Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Noordwijk Holiday Home with HUGE Garden!
Escape to Paradise: (Almost) Unforgettable Noordwijk Holiday Home - A Review That Might Just Make You Book! (Or Run Screaming)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This isn't your average, sanitized hotel review. I'm here to spill the tea on the "Luxurious Noordwijk Holiday Home with HUGE Garden!" that promised me paradise. Did I find it? Well, let's just say it was a journey. A glorious, slightly chaotic, occasionally infuriating journey.
First Impressions & Accessibility (or, the Stairway to… Well, Something):
The location? Stunning. Noordwijk's dunes and beach practically beckoned, and that promise of a “HUGE GARDEN”… sold! Driving up, the place looked impressive. A classic Dutch facade, clean lines, inviting… until you get to the entrance. Now, let's talk accessibility. The website vaguely mentioned "facilities for disabled guests." This isn't just about ramps, people! It's about the whole experience. I, thankfully, don't need full accessibility, but I did notice a distinct lack of elevators. My friend, Paul, who uses a cane, grumbled about the steps. A LOT. Seriously, getting to our room felt like climbing Everest, though the view from the top (spoiler alert!) was worth it. So, if you're mobility-challenged, give them a call before you book. Seriously.
SEO & Metadata (Because, Hey, The Internet):
- Title: Escape to Paradise: Noordwijk Holiday Home Review (Honest & Messy!)
- Keywords: Noordwijk, holiday home, review, Netherlands, luxury, garden, spa, beach, accessible, family friendly, restaurant, swimming pool, clean, safety, internet, wifi, pet friendly (if applicable), [insert specific amenities you are keen on].
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the "Luxurious Noordwijk Holiday Home," warts and all! Find out about accessibility, the epic garden, the spa, and everything in between. Is it worth the hype? Read on!
The Garden: A Playground of Epic Proportions (Almost)
The garden! Oh, the garden. It was huge. Vast! Promising endless possibilities. We envisioned lazy afternoons with cocktails, rambunctious games of… well, whatever people play outdoors. The reality? Glorious, but not quite effortless. There was a slight lack of… garden furniture. We ended up dragging some chairs from the terrace, and the resulting DIY aesthetic wasn't exactly Instagram-worthy, but hey, we made it work! Also, prepare for potential wildlife encounters. We're talking birds, squirrels, maybe a rogue badger. Nature is lovely, but sometimes, you just want a clean umbrella.
Things to Do & (Attempts at) Relaxation: Spa Day Salvation!
Thank goodness for the spa. After the stairs, the garden furniture hunt, and the occasional mosquito (bring repellent!), a visit to the spa was vital. And here, the holiday home delivered. The pool with a view? Breathtaking. The sauna? Steamy perfection. The massage? I almost floated away. Pure bliss. I spent a good hour just being, letting the tension melt away. The spa/sauna was something out of a dream. I did get to try a body wrap as well. Amazing! My skin felt like silk! It’s nice to just get away from the busy streets. The Steamroom was an extra cherry on top.
- Ways to Relax: Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath.
Cleanliness & Safety: Covid-Era Comfort (Mostly)
Okay, let's get real. We’re still in the shadow of… well, you know. The holiday home definitely took safety seriously. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. Staff masked. Everything felt clean and sanitized. I noticed “Daily disinfection in common areas” and “Rooms sanitized between stays.” They offered “Room sanitization opt-out available,” but let’s be honest, I wasn’t taking any chances. The hotel has a “Hygiene certification”. There was clear communication. The staff was well-trained and informed. It was good to see they take it so seriously.
- Cleanliness & Safety Highlights: Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Foodie Adventures (Mostly in the Hotel)
The on-site restaurants… were a mixed bag. The a la carte restaurant offered “Asian cuisine in restaurant”. There was a "Vegetarian restaurant" as well. The food was okay. Not mind-blowing, but definitely edible. And the “Poolside bar” was a lifesaver on a hot afternoon. They had a happy hour too! The “Coffee shop” was great for grabbing a quick caffeine fix before hitting the beach. The “Snack bar” was a total godsend for those late-night cravings. The "room service [24-hour]" was an absolute savior. The breakfast buffet? Decent, with the usual continental suspects. The "Breakfast [buffet]" was a nice touch. There was a salad in the restaurant too!
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Restaurants, Bar, Coffee shop, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Breakfast [buffet], Room service [24-hour].
