Escape to Paradise: Stunning Beachfront Holiday Home in Noordwijkerhout!
Escape to Paradise: Well… It's Complicated. (A Noordwijkerhout Beachfront Home Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from "Escape to Paradise: Stunning Beachfront Holiday Home in Noordwijkerhout!" and let me tell you… it was a journey. I’m talking rollercoaster of emotions, punctuated by seagulls and questionable Dutch coffee. Let’s dissect this, shall we? Because honestly, I need to talk about it. Therapy is expensive; a review is free!
First Impressions: The Beach, The Breeze… The Brochure Lies?
The name? “Escape to Paradise?” Bold. My expectations were sky-high. I envisioned myself, a majestic figure, emerging from a perfectly sculpted seashell, shimmering in the golden hour… reality, however, was slightly less glamorous. The beach was stunning, I'll concede that. The wind whipped my hair into a tangled mess worthy of a pre-Raphaelite painting, but the “stunning beachfront holiday home?” Well, let’s just say “charming” is a kinder word than I initially used.
Getting There & Getting In: Accessibility & Convenience (Or Lack Thereof)
Accessibility: This is where things started to feel like a maze crafted by a particularly grumpy dwarf.
- The listing claimed access for disabled guests, but getting in, even with a rolling suitcase (which is basically me in a less-glamorous form), felt like an Olympic sport. I'm talking tight corners, a few unexpected steps (not ideal!), and doors that seemed to actively resist opening. My advice? Call ahead and double-check everything if accessibility is crucial. Don’t just trust the website. Trust me. I almost had a full-on meltdown trying to get my luggage in.
Getting There & Getting Around:
- They offer Airport Transfer (THANK GOD). Trust me, after the accessibility fiasco, you’ll want to avoid public transport.
- Car Park: Free! On-site! Praise be! Though the parking spaces were also….compact.
- Okay, also, there's Valet Parking, but I'm not fancy enough for that.
- Taxi? Sure, if you're willing to wait, because Noordwijkerhout's taxi situation is about as reliable as a chocolate teapot in July.
- Bike Parking; apparently. I didn't see any. But I'm sure it was there somewhere…. hidden.
Check-in/out & Services:
- Check-in/out [express/private]: Mixed bag. Some things were fast, others took forever. Because Netherlands.
- Concierge: Nice enough, but a bit… underwhelmed. They seemed mostly interested in telling me about the local windmills. I'm more of a "give me a massage and a cocktail" kind of traveller, but, hey, windmills are cool, I guess?
- Cash withdrawal: Had to walk like, 15 minutes.
- Doorman: Absent.
- 24-hour front desk: Good. I probably woke them up, I apologize.
- Luggage storage: Useful!
- Daily housekeeping: Absolutely! Always appreciated.
The Room: Promises, Promises (and the Occasional Crumble)
So, the room. "Available in all rooms" lists include like, everything. From "Air conditioning" to "Alarm clock" and "Complimentary tea" to "Window that opens." Here's the nitty-gritty:
- The Good:
- The View: Outstanding. Seriously, the beach views from the balcony were worth the price of admission alone. And the sounds – crashing waves, screaming gulls… it was pure escapism. Okay, I actually cried a little at sunset. Don't judge.
- Bed: Comfy enough. I’m a sucker for a good bed, and this one delivered (eventually… after I wrestled with the comforter for a solid five minutes).
- Blackout curtains: Essential for someone who likes to sleep until noon (ahem, me).
- Free Wi-Fi: Essential for someone who likes to post smug vacation photos (again, me). And it was, in fact, free and available in all rooms! Score one for the brochure, I guess.
- Room service (24-hour): Hallelujah! Because a girl needs a midnight snack.
- The Bathroom The bathtub was enormous!
- The…Less Good:
- Soundproofing: Let's just say the sound of seagulls is very, very persistent. And the doors are, like, slightly flimsy, you can hear everything.
- Air conditioning: Worked… intermittently. Sometimes it felt like I was in a freezer, other times, a sauna. Classic.
- The ‘Mini Bar’: Felt like a collection of things I’d actively avoid in real life.
- The Decoration I wanted to scream "less beige."
- The Mirror The mirror was only positioned, so you could see the door. A crime, I tell you! A CRIME!
- The Desk: Had no plugs. What is the point?
