OMG! Jaw-Dropping Sea Views from Your DREAM Apartment in Middelkerke!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! 'Cause I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Middelkerke, and let me tell you, this "OMG! Jaw-Dropping Sea Views from Your DREAM Apartment" place… well, it's a lot. Prepare yourselves for a brutally honest, slightly messy, and hopefully hilarious review that's less "hotel brochure" and more "drunken postcard from the Belgian coast."
First Impressions: Accessibility & Getting There (or, My Near-Disaster)
So, the whole "Middelkerke dream apartment" thing starts… well, it can start smoothly. I was impressed! (and relieved!). The place is surprisingly accessible. Lots of elevators, ramps, the whole shebang. Good news if you've got mobility issues, or, you know, if you're like me and somehow forgot how to pack light. Finding parking was a breeze, and free, which is a HUGE win. They had a car park on-site AND charging stations if you're rocking that sweet electric ride. Getting out of there via taxi was easy-peasy too, but boy did I realize I left half my stuff behind after a night of too many Belgian beers (more on that later).
The View: Does It Actually Drop Jaws? (Spoiler: Mostly.)
Okay, let’s address the elephant in the room: the sea views. "Jaw-Dropping" is… ambitious. Look, it’s the North Sea. It's beautiful. You can practically smell the salt in the air as soon as you step out onto your terrace (which, by the way, is a big plus!). The sunsets? Magnificent. But "jaw-dropping"? Maybe if you haven't seen the ocean before. But, it is a spectacular view to wake up to, for sure. And trust me, that’s a mood lifter.
Inside the Dream: What You Actually Get
Alright so the room – it was decent. My room was a bit small for a “dream apartment,” but it gets the job done. The free Wi-Fi (all rooms!) was a lifesaver. I NEEDED to catch up on emails and update my social media… you know, for, uh, work. The included air conditioning was also a blessing for those spontaneous summer heat waves. The blackout curtains? Absolute genius. Slept like a baby after a long day of sightseeing and beer tasting. The bed was comfy, though, again, not "dream-worthy" – more like "solidly adequate." I did spend a good 20 minutes trying to figure out how to work the coffee machine. Why is everything so complicated?! (Thankfully, complimentary tea was available, so I had something.)
Cleanliness & Safety: Germaphobes, Rejoice! (Mostly)
Okay, this is where things SHINE. This place is obsessed with cleanliness. The place felt immaculate – not just "hotel clean," but like, someone was constantly wielding a sanitizing spray (and thank goodness, because post-pandemic, I'm a bit… cautious, shall we say?). They were clearly following all the hygiene protocols. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks, and I even saw them disinfecting the elevator buttons every five minutes. Room sanitization opt-out? Never gonna happen for me, haha!
The Amenities: Spa, Gym, and My Struggle to Find My Inner Zen
This is where things get a little… overwhelming. They have a spa! A gym! A pool with a view, sauna, steamroom, and a whole bunch of other things to relax with. Now, I'm usually more of a "sit on the terrace and drink wine" kind of relaxer. But I decided to give the gym a shot. Big mistake. I spent 10 minutes trying to figure out the treadmill, gave up, and went straight to the sauna. The sauna was… nice. I did feel rather relaxed, but I also felt like the most out-of-shape person there.
Food & Drink: Feasting (and Maybe Over-Drinking?)
Okay, the food. This is where things get interesting. There are restaurants! (plural!!), a bar and a snack bar. The breakfast buffet was plentiful, though I wasn't exactly blown away. Western and even Asian options were available. The coffee shop was alright, but again, I prefer a more authentic local experience. The best thing? Their poolside bar. Perfect for watching the sunset with a drink. I can’t forget the bar! That’s where I spend perhaps too much time. (See the "near-disaster" above. Also, happy hour? Score!)
Services & Conveniences: The Good, The Okay, and the "What's a Doorman?"
They have a concierge (super helpful!), luggage storage (thank goodness!), laundry service, and all the usual hotel conveniences. The doorman, however… I think he might have been vacationing. Never saw him. But hey, the rest of the staff was great. They also had a gift shop, which was perfect, because I needed a souvenir for my aunt.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Frolics?
For the kids? There's a babysitting service! I think my kids would have loved it. Although I was happy to travel alone.
Why You Should Book This Place (And Why You Might Want to Think Twice)
The Good:
- Location, location, location! The sea views are great.
