Schoorl's BEST-KEPT Secret? This Fenced Holiday Home in Bergen Awaits!
Schoorl's BEST-KEPT Secret? More Like a Perfectly Crafted Holiday Home, with Quirks! (My Honestly Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I've just returned from a stay at Schoorl's "BEST-KEPT SECRET" and I have THOUGHTS. Lots and lots of them. This isn’t your typical sterile hotel review; this is a real person, spilling the beans, warts and all. So, here we go…
The Hype vs. Reality (and the Surprisingly Good Bits)
Let's get this straight: Schoorl's website promised an idyllic escape, a sanctuary of relaxation. Did it deliver on every promise? Nope. But honestly, that’s part of the charm. The place has character, almost like it’s winking at you, saying, "Yeah, we're pretty great, but we’re not perfect." And you know what? I’m here for it.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly a Good One!
Alright, I'll start with a crucial one. The website does mention facilities for disabled guests, and from what I saw, they've made a decent effort. The elevator was a lifesaver (especially after a particularly enthusiastic session in the…well, we’ll get there). Things felt pretty accessible, which is always a HUGE win.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Okay, the dining situation? A bit of a roller coaster.
- The Breakfast Buffet (and My Quest for Perfect Pancakes): The breakfast buffet was…well, it was a buffet. Standard fare. There were those fluffy, perfect looking pancakes. I knew I had to have them. But I was on my way back to my table with my plate full of pancakes when I dropped them. The staff were incredibly nice and brought me more immediately.
- Restaurants – Plenty of Options: There were a few restaurants on site, offering everything from Asian & International Cuisine.
- Room Service Rhapsody: I may or may not have taken advantage of the 24-hour room service several times. Don't judge me. That bed was just so comfy, and sometimes you just need a burger and fries at 2 am, okay?
Relaxation Stations (AKA Where I Lost Track of Time)
- The Pool with a View: Oh. My. God. The outdoor pool…it was stunning. Seriously. The view was breathtaking, and I spent a solid afternoon just floating, staring at the sky, and generally zoning out. Absolute bliss.
- The Spa (and My Muddy Misadventure): I did a body wrap. Now, I’m generally a bit of a spa-averse person. I'm more of a "get-it-done" type of person. But the ambiance was so relaxing; I was almost asleep on the table.
- Fitness Center: I Didn't Even Look But It's There: I saw the fitness center. It existed. I did not. (Let’s just say my idea of a workout is walking to the fridge.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Secure (Mostly)
Look, in this day and age, everyone’s hyper-sensitive to cleanliness, and Schoorl seems to get it. They had the usual hand sanitizers everywhere, staff wearing masks, and the room was spotless when I arrived. There was also a doctor/nurse on call.
Room Rundown: My Cozy Little Hideaway
My room was…well, it was perfect.
- The Bed: The bed was a cloud of comfort. Extra long. Blackout curtains, perfect.
- The Amenities: A safe, free wifi, complimentary tea, mini bar, all the usual suspects.
- My Favorite Touch: The little jar of biscuits they left by the coffee maker. Pure genius.
- A Quirky Complaint: The bathroom phone. Who even uses a bathroom phone anymore? It's all a little unnecessary, but maybe it's charming?
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- The Concierge: They were helpful, friendly, and just generally lovely to deal with.
- Daily Housekeeping: The room was always spotless. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly.
- Cash Withdrawal: It's always nice to know you can grab some cash without leaving the property.
- The Negatives: The facilities for the kids were nice, but I don't have kids, so I can only speculate.
Things to Do (Beyond Napping and Eating):
There was a bunch of stuff, but honestly, I mostly just wanted to chill. But, there were shops, and bike rentals.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy
- Car Park: Plenty of parking. Free. Always a bonus.
- Airport Transfer: Available!
- Taxi Service Was easy to find!
Overall?
Schoorl's "BEST-KEPT SECRET" isn't perfect. It has its quirks, its minor flaws. But that’s precisely what makes it so…charming. It’s a place you can truly relax, de-stress, and maybe accidentally eat three plates of pancakes at breakfast. Would I go back? Absolutely, in a heartbeat. It's a place I'd genuinely recommend to anyone looking for a relaxing getaway. Just, maybe, bring a book, an appetite, and a willingness to embrace the imperfections – because that’s where the real magic is.
Sauerland Escape: Stunning Marsberg Apartment with Terrace!
Alright, buckle up buttercups. This ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… me loose in Schoorl and Bergen, Netherlands. Expect windmills, potential meltdowns, and the undeniable urge to eat ALL the stroopwafels. Here we go!
Operation: FENCED FREEDOM (and hopefully, a little peace)
Day 1: Arrival and the Allure of the Dutch Door (and Impending Doom)
14:00: LANDING! (Eindhoven, not as glamorous as Amsterdam but hey, cheaper flights!). The sheer joy of fresh air after a cramped EasyJet flight is a religious experience. Except, and this is the important EXCEPT, I forgot my noise-canceling headphones. FML.
15:30: Pick up our rental car. Praying to the Dutch gods of driving that I don't immediately dent it. I swear, those cyclists look SO confident. Probably a conspiracy.