- The Internet It was fast at times, and then slow.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Or, Where Did I Get the Calories?)
Restaurants: Yes! Several! But…
- A la carte: Fine, nothing to write home about.
- Breakfast (buffet) in restaurant: Adequate. The coffee was average. The pastries were… well, let's just say I’ve had better (and worse). There's Asian items. Okay.
- Poolside bar: Decent. Happy hour was… happy. (Especially after the accessibility/room dramas).
- Room service: Saved my bacon (literally). The burgers were actually pretty good.
- Desserts in restaurant: Hit-and-miss.
- International cuisine in restaurant: All right.
- Vegetarian restaurant: I didn't even see it…
- Salad in restaurant: It was there.
Other Notes:
- Bottle of water: Provided. Nice touch. But I'm a bottomless pit, so…
- Convenience store: Useful for stocking up on snacks.
- Coffee shop: I preferred my coffee in bed.
- Happy hour: Because cocktails are essential travel fuel.
- Snack bar: I think it existed. I was usually in the restaurant, the bar, or the convenience store.
- Western breakfast: Okay-ish.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax: Spa Dreams vs. Reality Bites
This is where the “Escape to Paradise” really had me intrigued. The list of things to do was, let's say, ambitious.
- The Spa Experience:
- Spa/sauna and Steamroom: Yes! There and magnificent.
- Body scrub/Body wrap: Available and I didn't manage to get one!
- Foot bath: Now we are talking. Actually, I did get one!
- Massage: Booked! Expensive, but worth every penny. I felt like a newborn baby (a very relaxed newborn baby, at least).
- Pool with view: The pool was amazing.
- Swimming pool [outdoor] It was freezing.
- Fitness Center: I looked. It was a standard hotel gym. I'm not a gym person, so I gave it a miss.
- Other "Things to do"
- CCTV in common areas: Good to know.
- CCTV outside property: Also good to know.
- Proposal spot: Okay, this is getting a little weird…
- Shrine: There's something for everyone!
- Terrace: Ah!
Cleanliness & Safety: Sanitizing, Seriously
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw them doing it, which was reassuring.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Standard, thankfully.
- Hygiene certification: That's good.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Appreciated.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I did not opt out.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Absolutely.
- Safe dining setup: Certainly felt safe.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes.
- First aid kit: Thank goodness.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
For the Kids… and Anyone Who Likes to Pretend:
- Babysitting service: Nice to know it's there.
- Family/child friendly: Judging by the kids I saw, yes.
- Kids meal: I did not order one.
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the Dutch coast, ditching the perfectly curated Instagram feed for the REAL DEAL. This ain't your cookie-cutter itinerary; this is my attempt to survive (and maybe even thrive) a holiday in Noordwijkerhout – beach, sea, dunes, and a lake? Sounds ambitious, but I'm ready to be humbled by nature (and maybe a rogue seagull).
THE GREAT NOORDWIJKERHOUT ADVENTURE (OR, HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE SAND)
Day 1: Arrival and the "OMG THIS HOUSE IS AMAZING" Phase
- Morning: Arrive, bleary-eyed, at Schiphol Airport. The train to Leiden is a breeze, until I realize I've forgotten my adapter. Cue immediate panic. I picture myself perpetually with a dead phone, doomed to wander the dunes, lost and alone.
- Afternoon: Finally, finally, we arrive. Dragging our luggage through cobbled streets felt like a mission. Finding the holiday house… OH. MY. GOD. (That's a direct quote from my notes). The "fresh and colorful" description didn't do it justice; it's like a Wes Anderson film exploded, but in a good way. Pastel colors, quirky artwork, and a balcony that practically screams "sunset cocktails." I'm in love. Immediately spill coffee on the pristine white sofa. Rookie mistake.
- Evening: A frantic grocery run. I attempted to act suave while communicating with the grocery store clerk with the basics of English, but my Dutch is… non-existent. Managed to buy a bag full of stuff I haven't got the faintest idea what they are, but hey, "adventure!" A quick beach stroll. The wind is bracing, the sky is vast, and I almost get sandblasted. My first impression: very, very clean. Finish the day with a bottle of wine on the balcony, feeling smug and utterly exhausted. I'm already regretting not packing my comfiest slippers.
