Escape to Paradise: Stunning Beachfront Apartment in Rerik, Germany!
Escape to Paradise: …Or Just a Really Nice Beachfront Apartment in Rerik? (My Rambling Thoughts)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the "Escape to Paradise" beachfront apartment in Rerik, Germany, and let me tell you, it was… something. Trying to cram all this into a review is like trying to fit a freshly baked strudel into your suitcase - messy, delightful, and probably leading to a few crumbled bits.
(SEO & Metadata Smush - Just to Get it Out of the Way!)
- Keywords: Rerik, Germany, Beachfront Apartment, Escape to Paradise, Accessibility, Wheelchair Accessible, Spa, Sauna, Swimming Pool, Restaurant, Wifi, Breakfast, Family-Friendly, Pet-Friendly (but maybe not pet-friendly), Cleanliness, Safety, Waterfront, Baltic Sea, Relaxation, Vacation, Hotel Review, Apartment Review, Accessible Travel, German Coast.
- Sections: This is a long read, buckle up. I'll try to hit all the points, but my brain operates… uniquely.
(The Arrival - First Impressions & Accessibility, Oh My!)
Finding the place was easy enough. GPS got me there without too much drama (thank goodness for that!). The outside looked promising – that classic Baltic Coast charm with a modern twist. Now, I have to be brutally honest, before I go on about the view and the cocktails, I'm going to need to talk about "accessibility" because, and if you haven't guessed it by now, my mom uses a wheelchair and well, that is something to take into consideration.
- Accessibility: The website boasts "Facilities for disabled guests," alright. And the truth? It's mostly good. The elevator was a lifesaver, getting us from the ground floor to our apartment was a breeze. The entrance was level, and the hallways were wide enough to navigate easily. The apartment itself was decent - not perfect, mind you. The bathroom was kinda tight, and the shower was the kind that's a step up (not a good step for my folks). So, okay, let's say it’s mostly accessible. They could definitely improve, but props for even trying.
- Check-in/out [Contactless check-in/out]: Smooth as butter. No complaints on that. The whole process was slick, which is a huge win in my book.
- Car park [free of charge, on-site]: The car park was right there. Another win. Though, I did see one unfortunate soul wrestling with a particularly stubborn parking spot. (Don't worry, I helped him out).
(The Apartment ITSELF - Views, Vibes, and All That Jazz!)
Okay, now for the real deal. We finally got our key and went inside… and BAM! The view. The freaking view. The Baltic Sea was right there, shimmering under the afternoon sun. I’m talking floor-to-ceiling windows, people. Seriously, I could have stared at that water for days. The apartment itself was modern, clean (more on that later), and well-equipped.
- Available in all rooms: I'm just going to throw this in. It had everything you could want - Air conditioning, a Mini bar, Wifi (more on that later), a freaking scale (which, let's be real, is a blessing and a curse), and a really comfy sofa.
- Internet access - wireless, LAN: Free Wi-Fi? Yes! And it worked! Both the wireless and the LAN, not always the case when they say Free Wi-Fi.
- Room decorations: Minimalist, I liked it. Nothing too fussy, just clean lines and soothing colors.
- Non-smoking: THANK GOD! I hate the smell of smoke.
- Wake-up service: Never used it. I am a natural early-riser.
- Blackout curtains: Amazing. Slept like a baby (a baby with access to a mini-bar, mind you).
- Air conditioning: A lifesaver.
(The "Things to Do" Rundown - Spa, Pool, and the Almost Perfect Relaxation!)
This is where things got a little… complicated. The marketing materials promised a spa, a sauna, and a pool with a view. And yes, technically, they delivered.
- Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view: The outdoor pool was gorgeous. Infinity edge, looking right out onto the sea. Seriously Instagrammable. The water was a bit chilly, but the view more than made up for it.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom: The spa area was… okay. The sauna was nice and steamy, the steamroom was… steamy. The actual spa treatments? Well, they were alright. The masseuse was friendly, but I've had better massages. It felt a bit… rushed. The pool, the sauna, yes. The spa, well, not so much.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Didn't go. I was too busy staring at the ocean. Judging from the window, it looked well-equipped, though.
- Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap: These are all available, I never got the chance to try them.
(Cleanliness & Safety - The "Almost Perfectly Clean" Factor!)
Okay. "Clean" is a big deal, especially after the year we've all had. And they're trying. They really are.
- Cleanliness and safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They are definitely taking this seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks and gloves, all the usual stuff.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: A nice touch. I like my room to be cleaned, though.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good, I hope so!
- Hygiene certification: Check! Which gave me peace of mind.
- Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup: Yep, they had it all.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Generally observed.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: All good things to have.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: A nice touch. I like my room to be cleaned, though.
