OMG! This Belgian Penthouse Will Leave You SPEECHLESS! (Middelkerke, 10th Floor)
Okay, strap in buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the shimmering, possibly sea-spray scented, depths of OMG! This Belgian Penthouse Will Leave You SPEECHLESS! (Middelkerke, 10th Floor!). Forget your perfectly curated Instagram feeds for a hot sec, because this review is gonna be real. I mean, really, really real. No filters, just raw, unfiltered me… and hopefully, you, ready to book a freaking amazing getaway.
First Impressions: The "OMG" Moment (Literally!)
Okay, so "speechless"? They weren't kidding. Elevators can be a little… clunky in Belgium, but popping out on the 10th floor and stepping into this penthouse? Honestly, my jaw hit the freaking floor. The view alone… Oh. My. God. The North Sea sprawling out like an endless, sparkling azure blanket. It’s breath-taking. And the sheer size of the place? Insane! It's enough space to hold a small yacht, let alone a couple of tired travelers like yours truly. That's the initial OMG, right there! But let's break it all down, shall we?
Am I Gonna Struggle? Accessibility & Comfort (The Bare Necessities… and Then Some!)
Accessibility: Alright, let's talk brass tacks. This place does have an elevator, which is HUGE. Big ups for that. Because, let's be honest, lugging suitcases (and possibly small children… no judgement, I have been one of these families!) up ten flights of stairs is NOT my definition of a chill vacation. I didn't specifically assess all the wheelchair-accessibility features, but the elevator being a thing is a HUGE plus. (Check with the hotel directly for specifics, but the bones are there for a good experience!)
Available in all rooms: Okay, yes to the Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Air conditioning, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available (score!), Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. What does that exactly mean? Everything you could want and possibly need is there. I'm not sure what I didn't use.
Internet Access (Because, Priorities!)
Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all Rooms: YES! Absolutely vital for the modern traveler, right? And it was good Wi-Fi. I could binge-watch ridiculous reality shows on my laptop without the buffering blues whilst eating chips I had in my room! I even managed to upload a grainy video of myself attempting to say "Middelkerke" (which, by the way, I failed spectacularly). So, yeah, internet access, thumbs up. And let's face it, it was a lifesaver for navigating Brussels Central station!
Internet [LAN]: Okay, I'm not a LAN person, but it was there! Good news for the serious gamers or the business types.
Internet Services, Wi-Fi in public areas: Again, excellent. I was able to catch up on e-mails in the lounge area. All perfect for the occasional social media scroll, or, you know, actually communicating with the outside world.
The Zen Zone (Or My Attempt at Finding It): Relaxation & Well-being
Fitness Center, Gym/fitness: I intended to use the gym. I really did. But the siren call of the amazing continental buffet breakfast (more on that later) was too strong. Next time, I SWEAR!
Pool with View, Swimming pool [outdoor]: The outdoor pool? STUNNING. I mean, the view from the pool? Makes you feel like you're swimming directly into the sea. Actually swimming in the pool itself was like some sort of euphoric dream… but again, I spent more time at the buffet.
Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Massage: Okay, here’s where things got real good. I booked a massage. It was not a cheap massage, but hey, I'm on VACATION. The masseuse? A goddess. The whole experience was so relaxing, I nearly forgot my own name. Plus, the spa facilities? Beautiful. The sauna was perfect for a pre-massage detox (yes, I know, I was planning to eat a ton of food later, it was still a very spa-like experience). Highly recommended.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath?: I didn't experience it, but I'm sure it would be lovely.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because Nobody Wants Bed Bugs!)
Cleanliness and Safety: Spotless. Honestly. This place was immaculate, inside and out.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They take this seriously. I felt very comfortable in this regard, and I'm a bit of a germophobe!
Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: I didn't test these out (thankfully!), but it's great to know they're available.
Staff trained in safety protocol: Yep, the staff seemed well-informed and helpful.
Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Excellent.
Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good to know!
Kitchen and Tableware: Utensils were clean, everything was spotless and felt very professional while remaining cozy.
Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: The hotel follows these guidelines, which makes you feel confident doing things like exploring the pool or relaxing in the lounge.
Safe dining setup,” (Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, etc.): More great efforts to make you feel safe and comfortable.
Shared stationery removed: Who uses stationery? But great.
Sterilizing equipment: A good sign of what they’re doing, but I did not personally see it.
What to Do (Besides Just Staring at the Ocean!)
Things to do, ways to relax: Honestly, I could have happily spent the entire trip just staring out the window, but Middelkerke itself is a gem. The beach is right there, obviously. You can take long walks, collect seashells (because, why not?), and breathe in that bracing sea air. The area is full of quirky little shops and restaurants. I spent an afternoon wandering around, and it was delightful (even if I did end up buying a slightly ridiculous hat).
Rooms, Dining, and Drinking (The Stuff We Really Care About!)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: And, oh boy, did I eat!
Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Western breakfast: The breakfast spread alone is worth the price of admission. I'm not even kidding. Everything you could possibly want. Fresh croissants? Check. Smoked salmon? Check. Eggs cooked to order? Check. A whole section devoted to waffles and fruit? Oh, HELL YES. I basically waddled out of the dining room every morning, stuffed to the gills and utterly content. Pure bliss.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: There's so much variety here, you're surely in for a great time. I wish I had ordered more, but the buffet had me locked.
Room Service: They offer 24-hour room service. I didn't use it, but I'm sure it's perfect for a late-night snack attack.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Make a Difference)
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The convenience is definitely top-notch. They thought of everything.
Check-in/out: The contactless check-in/out was easy as pie.
Luggage storage: Convenient for early arrivals or
Escape to Paradise: Dune 19's Stunning Ostseebad Dierhagen Beach House
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your meticulously planned, perfectly polished travel itinerary. This is the real deal. We're talking Penthouse on the 10th floor in Middelkerke, Belgium. Prepare for some emotional rollercoasters, questionable decisions, and the sheer unfettered joy of being utterly, gloriously human.
The Middelkerke Mess: A Week of Coastal Chaos (and Maybe Some Relaxation)
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great Luggage Kerfuffle)
- Time: 14:00 - 15:00 -- Arrival at the Penthouse! (hopefully).
- Transportation: Train from Brussels. Ugh, the train. Let's just say Belgian train stations aren't exactly known for their intuitive signage. Found myself trapped in a toilet for 10 minutes because I thought I knew the lock system (spoiler: I didn't).
- Anecdote: Got off at the supposed station and then had to figure out how to get to the apartment (thanks Google maps).
- Emotional Reaction: Relief, utter and complete. After all of that and finally arriving at the penthouse!
- Time: 15:00 - 16:00 -- The Apartment:
- Activity: Unpack, breath it all in. Oh, the view! That's what it's all about.
- Observation: Okay, the decor is… well, let's call it "eclectic." Think "coastal grandma" meets "slightly-too-much-gold-leaf," but the balcony is EPIC.
- Opinion: I'm already in love with this place. Seriously.
- Time: 16:00 - 18:00 -- Beach Stroll and Snack-Attack.
- Activity: A casual wander along the beach to get our bearings.
- Anecdote: I immediately tripped over a misplaced sandcastle bucket. (Grace, people. I have none.)
- Messy Moment: Realised I brought an extra pair of sandals and forgot the sunscreen.
- Quirky Observation Found a single, perfectly formed seashell. Immediately decided it was a sign from the sea gods.
- Emotional Reaction: The salty air, the vastness of the sea… pure happiness!
- Snack Attack Time for some Belgian fries!
- Opinion: Delicious. Absolutely the best fries of my life.
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00 -- Dinner at the local resto.
- Activity: Dinner at a restaurant nearby.
- Anecdote: Struggled with the menu. The waiter didn't speak English. I ordered the "thing with the sauce." It was… well, it was something.
- Observation: The plates were very big.
- Opinion: The local beer was better than the food.
