Unbelievable! Fully Renovated Belgian Chalet Sleeps 9 - Somme-Leuze Awaits!
Unbelievable! Seriously Renovated Belgian Chalet - Somme-Leuze: My Messy, Honest, and Slightly Overenthusiastic Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at this "Unbelievable!" renovated Belgian chalet in Somme-Leuze, and honey, it's a whole vibe. Forget those perfectly curated Instagram posts – I'm here to give you the real deal, warts and all (mostly the adorable kind).
First Impressions (and My Initial Panic):
"Unbelievable!" is right. First off, it is a chalet. A big, beautiful, slightly intimidating chalet. I was picturing a cozy cabin, maybe with a friendly dog waiting at the door. Nope. This thing is grand. The exterior…well, let’s just say it’s Instagram-worthy. And yes, there's a free car park on-site, which is a godsend because navigating Belgian backroads is a competitive sport. Finding the entrance? Now that's where my inner chaos gremlin came out to play. Luckily, the 24-hour front desk was there (phew!), and they were super helpful even though I’d clearly been lost on the way and made a huge mess in getting there. I'm pretty sure they saw my face and just handed me the keys. Crisis averted.
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Stairs (Oh, the Stairs!)
Okay, let’s talk accessibility. This is important. While the website claims facilities for disabled guests… I'd approach that with caution. The place is sprawling and, well, it's a chalet. Lots of stairs. I'm reasonably healthy, but I felt like I'd climbed Everest by the time I reached my room (more on that beast later). The elevator was a lifesaver, but only accessing some areas. Bottom line: call them directly and ask specific questions about your needs. Don't rely on my slightly frazzled memory. Also, this place has a huge terrace. You can chill with a coffee or a glass of wine and enjoy the sun!
Rooms: My Himalayan Ascent & The Miracle of Blackout Curtains
My room was… a story. Think "lavish Swiss ski lodge meets Ikea." First of all, it had a desk. Which, as someone who works remotely, is ALWAYS a win. The desk came in really handy when I needed some time for work, as there's a great internet connection in the room, and also a high-speed internet in general. The internet [LAN] and wireless access were both flawless. There were all kinds of little touches: free bottled water, a coffee/tea station, and even bathrobes (oooh, fancy!). The bed…that bed. It was so comfortable, I literally melted into it. And the blackout curtains?! Pure. Bliss. They were magic. I slept like a baby every night, despite the chaos of my schedule. However, there are also some imperfections. The room decorations, while tasteful, were sometimes a bit… much. And maybe a little less the amount of towels would be better. Oh, also the extra long bed was amazing!!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe-Ish
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so I was super relieved by the focus on cleanliness. They're really going all out on this area. There’s are several precautions:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
I noticed staff wiping down surfaces constantly, and my room felt spotless. The staff, in general, seemed well-trained in the safety protocols. They actually do care!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and My Regretful Decision to Order Everything)
The chalet has a restaurant, a coffee shop, and a snack bar which are all fabulous! I was tempted to order everything on the menu, and I basically did!
- The breakfast buffet was an experience. Think croissants that practically melt in your mouth, a mountain of fresh fruit, and the kind of bacon that you dream about. The breakfast service was amazing with a huge variety of dishes.
- The restaurants offer a la carte, buffets, Asian, international, vegetarian, and western cuisine. They had a salad in restaurant, a soup in restaurant, coffee/tea in restaurant, desserts in restaurant, the bar and poolside bar! The food was amazing and the options were amazing. The menu was vast.
- The pool bar was great!
- I was there for a pretty sad event. I ate a lot. I drank a lot. I spent lots of time in my room trying to deal with it. It was really good, and helped me push through it. I also didn't feel alone during this event, and that was very important to me.
Ways to Relax: Spa Day = My Happy Place
Now, the real reason I booked this place: the spa/sauna! Oh. My. God. The spa is pure indulgence. I literally spent an entire afternoon flitting between the steam room, the sauna, the pool with view, and the outdoor swimming pool. They also have a fitness center, which I, a person whose idea of exercise is walking to the snack bar, did not touch. They also have massage and a foot bath! I think I reached a state of pure, unadulterated bliss. It was exactly what I needed. Definitely a highlight.
