Escape to Vieuxville: Luxurious 6-Person Holiday Home in Belgium!
Escape to Vieuxville: My Belgian Fairytale (or, How I Learned to Love a Sauna) - A Rambling Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans (and maybe a little Belgian chocolate) on my recent whirlwind trip to Escape to Vieuxville: Luxurious 6-Person Holiday Home in Belgium. This place… well, it's a LOT. And honestly, after staying there, I feel like I need a body wrap just to recover from the sheer stuff on offer. This isn’t just a holiday; it’s a commitment. A commitment to luxury, to relaxation, and potentially, to overeating.
Let's start with the basics, because even a rambling review needs some structure, right?
Accessibility & Getting There (The "Did I Pack My Wheelchair?" Section)
Okay, so the official blurb says it has facilities for disabled guests. Good! I can't personally attest to this, as I don't use them. However, the presence of an elevator and the mention of facilities for disabled guests suggests it should have ramps and other considerations. But always double-check with the property directly! Getting there? Easy peasy. Airport transfer is offered, and you have a car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site], which is a godsend, especially if you're hauling luggage, which, let's be honest, everyone does on holiday.
The "Cleanliness Uber Alles" (and my Germaphobe Moments)
Right, this is where Vieuxville really shines. The cleanliness and safety protocols are practically obsessive, and trust me, in the post-pandemic world, that’s a major selling point. They go hard on the anti-viral cleaning products, the daily disinfection in common areas, and the rooms sanitized between stays. You can even opt out of room sanitization, if you are, you know, weird like that (I’m not judging, but I ain't going to do it). They also have hand sanitizer everywhere. Seriously. I even found some strategically placed in the sauna (more on that later).
Speaking of which, the staff is trained in safety protocol, and they’ve got the fire extinguisher and smoke alarms in place – all those little things that give you peace of mind when you’re trying to relax. They even use professional-grade sanitizing services. Honestly, it's so clean, you could probably eat off the floor… though I wouldn't actually recommend it.
My Personal Obsession: The Spa & Relaxation Zone (aka The Sauna Saga)
Okay, so I'm not usually a spa-goer. I’m more of a “hide in a corner with a good book and a bottle of wine” kind of relaxer. But, holy moly, the spa at Vieuxville? It converted me. They have a pool with a view (gorgeous), a sauna, a steamroom, a spa, and a Spa/sauna combo. It’s like a little slice of Nordic heaven dropped right in the middle of Belgium.
And let me tell you about the sauna. I’d always thought saunas were a bit…well, boring. But this one? This one was different. It was a proper sauna, all wood and heat and the glorious smell of… well, wood. The first five minutes were a bit of a shock to the system. I felt like I was slowly melting. But then… ah, then the magic happened. The knots in my shoulders started to unravel. My brain went gloriously blank. I became one with the silence, one with the heat, one with the… (checks watch) …the strategically placed hand sanitizer! (See? Everything circles back to the cleanliness.)
The foot bath was another revelation. I soaked my weary feet in scented water and actually sighed out loud. I'm not sure what the body scrub and body wrap were like - I never had them. They are there, though. The only real imperfection: The spa area wasn't always totally private. One day, a gaggle of giggling Belgian teenagers invaded the pool. (But hey, that is life!)
Food, Glorious Food (and My Expanding Waistline)
Oh, the food! Vieuxville is a veritable feast for the senses… and your stomach. The restaurants offer a Breakfast [buffet], a Breakfast service, delicious desserts, and an A la carte in restaurant. I practically lived on the breakfast buffet. (Don’t judge me; it was amazing). The Asian cuisine in restaurant was tempting, but I stuck with the European fare. Oh! They also have a Snack bar by the pool! Perfect for getting extra calories after you spend a few hours in the pool.
They even offer Room service [24-hour]. This is dangerous for someone like me, who has zero self-control when it comes to late-night snacking. So, yeah, I may have ordered a lot of room service.
The Room: My Fortress of Cozy (with a few minor grumbles)
The rooms themselves? Pretty darn luxurious. My room had air conditioning, a blackout curtain (essential for sleeping in!), a coffee/tea maker, a mini bar that I raided pretty regularly, free Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, and a separate shower/bathtub. It had smoke detector, safety/security feature. and a seating area. All of this made the room comfortable.
It wasn’t perfect though. The wi-fi would sometimes bog down - I got a bit cranky because I had to use it to actually work sometimes (yes, even on vacation). And honestly, the slippers they provided were a bit…slippery. I nearly did a faceplant on my way to the sauna, (again, the sauna!)
The "Stuff to Do" (besides, you know, spa-ing)
Okay, so Vieuxville is all about relaxation, but there's stuff to do if you’re into that. They have a fitness center, although I didn’t use it (see: the breakfast buffet). There seemed to be a lot of things to do. The Concierge is friendly and helpful - not that I needed much help, since I spent 80% of my time in the sauna! They also offer bicycle parking if you're feeling energetic and if you do, there's bike rentals.
The "Services and Conveniences" - A Quick Rundown (because honestly, there are tons)
They have everything! Daily housekeeping, luggage storage, laundry service, a gift/souvenir shop, cash withdrawal, currency exchange, dry cleaning, safe deposit boxes, concierge service. They have a business center. (See, you can actually work from here.) They even have a doctor/nurse on call, just in case you overdo it in the sauna (or at the breakfast buffet).
For the Kids: I'm Not Sure, TBH
I have no kids. They have babysitting service and seemed to be family/child friendly and have Kids facilities and even Kids meal.