Rooms & Amenities: Cozy Nests & Techy Bits
Our room? Spacious, well-appointed. We had a “Non-smoking” room. The “Air conditioning” worked like a charm. The bed was incredibly comfy. The “Free Wi-Fi” was a lifesaver. I was able to “Internet access – wireless” the entire time. The “Desk” kept me quite productive. The “Daily housekeeping” kept things tidy. The “Satellite/cable channels” were a nice extra. We had a window that opened! The mini bar was lovely! We had a private bathroom too. The “Shower”, shower. The “Bathtub”, bathtub.
- Room Highlights: Air conditioning, Free Wi-Fi, Desk, Daily housekeeping, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Shower, Bathtub, Seating Area, Sofa, Coffee/tea maker.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Sometimes):
The “Concierge” was helpful. The “Daily housekeeping” was great. The “Laundry service” was a lifesaver. The “Elevator” was, well, not available, but the staff offered to help with our luggage. The “Luggage storage” was useful. The "Cashless payment service" was easy. The “Doorman” was a nice touch. I loved the “Wi-Fi for special events” too.
- Services and Conveniences: Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Elevator, Luggage storage
- Internet: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Wi-Fi in public areas, Internet access
The Quirks, The Imperfections, The Almost "Paradise":
Look, this holiday home wasn't perfect. The stairs were a pain, the garden furniture situation could use some work, and the food was… well, let’s just say it wasn’t Michelin-starred. But? It had charm. It had soul. It had that “escape to paradise” vibe I craved. And the spa? The spa alone was worth the price of admission.
The Verdict: Book It? Maybe. Just Know What You’re Getting Into:
Would I recommend the “Luxurious Noordwijk Holiday Home”? Yes, but with caveats. If you're mobility-challenged, make sure to check accessibility. If you’re a stickler for perfection, be prepared for a few DIY moments. But if you’re looking for a relaxing, beautiful escape in a stunning location, with a killer spa and a garden begging to be explored? Book it. You won't regret it. Just pack your best walking shoes… and maybe some extra garden chairs.
Escape to Tuscany: Luxurious Belvilla Getaway in Quarrata!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your pristine, perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is the chaotic, delicious, slightly-burnt-at-the-edges truth of a holiday in Noordwijk, Netherlands. I'm aiming for "real" here, so brace yourselves for the inevitable meltdowns, moments of pure joy, and the constant, nagging feeling that you've forgotten something important (probably the cheese).
Cozy Holiday Home Adventure: Noordwijk, Netherlands (and the inevitable chaos)
Pre-Trip Nervousness (aka the panic before the storm):
- Weeks Before: Oh god, did I book the right place? The photos looked amazing – a spacious garden? I've dreamt of this! But what if the reality involves grumpy neighbors, questionable plumbing, and a garden overrun by aggressive snails? (I have a thing about snails. They're sneaky.)
- Days Before: Pack, pack, pack! The struggle is real. Can I possibly fit a week's worth of outfits, plus a rain jacket, walking shoes, and enough snacks to survive a zombie apocalypse? (Essentials, people.) I nearly forgot my passport! Deep breath Okay, we're good. (Hopefully.)
Day 1: Arrival and Garden Giddiness (followed by a minor hiccup)
- 14:00 - 15:00: Arrive at the holiday home! Cue the angels singing! Seriously, this place is adorable. The pictures didn't lie! The garden… OMG, the garden! Lush, green, beckoning me with promises of endless sunshine and a good book. I almost teared up. Almost.
- 15:00 - 16:00: Unpack. Try to organize everything, fail miserably. Discover a mysterious stain on one of the pillowcases. Sigh. It's a sign, I know it. A sign things will go awry.
- 16:00 - 17:00: Garden exploration! I take a photo. The sun is hitting it perfectly. I wander and fall in love with the roses. I'm going to have a wonderful time here, I just know it.
- 17:00 - 18:00: The food shop. My first foray into the local supermarket. I think the cashier gave me a look after I tried to pronounce "stroopwafels" ("strowp-what nows?" I said, apparently.) Still, managed to get enough supplies to make a decent dinner.
- 18:00 - 19:00: Dinner Disaster! I was so excited to grill something on the barbecue. Unfortunately, I had no idea how to light it. I spent the next hour struggling, my face turning red, my hands covered in charcoal dust. Finally gave up and ate the salad I had prepped. At this point in the evening, I was not amused.
Day 2: Beach Bliss (and Sunscreen Shame)
- 9:00 - 10:00: Wake up. Overwhelmed by the beauty of the garden.
