Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Farmhouse in the Belgian Woods
Escape to Paradise: Or, How I (Almost) Found My Zen in the Belgian Woods (and Ate My Weight in Frites)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe some Belgian waffles) on my recent "escape" to the Escape to Paradise farmhouse in the Belgian woods. Let me tell you, the name sets the expectations HIGH. Like, "floating on a cloud while being serenaded by a choir of angels" high. Did it live up? Well, that's the juicy stuff you’re here for, isn’t it?
SEO & Metadata Snippet (Before We Dive In):
- Title: Escape to Paradise Review: Luxurious Farmhouse in Belgian Woods – Is it Worth It?
- Meta Description: Honest review of Escape to Paradise, a luxurious farmhouse in the Belgian woods. Discover accessibility, amenities (spa, pool, dining), cleanliness, and all the juicy details for your getaway. See if it lives up to the hype! #BelgianWoods #FarmhouseReview #SpaGetaway #LuxuryTravel #Accessibility #FoodieLife
Let's Get Messy… Starting with Accessibility (Because Life Shouldn't Be a Climb for Everyone)
Right off the bat, I'm giving a very qualified thumbs up on accessibility. The website claims to cater to those with disabilities, and it's got a few key facilities that are generally good. There's mention of Facilities for disabled guests, and an Elevator. Crucially, the hotel has Car Park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]: A massive help. However… this isn't a fully-fledged assessment. The information is rather sparse, and if you rely on a wheelchair or have significant mobility issues, I'd strongly urge you to call ahead and grill them on the details. I didn't scrutinize this area personally (I wasn’t on a tight budget, I had a decent car), but I did notice some potential hurdles. I mean, a farmhouse in the woods by definition isn't always built for smooth, obstacle-free navigation. Make sure you get all that in order.
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking: My Second Home (And Why I Might Need a New Wardrobe)
Oh. My. Goodness. The food. Let's just say I gained a significant amount weight during this trip, and I don't regret a single gram.
- Restaurants: Plural! Yes! The Restaurants are, well, fantastic, and the Asian cuisine in restaurant was a pleasant surprise when I was fully expecting a lot of potatoes! The Vegetarian restaurant option earns some serious brownie points.
- Breakfast: The Breakfast [buffet] was insane. Think mountains of fresh fruit, pastries that practically begged to be eaten (and I obliged), and the most incredible waffles I have ever put in my mouth. Seriously, I dreamt about those waffles. I'm not even kidding. They were perfect – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and doused in enough Belgian chocolate to make Willy Wonka jealous. The Breakfast takeaway service option came in handy for late starts. And the Asian breakfast option was a welcome change.
- Lunch/Dinner: With the A la carte in restaurant dining option, I got lucky with the cuisine! And the Western cuisine in restaurant dishes!
- Bar/Poolside: Drinks at the Poolside bar were a must, especially after several hours doing nothing but contemplating my life while floating in the pool. The Coffee shop deserves a mention, as it's very good coffee and the staff are absolutely lovely.
- Snacks: The Snack bar was dangerous. Just saying.
- More: I took advantage of the Happy hour, and the Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver late one night when hunger called. The Bottle of water was essential. I am someone who needs them.
Hygiene and Safety: Did I Feel Like I Was Going to Catch the Plague? (Spoiler: Nope!)
Okay, let's be real. Post-pandemic, we're all a little freaked out about germs. I was particularly impressed with the measures taken in this regard.
- The Good Stuff: The hotel clearly takes cleanliness seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere (and I mean everywhere), Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. It made me feel a lot more at ease. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items made a big difference.
- The Not-So-Good (But Understandable): The Room sanitization opt-out available. I'm not sure why you'd opt out of this, but the option is there. I didn't personally utilize the Doctor/nurse on call, thank god.
Things to Do (Besides Eat): Relax, Reflect, and Maybe Get a Little Pampered
Alright, now for the REALLY good stuff: the relaxation! This is where Escape to Paradise really shines.
- The Spa/Sauna/Steamroom/Pool: Oh, glorious swimming pool! The Swimming pool itself was lovely, but the Pool with view elevated the experience to another level. I spent hours just staring out at the woods, contemplating the mysteries of the universe (and whether I should order another waffle). The Sauna was heavenly, as was the Spa/sauna combo. The Steamroom was also nice.
- Massages & Treatments: I splurged on a Body scrub and a Massage, and they were both utterly divine. I literally melted into the massage bed. Seriously, if you’re stressed, book a massage. It's practically mandatory. The option for Body wrap! Next time!
- Fitness: They have a Fitness center if you feel you need to work off all the food. I personally stuck to relaxing.
