Hague Beach Bliss: Chic Chalet w/ Dishwasher!
Hague Beach Bliss: Chic Chalet w/ Dishwasher! - My Surprisingly Awesome (and Slightly Flawed) Dutch Escape
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm back from Hague Beach Bliss, and my brain is still buzzing like a Dutch bike bell. This place… it’s a vibe. It's not just a hotel, it's a… well, a feeling. A feeling of being slightly sunburnt, slightly chilled by the North Sea breeze, and totally, utterly, blissed out. Let’s get into this chaotic, wonderful mess of a review:
Accessibility & Safety - The Essentials (and a Few Hiccups)
First things first: Accessibility. Look, I'm not in a wheelchair myself, but I always appreciate a place that thinks about it. Hague Beach Bliss tries. There's an elevator, which is a HUGE plus. The front desk promised, "Facilities for disabled guests" but, let's be honest, finding a truly accessible bathroom setup in an old Dutch building can be hit or miss – this felt like a gamble. No personal experience to report here, but I’d definitely inquire before booking if accessibility is a major concern.
On the safety front, they’re clearly trying. CCTV in common areas and outside, 24-hour security, and those reassuring smoke alarms and fire extinguishers everywhere. They’re also REALLY big on cleaning. The anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and room sanitization between stays made me feel pretty secure. The hand sanitizer stations were everywhere. A bit too everywhere at times; I swear I saw one next to the coffee machine in the lobby. And hey, I appreciated it!
Here's a small gripe: The Express Check-in/out was supposedly contactless, but the person at the front desk made me sign a mountain of paperwork. Oopsie! But hey, at least they had a Cashless payment service!
Internet & Tech - Connected but Not Always
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! And, for the most part, it actually worked! Crucial when you need to upload those Insta-worthy sunset shots (which, trust me, you WILL take). They also offered Internet [LAN] which, let's be honest, who even uses LAN anymore? Also a big fan of Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and thought that Internet was good!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - So Many Options, My Brain Exploded
Good lord, where do I even begin? This place is a relaxation factory.
- Spa/sauna? Check.
- Steamroom? Check.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]? A gorgeous one, with a Pool with a view! Check.
- Gym/fitness? Yep.
- Massage? Double-check. (More on THAT later… shudders… in a good way!)
- I thought that the Sauna was fine.
- Body scrub? Yes!
- Body wrap? Oh yes!
I spent half the day wandering around in my fluffy bathrobe (provided, thank the heavens!) trying to decide what to do first. It was overwhelming, in the best possible way.
That Massage… A Story (and My New Soulmate)
Okay, so the massage. This deserves its own segment. I booked a deep tissue massage, and I found myself in the capable hands of a woman named Astrid. Astrid was legendary. She worked out knots I didn’t even KNOW I had. She was quiet, focused, and somehow managed to knead the stress of a year spent in lockdown out of my body. It was, and I am not exaggerating when I say this, the best massage of my life. When I saw the Spa I knew this was it. I have to say Foot bath seemed good too.
Honestly, I'd go back to Hague Beach Bliss just for Astrid. Consider this review a personal recommendation for a perfect massage.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking - A Culinary Adventure (with Occasional Mishaps)
The restaurants were pretty impressive. They had a Bar with a lovely terrace… perfect for Happy hour. There was an A la carte in the restaurant which was nice. The Breakfast service was great, with a Breakfast [buffet] which, you know, is always a winner! They also had a Coffee shop which I thought was good.
I sampled the Asian cuisine in the restaurant and loved it. The Western cuisine in restaurant was also just what I needed. The Poolside bar was a great spot for a drink.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Overwhelming Factor:
Okay, so this is where Hague Beach Bliss really shines. They are obsessed with cleanliness. I liked the Sterilizing equipment, the Safe dining setup, and the Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. The Daily disinfection in common areas made me feel confident, and I appreciated the Hand sanitizer everywhere. This made me relax.
Rooms & Amenities - Chic Chalet, Indeed! (With a Dishwasher!)
My "Chic Chalet" was… well, chic! Modern, bright, and surprisingly spacious. It had an Air conditioning, a Desk, a Coffee/tea maker (essential!), and super comfortable Bed. And yes, the Dishwasher!! A revelation, frankly. The Refrigerator was a nice touch, too for cool drinks.
The non-smoking rooms were awesome. The Bathrobes, Slippers, and Toiletries were all top-notch. The Complimentary tea and free bottled water were lovely touches.