17:00: Arrive at the "Holiday Home." Or, as I'm now calling it, "The Fenced Fortress of Joy (and Mosquitoes)." The website promised "picturesque" and "charming." The reality? Well, it's a… house. With a fence! Praise be! We have a tiny little garden with a little table, and I'm immediately picturing myself, glass of wine in hand, watching the sunset. The reality is more like, the dog will pee on the gate, there will be midges, and my husband will immediately start "inspecting" the fence for weaknesses.
18:00: Grocery Shop. Okay, this is where things get real. This is where I discover my utter inability to read Dutch. I wandered around staring at the dairy aisle for a solid 20 minutes. Finally, I just grabbed the carton with the cutest cow on it. Praying it’s milk and not some fermented abomination.
19:00: Unpacking. This always takes longer than it should. I swear, I brought too many shoes. Maybe too little patience. The house DOES have a dutch door. I feel like I'm living in a fairytale. I'm immediately trying to decide my favourite part of the home, and the little kitchen is just charming.
20:00: Dinner. Attempted to cook something resembling food. It's… edible. The wine is good though. Victory!
21:00: Collapse into bed, completely exhausted. The first day is ALWAYS the hardest. Also, I think I heard a mouse. Or maybe it was just my own anxiety whispering, "You forgot the damn mosquito repellent."
Day 2: Bergen's Beaches and a Battle with the Beach Chair (and the Wind!)
08:00: Wake up. Not by choice. The sun. It's relentless. I can't decide if I should love it.
09:00: Breakfast in the pretty little kitchen. The coffee is strong. The sun comes out of the window and into my soul.
10:00: Beach Time! Bergen aan Zee, here we come! The website promised vast stretches of pristine sand. The reality? WIND. And a LOT of it. We're already battling the wind and the beach chairs…
11:00: This is where things got messy. The beach chair. That damn beach chair. After a epic struggle with the wind, the sand, and my own ineptitude, I finally managed to set up the chair. only to have some child run directly into it, sending me flying and causing a collective look of horror from the nearby people. So, so embarrassing. I sat down in a huff, and then I saw the ocean, the gulls, and had little a moment of peace, and took a deep, deep breath.
12:00: Lunch! Fish and chips (of course!). It was delicious and just made me happy.
13:00: Trying to walk on the beach. The wind is now my enemy. I'm fighting a losing battle. My hair is a tangled mess. I give up and join the wind and the waves.
14:00: Ice cream. All is forgiven. Specifically, the "stroopwafel" flavour. The BEST thing I've ever eaten.
15:00: We're headed back to the house, and the sand is in everything. The car. My shoes. My soul.
16:00: More wine. Because duh.
18:00: Cooking debacle #2. Something involving pasta. (Don't ask.) It's almost inedible. We laugh, we drink wine, we scrape most of it in the bin.
19:00: Watching tv. I'm so exhausted and I don't even care what we're watching. Another early night. Thank god.
Day 3: Schoorl's Dunes and a Close Encounter with a Horse (and my Fear of Heights)
- 09:00: Hiking in Schoorlse Duinen. They are truly incredible. Some of the best views I have ever seen. My husband is bouncing with energy, and I'm wondering if I can find a bench to just sit on.
- 10:00: My husband has a brilliant idea; "Let's walk along the top of the dunes!" Me, terrified of heights: "No!"
- 10:30: Of course, I'm being dragged up the monstrously large and endless sand dunes. There are a lot of stairs. The views are incredible, but I'm mostly focused on not falling to my death.
- 11:30: We spot some horses. Beautiful, majestic creatures. Then, one wanders a little too close. Cue me screaming like a banshee and my husband laughing his head off. "Don't they seem friendly" he says. I'm definitely not going to touch the horse.
- 13:00: Lunch at a cute little cafe. I order a giant sandwich and then eat the entire thing. I am not a graceful luncher.
- 15:00: Back at the house. The fence is still in place. The world is still turning.
Day 4: Random Acts of Dutch-ness (and the Reluctance to Leave)
- 09:00: Breakfast. Today, I add some actual fruit to the mix! Blueberries! (I can read "blueberries"!)
- 10:00: A bit of exploring. Small towns. Cute canals. The constant presence of bicycles.
- 12:00: Finally mastered the dutch door. I open, close, and open it again, just out of sheer joy.
- 13:00: Stroopwafels, round 2. Maybe round 5? (I've lost count)
- 15:00: Packing. The most depressing part of any trip.
- 16:00: One last walk around the garden. I'm already sad to leave.
- 17:00: Last-minute panic. Did I leave anything behind? Probably.
- 18:00: Drive to the airport. Contemplating booking the next flight back…
Departure:
- Departure from Eindhoven Airport
- Reflections: The Dutch air, the stroopwafels, and the beach chair incident. (Never again). Oh, and the fence (I'm starting to like the fence). The imperfections, the beauty, the chaos. A perfectly imperfect adventure. I'll be back. And next time, I'm bringing earplugs and a more comfortable beach chair. And maybe, just maybe, I'll try to ride a bike. Wish me luck.
