buffering!
- Wi-Fi for special events: Useful if hosting a conference or wedding. Not useful for me personally.
Things to Do: Hmmm… More Than Just Sunshine?
Okay, this is where it gets juicy. I'm a hedonist at heart but need to justify my laziness with a little "wellness."
- Body scrub, Body wrap: Yes. Definitely yes to both. Get me wrapped, get me scrubbed, get me relaxed.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Ah, right. Have to pretend to work out. Fine. Maybe I'll actually brave it, then promptly reward myself with…
- Foot bath: OOH, lovely. After a long day of doing absolutely nothing (or, you know, actually walking around), a foot bath is pure bliss.
- Massage, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Pool with view, Sauna: Okay, YES! YES to everything! If this place doesn't have a decent spa, I'm going to be extremely disappointed. Pool with a view? Dreamy. Gimme, gimme, gimme!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Always a plus!
- Bicycle parking: Nice for the active types… or just for admiring, I guess.
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Feel Safe
This is a big one in the post-pandemic world. I am a bit of a germophobe (don't judge!), so I'm paying very close attention to this.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: WHOA. Okay, they've taken this seriously. That's genuinely reassuring. They’ve ticked all the boxes, and I like it.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms: Safety is paramount. Seems like they've got it covered.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Fun (and the Relaxation)
This is crucial. I live to eat (and drink). Let's see if they cater to my… ahem… refined tastes.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Okay, I'm in… drooling. A buffet? Always a winning start to the day. 24-hour room service? That's pure decadence. And a poolside bar? Sign me up! I’m hoping for a fantastic selection of cocktails. I would also love to have a restaurant offering a good selection of international cuisine.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
Okay, time for the nitty-gritty. The stuff that separates a good hotel from a great one.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: A lot of service here! A concierge is a lifesaver. Luggage storage? Essential! And a gift shop… well, it depends on the gift shop… but could be useful for last-minute panic-buying.
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential. Especially if they're aiming for "luxurious escape".
For the Kids: Because They're a Thing (Sometimes)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Okay, they're at least considering the families. Fair enough. But I'm hoping the "luxurious escape" keeps it mostly child-free!
Available in All Rooms: The Real Deal
Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Okay, let's analyze what's here …
- Air conditioning: Mandatory. Unless you like sweating.
- Bathrobes & Slippers: YES.
- Blackout curtains: Glorious.
- Closet: Gotta have somewhere to put your fancy gear.
- Coffee/tea maker & Complimentary tea: Essential for a relaxing start to the day.
- Desk & Laptop workspace: For those times when you have to do a little work. (Ugh.)
- Extra long bed: Finally, somewhere my six-foot-something frame can properly stretch out!
- Free bottled water: Crucial for staying hydrated, especially in the spa!
- Hair dryer: Yay! No need to pack one myself.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Mini bar: Oooh, yes. Even if it's overpriced, I'm still in.
- Non-smoking: Good for the non-smokers.
- Private bathroom & Separate shower/bathtub: Ideally luxurious, marble-clad, and with all the fancy soaps.
- Satellite/cable channels & On-demand movies: For those inevitable moments
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your sanitized, Pinterest-perfect Belgian beach vacay. This is… me in Middelkerke, in a duplex apartment, probably eating too many waffles. And let's be honest, probably crying a little about the seagulls. Here we go:
The Middelkerke Mishap: A Week of Sand, Sea, and Slightly Questionable Life Choices
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Angst on the Promenade
- 10:00 AM: Brussels Airport. Ugh. Airports. Smells of burnt coffee and desperate hope. Successfully navigated the baggage claim, which, honestly, felt like a victory worthy of a medal. Grabbed the rental car – a tiny, suspiciously-red Fiat named "Ferdinand." Prayed Ferdinand wouldn't betray me on the drive to Middelkerke.
- 12:30 PM: Arrived at the duplex. "Near the sea" is an understatement. It's practically on the sea. The view is breathtaking, and by "breathtaking" I mean it made me momentarily forget I hadn't eaten anything remotely resembling a proper meal since… well, since I left Brussels. Unpacked (sort of). The suitcase exploded upon opening, showering me in a cascade of mismatched socks and regret.
- 2:00 PM: Promenade recon. Okay, Middelkerke. You're… charming. In a slightly windswept, slightly melancholic, seagull-filled way. Walked along the promenade, got sprayed by an unexpectedly aggressive wave, and watched a little girl chase a rogue beach ball. Briefly considered joining her, but then the existential dread of being drenched in freezing seawater stopped me.
- 4:00 PM: Waffle emergency. Found a place called "De Waffelkoning" (The Waffle King). Ordered a waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. Ate it. Then ordered another. And another. Sweet, sugary oblivion, my friend. Good riddance.
- 6:00 PM: Apartment. Attempted to cook something resembling food. Failed miserably. Settled for cheese, crackers, and a bottle of Belgian ale. Contemplated the meaning of life while staring at the crashing waves. Not a lot of answers obtained, just a slightly bloated belly.
- 8:00 PM: Fell asleep on the couch.