- Safety/security feature, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms: Yep, all the basics covered.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour]: Security was on point. They took security very seriously. Which is comforting.
- Exterior corridor, Non-smoking rooms, Soundproof rooms: Excellent.
(Dining, Drinking & Snacking - Food Glorious Food, With a Few Hiccups!)
The food situation was… a mixed bag. They had a restaurant, a bar, and a snack bar. And while I'm always up for a good meal, one of the best things about the apartment was the kitchen. I used that! You have to try the local smoked fish… wow. Back to the food.
- Restaurants, A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: The restaurant's view was fantastic. But the menu? A little predictable. The food was good, but not great. The breakfast buffet was decent, too.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A bit of a standard buffet.
- Bottle of water, Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker: The little things.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn't use it (again, the kitchen!).
- Bar, Happy hour: The bar! Great cocktails, stunning view. Happy hour? Sold.
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Salad in restaurant: No experience - sorry!
(Services & Conveniences - The "We Try Hard" Award!)
They certainly offered a lot.
- Daily housekeeping, Concierge, Doorman, Elevator: The basics.
- Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Currency exchange: Useful.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a plus.
- Cash withdrawal, Convenience store: Handy.
- Bicycle parking: Bike rentals available down the street.
- Laundry service, Ironing service, Dry cleaning: Didn't use them (again, I was too busy lounging!).
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes, of course.
- Facilities for disabled guests: As mentioned, they're trying.
- Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, Meeting stationery, Projector/LED display: Yes, they were all there, but I didn't see much going on.
- Gift/souvenir shop: A little too predictable.
- Cashless payment service, Invoice provided: Fine by me.
- **Food delivery
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your cookie-cutter travel itinerary! This is… well, this is my attempt at surviving a week near the beach in Rerik, Germany, with a functioning (hopefully) travel plan. And trust me, it's going to be messy.
Rerik Ramble: A Week of Coastal Chaos (and Hopefully, Some Relaxation)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Uncertainty (and Sausage Dreams)
- Morning (or, "Whenever We Actually Get Up"): Flight into Hamburg. Okay, so the flight itself was fine, other than the crying baby who seemed determined to win a screaming contest. Pray for the parents, I really did. Then, the train to Rostock. I’m already feeling the slight existential dread that always accompanies public transport. Will the WiFi work? Will I accidentally sit on someone’s luggage? Will I accidentally become that person?
- Afternoon: Rostock – rental car pickup. Seriously, German traffic is a beast. So much honking! So much…well, just a lot. Found the rental place, and the car is small, but hopefully it can handle the potholes of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The drive to Rerik felt longer than it was, which is the sign of a good road trip, I guess.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Arrived at the apartment in Rerik. A little stressful trying to find the key box, but eventually success! Apartment itself is…charming (read: a tad dated, but clean-ish). Right by the beach, which is the saving grace. Checked for bed bugs. Found none. Immediate sigh of relief. Unpack, rearrange the furniture (always), and decide that the balcony is definitely my happy place.
- Evening: Dinner! Oh god, the sausage. German sausage. This is the single thing I was most excited about. Found a local butcher shop. The smell alone was intoxicating. We gobbled down some Bratwurst and a curious sausage with cheese in it. Amazing. Followed by a walk on the beach. Sunset reflecting on the Baltic Sea. I swear, for a moment, I actually relaxed. Then I remembered the mountain of laundry I will not do.
Day 2: Seaside Sighs and Salty Mishaps
- Morning: Wake up, and this sounds ridiculous, I feel like I’m still dreaming. After a terrible night’s sleep. The bed is hard. My back is screaming. But the ocean is calling! Did find some coffee, which will be life-saving. Decide to take it slow.
- Late Morning: Beach time! It was idyllic. I put my toes into the cold Baltic water. The wind was a little bitey, but the sun was shining. Took a stupid number of photos of the sea gulls. Tried to build a sandcastle. Failed. Miserably. Kids, I have so much respect.
- Lunch: Fish rolls at a seaside cafe. The fish…wasn't what I expected! A bit too…fishy. Probably should have avoided the "special." But the fries? Divine.
- Afternoon: Cycling. Rent bikes. I haven't ridden a bike in ages. Nearly fell off about three times. But finally got the hang of it again. The coastal path is gorgeous. Accidentally biked past the same picturesque windmill about five times. Clearly, my sense of direction is nonexistent.
- Evening: Okay, dinner. Trying something new. Trying to not order sausage again. Ended up at an Italian place. Ordered the pasta. And, by the grace of god it was delicious. Still, I dream of sausage.