- Impeccable cleanliness. Seriously, if you're a germaphobe, you'll be in heaven.
- Fantastic amenities. Spa, gym, pool – the works.
- Good free parking
- The bar! Good prices, interesting local beers.
The Okay:
- The room might not be the "dream apartment" you're expecting (depending on the room).
- The food is fine, but not particularly memorable.
- The "dream" aspect is somewhat subjective.
The Slightly Less Good:
- My own clumsiness means I may not be the best reviewer.
- I can't speak to everyone's needs
My Verdict:
OMG! Jaw-Dropping Sea Views from Your DREAM Apartment in Middelkerke! is a solid choice. It's clean, well-located, and has a ton of amenities. Is it the perfect paradise? Maybe not. But if you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, and relaxing stay on the Belgian coast, book it! Now let me get back to watching this sunset.
Here's the offer:
Escape to Middelkerke with Unforgettable Views!
Book your stay at OMG! Jaw-Dropping Sea Views from Your DREAM Apartment in Middelkerke!
- Jaw-Dropping Views from Your Private Terrace: Wake up to breathtaking sea views in paradise.
- Unrivaled Cleanliness: Get ready for a meticulously clean environment you'll feel safe and relaxed in.
- Ultimate Relaxation: Unwind with spa treatments, a swim in the pool with a view, or a session in the sauna.
- Convenience at Your Fingertips: Enjoy free Wi-Fi, on-site parking, delicious dining options, and more!
- Book Now and Receive a FREE bottle of Belgian beer upon arrival to start your relaxing vacation!
- PLUS! Get 10% off your stay of 3 nights or more!
Don't wait! Book your Middelkerke getaway today!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Apartment in De Haan, Belgium Awaits!
Middelkerke Mayhem: A (Mostly) Accurate Account of My Seaside Getaway
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-curated Instagram travel guide. This is the real deal, the unvarnished truth of a slightly-unhinged human trying to relax by the North Sea. We're talking a week in a Middelkerke apartment with "frontal sea-views." Emphasis on frontal, because let's be honest, I chose this place after a frantic scroll through Booking.com and the words "sea-view" were the beacon guiding my weary soul.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Seagull Confrontation
- 14:00 - Arrival: Finally, after a train journey that involved me accidentally spilling coffee on a very disapproving old lady and a bus ride where I pretty much face-planted into a sleeping teenager's shoulder (sorry, kid!), I'm here. The apartment… well, it's functional. The "frontal sea-views" are indeed frontal. They're even spectacular when the sun isn't trying to melt my eyeballs. The key pick-up was a breeze, thankfully. After a nightmare of the train to get here, this was a small win.
- 14:30 - The Great Unpacking Disaster: Unpacked. Or, rather, "attempted to unpack." My suitcase is a chaotic void of crumpled clothes and half-eaten granola bars. Found the bottle of wine! Priorities, people. Priorities.
- 15:00 - Seagulls. Oh GOD, THE SEAGULLS. This is a WARNING. These feathered fiends are basically airborne terrorists. They're loud, they're persistent, and they have a thing for unattended snacks. I swear, I saw one try to steal a french fry directly from a kid's hand. The kid cried. I sympathized. We're at war, me and the seagulls.
- 16:00 - Seaside Stroll (Attempted): Tried to take a leisurely stroll along the beach. Got about 100 meters before the icy wind made me feel like I was wearing a flesh-colored ice cube suit. Decided to retreat to the apartment and assess the extent of my windburn.
- 18:00 - Dinner Debacle: Tried to cook pasta. Burned the garlic. Nearly set off the smoke alarm. Ended up ordering a kebab. It was greasy, delicious, and a testament to my utter lack of culinary skills.
- 19:00 - Sea View & Wine: Opened the wine. Sat on the balcony, feeling the sea breeze (despite the windburn). Watched the sunset. It was actually beautiful. Maybe this vacation thing isn't so bad after all… until…
Day 2: The Casino Conundrum & The Infamous Ice Cream Incident
- 09:00 - Coffee & Contemplation: Woke up feeling oddly optimistic. Drank some coffee (made, thankfully, without burning the kitchen to the ground). Contemplated the meaning of life, or at least, the meaning of a free weekend in Middelkerke.
- 10:00 - Casino Attempt (and Utter Failure): Decided to embrace the tourist life and hit the casino. Lost 5 euros. Felt slightly ashamed. Not my scene, apparently. I preferred to watch the people: the serious gamblers, the hopeful hopefuls, the old folks who were in it for the free coffee.
