Unbelievable Glamping Luxury: Private Bathroom in Your Dutch Escape!
Okay, buckle up. This is gonna be a review. Not just a review, but a glamping review. Of a place called “Unbelievable Glamping Luxury: Private Bathroom in Your Dutch Escape!” Right? Sounds…fancy. Let's see if it lives up to the hype, shall we? And can someone bring me a stroopwafel? I’m gonna need it.
Accessibility: The Ground Floor Reality Check
Alright, first things first, because I’m nothing if not practical (and getting older), let’s talk accessibility. The website claims to be good, but you can never really tell, can you? (Facilities for disabled guests) is listed, which is a good start. I'm talking more about actual specifics here, like ramps or elevators. Is the terrain super hilly? Does it all feel like it's perched on stilts? Gotta have that info. This is essential, for everyone's sake. Double-check this with the hotel directly before booking. Let me know if there are elevators, etc.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Pandemic-Era Sanity Check (and a slight obsessive-compulsive twitch)
Okay, so we're still in the middle of everything and this is probably a huge selling point. List:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: CHECK! (I hope. I'm assuming, for my sanity.)
- Daily disinfection in common areas: YES PLEASE.
- Hand sanitizer: Good. I need this.
- Hygiene certification: Fantastic. Though I'm not sure what certs they have…
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Necessary.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Phew.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Ah, someone is thinking. If you're really anti-germs, this is heaven.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: This is standard, but good.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Essential. I hate dirty spoons.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Thank god.
- Sterilizing equipment: Sounds serious.
This whole section is basically a checklist of things that give me a tiny bit of peace of mind. And that’s worth a lot these days.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (and the occasional existential crisis)
This is where I get EXCITED. Always. Let's break it down, shall we? Because I am the kind of person who plans their meals before they even book the stay.
- A la carte in restaurant: Okay, that's solid. Not always my favorite, but gives some flexibility.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Good for the picky eaters (or allergy sufferers!).
- Asian breakfast: Ooh, intriguing. I'm in.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Again, more intrigue. Spicy, please.
- Bar: Essential. Specifically, a bar with a decent cocktail list. Please.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I love a buffet. I really do.
- Breakfast service: Nice.
- Buffet in restaurant: Excellent. I want to see a spread.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Always.
- Coffee shop: Good for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Like, now.
- Desserts in restaurant: YES. Always.
- Happy hour: Crucial.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Varied is good.
- Poolside bar: Now we're talking.
- Restaurants: Plural! Promising.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is my test of true luxury, you know? Order fries at 3AM? I'm in.
- Snack bar: Essentials.
- Western breakfast: Gotta have a good omelet, am I right?
Things to Do: Beyond the Bedroom (and a deep dive into the Spa)
This is where I'm expecting the glamping to really shine. "Unbelievable Luxury" had better deliver.
- Ways to relax: This is the point isn't it?
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom - Okay. Alright. Here we go! This is going to be the BIGGEST thing I want to review. I can't help but be a little skeptical about the body wrap, but my skin might love it. The Sauna is crucial. Spa? And steam room? Hello, relaxation.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness. Well, maybe I'll hit that one… maybe. Probably not.
- Foot bath: Hmmm… interesting.
- Massage: Obviously! A must-have. A masseuse is going to be my love language
My Spa Story: From Doubt to Bliss
Okay, so I went into the whole spa thing with a slight air of, "Yeah, yeah, let's see if it's actually good." I am, you see, a bit jaded. I’ve been promised "luxury" before and ended up with a lukewarm massage and a face mask that smelled faintly of…something I’d rather not dwell on.
But this place…
First, the scent. Not that chemically, fake stuff. It was this…earthy, calming blend that immediately made me relax. Then, the masseuse (bless her heart) was an artist. She knew exactly where I was holding tension. Like, she knew my whole life's tension was in my shoulders. The Sauna was glorious, not too hot not too cold, just that perfect heat. And the Steam room was so gentle, I could actually breathe. Then the pool with a view… (see below). The whole experience was like…a reset button for my entire body. I was actually relaxed! I’m talking, post-massage bliss, stumbling around in a bathrobe kind of relaxed. I forgot everything. Including my worries, my deadlines, and all the silly things that usually clutter my brain. So, yeah, the spa? Unbelievable. It lived up to the name.
Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view: So, the pool. Apparently, it has a view. Again, my tired eyes are not sure I believe this.
- Swimming pool Ok, it has a pool.
- Swimming pool [outdoor] It's outside? Okay.
- Pool with view This is what they promised. And it's going to make my entire stay!
- The water was sparkling, the sun was shining…and the view! Oh, god the view. Rolling hills, fluffy clouds, and the feeling of being a million miles away from the world.
Available in All Rooms: The Real Deal Checklist
- Additional toilet: Luxury! (Or, you know, useful if you're sharing a room.)
- Air conditioning: Essential. Duh.
- Alarm clock: For when you must wake up.
- Bathrobes: Love, love, LOVE.
- Bathroom phone: Weird? Maybe a little. But hey, luxury.
- Bathtub: Soak it all in.
- Blackout curtains: Sleep is important.
- Carpeting: Meh. Not my favorite, but fine.
- Closet: Gotta hang all those outfits.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial.
- Complimentary tea: Yes, please.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes!
- Desk: For, you know, occasionally pretending to work.
- Extra long bed: I'm average size, but more space is always welcome.
- Free bottled water: Great.
- Hair dryer: A must-have.
- High floor: More likely to have a view.
- In-room safe box: Always smart.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Good for families.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: Gotta stay connected.
- Ironing facilities: Useful. Not that I'm any good at ironing.
- Laptop workspace: Okay, maybe I will get some work done.
- Linens: Gotta be crisp and clean.
- Mini bar: Snack central!!
- Mirror: For admiring yourself.
- Non-smoking: Important.
- On-demand movies: Great for a chill night in.
- Private bathroom: Essential for privacy.
- Reading light: For, you know, reading.
- Refrigerator: For storing all those snacks!
- Safety/security feature: Always appreciated.
- Satellite/cable channels: Always good.
- Scale: Possibly terrifying.
- Seating area: For relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Nice
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just planning a trip, we're feeling a trip. We're going Glamping in Lathum, land of… well, I’m not entirely sure yet, but Lathum, Netherlands, is now officially significant because I’m going to spend a night there. And this is gonna be… interesting. My itinerary isn't just a list of things, it's a chaotic, beautiful tapestry of my anticipation, neuroses, and inevitable coffee-induced rambles.
The Lathum Lunacy: A Glamping Odyssey (aka Me vs. the Dutch Weather)
Day 1: Arrival, Awkwardness, and the Allure of Canvas
- 11:00 AM (ish) - The Pre-Departure Panic: Right. Okay, so the bags are technically packed. I say "technically" because one contains clothes, the other… a curated collection of snacks I've labeled "Emotional Support Cuisine." (Mostly chocolate. Don't judge.) I've triple-checked the train tickets (because if I don't, my brain will short-circuit). I'm also oscillating between sheer, unadulterated joy and a primal fear of… everything. Mostly, I'm worried I'll forget the corkscrew. Disaster averted! It's in!
- 12:30 PM - The Train Wrangle: Getting to the train station. So far, so good. I'm armed with my noise-canceling headphones to stave off the inevitable toddler shriek-a-thon. The train is packed. Of course, it is. I'm crammed in a tiny space, trying not to make eye contact with the guy eating a sandwich that smells suspiciously like week-old tuna. Ahhh, the romance of public transport…
- 3:00 PM - Lathum! (Or, "Where's the Tent?") Arrive in Lathum. The directions were… optimistic. Apparently, "follow the signs featuring a jaunty cartoon badger" is a legitimate route. Thankfully, the badger did eventually lead me, and here I stand before… the tent. It's glorious. A canvas behemoth, promising luxury, glamping, and maybe even a hint of rustic chic. The bathroom situation is a full ensuite, not a chemical toilet, which is a massive win. I've seen enough YouTube videos.