- Other: The Foot bath was a delightful surprise.
The Rooms: Cozy, Comfortable, and Actually Relaxing (For the Most Part)
My room (a non-smoking one, thank you very much) was beautiful.
- Essentials: Air conditioning, a comfy bed (with an Extra long bed!), a great view, a Seating area, a Desk to pretend I was working from (I wasn't), and a Refrigerator for my wine and cheese.
- Extras: Bathtub was great for sinking in, and soaking away the stress. They provided fluffy Bathrobes and Slippers. Even if the Alarm clock woke me up occasionally, I was never stressed about the Wake-up service. The Coffee/tea maker was a godsend for those early mornings.
- Minor Quibbles: The Internet access – LAN was a bit fiddly, and I mostly relied on the Wi-Fi [free]. I didn't love the location of a few of the electrical sockets (a Socket near the bed - why?!) and the Mirror wasn't exactly perfect, but those are minor annoyances.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Difference
- Stuff That Made Life Easier: The Daily housekeeping was efficient and unobtrusive. Front desk [24-hour] was helpful. Laundry service and Dry cleaning (essential after all that waffle-eating) were a bonus.
- For the Business Types (If You Must): There were Business facilities, including a Xerox/fax in business center, a Meeting/banquet facilities and all that jazz.
- The Little Luxuries: The Concierge was great for recommendations.
- Other: Elevator, Luggage storage. The Cash withdrawal was particularly useful.
For the Kids: Keeping the Little Ones Entertained (and the Parents Sane)
I didn't have any kids, so I can't give a first-hand account, but based on the info, it sounds like they are family-friendly.
- General: The place seems very family/child friendly
- Facilities: They've got Kids facilities and offer Babysitting service.
- Food: There's Kids meal.
The Nitty-Gritty: Fine Print and Random Thoughts
- Cashless payment service: Modern!
- Proposal spot: Aww.
- Smoking area: For those who need it.
- Pets allowed unavailable: Good.
Overall: Would I "Escape to Paradise" Again?
Absolutely. Despite a few minor imperfections (and the potential for a slightly expanded waistline), Escape to Paradise delivered on its promise of a relaxing and luxurious getaway. The incredible food, the stunning spa facilities, and the overall ambiance of the place make it a truly special experience. Just be prepared to loosen your belt and fully embrace the Belgian waffle life. You won't regret it. Consider the costs of a trip to the spa, if you're on a budget, then consider the costs of a trip to the spa, before you go.
Unbelievable Belvilla Deal: Ovada, Italy Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sterile, perfectly-formatted travel brochure. This is a REAL trip, to a farmhouse at the VERY edge of the woods in Manhay, Belgium. And it's going to be… well, let's just say it's going to be an experience. Grab your metaphorical (and maybe literal) snacks.
Title: Belgian Bliss (and Mild Panic): A Week in Manhay & the Woods. (Mostly Woods)
Day 1: Arrival and the (Almost) Lost Luggage Incident
- Morning: Brussels Airport. Ugh. Let's just say my flight was delayed. Again. I am pretty sure I saw the same guy from the last 3 flights waiting impatiently. I swear, he's like a travel anomaly. Anyway, finally touched down and IMMEDIATELY got the frantic texts from my friend, Sarah. She had gotten to the baggage carousel, and my bag, my trusty, slightly battered, but full-of-memories suitcase, was nowhere to be seen. Cue the inner meltdown.
- Afternoon: After a lot of frantic, bad French at the lost luggage desk, and a near-breakdown, finally it was found. Phew. We piled into a rental car that smelled vaguely of cheese and existential dread and started the drive to Manhay. Seriously, the GPS kept going off. And me with my (lack) of Belgian driving skills.
- Evening: Arrived at the farmhouse. "Farmhouse" is a generous description. It's more like a sprawling, wonky, adorable… thing. It's gorgeous, honestly. Stone walls, a fireplace big enough to roast a small dragon, and a view that legit makes you want to weep with joy. The air smells like woodsmoke and… potential adventure. We unpacked, ate a massive amount of cheese and bread (because Belgium, duh), and lit a fire. Sarah spent the time googling the local medical options which I didn't follow at all since I was tired.
- Nighttime: First walk through the woods. It's dark. Really, really dark. And the trees… they're HUGE. I'm convinced something's watching us. Actually, there's probably a badger. Or a very judging owl. We ended up back at the farmhouse drinking hot chocolate and telling scary stories.
Day 2: The Woods: My New Enemy (and Lover)
- Morning: Woke up to a symphony of birdsong and sunshine streaming through the window. Pure bliss. Made coffee, ate croissants, and vowed to embrace the serenity. Went for a proper walk in the woods.