Some minor imperfections: The Soundproofing wasn’t perfect; I heard a kid screaming about ice cream at 7 am. No one’s perfect.
The overall experience was a dream, but I wish, if only for the future, I could be offered a room with a bathtub, or even an additional toilet
Services and Conveniences – A Mixed Bag
They offered a ton of stuff. Daily housekeeping was efficient. The Concierge was helpful, and the Luggage storage was a lifesaver. I was really thrilled with the Laundry service and Ironing service because let’s be honest, who wants to pack a wrinkle-filled wardrobe?
For the Kids & Overall, It’s a Solid Choice for Families – A Great Experience
It has Family/child friendly options. There are babysitting services and plenty of things to keep the little ones entertained.
Overall: Hague Beach Bliss is a winner! It’s a beautiful, mostly well-run hotel with a focus on relaxation, safety, and comfort. Yes, there were a few minor hiccups, but the positives far outweigh the negatives. Highly recommended!
I give it: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Astrid, I’ll be back for the massage. And the dishwasher. And maybe the whole darned experience!
Escape to Arnhem: Luxurious Garden Getaway in Well!
Okay, here's a messy, honest, and hopefully funny (and human!) travel itinerary for a beachy stay in The Hague, Netherlands, based around a comfy chalet with a dishwasher. Buckle up, buttercups, it's gonna be a wild ride.
The Absolutely-Not-Perfect Hague Chalet Adventure (and a bit of sea air)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Dishwasher Debacle (Oh, the Humanity!)
14:00 - 15:00: Arrive at the Airport (Hopefully…). Okay, so the flight should land at Amsterdam Schiphol. Keyword: should. Pray to the travel gods the luggage follows. I’m already picturing a frantic dash to lost and found if my favourite wool sweater disappears, and my comfort food, cookies. It's a tragedy, right? Right. From there, it's a train journey to Den Haag Centraal (The Hague Central Station), which, fingers crossed, won't take a lifetime. I'm terrible with train stations. I always get lost. I’ll probably choose the wrong platform and end up wandering around, muttering about the joys of pre-trip planning.
16:00 - 17:00: Chalet Check-In (Fingers Crossed…). Finding the chalet, a supposed haven of comfort, is the next hurdle. I imagine a scene of me dragging my suitcase down a cobbled street, huffing and puffing, while simultaneously trying to decipher the GPS and dodge rogue cyclists. And the dishwasher. The ultimate decider, the make or break. I might scream if it doesn’t work after a long day. I’m a simple woman, and a functioning dishwasher is a basic human right.
17:00 - 18:00: Chalet Inspection and Initial Meltdown. Unpack! I'll probably immediately start fretting about the pillows. Are they fluffy enough? Is the duvet…breathable? Is there a coffee machine? I need coffee, and I need a coffee machine. Also, the view. Does it have a sea view? This is crucial. It better have a sea view. And then… the dishwasher. We face the dishwasher together, two weary souls. I will test it immediately. If it doesn't work (prepare the tissues), I'll probably send a strongly worded email to the chalet owner, followed by copious amounts of wine.
18:00 - 20:00: Dinner & Beach Walk (If I’m not in a Coma). So, if I haven't already collapsed from exhaustion, I'll attempt to cook something… easy. I might even use the dishwasher! Or maybe not. Maybe it’ll be a takeaway. Dutch fries are a must. Then, a walk on the beach. Evening light on the North Sea… sigh. Hopefully. The wind will either be invigorating or blow my hair into a tangled mess, depending on the wind gods, which I'll probably complain about. I'll try to find some sea glass, and maybe I'll yell at the ocean, because why not?
20:00 onwards: Wine, Website Research, and Disappointment. Wine. Research potential restaurants and activities. There's a 70% chance I'll pick a place that's either closed or wildly overrated. And then, the dreaded "what if" thoughts will creep in. What if the beach is full of seagulls? What if the coffee machine explodes? What if I forget to pack my toothbrush? Sleep will be a distant dream.
Day 2: Scheveningen, Seafood, and Existential Dread
09:00 - 10:00: The Breakfast Challenge. Hopefully, I will have remembered some groceries! The morning might start with a minor crisis – like realizing I forgot to buy coffee filters, which will launch me into a full-blown existential crisis of the "what am I even doing with my life" variety.
