Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Seafront Lodge in Kamperland, Netherlands
Escape to Paradise: Kamperland's Luxurious Seafront Lodge - My Honest (and Slightly Rambling) Review
Okay, so picture this: you're craving escape. Real escape. Not that "pretend I'm on vacation while still scrolling through emails" kind, but the "I-need-to-smell-the-sea-and-forget-where-I-left-my-keys" kind. That's what I was after when I booked a stay at the Escape to Paradise lodge in Kamperland, Netherlands. And, well, let's just say it was…an experience. Buckle up, because this review's gonna be a wild ride, just like my attempts at navigating the Dutch countryside on a bike.
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(The Arrival & Initial Impressions - Hold My Stroopwafels):
From the get-go, Escape to Paradise tried to impress. The exterior? Sleek. Modern. Definitely Instagrammable (which, let's be honest, is half the battle these days). Finding the entrance was a bit of a maze, I swear. They do have a 24-hour front desk and a doorman (bless him, he looked like he'd seen a ghost when my suitcase nearly took him out), so that's a win for the "convenience" category. They even offer contactless check-in/out, which, bonus points! Because…well, germs.
Accessibility: Okay, Let's Be Real:
Alright, let's get the serious stuff out of the way. Access? Mixed, but I'll elaborate once more on the accessibility sections, so this will have more detail:
- Wheelchair Accessible: Good news, folks! Escape to Paradise has put some genuine effort into accommodating guests with mobility needs. The lifts are spacious, and the walkways are easily navigable. There are multiple accessible rooms available.
- Hotel Accessibility: There also are several things for guests to note: there are accessible elevators, parking is available for those with disabilities, and the rooms themselves are accessible. However, there could be more in the way of visual alarms.
The Room - My Sanctuary (and Slightly Too-Cold Fridge):
I booked a room with a view. A view! I needed a view. And the view? Spectacular. Panoramic, even. You could practically smell the salty air. They've got all the usual suspects in terms of amenities: air conditioning (thank heavens!), a mini-bar (slightly overpriced, but hey, convenience!), a safe, and the all-important free Wi-Fi. (Yes, the free Wi-Fi is in all rooms! Rejoice!). They also had the "additional toilet," a very nice touch, especially after my third coffee of the day. The bed was comfy, but my room was always a little cooler than I preferred, and I couldn't quite seem to find a way to fully adjust the temperature. So, a gentle nudge here, maybe? The fridge was definitely too cold, however. So cold my orange juice froze in the middle of the night!
Cleanliness & Safety - A Germophobe's Delight (mostly):
This is where Escape to Paradise truly shines. The Anti-viral cleaning products are definitely in use. I'm convinced they could wipe out any virus known to man with their cleaning supplies. Room sanitization opt-out available? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. What's even better is that the staff follow training, so you know they're paying attention. They had hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Everywhere. Here's a fun anecdote about how the staff handled sanitization: One time, I accidentally sneezed while walking and somehow made the hotel staff jump back as if I had a death threat. I'm not sure whether I was scared of their reaction or if they were just being overzealous. Either way, good job with safety. It was a bit too much, in all honesty, but I felt safe, and I cannot complain too much about that!
(Diving into the Good Stuff - Spa Day Dreams and Poolside Bliss)
Okay, let's talk about the fun stuff. Spa time! The Spa and the sauna were wonderful. I spent a solid two hours in the steam room. The massage was divine. Seriously, I think I almost fell asleep on the massage table. The Pool with a view? Gorgeous. Just…gorgeous. Definitely one of those moments where you feel like you're living in a postcard. The gym was well-equipped, though I gave it a miss. I was on vacation, right?
The Dining Scene - Buffets, Bars, and Baffling Choices:
The breakfast buffet? So. Much. Food. An Asian breakfast was available, which was interesting, but I mostly stuck to the more familiar options. The omelet station was my best friend every morning. They also had a salad in the restaurant and they were prepared with care. There were also places that offered international cuisines, including an Asian cuisine in the restaurant. I may have also enjoyed a beer or two at the bar, after a long day of enjoying the sea. They offer breakfast in room and a breakfast takeaway service, which is useful.
Drinking and Eating Details:
- Restaurants: There are several restaurants here, so there's a wide variety of eating opportunities
- Poolside Bar: The Poolside bar offered an assortment of drinks
- Snack Bar: Easy access Snack Bar. Very nice.