Things to Do: Exploring (and Maybe Getting Lost Again)
Somme-Leuze is a beautiful area, and the chalet is well-positioned for exploring. I didn’t actually do much exploring. Apparently, there's a lot to see and do, but I mostly stuck to the spa and trying every delicious and varied item on the menu.
Services and Conveniences: The “I Forgot My Toothbrush” Lifesavers
The concierge was helpful, and I definitely used the laundry service (hello, post-spa robe!). They have a convenience store where you can find things you need. There's also a gift shop – perfect for picking up a souvenir for your grandma (or yourself, no judgment). And the daily housekeeping kept my room looking respectable, even with my mess-making tendencies. Cash withdrawal is available.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Vibes They have a Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and a Kids meal! I don't have kids, but it seems pretty suitable for kids too.
The Little Details: A Few More Rambles
- Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (Praise be!) And yes, it worked flawlessly.
- Getting around: Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Airport transfer, Taxi service
- Check-in/out: I loved the contactless check-in/out, makes it so easy and quick.
- Other features: Elevator, Smoking area, and Non-smoking rooms.
The Verdict: Go, Just Go (But Bring Your Climbing Gear, Maybe)
Overall, this renovated Belgian chalet is pretty darn fantastic. It's a bit of a splurge, but the experience is worth it. The spa alone is worth the price of admission. Just be prepared for some stairs and embrace the chaos (and maybe pack some snacks – you never know). I rate it a solid four out of five stars. Would absolutely return. And next time, I'm definitely ordering everything on the menu again.
Corsica Paradise: Your Dream Santa Lucia di Moriani Holiday Home Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, Buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly-pruned travel itinerary. This is Somme-Leuze, Belgium, after months of dreaming, and us, a motley crew crammed into a newly-refurbished chalet ready to… well, we'll figure it out, shall we? This is gonna be good, or catastrophically hilarious. Either way, I'm bringing the wine.
Chalet Chaos: The Somme-Leuze Shenanigans (9 Souls, 1 Chalet, Infinite Possibilities)
The Players: (Names have been changed to protect the… well, everyone involved, really.)
- Me: The self-proclaimed "Trip Organizer" (read: easily distracted, prone to spontaneous chocolate purchases).
- Sarah: The Practical One. Always packing a first-aid kit and sensible shoes. Bless her.
- David: The Foodie. Already researching Michelin-star restaurants in a 50-mile radius. (We'll see about that, buddy!)
- Emily & John: The Newlyweds. Expect excessive PDA and the constant threat of "romantic" walks in the rain. (Bring a poncho, you two.)
- Mark & Lisa: The "Adventure Couple." Hiking boots, climbing ropes, the works. They make me tired just thinking about it.
- Karen: The "Free Spirit." Probably forgot her toothbrush. Probably won't care. God bless her.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Chalet Unveiling (Plus, the Mystery of the Missing Toiletries)
- 14:00: Arrival at the freshly renovated chalet. WHOA. Pictures online didn't do it justice. High ceilings, a fireplace that's actually functional (miracle!), and enough space to swing a cat (though, we won't be doing that). The anticipation is killing me! Let the unpacking begin!
- 14:30: The Great Toiletries Hunt. Apparently, someone (cough, Karen) forgot to pack her toothbrush. And her shampoo. And maybe everything else? We're already off to a stellar start, aren't we?
- 15:00: Unpacking. Endless unpacking! But let's face it, I'm probably the only that packed like a well-oiled machine. The others are still staring into their cases like they've never seen luggage before. Good thing I brought my snacks…
- 16:00: "Chalet Orientation." Sarah, bless her heart, tries to organize the distribution of rooms. Chaos ensues. Arguments over who gets the "master suite" with the best view (Emily and John, naturally). Eventually, we stumble upon a reasonably acceptable arrangement and settle in.
- 17:00: Wine o'clock and casual browsing of the local shops. We find a charming little bakery - it's not a want, it a need to buy a 'tarte au sucre' for a welcome gift for the group! Yes, I’m already planning my second breakfast.
- 18:00: Dinner prep. David's already in the kitchen, hovering over the oven like a celebrity chef. Tonight, we're apparently making a… Wait, what IS that? "Belgian Carbonade?" I nod and pretend to know what it is.