- 10:00 - 13:00: Beach day! Noordwijk's beach is gorgeous. The sand is soft, the ocean is a cool blue. Spend an hour walking, feeling the sand through my toes. Oh, wait, where did i put the sunscreen? No matter. I'll grab some when I stop at the shop.
- 13:00 - 14:00: I got a little carried away and forgot the sunscreen. I forgot the sunscreen! I'm now a lobster. My arms are screaming. Lesson learned. Sunscreen is a necessity.
- 14:00 - 15:00: Back to the holiday home for emergency aloe vera application.
- 15:00 - 19:00: Rest. I can't do anything because I'm a lobster. I might die.
- 19:00: Manage a simple dinner, red as a beet.
Day 3: Cycling… or Attempted Cycling (plus a moment of pure zen)
- 9:00 - 11:00: Rent bikes! Ahh, the Dutch way. So liberating! Cycling along the coast, wind in my hair, almost like a local.
- 11:00-13:00: I discovered pretty quickly, that my cycling abilities are not up to Dutch standards. Still, managed to avoid any serious collisions. Stopped at a charming little cafe along the way for a coffee and to watch the world go by. It was a moment of pure zen.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch at a local "strandtent" (beach restaurant). I had fresh fish and chips. Pretty awesome!
- 15:00 - 18:00: Back to the holiday home. Collapse in the garden, read a book.
- 18:00 - 19:00: More delicious food.
Day 4: Town Exploration and Triumphant Cooking (with a side of Dutch eccentricity)
- 9:00 - 10:00: Explore Noordwijk town! Cute shops, quaint streets, a general feeling of "gezelligheid" (cosiness). I bought a postcard. I will keep it till I die.
- 10:00 - 12:00: Visit a local cheese shop. Okay, maybe I went a teeny bit overboard. I mean, who can resist Dutch cheese?
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch! I'd gotten brave… I ordered a “kroket” from the vending machine. I don’t know how to describe the taste… It was… an experience.
- 14:00 - 17:00: Cooking and chilling. I actually managed to cook a proper dinner! The cheese paid off.
- 18:00 - 19:00: Enjoyed a glorious sunset with my cheese.
Day 5: Day Trip to Leiden (and a Battle with a Windmill)
- 9:00 - 10:00: Train to Leiden!
- 10:00 - 14:00: Leiden is a beautiful city! Canals, historic buildings, you probably get it.
- 14:00 - 16:00: I decided to visit a windmill. It was tough going, all those stairs! But, once I got to the top, the view… was amazing.
- 16:00 - 17:00: After the windmill, I wandered for some time through the town, trying to find a decent coffee.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Back at the holiday home, tired but happy.
Day 6: Garden Day (and Philosophical Musings)
- All day: Honestly, just soaking up the garden. Reading, napping, watching the clouds drift by. A day for getting lost in thought. I did nothing. And it was glorious. I pondered the meaning of life, the purpose of cheese, and whether snails actually like being in gardens. Deep stuff, people, really deep.
Day 7: Departure (with a touch of melancholy)
- Morning: Pack. Attempt to leave the holiday home in a state that’s not completely disastrous. Say a sad farewell to the garden.
- Afternoon: Travel to the airport. Sigh.
- Evening: Reflect on the absolute rollercoaster of a week. I loved the garden. The cheese. The cycling (mostly). The questionable cooking. Even the sunburn. It was all part of the unpredictable, wonderfully imperfect adventure. I can't wait to go back.
Post-Trip Thoughts:
- Weeks Later: I see a snail in my own garden. I smile.
- Months Later: I'm already planning the next trip to Noordwijk. (And I'm buying more sunscreen.)
Escape to Paradise: Noordwijk Holiday Home - Let's Get Real (and a little messy!)
Okay, so...is this place REALLY as good as it sounds? Because honestly, I'm scrolling past a LOT of perfect-looking villas right now...
Alright, let's be honest. The marketing photos? Probably a *hair* more gorgeous than reality. (Sorry, marketing team, but you know it's true!) But yes, it's seriously good. Like, "almost made me cry happy tears while sipping wine in the utterly massive garden" good. Okay, maybe that was only *one* night... and maybe the tears were more about the sheer exhaustion of wrangling three kids all day... but still! It was blissful.
Think of this: You wake up, not to the sound of a blaring alarm, but birds chirping. (Unless, of course, your neighbors have taken up competitive rooster keeping. Then you’ll hear that too. Just kidding... Mostly.) You pad downstairs, probably still in your pajamas (no judgement!), and there's this HUGE kitchen. Light streams in… and you think, "Wow, I can *actually* make a decent breakfast without feeling like I’m crammed into a phone booth."
