Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Costa Rey, Spain!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving deep into the rabbit hole that is the experience. Forget polished brochure speak, we're getting real. We're dissecting [Hotel Name Here] (because, let's be honest, nobody gave me the actual name!), and I'm gonna tell you everything, from the glorious to the groan-worthy. My goal? To give you the unvarnished truth, hopefully with a few laughs along the way, so you can decide if this place is your happy place, or just another footnote in your travel diary.
First Impressions & Groundwork (The Not-So-Glamorous Stuff):
Let's start with the essentials, the bits that make or break a stay.
Accessibility: Look, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I always peep at this stuff. Good news! [Hotel Name Here] claims to be wheelchair accessible. That means elevators (essential!), and hopefully ramps where they need to be. However, "wheelchair accessible" can be a slippery slope, so VERIFY. Call them beforehand and ask SPECIFIC questions. Don’t assume!
Internet (The Modern Day God): Free Wi-Fi in rooms? YES! This is NON-negotiable for me. If I can't stream my cat videos or get work done, I’M a grumpy camper. They also supposedly have LAN internet, which is great for the techy types. Wi-Fi in public areas too? Good show!
Cleanliness & Safety (The "Are We Going To Die?" Section): Let's be real, travel after the global pandemic is all about the clean. They say anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, and rooms sanitized between stays? Sounds good on paper. Also, they have hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocols, and they offer, if you like, room sanitization opt-out – which I do think is a nice touch. I appreciate that they have contactless check-in/out. That's a huge plus in my book. Now, how meticulously these protocols are followed is another story…I’ll get to that.
Services & Conveniences (The "Makes Life Easier" Bits): Elevator? Check. 24-hour front desk and security? Double-check. Luggage storage? A lifesaver. Concierge? Useful, but a bit of a gamble – some are amazing, some barely know the local bus route. They have a convenience store, which is super handy for late-night snacks. And they offer currency exchange and a cash withdrawal service, which is convenient.
The Good Stuff: Food, Fun, and Fluff
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (The Delightful Part): Okay, this is where things get interesting. Restaurants, a bar, and a coffee shop? Sign me up! They boast a variety of cuisines – Asian, International, and Vegetarian. They also offer room service (24-hour, YES!), a Poolside bar (crucial!), and a snack bar. Breakfast? You can opt for a buffet (a delicious free-for-all, fingers crossed it's good!) or in-room (perfect for those lazy mornings). They also have a breakfast takeaway service, which is handy and is a major plus, especially if you have an early excursion planned, or if you just want to sneak out of that breakfast buffet.
- Anecdotal Alert: I once stayed at a hotel buffet where the eggs benedict had been sitting under a heat lamp so long, they’d formed a weird, rubbery skin. I’m hoping the [Hotel Name Here] breakfast is much better. Seriously, that's the MOST important part of a hotel experience, in my humble opinion.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax (The "Treat Yo' Self" Zone): This is where the hotel should shine. They say a fitness centre, pool with a view, sauna, spa, and steamroom. Sounds divine. Body scrubs and wraps? Yes, please! Massage? HELL YES!
- Quirky Observation: I’m picturing myself, post-massage, in a fluffy robe, sipping something fruity by the pool, judging all the other guests. (Kidding…mostly!). I do love a good steamroom.
For the Kids (Because We All Know Who REALLY Runs the Show): Family/child friendly? Good! Babysitting service? Lifesaver for parents. And, of course, kids facilities. Let us remember that if kids are kept entertained, you can actually enjoy your vacation!
The Rooms: Where You Actually Spend the Night (Hopefully Comfortably)
Available in All Rooms (The Bare Necessities): Air conditioning (praise be!), alarm clock, bathrobes (essential for feeling fancy!), coffee/tea maker, daily housekeeping, desk, free bottled water, hair dryer, in-room safe box, internet access (wireless!), mini-bar, non-smoking rooms (thank goodness!), private bathroom, refrigerator, satellite/cable channels, seating area, separate shower/bathtub, slippers, smoke detector, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and a window that opens. That’s…a good base level.
- My Personal Pet Peeve: I cannot stand hotels that skimp on the pillows. Seriously. If I can't get a good night's sleep, I'm a walking disaster. I'll be scrutinizing those pillows for softness and firmness.
The Understated Stuff: From the mundane to the occasionally impressive
Getting Around: Airport transfer, car park (free of charge), taxi service, and valet parking.