- A La Carte in Restaurant: Yes.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes.
- Western breakfast: Yes.
- Asian breakfast: Yes.
- Coffee shop: Yes, though, I wish they were open later.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Yes.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Yes.
- Happy hour: Yes!
Services & Conveniences - The Extras That Make a Difference:
They offer a ton – air conditioning in public areas (essential!), a convenience store, currency exchange (helpful!), daily housekeeping (my room was always spotless!), and even a concierge service. They also have a gift shop, a place to get some souvenirs. Here's a quick list:
- Free Wi-Fi: Available in all rooms.
- Car park [free of charge]: Useful.
- Car park [on-site]: Also useful.
- Dry cleaning: convenient.
- Elevator: Yep.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Check.
- Luggage storage: Handy!
For the Kids - Family Vibes:
I didn't bring any kids, but I saw a few families around, and seemed friendly. They had kids facilities.
Things to Do - Beyond the Beach:
While the beach is the main attraction, Escape to Paradise has some additional options. They have a fitness center, so you can enjoy the gym. You can also go to the spa and take a swim. You can also enjoy a body scrub and a body wrap.
Going Around - Getting There and Back:
- Airport transfer: They offer this.
- Taxi service: They can arrange this.
- Valet parking: They have these options.
- Bicycle parking: Seems like it.
(The Imperfections - Because Nothing's Perfect, Right?):
Now, let's get real. No place is perfect. The biggest downside? Some of the menus in the restaurants were maybe a little repetitive. The internet was decent, but I kept getting disconnected. Then again, the internet wasn't a priority, so I did not care too much. And yes, the prices, some of the prices, eek. But you're paying for the luxury experience, that's true. The staff were friendly but sometimes a bit too attentive. I'm a person, not a celebrity!
(The Verdict - Worth the Escape?)
Overall? Yes. Absolutely. Escape to Paradise is a genuinely lovely place to stay. It's clean, well-equipped, and the spa alone is worth the price of admission. Did I get my escape? Absolutely. It's a place to recharge, to relax, and to soak up the Dutch seaside vibes. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Just maybe, next time, I'll try the sauna before the happy hour. And maybe bring a sweater.
Escape to Italy's Hidden Gem: Unforgettable Belvilla Stay!
Okay, buckle up buttercup. This isn't your sanitized, Instagram-perfect travel itinerary. This is real life Kamperland, Netherlands, baby. Get ready for a chaotic, beautiful mess.
Kamperland Chaos: My Dutch Lodge Debacle (and Delicious Discoveries)
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and Attempted Zen
- Morning (and by morning, I mean probably 1 PM after a flight delay and a questionable airport breakfast sandwich): Landed in Amsterdam. Ugh, Amsterdam. It's beautiful, I know, but the sheer volume of bicycles is straight-up terrifying. Spent an hour wrestling a rental car that clearly hated me. Google Maps, bless its algorithmic heart, directed me to Kamperland…eventually. The drive? Gorgeous. Windmills, tulip fields (even in off-season, they're still a thing), cows looking judgmental.
- Afternoon: Arrived at the "Detached Luxury Lodge." Luxury is a relative term, right? It's lovely, don’t get me wrong. But the “garden nearby the sea”? Let's just say "nearby" is doing some heavy lifting there. It's more a "garden kinda near the sea if you squint and walk for 10 minutes." Unpacked, which is always a comedy of errors. My suitcase looks like a bomb went off in a thrift store. Found the welcome basket, which contained wine and cheese – God bless the Dutch.
- Evening: Attempted to achieve Zen in the garden. The sea breeze was lovely…until a rogue seagull swooped down and tried to steal my cheese. Pretty sure I yelled, "Get outta here, you feathered fiend!" at the top of my lungs. Not zen, not at all. Cooked dinner (pasta, because I’m predictable). Burned the garlic slightly. Meh. Wine. Bed. Praying for actual sleep, not another night of jet lag-fueled existential dread.
Day 2: Cycling Catastrophes and Culinary Redemption
- Morning: Rented a bike. This is where everything went slightly (okay, massively) sideways. Dutch bikes are designed to conquer the globe, I'm sure. Me? I almost went headfirst into a canal within the first 5 minutes. Managed to navigate the bike lanes, only to be overtaken by a small child on a tiny bike who gave me a withering look. My cycling confidence is at an all-time low.