Day 2: Sandcastles & Seaside Shenanigans (Or: The Day I Became Best Friends with a Dog)
- 9:00 AM: Woke up. Hungover on salty air and regret.
- 10:00 AM: Hit the beach. This is where things get interesting. Started building a sandcastle. Not a fancy one, mind you. More of a lopsided, vaguely rectangular pile of sand.
- 10:30 AM: Enter stage left: A golden retriever named "Max." Max, a creature of pure, unadulterated joy, decided my pathetic sandcastle was the most fascinating thing he'd ever seen. We bonded. He licked my face. I threw a soggy stick. We were soulmates.
- 11:30 AM: Max's owner, a lovely woman named Agnes, joined us. She spoke fantastic English. We talked for ages, mostly about the joys (and frustrations) of dog ownership and the sheer beauty of the Belgian coast. Agnes told me about a local fish restaurant. It was fate, I tell you.
- 1:00 PM: That Fish Restaurant. "De Gouden Vis" (The Golden Fish). Don't. Even. Get. Me. Started. The sole meunière… oh god… it was heaven on a plate. Crispy skin, flaky white flesh, butter, lemon, the whole shebang. I could have legitimately wept. Ate every single morsel. Seriously considering going back there every single day. Maybe I will weep.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the beach. More Max. More sand. More joy. Briefly considered running away with him and becoming a beach bum. Self-control kicked in, but damn, it was tempting.
- 6:00 PM: Attempted to read a book on the balcony. The wind snatched it and blew it into the sea. Found a slightly wet copy of "Moby Dick" (ironically) buried deep in my beach bag. Spent the next hour trying to dry it out.
- 8:00 PM: Agnes and Max's owner. After having dinner with them and they're really nice company. We did some karaoke together.
- 10:00 PM: Fell asleep on the couch again. This time, dreaming of golden retrievers and sole meunière.
Day 3: Art, Wind, and a Complete Breakdown (Emotionally, Of Course)
- 9:00 AM: Morning. The light is beautiful. Realized I hadn't unpacked my art supplies.
- 10:00 AM: Visited the Mu.ZEE museum. More the kind of art, I could appreciate.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Ate way too much moules frites. Again. It's a cycle.
- 1:00 PM: Beach. Tried to paint, got distracted, and the wind snatched my easel. My emotions.
- 3:00 PM: Staring at the sea. So sad. So beautiful. So overwhelming.
- 5:00 PM: Waffles for dinner. No shame.
- 8:00 PM: Listening to the waves. Considering the meaning of life and the inevitability of death, again. Maybe I should have brought a friend.
- 10:00 PM: Crying.
Day 4: The Unexpected Delight of… Mini-Golf?!
- 10:00 AM: Recovering from yesterday's emotional rollercoaster. Decided to embrace the absurd.
- 11:00 AM: Mini-golf. Yes, you heard that right. Mini. Golf. Played a game at a wonderfully tacky course. Surprisingly fun. Bad at it.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Went for a more sensible option: simple sandwich.
- 3:00 PM: Realized I can enjoy some time alone. Some time with myself. Relaxing day.
- 6:00 PM: Cooked actually edible pasta. Victory! Ate it while watching the sunset.
- 8:00 PM: Read my book.
- 10:00 PM: Slept well.
Day 5: Ostend & Old Times
- 10:00 AM: Drive to Ostend. Busy, beautiful, more people.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Ostend
- 1.00 PM: Wandered around an old, quiet beach.
- 3:00 PM: Back to Middelkerke.
- 5:00 PM: Took some time to think, and relax.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner.
- 10:00 PM: Relax.
Day 6: Sunset & Reflection (and More Waffles, Obviously)
- All Day: Waffles, beach, quiet.
- 7:00 PM: Watched the sunset. It was glorious.
- 8:00 PM: Had a final, slightly melancholic waffle.
- 10:00 PM: Packed.
Day 7: Departure & The Promise of Return
- 9:00 AM: Last walk on the beach. Said goodbye to Max (via Agnes).
- 10:00 AM: Checked out of the apartment. Ferdinand seemed relieved.
- 11:00 AM: Drive back to Brussels.
- 2:00 PM: Airport. Plane. Goodbye, Middelkerke.
- 5:00 PM: At home. Sad to be leaving.
- 7:00 PM: Looking at the pictures. Remembering.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy, imperfect, and sometimes a little bit sad. But it was also incredibly beautiful. I met a dog, ate far too many waffles, and stared at the sea until I felt… something. Probably longing. Probably a desire to return. Belgium, you weird, wonderful place, I'll be back. Maybe I'll even learn how to build a decent sandcastle next time. And maybe, just maybe, I'll stop crying. But probably not.
P.S. Seriously, that sole meunière. Worth the trip alone.
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Hot Tub Holiday Home in Voorthuizen!
Okay, so, "Luxurious Duplex Awaits!" – Is it *actually* luxurious, or just, you know, *clean*? Because I've been burned before...
