Escape to Durbuy's Fairytale Estate: Your Dream Apartment Awaits!
Escape to Durbuy's Fairytale Estate: My Dream Apartment… or Maybe Just a Very Good Nap? (A Rambling Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I've just returned from Escape to Durbuy’s Fairytale Estate, and honestly, my brain is still trying to process it all. "Dream apartment"? Well, let's just say my actual dream apartment probably doesn't come with a steam room, and frankly, I'm now reconsidering my life choices. I'm aiming for a review that is both comprehensive (because I know you're researching this place) and… well, me. Brace yourself, it might get a little chaotic.
First Glance: Fairytale-esque, or Just a Really Nice Brochure?
The setting? Durbuy itself. Think cobblestone streets, medieval vibes, and enough charm to make you want to instantly buy a beret and dramatically pronounce "Bonjour." The estate? Looks promising, even on arrival. You know, those pictures? They usually lie. But this estate… it held up. The exterior, the promise – that's what got me.
The Accessibility Angle (Because, You Know, Life)
Right, let's start with the important stuff. Accessibility. This is… a mixed bag, which I should have read before I committed. I spotted facilities for disabled guests, but the website's a bit vague. There is an elevator, which is HUGE, and the car park [on-site] is seriously convenient. (The valet parking is an option too – I’m not sure if I’m classy enough to actually do valet, I still worry about scratches). I can't speak to specific room accessibility without knowing a concrete room number. In the public areas, like the restaurants and the spa? I'd recommend a phone call to clarify that a great deal, before booking.
Rolling Red Carpet Treatment? (Food, Glorious Food!)
Food is crucial for me. I’m basically fueled by croissants and outrage. Thankfully, the Estate takes the food seriously. Here’s the lowdown:
- Restaurants: Multiple! And honestly, great. There’s a restaurant with Asian Cuisine, one with International Cuisine, and a Vegetarian restaurant to keep my healthy friends happy. You can get Breakfast [buffet], which is always a winning strategy. I was obsessed with the pastries, I inhaled so many. They had everything, and the Coffee/tea in restaurant was a lifesaver, especially after the previous night and the Happy hour (more on that later…).
- Room Service: Yep. Room service [24-hour]. This is where the fairytale really starts. Imagine: You, a comfy robe, maybe a movie (the on-demand movies are a nice extra), and a burger magically appearing. Glorious. Note - I would definitely check to ensure service goes to rooms on every hour of the day (but I imagine it does).
- Other Digs: They also have a Snack bar, a Poolside bar, and a Coffee shop. Plus multiple Restaurants. It's like food heaven. They have a Breakfast takeaway service, which I didn't try, but would have loved…
The "Relaxation" Section (Let's Get Sweaty!)
Okay, this is where the Estate truly shines. Like, glowing shine. My self-care game went from zero to hero.
- Pool with view: Absolutely gorgeous – a total Instagram moment. I floated. I thought about my problems. I forgot about my problems. Perfection.
- Spa/Sauna: The perfect marriage.
- Steamroom: I sat. I steamed. I considered my life choices. (Turns out, I needed that steam room more than I thought.)
- Massage: (I'm getting more emotional remembering). Oh. My. God. One of the best massages of my life. Seriously. I booked a Body scrub and a Body wrap. Don't judge. It was amazing. I felt like a new person.
- The Gym/fitness center exists. I saw it. Never made it in. Too much… relaxing.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did They Actually Disinfect?
In these weird times, this is paramount. They seem to be trying their best:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check.
Look, I'm no germaphobe, but I appreciated the effort. The Staff trained in safety protocol, which made me feel a little less paranoid.
The "Things to Do" Bit (Beyond the Spa)
Durbuy itself is charming. Outside of the property, there’s plenty to do.
- Things to do: Explore the town, wander along the Ourthe river, visit the Topiary Park. Durbuy is best explored on foot.
- For the kids: They have some Kids facilities, and a Babysitting service. They are Family/child friendly.
The Room: My Temporary Kingdom (Or, the Coffee Maker's Lament)
My room was… good. Really good. (The fact that it was mine for a few days significantly upped the appeal).
- Air conditioning: Saved me. (In my opinion, air con is a non-negotiable in this era).
- Free Wi-Fi: Thank God. (Social media is a necessity these days, let's be honest).