- Afternoon: Decided to seek solace in the local market. OMG. Stroopwafels. Heaven. Purchased an obscene amount. Also, discovered "bitterballen" – deep-fried, savory goodness. Slightly questionable after the bike near-death experience, but I was already teetering on the edge, what's an entire plate of deliciousness to do? Walked along the beach, even though it was freezing. The wind whipped, the waves crashed, and I felt… strangely peaceful, despite my perpetually-muddy boots.
- Evening: Culinary redemption! Found a local restaurant. Ordered the mosselen (mussels) – a classic Dutch dish. They brought out a HUGE pot of steaming, garlicky goodness. Seriously. I demolished them. Absolutely inhaled the mussel pot. Best meal I've had in ages. Followed it with stroopwafels (again, because addiction is real). Felt incredibly full, happy, and slightly guilty. Definitely worth it.
Day 3: Zeeland's Wonderful Wildlife and the Great Beach Walk of 2024
- Morning: Decided to make up for the cycling debacle with a trip to the Oosterschelde National Park (because, why not have something slightly scenic going on) Saw seals! (from a distance, but still). Watched birds that looked like they were judging me. Was very cold, even with the appropriate clothing, and was quickly reminded of my terrible weather-forecasting skills. Spent a good hour inside the car just to warm up and watch the water (the seals wouldn't come anywhere near).
- Afternoon: Okay, I decided to go for a walk on the beach. It was freezing. The wind was blasting, and the sand was… well, it was everywhere. Got blown over once, nearly lost my hat twice, and probably looked (and felt) like a drowned rat. But the light! The vastness of the sea! The sheer, raw beauty of it made me forget about the minor details (like the sea spray freezing on my face). I swear I got a glimpse of pure, unadulterated joy.
- Evening: Back at the lodge. Felt windswept, but also rejuvenated. Tried to cook something fancy. Failed miserably. Ended up with scrambled eggs and more stroopwafels. The stroopwafels are definitely a theme here, aren’t they? Watched the sunset (gorgeous, again). The sky exploded with color, and I felt that familiar sense of peace descend again. Even that rogue seagull felt okay.
Day 4: Goodbye-ish and the Unsent Postcard
- Morning: Packing (the dreaded suitcase massacre, again). The lodge felt cozier. I felt a strange sense of ease with it. I even quite liked that slightly-iffy "garden nearby the sea". Made a mental note to bring gardening gloves next time and try and fix it up just a little. Had a last cup of Dutch coffee on the veranda.
- Afternoon: Started the tearful drive back to Amsterdam and got lost. A few wrong turns and a minor existential crisis later, I finally made it back. Did some last-minute souvenir shopping.
- Evening: Sitting in the airport, nursing a coffee (because I now need coffee, also, it's Amsterdam, even the airport coffee is good). Thinking about Kamperland, my "luxury" lodge, the sea, the wind, the stroopwafels, and the sheer, unapologetic chaos of it all. Bought a postcard to send to someone, but just couldn’t bring myself to write it. Too much to say, not enough space. Might just keep it as a reminder of all the things I would talk about if I had the time to sit and truly, deeply write.
Final Thoughts:
Kamperland. It wasn't perfect. It was messy, imperfect, full of near-disasters, and yet… absolutely wonderful. I’m leaving the Netherlands, this time around, ready to start all over.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Chalet Awaits in Asten, Tittmoning!
So, 'Escape to Paradise'… is it *actually* paradise? Because, you know, marketing...
Okay, real talk. Paradise? Well, it depends on your definition. If your paradise involves screaming kids, endless buffet lines, and a distinct lack of peace, then no. But if your paradise involves... (deep breath)... waking up to the sound of *actual* waves, a steaming cup of coffee on a balcony overlooking the sea, and the freedom to *actually* relax? Yeah, for me, it came pretty damn close.
The marketing photos are gorgeous, naturally. Think pristine white linen, perfectly arranged fruit baskets… My reality? A slightly crumpled linen, a slightly lopsided fruit basket because I totally panicked about bruising the peaches on the drive over, and a toddler who, let's just say, *enhanced* several (very) white areas with various shades of artistic expression. But even with the chaos, the sheer *location* redeemed everything. That sea view... I swear, it could hypnotize a grumpy badger. Worth it, even with the kid art.
What's the actual "lodge" like? Is it tiny and cramped?