Alright, let's get real. "Luxurious" is a loaded word, right? Like saying "rustic charm" when you mean "slightly falling apart but we like it." Look, this place in Middelkerke? Yeah, it's pretty damn good. Think less motel and more... well, more like a really nice, furnished show home, only someone actually lives there. You know, the comfy couches, the fancy coffee machine (which, *thank the heavens*, I figured out how to use after a frantic 20 minutes). The view? Forget about it. I spent half a day just staring out at the sea, probably looking like a complete loon. Is it the Four Seasons? No. But it's a seriously lovely slice of heaven. And the fact that I didn't have to, you know, *scrub* anything when I arrived? Winning.
Duplex… So, stairs? Because I’m not getting any younger, and my knees are starting to sound like a bag of gravel.
Yup. Stairs. D'oh. This is where I confess: I HATE stairs. Absolutely despise them. My calves were screaming by the end of the first day. But… and this is a BIG but – the view from *upstairs*, where the bedrooms and that incredible balcony are? TOTALLY worth it. Think of the extra exercise as a ‘bonus’ calorie-burner, right? (I totally justified the Belgian waffles I ate on the beach. Twice. Maybe three times...). Honestly, if stairs are a deal-breaker, this might not be the place for you. But if you're reasonably mobile and can handle a few flights, trust me, the vista is worth the grunts and groans. And the elevator that I didn't find. Seriously, where was it? Never mind.
The beach is close, right? Like, can I stumble out in my pyjamas and still feel like I'm within the realms of socially acceptable beachwear? Asking for a friend... (who is me).
YES. YES YOU CAN. In fact, you *should*. Honestly, the convenience is insane. It's practically on the doorstep. I'm talking a leisurely three-minute stroll, tops. Pyjamas? Eh, probably. I might or might not have done a quick nip out in my dressing gown for a sunrise photo… Don't judge me. It was magical. The salty air, the wide-open space… Seriously, the proximity to the beach is a *huge* selling point. You can go for a walk whenever the mood strikes, pop back for a coffee, nap, back again in a heartbeat. This is beach life *simplified*. And I’m all for simple, especially when it comes to a holiday. Plus, you know, you're more likely to find seashells when you just stroll out rather than driving around a parking lot looking for a spot. Believe me.
Parking? Tell me everything. Parking situations can make or break a holiday, you know. Especially in coastal towns...
Oh, parking. The bane of every holidaymaker’s existence. Okay, deep breaths. The good news: there’s usually *some* parking available. It’s not like trying to find a spot in central London, thank goodness. I found street parking most of the time, but you might need to circle a bit. I swear, I was driving for like, 20 minutes the first evening, looking for a decent spaces. I was *hangry*. There might even be a private parking spot included, but I'm hopeless at remembering things. Check the specifics! If you're *really* fussy about parking, then yes, inquire about allocated space. Otherwise, embrace the slight inconvenience. That's kind of the vibe of the place in general. It's not manicured perfect, but it's brilliant.
What about food? Is there a kitchen? Can I cook? Because I can't live on takeaway (although, I totally would if I could).
YES! There's a kitchen. A proper one! A fully functioning, excellent kitchen, even. And it’s stocked with all those little things you need that you often forget, or that you're too embarrassed to ask for at the reception desk. Not that I needed to, because frankly, I got a bit lost at the reception desk the first day. I just stared at the person and mumbled something about the keys. Anyway: fridge, oven, hob, microwave… the works. I actually *cooked a meal*! (Okay, it was pasta. Don’t judge. I was on holiday!) Now, here's where my confession comes in: it *looks* great. But I mostly ate out. Because… holidays! You're near a town full of amazing restaurants. If you *want* to cook, go for it (and please make me some. I love pasta!). If you don’t want to, do what I did and eat all the moules frites. No regrets. Except maybe… my waistline.
Okay, the beach. Tell me more about the BEACH. What's it like? Are there shops nearby? Because I need snacks. And maybe a beach umbrella... and a good book…
The beach… It’s *amazing*. It's a classic North Sea beach, wide, sandy, and the water is… well, it's the North Sea. Which means it's bracing. Refreshing. Cold. (Okay, I dipped a toe in. Briefly.) But the walks! The space! The sound of the waves… It’s pure bliss. And yes, there are shops nearby. Plenty. Little kiosks selling ice cream (essential), shops selling beach towels (essential), and little cafes where you can get a proper Belgian waffle with all the trimmings (DEFINITELY essential). I spent a fortune on waffles. But again, no regrets. Just pure, unadulterated bliss. And the book… you’ll have time to read ALL the books on that beach. Just don’t forget the sunscreen! I got a *bit* crispy the first day.
Is there anything *bad* about the place? Gotta be something, right? Everything has a flaw.
Okay, okay, you're right. Nothing is perfect. And to be honest, I'm struggling to come up with anything *really* bad. The stairs, as I mentioned. Annoying. The internet was a little… spotty sometimes. But honestly? That’s a good thing, right? Forces you to switch off! And maybe… the lack of a fully stocked, ready-to-go mini-bar. Look, I'm not saying I *needed* a constant supply of chilled rosé, but… it would have been *nice*. But honestly? Even those "complaints" are minor. I'm being picky. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Wallet Friendly Stay