- First thought : This thing is bigger than my first apartment!
- 3:30 PM - Tent Inspection and the Great Bedding Debacle: Okay, I'm in. The tent is… seriously impressive. Beautifully decorated. I test the bed. Immediately, I know I will sleep like a log. There will be no tossing and turning. I will sleep under the stars, or at least, the canvas-y facsimile of them.
- Second thought: Wait. Is this real? Did I actually book that? It looks better than the online photos implied.
- 4:00 PM - Tea and the Existential Dread of Being Alone in Nature (kinda): I make tea, my 'I'm-okay' signal. I'm alone, but I'm okay. My little, glamping, happy place. Breathe. Feel the sun.
- 5:00 PM - The Great Outdoors: Attempt #1: Armed (metaphorically) with my camera and a desperate hope of capturing some Instagram-worthy shots, I wander. It is gorgeous. Lush and green. I feel a profound sense of, "Oh, this is nice." Then, a mosquito attacks. Note: I now understand the true value of insect repellent.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner and the Revelation of the Dutch Fries: Okay, so dinner is at a local restaurant. I order… fries. These are not just fries. These are magical fries. Thick-cut, perfectly crispy, and accompanied by a dipping sauce that makes me question my entire life (in a good way). I’m officially in love with Dutch food.
- 7:30 PM - The Sunset Spectacle and the Ghost of Mobile Reception: The sunset over the campsite is genuinely breathtaking. I take approximately 30 photos, each slightly different, each attempting to capture the sheer beauty of it all. The WiFi isn't amazing, which, in all honesty, is a blessing. Put down the phone, enjoy the sunset!
- 8:30 PM - Evening Rituals, Journaling, and The Sound of Silence… and Crickets, Possibly: Back at the tent, the wind is whispering through the canvas. It creates this incredibly peaceful sound. So I pull out my notebook. Write, breathe, let go of all my anxieties. I love my journal. The only thing I really need for a happy life.
- 10:00 PM - Bedtime Bliss… and the Suspicions of Footsteps: The bed is incredible. I crawl in. But…wait… is that a twig snapping? Should I be worried? Am I just being paranoid? I decide to just close my eyes and enjoy every moment of sweet sleep. I make sure to turn my phone off.
Day 2: Departure, Disappointments, and the lingering taste of fries
- 7:00 AM - Morning Light: I'm alive! And I slept like a rock! Maybe, I am growing into a nature person. I love the morning air.
- 7:30 AM - Coffee, Calm, and the Lingering Scent of Pine: This is how I want to start every day. It's quiet, and I am enjoying it.
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Bliss: I've packed granola, yogurt, and fruit. All perfectly curated. And some of the chocolate from my emotional support cuisine bag.
- 9:00 AM - Last Look and the Sadness of Packing: Okay, it is time to go. I give the tent one last longing look. I feel a sting of sadness. I’m seriously considering staying. Maybe I'll just pitch my own tent nearby…
- 9:30 AM - The Train Ride Home and the Post-Vacation Blues: The train ride back is… well, another train ride. Filled with the same people, the same smells, and a similar sense of claustrophobia. Time to face the music! Life awaits.
- 11:00 AM - The Real World Reconvenes: Home. Unpack. Wash clothes. Re-enter society.
- Feeling: I am incredibly happy. I'm a tiny bit sunburnt. And I absolutely, positively need to find a source for those fries.
Final Thoughts (and a bit of rambling):
This trip wasn’t perfect. There were moments of anxiety. There were bugs. There were moments when I questioned my life choices. But it was… real. It was me. And that, my friends, is the best kind of trip. The glamping, the food, the solitude, it's all kind of perfect.
Middelkerke Family Paradise: Your Cozy Belgian Dream Apartment Awaits!