- Mini bar: Always a plus.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential. Though, I struggled with it first thing in the morning, because I can't use it until I have caffeine, and I can't get caffeine until I can use the coffee maker. It's a vicious circle.
- Bathtub: Bliss. I took a bath with all the provided toiletries.
- Slippers and Bathrobes - The ultimate luxury!
There’s Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN, which is probably for the serious business-types.
The Quirks, the Clangers, and the "Meh" Moments
- The Happy Hour: The bar. Oh, the bar. Let me just say, I met some interesting people there. And learned that my French is… rusty. And that I’m clearly not cut out for the "mixologist" life.
- The Checkout Confusion: There was a slight hiccup at checkout. My bill wasn’t quite right (it was fixed, eventually). A small, slightly annoying detail, but stuff happens.
- The Lack of Pet Friends: My dog is a diva and likes to be pampered. Unfortunately, the Pets allowed unavailable.
- The Cashless payment service was, well, contactless.
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (or at least makes it look easier)
They have all the basics covered:
- Daily housekeeping: Thank you, angels.
- Concierge
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Elevator
- Dry cleaning.
- Front desk [24-hour]
The Verdict: Would I Return?
Absolutely. Despite the minor hiccups, the spa, the food, and the overall atmosphere were enough to win me over. It's a beautiful spot and offered an escape. It really does feel (dare I say it…) fairytale-esque.
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- Title: Escape to Durbuy's Fairytale Estate: My Dream Apartment… or Maybe Just a Very Good Nap? (A Rambling Review)
- Keywords: Durbuy, Fairytale Estate, Luxury Hotel, Spa, Belgium, Restaurant, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Massage, Sauna, Pool, Review, Travel, Vacation, Relaxation, Spa, Dining
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Hopefully, this rambling review helps you plan your own escape. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to dream about that massage. And maybe the pastries.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dreamy Drome Studio Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your perfectly Pinterest-ed itinerary. This is life on a Belgian estate, as seen by yours truly. Prepare for turbulence (and maybe some waffle-induced sugar crashes).
Belgian Estate Bonanza: A Hot Mess of a Trip
Premise: Me! In an apartment on a ridiculously fancy estate near Durbuy, Belgium. Apparently, this is a thing. I'm here to "relax." LOL. Let's see how that goes.
Day 1: Arrive (and Instantly Question My Life Choices)
- Morning: Ugh, the flight. Don't even ask. Let's just say air travel and my bladder are not friends. Anyway, arriving in Brussels, a city whose architecture is 90% "gothic magnificence" and 10% "where's my damn luggage?" Found my bags! Hallelujah! A rental car that looked suspiciously like a potato on wheels - but hey, it moved.
- Afternoon: The drive. Okay, Belgium is gorgeous. Rolling hills, tiny villages that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale, and cows. So many cows. I almost sideswiped a cyclist while trying to photograph a particularly fluffy one. (Sorry, cyclist!). Found the estate! Oh. My. God. It's… a castle. My apartment in this castle… is a palace! I immediately felt both thrilled and like I was wildly out of my league. I need a drink. Preferably, a Trappist ale.
- Evening: Settling in. The apartment is HUGE. Fireplace! Massive windows! I immediately start to worry: "Do I even deserve this?" I did a full fridge inventory. Okay, the "welcome basket" included champagne and… speculoos. (Belgian spice cookies. Delicious, addictive little devils). Popped the bubbly. Tried to light the fireplace. Failed spectacularly. Cue the first of many, many "D'oh!" moments. Ended up ordering takeout. The fries… OH, THE FRIES! I have never tasted such perfect, crispy, salty, glorious fries. In my life. Ate them in bed, wearing a ridiculously fluffy bathrobe I found in the closet. Felt no shame. This is the life.
Day 2: Durbuy and Existential Dread (and More Fries)
- Morning: Slept like a log (except for the intermittent "am I dreaming this?" moments). Decided to tackle Durbuy, "the smallest city in the world." It's charming, but it's also tiny. I mean, you can walk the whole thing in about 15 minutes. But cute! Cobblestone streets, flower boxes spilling over everywhere, and more chocolate shops than I could shake a stick at. Purchased chocolate. Ate some chocolate. Regretted nothing.