Day 2: Dunes, Disasters, and Deliciousness
- Morning: Ambitious plan: Cycle ride along the dunes to discover the beach! But first, breakfast. Attempt to make a fancy breakfast with my unknown grocery items. In the end, It turns out to be quite good. The ride is epic, and the scenery is spectacular, but the wind… the WIND! It's like a constant headwind, even when I'm going downhill. My thighs are screaming, my hair is a tangled mess, and I'm pretty sure I swallowed half the North Sea. Then, disaster strikes. My bike chain snaps. I swear at the sky and have to walk back along the dunes. At least the views are great.
- Afternoon: Found a charming little cafe near the dunes to warm up and drink some Dutch Coffee. Sat here, enjoying the scenery, and the coffee, and then suddenly, the wind came back with a venegance.
- Evening: We attempted the local fish and chips, which was a big success! Got back, and we watched a movie, enjoying some well deserved rest to the next day.
Day 3: The Lake, The Lost, and the Longing for Cheese
- Morning: Head to the lake. It’s supposed to be incredibly picturesque. I arrive, hopeful, but end up feeling a bit…underwhelmed. It's pretty, sure, but somehow not as magical as the pictures. Maybe I'm just spoiled by the sheer drama of the North Sea.
- Afternoon: Decide to explore the town, and promptly get lost. Every street looks the same, and my phone is, of course, low battery. Panic level: rising. I stumble into a tourist information, where they give me a map, and a look that says, "Bless your heart."
- Evening: Found a cheese shop. Rejoice! This is my happy place. Spend an ungodly amount of time and money on various cheeses. I try to explain, in broken English, my deep and abiding love for cheese, and the cheesemonger simply nods understandingly. We have a cheese picnic on the balcony, feeling a deep sense of contentment. The Dutch: they get it.
Day 4: Beach Bonfires and Unexpected Encounters
- Morning: Hike the beach! The sand is clean, and the sea is endless. I'm starting to understand the appeal of this place. The constant wind is still a challenge.
- Afternoon: Back on the beach. Then, this massive bonfire! The locals are friendly, sharing stories, and the warmth of the fire is glorious. We're all huddled together, laughing, the sounds of the sea mingling with the crackling fire.
- Evening: We're making a little fire on the beach, and the skies are beautiful. I just sit here, reflecting. It’s moments like this – the unexpected connections I've made, the stunning views – that make all the fumbles, the windburn, and the near-meltdowns worth it.
Day 5: Farewell and the Promise of Return (Plus a Final Cheese Run)
- Morning: One last beach walk. I take a deep breath, smell the sea and try to remember the feeling of the wind. Head to the cheese shop one last time.
- Afternoon: Pack, utterly exhausted, and already planning my return. The Dutch coast, you've won me over.
- Evening: Train to the airport. The next adventure begins!
Postscript: I probably haven't fully "got" Noordwijkerhout. I'm sure I could have done more, seen more, been more. But I embraced the mess, the imperfection, and the pure, unadulterated joy of being somewhere completely new. And, you know what? That's a pretty good holiday. Now, where's that cheese?
Escape to Paradise: Stunning Haserich Terrace Holiday Home!
Escape to Paradise FAQs (And, Frankly, My Own Ramblings)
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise" in Noordwijkerhout… Is it *actually* paradise? Be honest!
Alright, alright, let's cut the crap, shall we? Paradise? Look, it ain't *heaven* heaven. I mean, I haven't seen angels serving cocktails on the beach (though, give me a good sunset and a G&T, and I might start *hallucinating* them). But, and this is a *big* but: it's damn close. The air? Crisp, salty, and smells like freedom. The beach? Wide, sandy, and practically *begging* you to throw down a towel and just… *be*.
The house itself? Picture this: you wake up, stumble out of bed (after, let's be real, hitting snooze about five times), and BAM! Ocean view. Seriously, it’s like the sea is *in* your bedroom window.
Okay, there *was* that minor hiccup with the washing machine. Apparently, I overloaded it (guilty!), and the cycle just… *stopped*. Cue the frantic calls to the cleaning lady, the slightly mortified look on my face, and the eventual realization that I was, in fact, a washing machine delinquent. But hey, even paradise has its little… laundry mishaps, right? Overall, YES, it's pretty bloody close to paradise. Just, you know, bring your own laundry detergent and maybe a spare washing machine. Kidding (mostly).