Unbelievable Glamping Luxury: Private Bathroom in Your Dutch Escape! - FAQ (and Ramblings!)
Okay, spill the beans! Is this *actually* glamping? Not just glorified camping? Because I’ve been burned before…
Alright, friend, let's be real. I'm cynical too. I've seen "glamping" that's basically pitching a tent in a ditch with a slightly nicer air mattress. This… this is different. Think... a beautifully constructed safari tent, maybe, but inside you have a **real bed**, the kind that doesn't give you back problems. And a **PRIVATE BATHROOM**. This is where the magic happens. I was skeptical walking in, picturing a glorified portaloo. NOPE. It was pristine. Seriously, I'm a germaphobe. I probably spent a good five minutes just staring at the *actual* porcelain toilet. It was… glorious.
Private bathroom? But, like, what’s it *actually* like? Is it a glorified shed?
I know, I know, the bathroom is the *make or break* for glamping. So, picture this: it wasn't just an attached outhouse. It was a proper, well-lit, fully functioning bathroom. Okay, I'll paint you a picture. The shower was hot, with great water pressure (a rarity in glamping, trust me). They actually provided nice toiletries! Not that tiny, watery hotel shampoo you're used to. I'm talking proper stuff. And the best bit? The toilet! I didn't even have to worry about the “smell of the woods” in there. It just…worked. It felt almost absurdly luxurious to be pooping in peace out in nature. Actually, I think I spent a little too long in there on the first day… just enjoying the moment. Hey, don't judge.
Location, location, location! Describe the Dutch Escape… what *is* it like, actually?
The setting is gorgeous. Lush, green… typically Dutch! Think rolling hills, maybe a windmill or two in the distance (okay, definitely a windmill. It's Holland!). It's secluded enough that you feel truly away from it all, but not so far that you felt totally cut off from civilisation (you know, for the wifi, of course!). I remember, on my first morning there, I stood outside my tent with a cup of coffee, breathing in the fresh air and watching the sunrise. It was a total “pinch me” moment. Seriously. It felt like a fairytale. It's a perfect place to disconnect and reconnect. This is the moment I remember the most.
Alright, the food. Is this just going to be soggy sandwiches and burnt sausages?
Thankfully, no. They offer dining options, and thank goodness for that. I am terrible at cooking, especially when I’m glamping. I really wanted to try everything so I did. Let me tell you, it’s DELICIOUS. I'm not a fancy eater but they made something I'd never eaten before. I spent a bit of time trying that food. You can usually find a little market where you can pick up something. The point is: don't starve and be well-fed.
What about the weather? It's the Netherlands! Isn't it always raining?
Okay, yes, the weather IS a gamble in the Netherlands. But honestly, even if it rains (and it probably will at some point), it's still amazing. The tents are well-equipped for the rain. Also, there is something romantic about listening to the rain falling on the canvas roof, curled up in your warm bed with a book. I had some of the best sleeps of my life there, mostly because of the rain. Bring a good raincoat, just in case, but don’t let the weather put you off.
Are there any downsides? Come on, there must be *something*…
Okay, full disclosure. It wasn't *perfect*. The wifi wasn't super strong... honestly, probably a blessing in disguise. I struggled a bit with the "luxury" aspect when I went to grab the coffee and found out I had to make it myself. Apparently, I misread "luxury" in its purest form. I got over it quickly. The other thing, and this is purely me, but there was one morning I was woken up by the sound of… well, let’s say a very enthusiastic rooster. He was persistent! Nature's alarm clock, I guess. But honestly? I wouldn't trade the experience for anything else.
Would you recommend this? Honestly?
Absolutely, 100%, yes. Go. Book it. Seriously. It was a truly special experience. If you can afford it, if you want a little dose of sanity, then go. The private bathroom alone is worth the price of admission, trust me. And that moment, in the morning watching the sunrise… I still get goosebumps thinking about it. This is the moment. Go find your moment. You won't regret it. Just… maybe bring earplugs for that rooster.