Alright, the lodge itself… it's not a shoebox, thank goodness. It's spacious. Like, you can *breathe* spacious. We had the family suite (which, let's be honest, the "kids" are teenagers, who, bless 'em, still managed to argue in the vast expanse of the living room). There's a proper kitchen (very important!), a living room with a seriously comfy sofa (mandatory for Netflix binging), and a balcony that's essentially a sun-drenched extension of your own personal space.
The decor? Clean, modern, and - thank the gods - not fussy. Think calming whites, lots of natural light, and pops of blue and grey that perfectly reflect the sea. I was half-expecting some pretentious minimalist nightmare, but it was actually… comfortable. Important clarification: I'm not a “design” person. I'm a “does it make me feel stressed?” person, and this place passed the test. The only thing remotely stressful was figuring out how to work the coffee machine, but even that was a minor setback. You know, compared to my husband's attempt at parallel parking the car when we arrived…
The website says it's "seafront." Is it *really* beachfront? Because the internet lies.
Okay, this is critical. Because you're right, the internet is a liar more often than not. But in this case? Truth! It's not just "near" the beach. It's on it. Literally. Walk out of the lodge, take a few steps, and BAM – sand between your toes. I'm talking *proper* beach, with soft sand, and waves you can actually *hear* from your balcony.
My first morning, I just sat there in my pajamas, watching the sunrise and drinking coffee, feeling utterly peaceful… until my youngest (the artist, remember?) decided to use my brand new, very expensive, cashmere throw as a canvas. (Yes, it's still stained. Don't judge.) But even the cashmere crime couldn't diminish the sheer joy of that location. Walking on the beach at sunset, taking in the smell of the sea – it resets your soul. Trust me, after the daily grind, the constant stress, it was glorious. And the kids, even the moody teenagers, actually, *gasp*, enjoyed it! (Okay, only for about an hour. Then the phones came out. But hey, baby steps.)
What's there to *do* in Kamperland? Besides, you know, staring at the sea.
Alright, alright, so it's not exactly Ibiza. Kamperland is more about low-key relaxation. But that's exactly what I craved. That being said, there's still plenty to keep you occupied if you're not content just staring at the waves (although, I highly recommend it!).
First of all, cycling! The entire area is basically a cycling paradise. You can rent bikes easily, and there are tons of beautiful paths along the coast and through the countryside. I, being the ambitious one, suggested a family bike ride. My husband, being the practical one, said something about "wind resistance" and "uphill climbs" and ended up driving the car, while the kids moaned and I cycled, huffing and puffing and definitely not looking graceful, but still feeling smug with the sea breeze in my hair.
Then there are water sports. You can try windsurfing, kitesurfing, paddleboarding - all that stuff. I, however, opted for a slightly less energetic approach and just dipped my toes in the sea. And there’s the charming little town of Veere nearby, with its historic buildings and quaint cafes. We spent an afternoon there, and it was utterly delightful. We also saw some seals. It was all… very wholesome and lovely, even with the squabbling about who got the last ice cream. (Spoiler alert: it was the teenager).
Food! Tell me about the food! Because I live to eat.
Oh, the food. Okay, so look, this isn't Paris, but the Netherlands has some serious culinary delights (and, yes, I *did* attempt to find a good bakery). The lodge has a fully equipped kitchen, which is great if you like to cook (I don't, but my husband does, bless him). There is a grocery store nearby, so you can stock up on deliciousness.
The surrounding area has some fantastic restaurants. Fresh seafood, of course, is a must. Imagine: Perfectly grilled sole, delicious mussels, and amazing fries to soak up the last of the sauce. The restaurants overlooking the harbour at Veere are great for a relaxed meal. There are also a few little cafes serving fantastic local pastries (stroopwafels, people, stroopwafels!). I literally ate my weight in those things. And let's not forget the Dutch beer! I'm not a beer aficionado, but even *I* enjoyed a cold pilsner overlooking the sea. (Or, let's be honest, *several* cold pilsners.) The only downside? The inevitable food coma. But hey, that's a small price to pay for deliciousness, right?
Okay, so what *sucked*? Be honest. No place is perfect.
Right, let's get real. No place is perfect, and "Escape to Paradise" has its issues. First, the weather. It's the Netherlands, people. Expect rain. We had sunshine, glorious sunshine, for about half the time. The rest of the time? Grey skies and a brisk wind. Pack layers! I swear, I went from sunbathing to shivering in a fleece jacket in the space of an hour.
Second, the lack of immediate nightlife. If you're lookingHotel Haven Now