- Real talk: Valet parking is amazing until you have to retrieve your car in the middle of a downpour and the valet has vanished for their tea break. Then you are basically like, "Great!".
Business Facilities: They mention business facilities, meeting/banquet facilities, and a photocopier/fax. Useful if you're there for work, less so if you're on a total zen escape.
The Potential Pitfalls (Because Honesty is the Best Policy)
- “Safety/Security Feature" and "Room sanitization opt-out available,”: These are great, but I want specifics. What kind of safety features? Do they have peepholes in the doors? Working smoke detectors? Let's hope it's not just lip service.
- "Staff trained in safety protocol": Trained how? Can they actually handle a fire drill? Basic First Aid? Again, needing tangible evidence here.
- "Breakfast buffet"? I mentioned my past egg benedict trauma. I need a reliable breakfast. A bad hotel breakfast can ruin your entire day, your entire trip, even. I want fresh fruit, good coffee, and a smile.
Final Verdict & Compelling Offer: (The "Book It or Don't Book It" Moment)
Alright, drumroll, please…
[Hotel Name Here] sounds promising. It's got a great foundation: decent amenities, food options, supposedly good cleaning practices, and (hopefully!) a focus on relaxation.
But here’s the catch: The success of your stay hinges on the details. I need to see evidence that the "promises" are actually delivered. I'm talking to the hotel now, let's clarify.
So, my compelling offer (and the reason you should maybe, maybe, book this):
For the next [Insert timeframe, e.g., 2 weeks], book your stay at [Hotel Name Here] and get:
- Guaranteed upgrade: (Check with concierge for options.)
- Complimentary breakfast for every day of your stay with a guarantee of fresh, delicious options. If the buffet isn't up to par, the hotel will provide you with a complimentary a-la-carte brunch in the restaurant.
- Late check-out (until [Insert time, e.g., 2 PM]), so you can truly relax.
- A special welcome gift upon arrival (hint: it involves chocolate and something fizzy).
This offer is only available for a limited time because, let's be honest, I want to escape the stress of the real world immediately!
Book now and tell them that [Your Name/Referral Name] sent you. Let me know how it goes! I'll be waiting for your review!
Because travel is all about the experience. And whether it's a smashing success or a hilarious disaster, wouldn't you rather find out for yourself?
Ski-In/Ski-Out Sauna Apartment: Mittersill Luxury Awaits!
Okay, buckling up! Here's my utterly chaotic, probably useless-to-anyone-else but definitely honest itinerary for a Belvilla stay at Costa Rey I in Vera, Spain. Consider this less of a schedule and more of a… a series of semi-coherent thoughts I'd have scribbled in my notebook, fueled by too much Spanish wine and the relentless Spanish sun.
BELVILLA BY OYO ADVENTURES: COSTA REY I - A MESSY SPANISH ODYSSEY
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Great Fridge Fiasco
14:00 – Officially Arrived! (Or, the Great Luggage Avalanche of 2024 Begins): Okay, so remember how you packed “light”? Yeah, right. The Costa Rey I complex is… well, it appears idyllic from the photos. The reception was a blur of polite smiles and broken Spanish (mostly on my end). We, the "we" being me, my long-suffering partner, and our perpetually-hungry teenage daughter (who I swear can smell a croissant from a mile away), finally wrestled our baggage into the apartment. First impression? Clean enough. Promisingly so.
14:30 – Fridge Reconnaissance Mission: This is where the cracks started to appear. Opened the fridge, expecting a bounty of cold air and a welcoming chill. Instead: Anemic. Like, barely-even-cooling-the-milk anemic. Panic. Could this ruin the entire holiday? What about essential sangria supplies?! My partner, bless him, muttered something about "unplugging it and plugging it back in" whilst I started drafting an strongly worded e-mail to Belvilla (that I never ended up sending).
15:00 – The "Let's Find Food, Before We Mutiny" March: Turns out, there’s this lovely little supermarket nearby. A bit further than Google Maps initially suggested. After getting properly lost on the way there thanks to an incredibly confusing roundabout, we finally arrived. Bought far too much Jamón (is there such a thing?) and enough water to hydrate a small village. We also debated the virtues of patatas bravas vs. gambas al ajillo. The gambas won.
17:00 - Poolside Paradise (sort of): The pool! Ah, the pool. Or, more precisely, "the pool that was apparently open, despite looking suspiciously closed." We found it! Felt a slight chill, but a quick dip and the sun soon warmed us up. Note to self: Invest in a better sun lotion. And maybe a wider sun hat. I got slightly burnt. Again.