- Afternoon: Got completely and utterly lost. Like, epic lost. Realized I have absolutely zero sense of direction. The forest, which was so beautiful the day before, suddenly turned into a maze of identical trees. Started panicking. Found a stream and sat there, trying to remember how to breathe. Eventually, a farmer, looking like he'd stepped straight out of a fairytale, led me back to the farmhouse.
- Evening: Sarah made a delicious carbonade flamande (beef stew). More wine. Feeling a bit better about the woods. Maybe it's not entirely evil. Started researching mushrooms, though I am still worried that I will poison myself.
Day 3: Durbuy's Charm and My Questionable Sense of Direction Returns
- Morning: Decided to be "cultured" (read: get out of the woods for a bit), so we drove to Durbuy, supposedly the "smallest city in the world." Wandered around the cobblestone streets, took a ton of photos which later I realised were all basically the same. The whole place is just a postcard.
- Afternoon: Tried, in a moment of insane optimism, to find a hiking trail back to the farmhouse. The GPS kept going off, as if it had a secret pact with my sense of direction, or rather, my lack of it. Three hours later, we were (again) hopelessly, hopelessly lost. Found a tiny, utterly charming cafe and consoled ourselves with Belgian waffles (with EVERYTHING).
- Evening: Back at the farmhouse, exhausted but fed again, we watched a dumb movie and made jokes about my navigational fails.
Day 4: The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (and Loving It)
- Morning: Slept in until the birdsong became unbearable (a good thing). Read a book in front of the fireplace. Drank too much coffee. The perfect morning.
- Afternoon: Decided to try painting. (I am NOT an artist. I can't even draw a stick figure that looks like a stick figure.) But, honestly, it was fun. Terrible, but fun. And the view from the window was so beautiful that even my awful painting skills couldn't ruin it.
- Evening: Prepared (and slightly burned) a pizza. Played board games. Laughed until my stomach hurt. This is the life.
Day 5: Chocolate and the Road Less Traveled (to Nowhere)
- Morning: Spent half the morning at a local chocolate shop. Holy. Mother. Of. Chocolate. It was HEAVEN. I bought everything, and by everything, I mean like 300 euros worth of chocolate. I am not a person who regrets what I buy, so it’s all good.
- Afternoon: Decided to explore more of the backroads. You know, "get off the beaten path." More like, "get hopelessly lost again, but in a different, even more remote location." Ended up on a tiny dirt track that eventually petered out into… a field. We laughed until we cried.
- Evening: Another fire, more wine, and plans to eat the rest of the chocolate before it melts.
Day 6: Goodbye(ish) and the Woods' Farewell
- Morning: One last walk in the woods. This time, it felt different. Maybe I'd grown accustomed to its mysteries. Maybe I had Stockholm Syndrome. Either way, it felt… peaceful. Watched the sun rise over the trees, promising to come back the next time.
- Afternoon: Packing. The inevitable sadness of leaving such a beautiful place. Tried to leave, but ended up finding another hidden chocolate shop.
- Evening: One last dinner, with local cheese, of course. Said goodbye to the farmhouse, to the woods, to the silence. The car ride back to Brussels was filled with a mix of exhaustion and contentment.
Day 7: Departure and Back to Reality
- Morning: Flew out of Brussels. No lost luggage this time. Just the lingering scent of woodsmoke, the ghosts of happy memories, and the promise of a return to Belgium. Back to reality.
Final Thoughts:
This trip to Manhay wasn't perfect. I got lost. I made mistakes. I ate too much cheese. But it was real. And it was wonderful. Belgium, you have my heart. And my stomach. I'll be back. Just maybe with a better sense of direction. Or at least a compass. And more chocolate. Definitely more chocolate.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Beach Bungalow in Nieuwvliet!
Escape to Paradise: The Belgain Farmhouse - Seriously? FAQs (And My Thoughts)
Okay, but *is* it truly paradise? And is this farmhouse actually... luxurious?
Paradise? Look, let's not get carried away. It's *pretty* damn close, though. Think less pristine tropical island, and more…well, the Belgian countryside. Which, spoiler alert, is stunning. Especially when you’re staring out a giant window with a steaming mug of coffee, the kind that makes you feel things. Luxuries are subjective, right? Someone might think a perfectly tiled bathroom is the epitome of high living. I, personally, appreciated the incredibly comfortable bed more. After schlepping through the woods for hours, my back thanked the heavens for that mattress. Though, let's be real, the *real* luxury was not having to do dishes. Seriously, that's a win in my book.
What about the location? Is it as secluded as it sounds? Do I need a Sherpa?