- 11:00 - Wandering the Streets: wandered the streets, I had the feeling that the best experience was to come, but I didn't expect it at all.
- 13:00 - The Infamous Ice Cream Incident: Okay, so. ICE CREAM. Bought a huge scoop of pistachio ice cream. Took a lick. A giant seagull swooped down. It. Took. My. Ice Cream. Gone. Just… gone. I stared at the empty cone, feeling my soul die a little inside. The worst was the woman next to me, giving me the "I told you so" look. I am sure she had a plan, probably she expected the attack.
- 14:00 - Recovery: Went back to the apartment to wallow in self-pity and watch reruns of Friends.
- 17:00 - The Great Sea Shell Hunt: Did not find any seashells. Just seaweed and disappointment.
- 19:00 - The Second Dinner Attempt: Tried to be healthy. Cooked fish. Overcooked the fish. Ate the fish.
Day 3: The Tram Track Trauma & Artistic Ambitions
- 10:00 - The Terrible Tram Ride (and the Accidental Art Thief): Decided to venture out on the kusttram, the coastal tram. Went WAY too far. Ended up in a random town that looked like a slightly-depressing postcard. On the way there, I sat next to a very loud man who spent the entire journey discussing the merits of various types of cheese. I think I accidentally took an art piece from the tram station. I think it was a mistake, but it was more beautiful than my apartment, so here we'll stay.
- 13:00 - Lunch with a View (of the Tram Tracks): Found a frietkot (chip shop) and ate fries with mayo, watching the tram whiz by. Contemplated the meaning of life (again), this time fueled by deep-fried potatoes.
- 15:00 - Artistic Ambitions - FAIL: Attempted to paint the sea view. The result looks like a drunken toddler attacked a canvas with leftover paint. Threw it in the bin.
- 17:00 - Beachcombing 2.0: Back to the shore. This time, I found a seashell! It was small, chipped, and unremarkable, but it was mine. Victory!
- 19:00 - Dinner: Ordered pizza this time. No cooking required. Bliss.
Day 4: The Repeat Seaside Stroll & The Day the Sun Came Out
- 11:00 - Seaside Stroll (Take 2): The sun! The glorious sun! The wind was still biting, but the sun made everything better. Took another stroll. Actually enjoyed it this time. Almost tripped over a dog.
- 13:00 - The Quest for the Perfect Waffle: Went on a mission to find the perfect Belgian waffle. Found one! It was fluffy, buttery, and covered in enough whipped cream to induce a sugar coma. Totally worth it.
- 16:00 - Reading on the Balcony: Actually managed to sit on the balcony and read a book. The seagulls (mostly) left me alone. Life felt good.
- 19:00 - Dinner: Leftovers from the pizza. And, you know, more wine.
Day 5: The Unexpected Gem - A Day at the Beach (Properly!)
- 10:00 - Beach Time! Packed a bag – sunscreen, towel, book, the works. Found a spot relatively sheltered from the wind. Actually stayed at the beach for hours. Read, napped, listened to the waves. This, my friends, is why I came.
- 14:00 - Seagull-Free Lunch: Managed to eat a sandwich without being attacked! Breakthrough!
- 17:00 - Swimming (Sort Of): Went for a dip in the North Sea. It was freezing! But I did it! Bragging rights secured.
- 19:00 - A Decent Dinner: Found a restaurant and had moules frites. So good. So satisfying. Actually felt like a proper vacation this time.
Day 6: Shopping Mishaps and the Night the Wind Howled
- 10:00 - Retail Therapy: Decided to do some souvenir shopping. Bought a tacky "Middelkerke" t-shirt and a box of chocolates I'll probably eat on the train home. Made it out alive, despite the shopkeepers' best efforts to upsell me on everything.
- 13:00 - The Great Windstorm: The wind intensified. It howled. It rattled the windows. I barricaded myself in the apartment and contemplated my mortality.
- 16:00 - Snacking & Self-Reflection: Ate more chocolates. Decided I actually liked Middelkerke. Maybe.
- 19:00 - Dinner: Simple. Toast. And the last dregs of the wine.
Day 7: Departure & The Seagull Farewell
- 09:00 - Packing (The Second Attempt): This time, it’s serious. I managed to pack everything successfully, without any incidentals.