Day 3: Kühlungsborn Chaos and Crafty Confections
- Morning: A day trip to Kühlungsborn! This is a fancy resort town. I'm expecting… well, I'm expecting a complete contrast to Rerik's (charming) slightly low-key vibe. The drive's easy, and the coastal road is beautiful.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Wandering along the promenade, which is lined with shops and cafes. I’m instantly overwhelmed. Found a really nice bakery and bought way too many pastries. Chocolate croissant? YES. Cream-filled doughnut? YES. The whole thing was a blur of sugar-induced bliss.
- Afternoon: Sunbathing on the beach. It turns out, the Northern European sun is sneaky. Got a bit sunburned. Note to self: Pack more sunscreen.
- Evening: Back in Rerik. Decided to have a picnic. I bought some cheese, crackers and sausage! I tried to be fancy, but it was a disaster. The wind kept blowing the napkins away. the cheese melted. The ants are a problem. The sky is beautiful, though.
Day 4: Salty Shenanigans and Artistic Aspirations
- Morning: Decided to actually sleep in! Did some writing on the balcony. The goal: to actually finish some writing.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: The real experience begins. Trying my hand at painting. I’m not an artist. I have zero talent. But I’m attempting to capture the beauty of the Baltic Sea. Turns out, capturing the Baltic Sea is a lot harder than it looks. I created a total mess.
- Afternoon: Tried again with a new canvas. Less mess. The painting is…well, it's something. Let’s say it captures the spirit of the sea.
- Evening: A seafood restaurant. This is getting expensive. Ordered the smoked salmon. It was amazing! I’m going to dream of it.
Day 5: Wismar Wonders and Windmill Wanderings
- Morning: Another day trip, this time to Wismar. Okay, so I have a confession to make. I didn't really research Wismar before going. I just saw "UNESCO World Heritage Site" and thought, "sounds good!"
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Wismar. The architecture is amazing! I wandered through the market square, feeling completely dwarfed by the sheer grandeur of the buildings. Got a little lost in the back streets, which was probably the best part. Found a little cafe, and I ordered coffee and the weirdest pastry, which was essentially a giant custard-filled bun, and it was pretty amazing despite its weirdness.
- Afternoon: Back to Rerik. I'm winding down here. I think I'm actually starting to relax. Did some more writing. Then, a long walk along the beach, trying to find the perfect photo. Almost perfect.
- Evening: Cooked dinner! (Mostly). I went all in on a pasta. I’m getting so good at this! Had a glass of wine (or two. Or three.)
Day 6: Goodbye, Sea Sighs…and Souvenir Shenanigans!
- Morning: Last beach walk. I'm actually going to miss this place.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Souvenir shopping, which is always a trial. Found some cute little things.
- Afternoon: Packed. Started to clean up the apartment. Found a few leftover sausages. Ate them. Regrets? Zero.
- Evening: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Ordered the sausage, naturally. But not the fish. Just the promise of home.
Day 7: Homeward Bound (and the Aftermath)
- Morning: Drive back to Rostock and return the car. Pray the car doesn't explode on the way.
- Afternoon: Train to Hamburg.
- Evening: Flight home. My mind is filled with the images, the smells, the sounds and the tastes.
- And the aftermath: Still recovering. My back aches from the hard bed. I'm already planning my return. And I still dream of sausage.
This itinerary? It's not perfect. It's not even particularly well-organized. But hey, at least it's honest. Rerik, you beauty you. And Germany, I'll be back.
Crete Island Paradise: Your Dream Holiday Home Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: The Rerik Apartment – Ask Me Anything (Seriously, I've Been!)
Okay, is "Stunning Beachfront" REALLY a thing? Or is this just vacation-rental-speak for "You can *see* the beach from the window, if you squint?"
Alright, let's get REAL. Yes, the "stunning" part is… well, it's *almost* accurate. Look, Rerik’s beach is pretty, alright? Like, Instagram-worthy, golden-hour-filter-required-kinda-pretty. The apartment? It’s *right there*. Like, you can practically smell the salt and hear the seagulls gossiping. Now, "stunning" is, you know, subjective. If you're expecting some Maldives-level, blinding white sand, you might be slightly underwhelmed. This is Baltic Sea beach, folks. It’s got character. It’s got a bit of a pebble-y attitude. But the view from the balcony? *Chef's kiss*. Worth every penny. And that sunrise? Forget about it. My first morning, I was still half-asleep, stumbling out onto the balcony with a coffee (which, confession, I'd forgotten to bring, so it was instant. Don't judge.) and... BAM. Color explosion. Honestly, I almost cried. Okay, maybe I *did* cry a little. Don't tell anyone.
The listing mentions a fully-equipped kitchen. Does that mean I can, like, *actually* cook? Or is it one of those places where the "fully-equipped" means a single, dull knife and a toaster that hasn't seen the light of day in a decade?