What's the deal with the beach? Is it crowded?
The beach… oh, the beach. This is where it gets seriously tempting to stay in the house all day. And NO, it's not usually packed like sardines (unless it's peak summer, then prepare for a bit of a scramble for a good spot, though there's PLENTY of beach to go around!).
Look, I'm not going to lie, I went during a slightly chilly, *but gorgeous* spring week. And, you know what I loved? The space!! You could spread out, have a picnic, build a sandcastle that could rival Windsor Castle (ok maybe a smallish one) and actually *hear* your own thoughts.
The wind can get a bit… enthusiastic, though. One day, my poor hat went on a solo tour of the dunes. Lesson learned: secure your headwear, people! But the crashing waves, the endless horizon… it's just pure, unadulterated bliss. Honestly, I could spend all day there - build castles, stare at the sky, just... breathe. It's a proper balm for the soul.
Can you really walk from the house straight onto the beach?
Yep. Pretty much. You open the door, take a few steps, and *boom* – sand between your toes. And while the website might use the word "stunning," it's a *truthful* stunning. I mean, I've stayed in other places that *claimed* beach access, and it turned out to be more like "walk through a car park, cross a road, and then you *might* get to the beach." Not here.
This is proper beachfront living. Literal toe-in-the-sand access. Which is a major plus point, especially if you, like me, have a tendency to spontaneously decide you need a midnight stroll on the beach to clear your head. (Guilty.)
What's the house *actually* like? Is it clean? Is it comfortable?
Clean? Yeah, it was. Comfort *is* a priority here. There's a good amount of space, very modern. The furniture feels cozy and well-chosen (although, if I were nitpicking, the sofa could be a tad more prone to napping, but that's just me!). The kitchen… ah, the kitchen. It's well-equipped. I mean, even *I* could cook a decent meal in there (and trust me, that's saying something). There was *one* minor incident… let's just say I tried to make pancakes. They ended up more like hockey pucks. My fault, entirely. The kitchen, though, totally passed the test.
The beds? Divine. I slept like a log. Seriously, I don't think I've slept that well in years. You know the feeling when you sleep in a hotel bed and feel like you're wrapped in a cloud? That's the feeling. It's well maintained, a truly comfortable holiday house, ready to make you feel at home. Well, at least, more comfortable than *my* actual home.
Is it easy to get to from Amsterdam? Is public transport an option?
Fairly easy. Look, I drove. It's a straight shot from Amsterdam, mostly. The directions were clear, the parking was easy. I can't vouch for public transport because, well, I'm a terrible public transport person. I get lost. I panic. I once ended up on a train to *Germany* when I was just trying to get to a Tesco. So, basically, if you're like me, maybe rent a car.
However, I *heard* that there are good bus links. Ask the rental company or google it! Be warned: Google Maps lied to me once (I blame the algorithm). Always, ALWAYS double-check directions.
What's nearby? Are there shops, restaurants, etc.?
Okay, so it's not exactly a bustling metropolis. But that's part of the *charm*, right? There are shops (groceries, essentials), and a few restaurants within a short drive or even a decent walking distance away. Nothing overly fancy, which is great if you just want a low-key holiday.
And, you know what? The quietness was amazing. You can switch off. I got some actual, proper reading done. I actually finished a book! (A rare occurrence!) There are also bike rental places if you want to explore the area a little bit more and see things like the Keukenhof gardens. (Which, by the way, are *spectacular* in spring). If you are a culture vulture, or a foodie, you'll probably prefer Amsterdam. But if you want peace and quiet, and beautiful scenery, paradise is it.
Is it suitable for families with kids?
Hmm. Well, I went alone, so I can't give you a definitive "yes" or "no." However, there was plenty of space, a garden, and the beach is right there… so, yeah, I reckon it would be *amazing* for kids. Building sandcastles, splashing in the waves… parents, you could actually relax, maybe even finish your own book, while the kids are busy. No promises, though, kids can be unpredictable creatures! Plus, the house is on the sand: not a bad place to let kids run a little wild (within supervision, of course!).
Are pets allowed? Asking for a… friend.
Ocean View Inn
Fresh and colorful holiday home near the beach, sea, dunes and lake Noordwijkerhout Netherlands
Fresh and colorful holiday home near the beach, sea, dunes and lake Noordwijkerhout Netherlands