Day 2: Sea, Sand, and Self-Doubt
- Time: 09:00 - 10:00 -- "Healthy" Start
- Activity: "Attempt" at a morning run along the beach.
- Anecdote: Ran (more like, jogged) for approximately 5 minutes before collapsing in a sandy heap, questioning all my life choices.
- Emotional Reaction: Shame. Mostly shame.
- Quirky Observation: The seagulls are relentless scavengers.
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00 -- BEACH TIME!
- Activity: Actual beach time. Sunbathe, read (tried to read, got distracted by the waves), and build a pathetic sandcastle that was immediately destroyed by a rogue wave.
- Anecdote: Met a very enthusiastic dog who insisted on trying to steal my book.
- Messy Moment: Realized I'd forgotten to reapply sunscreen. (See previous mention of missing sunscreen)
- Quirky Observation: The colour of the sea shifts so beautifully throughout the day. Magic.
- Opinion: Beach days are the best days.
- Time: 12:00 - 14:00 -- The Quest for the Perfect Waffle (A Deep Dive)
- Activity: Embarked on a mission. The Mission: Find the BEST Belgian waffle in Middelkerke.
- Anecdote: Tried three different waffle stands. The first one was okay. The second one was a sugary mess. The third one… the third one was pure, unadulterated heaven. Crispy edges, fluffy interior, mountains of whipped cream, chocolate sauce. I almost wept.
- Doubling Down: I went back for seconds. And thirds. No regrets. This waffle experience defined the day.
- Opinion: This is why I travel.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy. A sugar-induced euphoria.
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00 -- A Beach Walk and the Realization of My Imperfections
- Activity: Strolled along the beach, slightly glazed from all the waffles.
- Rambles: Started thinking about the meaning of life, the existence of waffles in the universe, the unfairness of gravity.
- Observation: Watched a group of kids playing in the sand. They were so carefree and happy. (I probably looked like a crazy waffle-obsessed person).
- Emotional Reaction: A pang of melancholy. I'm not good at sandcastles.
- Time: 16:00 - 18:00 -- A Return to the Balcony.
- Activity: Sipping a local beer, watching the sunset.
- Observation: The sunset was actually pretty amazing.
- Emotional Reaction: Peace. Finally, some goddamned peace.
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00 -- Dinner and a Nightcap at a coastal bar.
- Activity: Dinner at a restaurant and a drink.
- Anecdote: The bartender kept asking how many waffles I had eaten.
- Opinion: Overrated
- Emotional Reaction: Ready for bed.
Day 3: Culture Shock (and More Waffles)
- Time: 09:00 - 12:00 -- Visit the local market.
- Activity: Stroll along the market and attempt to speak french.
- Anecdote: I tried to buy some cheese and had to communicate with the shopkeeper just by using hand gestures and pointing.
- Opinion: The cheese was good.
- Time: 12:00 - 14:00 -- Back to the Waffle.
- Activity: I went back to the waffle place again…
- Anecdote: I saw the waffle maker give me a knowing wink.
- Emotional Reaction: Shame at the waffle consumption.
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00 -- Visit a local historical location.
- Activity: Attempt to visit the church.
- Anecdote: It was all written in Flemish.
- Opinion: I didn't understand anything, but it was still pretty.
- Time: 16:00 - 18:00 -- A Return to the Balcony.
- Activity: Sipping a local beer, and attempting to read.
- Anecdote: Got distracted by the view again.
- Emotional Reaction: Peace. Finally, some goddamned peace.
- Time: 18:00 - 20:00 -- Dinner and a Nightcap at a coastal bar.
- Activity: Dinner at a restaurant and a drink.
- Anecdote: The bartender still kept asking how many waffles I had eaten,
- Opinion: Overrated
- Emotional Reaction: Ready for bed.
(Days 4-7: Repeat the above, with minor variations. More waffles may or may not be consumed. The sea continues to be beautiful, the locals continue to be mildly perplexed by my existence, and I, well, I keep falling in love with the simple joys of being alive.)