19:00 – Dinner Disaster (and Triumph): Attempted to cook. (Remember the slightly pathetic fridge? Yeah, not helping.) Pasta was overcooked. The garlic was… well, it was present. Then, my daughter, bless her, found a hidden gem – a tiny local bakery. The bread was, honestly, transcendent. The best bread I’d eaten in… well, a long time. We ate crusty bread with jamon and cheese on the balcony, watching the sunset. Suddenly, the fridge thing didn't seem so bad.
21:00 – Bedtime (and Fridge Anxiety): Settling in, feeling optimistic, the fridge may have perked up after being “rebooted”. Keeping fingers crossed for tomorrow's sangria.
Day 2: Beach Bliss, Tapas Temptations, and a Very Sleepy Afternoon.
9:00 – Beach Bound (After a Coffee Debacle): The beach! Costa Rey's beaches, are they gorgeous. You get a sense of this being so much better than you could have imagined. We found a little cafe, with the intention of grabbing something easy, and a coffee. But the barista had a serious attitude. It was a challenge to get anything done. Eventually, we just had to call it a loss.
10:30 – Beach Therapy: The sand! The waves! The… relentless sun, obviously. Spent hours just existing. Building sandcastles (badly). Collecting seashells. Watching the teenagers pretend they weren't enjoying themselves (they were). I love the beach, it never gets old.
13:00 – Tapas Time!: Found a beachfront tapas bar. Ordered everything. Seriously. Patatas bravas, gambas al ajillo (again!), boquerones, chorizo… everything was great! The wine? Flowing freely. Life felt pretty damn good.
15:00 – The "Nap Time is Non-Negotiable" Situation: Post-tapas slump hits. Hard. Walked back, collapsed on the bed. The next three hours are a blur of beautiful sleep. Wake up feeling blissfully refreshed.
18:00 – Exploring Vera Town: Decided to venture into Vera. Cute little town. Got lost again (I'm starting to think that's a theme). Ended up in a charming plaza, drinking ridiculously cheap wine. Found a shop and bought a funny hat.
20:00 – Dinner Decision Fatigue and a Pizza Rescue: Couldn't face cooking. Restaurant choices overwhelming. Ordered pizza. It was, well, pizza. But after the epic nap, everything tastes good.
21:00 – Sunset on the Balcony (and Fridge Update!): More sangria! The fridge is finally playing along! Success! Or maybe it was the sun setting that made everything feel so perfect.
Day 3: Markets, Mountains, and the "I'm Never Leaving" Blues…
- 9:00: Mercado Madness! Found an incredible local market this morning. The colours, the smells, the energy. It's the best way to start a day! We bought fresh fruit (mmm, mangoes!), a ridiculous amount of olives, and some (probably unnecessary) souvenirs. Got to practice my Spanish (more like fumble my way through…).
- 11:00: Mountain Drive: This was a good trip! Stunning views and windy roads, but the reward was worth the journey.
- 14:00: Lunch with a View Stopped at a local restaurant perched on a mountain, overlooking the whole valley. Best meal of the trip so far.
- 18:00: Beach and Sunset Finished the day as we had started it, at the beach. Took the hat I bought on the way to the beach and watched the sun set.
Day 4: Departure and Endless Yearning…
- 08:00 – Packing, the Sad Chore: The dreaded packing. The realization that the holiday is ending. The quiet sobs (mostly mine). The frantic scramble to sort everything.
- 09:00 – Last Breakfast on the Balcony (and Fridge Appreciation!): Savoring every last grain of bread, every sip of coffee. Thanking the fridge for finally behaving.
- 11:00 – Departure Lament: Leaving. The drive to the airport. The airport itself. The whole thing is really, really hard. I'm already planning my return. Costa Rey, you have stolen my heart.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy. It was imperfect. The fridge caused me more stress than it should have. But it was also beautiful. It was funny. It was restorative. It was, in a word, real. And that, in the end, is what matters most. I'd go back in a heartbeat (and I'd bring more coffee).
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Air-Conditioned Chalet in Maashees, Netherlands
So, what *is* it, anyway? Like, the *thing* everyone's talking about?