Okay, the kitchen. This is crucial. I'm a foodie. I need to be able to at least TRY to cook. And yes, the kitchen is... *mostly* good. It's not a Michelin-star chef's dream, mind you, but it's got the essentials. Decent knives (thank God!), a proper oven, a good fridge... even a dishwasher! (Life saver, honestly). Now, here’s the *but*. One of the pots I used… let’s just say it had seen better days. It was a little dented, a little… *characterful*. But hey, it still got the job done. And the spatula? A bit wobbly. But don't let me put you off; you can totally whip up some decent meals. I made a mean pasta arrabiata one night, and a disastrous, but delicious, attempt at a seafood stew the next. (Let's just say I blame the fresh Baltic fish for not being… cooperative.) Bring your own spices though. That's my pro-tip. They have salt and pepper, but that's about it. Lesson learned the hard way. And for the love of all that is holy, pack good coffee. The instant stuff… well, we covered that.
Is Rerik actually *charming*, or is it the kind of "charming" where everything shuts down at 6 PM and you're left wandering the deserted streets?
Rerik is definitely charming. BUT, and it's a fairly significant but, its charm is of the *sleepy* variety. Think cozy, quaint, and very, very German. You're not gonna find a raging nightclub. Think more along the lines of delightful little cafes, ice cream parlors, and a few pubs with incredibly strong beer. I’m not gonna lie, the first night, I was a little… restless. It was a Friday, and I'd expected a bit more *buzz*. Everything WAS winding down. Turns out, Rerik does indeed shut down early-ish. But then, I stumbled upon a little *kneipe* tucked away down a side street (thanks, Google Maps!). It was filled with locals, all speaking rapid-fire German. I didn't understand a word, but the atmosphere was fantastic. And the beer? Perfection. It turned out to be the most charming night of the holiday. So, yes, it’s charming. Embrace the slow life, and learn a few basic German phrases. You’ll thank me later. Trust me. My attempt at ordering sausages involved a lot of pointing and smiling. It worked.
What's nearby? Are there any must-see things, or am I just stuck on a beach the entire time? (Not that that's a *bad* thing...)
Okay, so, beach time is definitely a priority. Embrace it. But yes, there is stuff to *do*. The apartment is a great base for exploring. You've got Rostock nearby (about a 45-minute drive), which is a larger city with more going on. Warnemünde, its beach town, is cute. I’d recommend that. Then there are the smaller towns and villages along the coast, each with their own character. You can rent bikes and cycle the coastal paths. They're beautiful. One day, I took a boat trip from the harbor. Don't ask me where to; I don't remember. I spent the whole time gazing at the water, thinking about life... and then I got seasick. (Not the best part of the trip, but a memorable one!) The point is, there's a lot to do. Just do your research. Or don't. Sometimes, the best days are the ones when you just wander. Honestly, going with the flow and eating ice cream every day is a perfectly valid itinerary, in my opinion. Do that.
What’s the deal with the Wi-Fi? Is it decent? Because I need to stay connected… for… work. (Cough).
Ah, the Wi-Fi. The bane of the modern traveler's existence. It… *works*. It's not super-powered, blazing-fast, fiber-optic internet, mind you. Think more… reliable, but occasionally a little… sleepy. You'll likely be able to stream, but don't expect to download huge files in seconds. Look, I'm a sucker for a good Netflix binge. I managed to watch a fair few episodes of whatever I was watching at the time. If you're reliant on the internet for work, and need to upload massive files on a regular basis, you might want to bring a portable hotspot, just in case. I mostly just did emails, and occasionally googled "best ice cream in Rerik." And hey, maybe the slightly slower internet is a *good* thing. It forces you to disconnect a little, and actually enjoy the view, smell the ocean, and you know… be in the actual vacation. But yes, the Wi-Fi is usable, just don't expect miracles.
Is it *actually* clean? Because nothing ruins a vacation faster than a sticky floor.
Cleanliness? Yes, exceptionally clean! Look, I'm a bit of a clean freak myself, so this is important to me. The apartment was spotless. Clean sheets, sparkling bathrooms, no dust bunnies lurking in corners. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a *little*. I did find one tiny stray crumb under the dining table. But honestly, it was probably mine. The cleaning team? They're on point. They apparently have some serious commitment to cleanliness. Everything was pristine, and it created a really relaxing environment. Seriously, coming back from a day at the beach to a perfectly clean apartment is a great feeling. It's one less thing to worry about, and you can just collapse on the sofa with a sigh of contentment. I give it a solid A+ for cleanliness. I would stayHotels With Balconys
Apartment in Rerik near the beach Rerik Germany
Apartment in Rerik near the beach Rerik Germany