Secluded? Let me just say, my phone started questioning its life choices after the first day. No signal. *Bliss*. It's definitely in the woods, alright. And yes, you’ll likely need a car. Forget the bicycle dreams, unless you're built like a Tour de France champion and enjoy a serious uphill battle with some serious mud. The road is, shall we say, *rustic*. Think gravel, potholes that could swallow small cars whole, and the occasional charming cow wandering into your path. I actually got a little lost on our first grocery run. It turns out, GPS doesn't particularly appreciate the Belgian countryside. Lesson learned: download the map. Or, you know, embrace the adventure and ask a local. They’ll probably think you’re an idiot (fair), but at least they’ll point you in the right direction.
The photos look amazing. Is the reality as good as the pictures? (Be Honest!)
Okay, okay, here's the unvarnished truth: the photos are good... but they can't capture the *feeling*. They can't capture the sound of the rain gently drumming on the roof, or the smell of the fireplace after a long day of walking. The pictures highlight the big stuff and the beauty. The reality? Well, it's the little imperfections that make it truly special. Look, the floorboards creak. The Wi-Fi occasionally throws a tantrum when you actually NEED it. There was a tiny, persistent leak in the bathroom ceiling that I swear, I could hear it mocking me sometimes. But honestly? That stuff just added to the charm. It felt… real. It wasn’t some sterile, perfect hotel room. It was a lived-in, breathing space, and that, to me, is a huge win.
Is it kid-friendly? Because my offspring are chaos incarnate.
Hmm, "kid-friendly" is a spectrum, isn't it? It depends on your kids, frankly. There's plenty of space to run around outside - that's a HUGE plus, no end of adventure for the little people. The house itself is reasonably childproofed, assuming your offspring aren't prone to climbing walls or dismantling furniture (mine, unfortunately, are). I was pretty sure by the end of the week I'd be filing a missing persons report for one of them. The woods can be a bit of a gamble if the kids have wandering syndrome and, frankly, the mud is everywhere. So, yes, kid-friendly *with caveats*. Be prepared for mud. Lots. Of. Mud. Pack extra socks. And wine. You'll need a lot of wine.
What's the food situation like? Are there restaurants nearby, or should I pack my own survival kit?
Okay, let's talk food. The farmhouse has a fully equipped kitchen, which is fantastic. There's, like, everything you need. You can absolutely cook your own meals, and I highly recommend it. We did a big grocery run at the start of the trip. However, if cooking isn’t your jam, or, like me, you just fancy a break, the local options are a mixed bag. There's a cute little cafe a short drive away - serving absolutely delicious food to local standards. Then there's a restaurant or two which took some serious tracking down, but had some incredible food. I remember one place where the chef clearly felt like a rock star. The food was something else - and the atmosphere wasn’t bad either (though the price was a bit rockstar too). Bottom line: Some planning is required, but you won't starve. You can go straight to ordering take outs which is brilliant in a place with no signal, so plan ahead - do your research.
Tell me about the fireplace. Is it as romantic as it looks?
Oh, *the fireplace*. Let me tell you, the fireplace is a character in its own right. It's huge, stone-built, and utterly magical in the evenings. It's the kind of fireplace that makes you want to curl up with a book, a glass of wine (again with the wine!), and completely forget about the world. However... let me tell you about my first attempt to get that fireplace going. After a bit of a run I got a roaring fire going... which, in the ensuing hours, filled the house with smoke. It was more "rustic" than romantic, let's just say. The smoke alarm going off at 2 AM was a rude awakening. Eventually, I got the hang of it, but those first fire-building attempts are forever seared into my memory. So, yes. It's romantic. Assuming you have the fire-building skills of a medieval woodsman. Or a helpful instruction manual.
So, the Belgian countryside? What's there to *do*? Besides, you know, drink wine and stare at things.
Ah, the question of activity! Look, it's not the place for someone who needs constant stimulation. However, the Belgian countryside offers plenty to keep you occupied. Walking is a must, obviously. There are trails everywhere, from gentle strolls to serious hiking adventures. I got lost in the woods at least twice, which, honestly, was part of the fun. There is cycling. There's exploring local villages - one day we just stumbled into a farmers market, where I ate the *best* strawberries of my life. Seriously. Then there's Bruges, which is a short drive away, and oh-so-pretty. The museums are brilliant, and the chocolate... well, let's just say I returned home with a substantial chocolate souvenir. There are certainly worse places to be "bored.”
Would you go back? (Be honest, again!)
Without a doubt. Sure, it wasn't always perfect. There were moments of frustration, a near-miss with a rogue cow (another story for another time), and a distinct lack of cell service. But all of that just faded into the background the moment I took my first deepCoastal Inns