The point is, it’s way more than just a pretty face. It *feels* good. It feels like a real escape. Does it suffer from some minor annoyances? Of course! (See below...) But those little things are nothing compared to the overall experience. Honestly, I was a little bit bummed leaving. And I’m not usually a 'miss-a-house' type of person.
That HUGE garden... is it actually *that* huge? Because my kids are *always* asking "Are we there yet?" after five minutes.
Oh. My. Word. The garden. Okay, so I walked it the first day. And I mean *walked* it. It’s massive. Like, you could legitimately lose a small child in there (kidding! ...ish...). We're talking sprawling lawns, hidden nooks, the works. My kids, who usually treat a regular garden as a death trap filled with boredom, actually ran around for HOURS. Hours! (This is a mom win, people.)
My husband, bless his heart, spent about an hour happily mowing the lawn. He loves that sort of thing. Me? I set up a hammock and proceeded to nap, only to be rudely awoken by a rogue football hitting me in the face. (Note to self: Choose hammock spot *carefully*.)
But even with the occasional football projectile, it's incredible. Picnics, games, sunbathing, chasing after the dog (who actually *enjoyed* being chased in this garden), whatever your heart desires. It’s a proper, breathing, *living* space. Just... bring bug spray. The Dutch mosquitos are… persistent.
Is it "kid-friendly" or just "kid-tolerant"? Because there's a difference.
Okay, okay, *this* is important. I'd say… VERY kid-friendly. Not in that sanitized, "everything rounded and padded" kind of way, but in the "plenty of space to run wild and make a mess" kind of way. Seriously, my kids are… well, let's just say they're highly skilled in the art of chaos. There’s enough room, and enough distractions, that you're not constantly on edge worrying about breaking something expensive.
They had a blast. They found a robin’s nest (don't tell them, but I thought it was adorable!). They spent hours building magnificent sandcastles. They screamed, they giggled, they fought over toys, and generally just *lived*. And for the parents? It felt like a real holiday, not just glorified babysitting. (Though, let's be real, it *still* involved some babysitting. You can't escape that.)
Just… lock up any expensive breakables. My kids, bless their hearts again, have an uncanny knack for finding things they shouldn't touch.
What are the "must-do" activities nearby? (Besides, you know, staring longingly at the beach...)
Um, beach! Obviously. But seriously, Noordwijk is a gem. The beach is stunning, obviously. Like, postcard-worthy. We spent a *lot* of time there. But branching out...
**Beach (again, because it's that good):** Build a sandcastle, fly a kite, go for a walk, or just bury your toes in the sand while you blissfully zone out. (Highly recommend the zoning out part.)
**Keukenhof Gardens (Seasonal):** If you're there in spring, GO. Just… go. It's a riot of color and fragrance. Prepare for crowds (it's worth it). And take a LOT of photos. You'll need them.
**The town of Noordwijk:** Lovely little cafes, shops, a church to admire (if you're into that sort of thing… I am, sometimes!). Perfect for an afternoon stroll, with some good ice cream.
**Local bike routes:** Cycling is a HUGE deal in the Netherlands, and for good reason. Rent some bikes (we did it right from the villa!). The cycling paths are beautifully maintained - great for a gentle meander (with kids in tow; your pace will be significantly modified!).
**Amusement Park Duinrell (nearby):** Great for kids of all ages. Expect queues, lots of sugar, and a whole lot of screaming. (In a good way).
Anything... *not* quite perfect? Give me the dirt!
Okay, here's the truth. Nothing is ever *perfect*. And honestly, the imperfections are what make a place feel like home, right?
**The shower pressure:** It was... adequate. Not exactly a power wash experience, but it did the job. I’m used to a *fierce* shower, so it took a little getting used to.
**The internet:** It was… fine. Not super-fast, but good enough for streaming movies and staying connected. (I mean, I *did* have to check my emails… someone has to.)
**The stairs...:** They were a little steep. Which, with small kids and a tendency to trip over my own feet, was a *slight* source of anxiety. (But, you know, good exercise!).
**The mosquitos:** As mentioned… they exist. Bring extra bug spray. Trust me.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Absolutely. One hundred percent. Even with the slightly weak shower pressure, the (minimal) internet quirks, and the mosquito onslaught. The pros *massively* outweigh the cons. That feeling of space, the garden, the freedom… it's worth it. I'm already checking my calendar to see when weHotelish