- 20:00: Dinner. The carbonade is surprisingly good. David's face beams with pride. Emily and John sneak kisses. Mark and Lisa start planning tomorrow's hike. Karen is already wandering around outside, staring at the stars. And I'm plotting my escape to find more snacks.
Day 2: Rambles and Revelations… and Lost in the Woods (Again!)
- 09:00: Waking up! Morning coffee and pancakes. Okay, maybe a few pancakes.
- 10:00: Hike. Mark and Lisa are already ready, practically bouncing with energy. Sarah has a map (thank goodness). I’m mainly there for moral support and the photo ops.
- 11:00: We're lost. Shocking, I know. The "easy" trail suddenly turns into a muddy, overgrown obstacle course. Mark and Lisa are loving it. Sarah is consulting the map every 5 seconds. I’m secretly enjoying the excuse to stop and admire the scenery (and take more pictures). Emily and John are happily holding hands. Karen is skipping ahead, probably talking to a tree.
- 12:30: We finally find our way back to the main path, slightly muddy, and with our collective spirit slightly crushed. Time for lunch!
- 14:00: Lunch at a local brasserie. Ordered for a 'croque monsieur' and a chilled beer. We need it, trust me.
- 15:00: Relaxing in the sun. I'm in.
- 18:00: Trying out one of the local restaurants. Amazing food, and of course my first choice, a proper Belgian beer with some fries!
- 20:00: Board games and a roaring fire. Emily and John are still at it. Mark and Lisa are comparing hiking scars. Karen is, well, being Karen. It's perfect.
Day 3: Caves and Castles… and Getting Lost (Again?!?)
- 09:00: The Great Breakfast Debacle of 2024. Burnt toast, missing coffee filters, and David's increasingly stressed facial expressions. It's all part of the charm, right?
- 10:00: We decide to visit the caves of Somme-Leuze. Ooh, mysterious! Ominous! I love adventure!
- 13:00: Castles! We stumble upon a castle on the way (no surprise). Emily and John are over the moon. Cue the inevitable romantic photoshoot.
- 14:00: Back to the chalet for a siesta. I'm pooped!
- 16:00: We venture into the local shops. The bakery beckons again. More tarte au sucre, please!
- 18:00: Cooking lesson. David, god bless him wants to teach us how to make waffles. Surprisingly, even I can follow this.
- 20:00: Waffle feast! We all made them and a good bottle of champagne.
Day 4: Farewell Feast & Fond Memories (and Vague Promises to Stay in Touch)
- 09:00: Packing and the inevitable end-of-trip melancholy starts to set in. But hey, at least we have a fridge full of leftovers!
- 10:00: Breakfast. We eat a lot of omelets and leftover waffles.
- 11:00: Final walk around the chalet. Sigh.
- 12:00: We pack up the cars and say our goodbyes. Hugs all around (Sarah’s organized them). Vague promises to get together again soon.
- 13:00: Depart Somme-Leuze.
- 15:00: Back home! Already planning the next trip.
Messy, wonderful, and completely worth it.
This is a taste. The real story is in the laughter, the inside jokes, the unexpected detours, and the quiet moments of connection. It's in the details I didn't write down. And that, my friends, is what makes a trip like this truly unforgettable.
Unbelievable Belvilla Deal: Urbania, Italy Awaits!
Unbelievable! Fully Renovated Belgian Chalet Sleeps 9 - Let's Get Real! Somme-Leuze Awaits and So Do I!
Okay, so... "Fully Renovated," huh? Does that mean *everything* is new? Because I've been burned before.
Nine people? Nine?! Is it like, sardines in a tin, or is there actually some room to breathe? And what about the parking?
The Somme-Leuze surroundings… What's the vibe? Is it boring, or is there something to actually *do*? Because sitting around twiddling my thumbs isn't my idea of a vacation.
What's the kitchen situation like? I cook, and I can't live on just croissants and Belgian fries. Although...
Is it kid-friendly? Or would I be battling meltdowns and sticky fingers the entire time?
WiFi? Because, let's be honest, I'm going to need to check Instagram at some point. And maybe do a little work... (don't tell my boss).
Anything else I should know *before* I book? Any hidden gotchas?