- Afternoon: Got lost. In Durbuy (seriously, it's small). Met a grumpy local who, despite his gruff exterior, gave me directions with a smile. (Turns out, the "castle" is not the castle, it’s the castle. And I'm staying at an apartment inside). Sat by the Ourthe River and considered my life choices. The peace was… unsettling. Too peaceful. It's like my brain was screaming, "You should be doing something! Productivity! HUSTLE!" But the river was lovely. And the sun was warm. Maybe I could get used to this slow pace… Maybe.
- Evening: Dinner. (This will be a running theme). Found a restaurant in Durbuy. Ordered mussels in white wine sauce. (You have to, right?). They were good. But… something was missing. An edge. A little… je ne sais quoi. I almost asked for fries to go with the mussels. Almost. (But, the fries were in the earlier meal, I had to pace myself). Watched the sun set. Drank more local beer. Decided I definitely deserved this trip.
Day 3: The Gardens, The Rain, and a Moment of Bliss (And Fries, Obviously)
- Morning: Explored the estate gardens. They are HUGE. And impeccably manicured. I felt like I was in a movie. (A movie where I, inexplicably, didn’t know how to prune a rose bush). I tried to take a picture of a particularly perfect rose. Almost tripped over a squirrel and almost killed it. This happens to me too often.
- Afternoon: The rain came. POURING. I retreated to the apartment. Grabbed a book. (It was a mystery novel. Fitting, I felt like it was a mystery I was living in). I looked outside and felt a strange sense of peace watching the rain wash the world clean. It didn't last. Eventually, I got bored.
- Afternoon Part 2: I had a craving for fries. I mean, how could I not? This estate has a kitchen with a cook (I think). So, I tried to give them a try. It was terrible! I’m not a cook. I'm a fry-eater. I decided to give the chef a try later.
- Evening: Went on the hunt for some more. I found my fries, bought some chocolates, and ate it. Alone. In a huge apartment. Feeling a bit… well, lost. But also… oddly okay with it. This whole trip felt weird and wonderful all at once.
Day 4: The Spa, The Hike, The Rambling (And, You Guessed it, Fries!)
- Morning: FINALLY got around to booking a spa appointment. It was the estate’s spa, so I felt like I’d be missing out if I didn’t. The massage therapist was a tiny, formidable woman named "Helga." The massage was intense. In a good way. I emerged feeling like a limp noodle. Worth it.
- Afternoon: Attempted a hike. Found a trail… that immediately went uphill. I was not physically prepared. I got halfway up, then decided the view from the midway point was good enough. (My knees and lungs thanked me). The forest was gorgeous though, even if I did nearly faceplant on a muddy patch.
- Evening: I met up with a local. We spoke. (I was a bit scared and embarrassed). They were kind. I had a blast.
- Night: Oh. My. God. This is not what I expected.
Day 5: Departure (And the Sadness of Leaving)
- Morning: Packing. The worst.
- Afternoon: One last walk around the estate (I realized how much I liked it when I saw some of the regulars in the area). I decided to buy some fries once more.
- Evening: Goodbye, Belgium! At least, for now…
Okay, so it’s not a perfectly crafted itinerary. It’s messy, it's subjective, and it's definitely a bit… much. But that’s the point. This trip wasn't about perfect Instagram shots or ticking off boxes. It was about the moments. The fries. The existential dread. The rain. The unexpected. And the reluctant admission that maybe, just maybe, I could get used to this whole "relaxing" thing. Now, where are those speculoos…?
Escape to Belgian Bliss: Sauna & Holiday Home in Alveringem!
Escape to Durbuy's Fairytale Estate: Your (Possibly Messy) Dream Apartment FAQ!
So, what *is* this place? Fairytale Estate, really? Sounds a bit... much.
Are the apartments actually nice? Like, *really* nice? I've stayed in places that promised "luxury" and were... less than.
What's the location like? Is it super touristy? I hate crowds.
What can you actually *do* there? Is it just… staring at pretty buildings?
Is it kid-friendly? My offspring are, shall we say, *energetic*.
How's the parking situation? I hate circling endlessly for a space.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? I'm terrible with directions.
Any hidden gems or things you wish you'd known before you went?
Would you go back? Seriously, afterTop Places To Stay