Ugh, good question. It's probably easier to define what it *isn't*. It’s not world peace. It's not finding the perfect pair of jeans. It's… well, it’s a swirling vortex of *stuff*. Let's just say it's that thing you're probably thinking about right now. You know. That *thing*. Ugh, vague, I know, but depending on what's going on in your life, it could be anything from finally starting that pottery class to, you know, surviving a global pandemic. Or just figuring out what you're having for dinner. It's complex, okay? Leave me alone.
Will it fix everything? Please, just tell me it'll fix everything…
Haha. HA. Oh, sweet summer child. No. Absolutely not. If anything, it'll probably *break* a few things. Expect a mess, and probably some tears (yours, mine, the cat's - who knows?). Look, progress is never a straight line. I think I've learned that from dating, life, you name it. There will be bumps, there will be setbacks, and you will probably want to throw your phone against a wall at some point. But hey, that's the fun, isn't it? In a masochistic kind of way, sure.
Okay, fine, it won't fix everything... But what are some of the *benefits*? Like, is there anything good to be had at all?
Alright, alright, fine, I'll try to be optimistic. There might be some... *potential upsides*. You *might*… and I stress *might*… gain a new perspective. Like, suddenly, you're obsessed with the color chartreuse because you spent a whole day staring at it. You might learn a new skill, like, I don't know, how to bake sourdough bread even though you swore you'd never be *that* person. Or maybe you'll finally understand the appeal of cat videos (still not me, sorry cats). But also, be prepared for the downsides. Because, well there's a lot of those too.
How do I *start* doing the thing? I'm totally lost.
Ugh, this is the worst part, isn't it? Where you just stare at a blank screen or a cluttered desk or whatever the heck the starting point is. Honestly? Just... start. Seriously. I know, it's the most unhelpful advice ever, I know. But here's what *I* do. Okay, so I procrastinate relentlessly. I clean the dishes, rearrange my sock drawer, and then I'll even organize my entire spice rack by alphabetical order. Then, I give myself a pep talk (which usually includes me yelling at myself). I make some coffee. And then… I make myself do one, single, tiny thing. Even if it's just writing the first sentence of that email, or buying that darn pottery class. It's a small step and that's all that counts!
I feel like I'm failing. Is that normal? Because I'm pretty sure I'm failing.
OH MY GOD, YES! So, so, so normal. If you're not feeling like you're failing, you're probably doing it wrong! Seriously. Failing is part of the journey. It's how you learn. It's the universe's way of saying, "Hey, maybe try a different angle, genius.". I *once* tried to bake a souffle. I swear, it looked like something my cat coughed up – totally flat. The smoke alarm went off. My kitchen became a battlefield of flour and despair. And you know what? I laughed. I made another one the next day. Maybe not a souffle, maybe just some cookies, but... hey, at least it wasn't a souffle.
I'm frustrated! How do I cope with the frustration of whatever *this* is?
Ah, the sweet, sweet taste of frustration. Embrace it! No, seriously. Okay, here's the truth. There's no magic bullet. What usually works for me is a cocktail of: a good cry (don't judge me!), a walk (even if it's just to the fridge for more snacks), and maybe, just *maybe*, some chocolate. Or a really long, angry phone call to a friend (but try to keep it relatively constructive). And sometimes, you just need to step away. Take a break. Go watch some trashy TV. Do something completely unrelated to the thing that's frustrating you. Or, for a more productive solution, write down all your frustration... on a piece of paper and then shred it. That helps too!
What about advice from others? Is that helpful?
Look, other people are great, sometimes. Their advice? It depends. Some people have good advice, most people love giving advice, but are probably terrible at taking their own. Listen with a grain of salt. Unless they have experience that is relevant to what you're doing. Then, listen closely. Then, make up your own mind. Because at the end of the day, it's *your* thing. And your journey.
My biggest problem is procrastination. Any tips?
Oh, honey, procrastination is my *middle name*. Actually, it *is* my middle name. Okay, it's not, but this is where I become the expert! Here's my secret weapon. Divide the task into tiny, TINY achievable steps. Like, instead of "write a novel," try "write one sentence." See? Easy. Then, reward yourself for each tiny victory. Did you write a sentence? Treat yourself to a cookie! Did you write a paragraph? Netflix binge time! Did you finish a chapter? The world is your oyster! Okay, maybe not. But celebrate those wins, no matter how small. That will help a lot.
I actually DID a thing! I'm so proud, but also terrified of what comes next. Argh!
YAY YOU! That's HUGE! And yes, the fear is totally normal. It means you care. It means you're growing. It means you're human. So, take a deep breath. Celebrate for aRoaming Hotels