Final Thoughts:
This isn't a perfectly curated trip. It's messy, impulsive, and often fueled by sugar and seaside air. Will I remember every detail? Probably not. Will I cherish the memories? Absolutely. Because that's the whole point, isn’t it? Embrace the chaos, laugh at the mishaps, and find joy in the small, silly things. And if you're in Middelkerke, get yourself a damn waffle. You won't regret it.
Fehmarn's Bird Invasion: Witness Stunning Flight Displays Up Close!
So, what in the world *is* this thing? Like, REALLY?
Ugh, right? Even *I* get confused sometimes. Technically, we're talking about a FAQ page. You know, those little help sections that are supposed to make life easier. But let's be real, half the time they’re written in the most boring, robotic language imaginable. My goal here? To fix that. To make the FAQ... not suck.
Okay, okay. You're trying to be, like, *relatable*? But why now? Why bother?
Because the internet is overflowing with stuffy, corporate-speak answers! It's exhausting! I was once trying to figure out how to unclog my drain (don’t ask) and the instructions I found were drier than the Sahara. I ended up calling a plumber and *still* had to pay a ridiculous amount. That's when the rage set in. I'm fighting back! One slightly-unhinged FAQ at a time.
Right. But… what topics are we actually *talking* about here? Is there a *theme*?
Um… well, not really. It's gonna be a mixed bag. Things that bug me, things I find interesting, maybe even some stuff about my cat, Mr. Whiskers (who is, by the way, a total drama queen). Basically, if you're hoping for a tightly-knit, thematically-coherent experience, you're in the wrong place. Grab a beverage, settle in, and let's see where this train wreck of thought goes. Speaking of beverages...
Let’s change the theme! Can you actually help people? Like, be *useful*?
Okay, fine. *Sometimes*. I'll sprinkle in some actual helpful information, but don't expect miracles. Think of it like getting a tip from your slightly-scatterbrained friend who *once* aced a test. Might work, might not. I will try to include some facts and figures. But remember this is the beginning and there will be errors
Are you gonna try to be funny? Because, like, humor is hard.
I'm gonna *try*. Prepare for dad jokes, self-deprecating humor, and possibly some puns that are so bad they’ll make you groan. It's a risky strategy, I know. But if nobody laughs, at least I'll have entertained myself. You know what's never funny? Explanations. Like the one I’m writing right now. So, I’ll stop before I start
What about mistakes and typos? Are you going to be perfect?
HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, you sweet summer child. Perfection is not in my vocabulary. There will be mistakes. Sentences will be clunky. I might even use the wrong "there/their/they're." Embrace the chaos! It’s part of the charm. It’s like… *character building*.
Why don't you provide more information? Seriously, it's not helpful!
Hey, I hear ya! And here and the truth is I am trying to remember the information. It's a difficult and it sometimes is the point. In some cases, I only have pieces of an idea, and I can't provide the whole thing because I don't have the whole thing. I've tried to be helpful, but if it fails, at least you can point and laugh.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Ah, the classic interview question! Assuming the robots haven't taken over and enslaved us all by then... I see myself hopefully having honed my skills, becoming slightly less prone to typos, and maybe... *just maybe*... having convinced my cat to stop shedding all over the furniture. Five years also means I would be older than this thing, which causes a lot of problems.
What if I have a question that isn't here? What then?
Well, first, congratulations! You're the first person to have a question that isn't addressed here. (Okay, maybe not, but let's pretend.) Then, you have a few options: a) Ignore it (probably the wisest choice). b) Ask me! I’ll... try to answer. No promises on the quality of the answer. c) Maybe you should just keep it to yourself and try not to be so difficult. I am just kidding.
Okay, fine. I'm still confused. Is this thing even finished?
*Finished*? Oh, honey, this is a work in progress. It's more like a constantly-evolving, slightly-chaotic blob of thoughts that I will probably revisit and mess with for all of eternity. And you know what? That's the beauty of it!