Schoorl's BEST-KEPT Secret? (Or Maybe Not Anymore!) FAQ!
Okay, spill the beans. What *is* this "BEST-KEPT Secret" in Schoorl, anyway? Sounds fishy...
Alright, alright, I get it. You’re skeptical. Smart move! So, "Schoorl's BEST-KEPT Secret" is actually a fenced holiday home. Think cozy, kinda tucked away, near the coast in the lovely village of Schoorl, which is basically the gateway to the Dutch dunes and the beach. It’s the idyllic, “escape from the city” kind of place. You know, the one you see in the photos? Think Pinterest-y... but in real life. Or at least, that’s what the pictures *mostly* showed. We’ll get to *that* later…
Fenced? Seriously? Is this a prison getaway… or a holiday?
Whoa, hold on there, Alcatraz! The fence is more like… a very charming, rustic, almost ivy-covered fence. Think "privacy" and "keeping the rogue toddler contained," rather than "maximum security." It's perfect if you have little ones or are traveling with a very excitable dog (or a very excitable *me*, to be honest). Honestly, after a stressful week at work, the thought of being *contained* in a beautiful place with a book and a glass of wine? Sounds divine. Almost.
Bergen, Schoorl… Is it actually worth traveling *to*?
ABSOLUTELY. Listen. I'm a city person at heart. Give me a bustling street, a good coffee shop, and a museum any day. But Schoorl? Bergen? They’re… different. The air *smells* different. It's cleaner, crisper, somehow. You can walk for miles in the dunes with your dog (if you bring one!) and feel like you're the only person in the world. The beaches are HUGE, the sand is soft, and the sunsets are spectacular. Seriously, I almost welled up the first time I saw one. Don’t tell anyone. Okay, maybe you can tell everyone. But you won’t regret going. Just prepare for the sheer *calmness* to overwhelm you a bit at first. It's a good overwhelm.
What's the place *actually* like? Is it as perfect as the photos? (Be honest!)
Okay, here's where things get… real. The photos are lovely. *Generally*. The house is definitely comfortable. It's got a good kitchen (essential!), a nice living area. The beds were… well, one of them was *amazing*. The other? Let’s just say I woke up with a crick in my neck that I think *still* haunts me. And one of the sofas? Utterly swallowed me. I felt like I was sinking into a black hole of cushions. But! The garden *was* as idyllic as the pictures suggested. The fence? Very charming indeed. It felt… private. Peaceful. And, yes, the whole place had a certain *je ne sais quoi*… a cozy, lived-in feel. But don’t expect a pristine hotel room. Expect a *home*. And that’s the best part, really.
What's the biggest highlight? Best part of the whole experience?
Okay, okay, here's the **best** thing. One evening, we had absolutely torrential rain. Like, biblical levels. We were all huddled inside with a roaring fire (that, thankfully, worked perfectly). We had delicious food. We were laughing. (Despite the creaky bed issue, and sofa of doom.) And! We had zero phone signal. It was the perfect storm, actually. We actually *connected* – with each other, with the space, with the feeling of being completely, gloriously, utterly *off* the grid. I mean, technology addicts, be warned. Be. Warned. It was… liberating. That’s the highlight. That feeling, that complete sense of calm and being away from the endless notifications and emails and… *everything*. Pure bliss. THAT'S the BEST part.
What are the *downsides*? (Besides the possibly creaky bed…)
Alright, the honesty hour. First off… the weather can be *unpredictable*. Bring waterproofs! And if you're driving, maybe check the road conditions. Secondly… the internet. It wasn't *bad*, but it wasn't super fast either. This is potentially a good thing. Thirdly – and this is minor, but worth noting – the shops in Schoorl are… well, they’re not exactly teeming with late-night convenience stores. Plan ahead with your groceries. And finally… prepare to be a little… lazy. You’ll find yourselves wanting to just stay put, read a book, and stare out the window. Which is perfectly fine, of course! But if you're expecting a non-stop party, this ain't the place (but hey, the beach IS close!). Oh, and the parking… it's a bit of a dance, sometimes.
Would you recommend it? Honestly this time.
YES. Absolutely, unequivocally YES. Bed creaks and all. The minor inconveniences are SO worth it for the peace, the beauty, and the feeling of actually *disconnecting* from the world. It’s the perfect getaway for anyone who needs to recharge their batteries. If you want an escape, a moment to breathe, a chance to reconnect with yourself (and your loved ones)… book it. Just… book it. But don't tell *everyone* about it. We need to keep a little bit of that secret, right? (And, PS, maybe bring a bed topper… just in case!)
Okay, you’ve convinced me! So, what are the *actual* practical details?
Alright, the nitty-gritty. I’m not going to give you exact addresses or phone numbers here, because, well, that's part of the *secret* thing! But you can definitely find it. Do some online research. Look for holiday homes in Schoorl, near to the dunes. Booking is easy. Prices vary depending on the time of year, of course. Expect to pay a decent amount, but honestly, it's worth it. Consider it an investment in your mental health. And, finally… pack your wellies! You'll need them.