10:00 - 12:00: Scheveningen Exploration (The Heart of My Concerns). Scheveningen! The famous beach side. The pier is calling. I'll probably spend an embarrassing amount of time taking pictures. I'll inevitably end up trying to ride one of those giant Ferris wheels. I’ll likely get trapped at the very top, panicking that I am going to fall. I’ll enjoy my stomach somersaulting and the fear of heights that always manages to overwhelm me. I might see a seal, and there will be an emotional moment.
12:00 - 13:00: The Seafood Conundrum. Lunch! Seafood is a must. But the decision paralysis will hit. Which restaurant? Fried fish? Herring? Oysters? I will overthink it. I'll probably choose something with too much garlic. Regret will follow.
13:00 - 15:00: Beach Bumming (Attempted). Sunscreen application is key! I'll attempt to relax on the beach. Key word: attempted. I'll probably get distracted by everything: children screaming, the wind, the people-watching opportunities (great for judging), a rogue seagull, and the inevitable urge to check my phone every five minutes. This is an exercise in futility.
15:00 - 16:00: The Madurodam Experience. If I have energy (and the weather is cooperating), I will go to Madurodam. I have always wanted to go. I'll act as impressed as I can, but secretly, I will be utterly mesmerized. It’s like a tiny, perfect world. And I’m a sucker for tiny, perfect things.
16:00 - 18:00: Museum Time? (Or More Beach?) Maybe, just maybe, a museum. The Louwman Museum (cars!) or the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (modern art!). Or…more beach, because I'm easily pleased and also exhausted. Depends on mood and energy levels. I will probably spend most of this time wondering if I should’ve stayed in bed.
18:00 - 20:00: Dinner, Second Attempt. I’m thinking a restaurant, but the pressure! The choice! I’ll probably spend 45 minutes scrolling through reviews, only to end up back where I started (starving).
20:00 onwards: Repeat Day 1. Wine. Website research. Disappointment. Is this really what my life is?
Day 3: Culture, Canals… and the Dishwasher's Fate
09:00 - 10:00: Breakfast, Round Two. The coffee machine is my best friend at this point. I should’ve bought more coffee filters. I should’ve bought more coffee in general. Maybe toast with a view? We'll see. I'm leaning toward toast with a prayer.
10:00 - 12:00: The Hague's Historic Center. So, yes… culture. The Binnenhof (Parliament buildings). The Paleis Noordeinde (the royal palace). I will try to appear knowledgeable. I'll probably accidentally mutter to myself that it's all very pretty, whilst thinking about the dishwasher.
12:00 - 13:00: Lunch, Take Three. I am thinking a traditional Dutch lunch. A bitterballen binge? Or maybe another herring. I’m starting to embrace the Dutch snacks.
13:00 - 15:00: Shopping and/or Canal Cruise. I’ll probably browse little boutiques with trinkets that I don’t need. Or… a canal cruise. That sounds relaxing. The chance of me falling asleep on the canal is high.
15:00 - 17:00: Final Dishwasher Check. Okay this is it. The ultimate test. I will load the dishwasher and run it, holding my breath. A moment of truth. It'll either be bliss or a final, desperate message, and this trip goes down the drain.
17:00 - 19:00: Last Supper. One last meal in The Hague. Some final Dutch treat will do.
Departure: Getting to the airport and getting back to the daily grind. The cycle continues. I will be sad to go. And already planning my return. And I'll probably want to buy a dishwasher and have a Dutch chalet.
Important Notes:
- This itinerary is subject to change. Spontaneity is key! (Or, more likely, laziness).
- Food will be a recurring theme.
- The dishwasher is a major plot point.
- I am not responsible for any emotional breakdowns, sunburnt skin, or accidental purchases.
- Enjoy!
Okay, spill the beans. Is the "Chic" Chalet ACTUALLY chic? Because, you know, Airbnb photos are often…misleading.
The DISHWASHER! Is it actually functional? Because a non-working dishwasher would be my vacation apocalypse.
Beach proximity? How close is “Hague Beach”? And is the beach…good? Like, worth the hype?
Parking situation? Is it a free-for-all, or am I going to be circling the block like a lost seagull?
What about the internet? Gotta know if I can stream my guilty pleasure shows.
Any unexpected downsides? Like, hidden quirks the listing doesn't mention?
Any local restaurants you'd recommend or should avoid at all costs? Spill the tea!
Regarding the "Chic" description – Give me the worst thing you experienced!