The Verdict: Worth the Trip (and the Calories)
Look, Vieuxville isn’t cheap. But, honestly, if you're looking for a luxurious, relaxing escape, this place delivers. It's clean, it's comfortable, it's filled with things that make you go "Ooh!" and "Aah!" (and occasionally, "Must. Eat. More. Pastries."). The staff is friendly, and while it doesn’t exactly have a "soul," it has the equipment and the amenities!
Just be prepared to spend a lot of time in the sauna. You will not regret it. And pack your stretchy pants for the breakfast buffet. You will also not regret it.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Belgian Waffles (because the slight wi-fi issues and the slippery slippers just cost them those last half-star!)
Metadata:
- Keywords: Vieuxville, Belgium, Luxury Holiday Home, Spa, Sauna, Relaxation, Cleanliness, Accessibility, Family Friendly, Restaurant, Breakfast, Holiday, Travel Review, Belgium, Europe, Accommodation
- Description: A detailed and brutally honest review of Escape to Vieuxville, a luxurious 6-person holiday home in Belgium. Find out about the spa, the cleanliness, the food, the rooms, and the overall experience (with plenty of personal anecdotes and quirky observations). Learn about accessibility, family-friendliness, and the best places to relax (the sauna!).
- SEO Focus: This review targets keywords related to luxurious accommodation in Belgium, spa experiences, and family holidays, using a natural, conversational tone to appeal to potential guests. It emphasizes the property's key selling points (cleanliness, spa facilities, food) while also being transparent about minor imperfections.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're heading to Ferrières, Belgium, and it's gonna be a glorious, messy, potentially disastrous, and definitely memorable trip. Forget those pristine itineraries; this is the REAL deal. Six souls crammed into a holiday home, armed with more optimism than common sense, and ready to… well, exist in the Ardennes. Here’s the battle plan, such as it is:
The Ferrières Fiasco: A 6-Person Adventure
Day 1: Arrivals and Apprehensions (and a Whole Lot of Luggage)
- 10:00 AM: The Grand Pile-Up. Arrive at the holiday home in Vieuxville. Or at least, attempt to. The GPS lies. Our first battle? Finding the bloody place. We’re talking narrow, winding roads that make my stomach churn, and the kind of "villages" where a cow outnumbered the population. The car, already brimming with luggage, groceries (because we're optimists), and the unspoken hopes of six exhausted people, struggles up the final incline.
- 11:00 AM: The Key Saga. Finding the key? Challenge accepted. We’re all scrambling around, searching in pockets and bags after my wife, Sarah, had her “I swear I had it” moment. We're pretty sure there was a whole lot of sighing and eye-rolling going on.
- 11:30 AM: First Impressions and Interior Design Judgements. Unlocking the door reveals…a holiday home. Okay, it's a holiday home home. The decor? Let's just say it's… eclectic. Think "Grandma's Attic Meets Ikea." One of us (probably me) immediately started complaining about the curtains.
- 12:00 PM: The Great Unpack and the Hunger Games. Unpacking is a nightmare. There's never enough closet space. Then, the hunger hits. We ransack the grocery bags with the desperation of survivors. First order of business: find the wine. You know, for medicinal purposes.
- 1:00 PM: Reconnaissance Mission: The Local Pub. Walk down to the "local pub" - a charming establishment with a bartender who looks like he's seen a lot of tourists and a whole lot more beer. We, the hungry tourists, consume a few beers and then start wondering how we felt about the town.
- 3:00 PM: Nap time. After all that driving and stress, time for a power nap.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner Disaster (and a Glorious Recovery). Cooking our first meal together is an exercise in chaos. There's a fire alarm incident. Someone (me, again? Guilty!) nearly sets the kitchen ablaze by trying to make a "gourmet" (read: microwaved) meal. But amidst the smoky haze, we manage to cobble together something edible. We laugh, we bond, we vow to never, ever try to cook scallops again.
- 8:00 PM: Board Games and Existential Dread. The evening brings out the competitive spirit. Monopoly is a particularly divisive choice. Arguments flare, alliances shift, and someone throws the dice across the room. It's beautiful, in a chaotic sort of way. Then, existential dread creeps in as we all sit around the table. "What are we doing with our lives?"
Day 2: Ardennes Adventures (and the Triumph of Chocolate)
- 9:00 AM: The Ardennes Awakening. Finally, a good night's sleep. (If you don't count the snoring contest that broke out.)
- 10:00 AM: Breakfast Brawl. Breakfast. The most important meal. Except when everyone wants different things.
- 11:00 AM: The Castle of Logne Debacle. A day trip to the ruins of Castle of Logne. Picturesque, supposedly. The reality? More like a muddy hike with a slightly crumbling fortress at the end. There's a steep climb. My knees scream in protest. One of us (probably me) loses a shoe.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch Fail. The planned picnic goes sideways when the sandwiches get squashed and the cheese melts in the sun. We huddle under a tree, eating soggy bread and feeling slightly defeated by nature.
- 2:00 PM: The Chocolate Awakening. The nearby chocolate shop. This is the moment that redeems the day. It's a revelation, a taste of heaven. The chocolate maker's passion is infectious. We sample everything, buying enough to sink a small boat. We become chocolate evangelists.
- 4:00 PM: Waterfall Wonders. Attempting to find a waterfall. The directions are vague, the signs… well, nonexistent. We wander aimlessly, finally stumble upon a stream. It's a small waterfall, but we take it.
- 6:00 PM: The Return of the Kitchen Chaos. Dinner tonight? Pizza. Because we deserve pizza. And maybe a lot more chocolate
- 8:00 PM: Stargazing (and Mosquitoes). We venture outside to admire the stars, but are attacked by a swarm of merciless mosquitoes. We retreat indoors.
Day 3: Ferrières Explorations (and the Art of Doing Nothing)
- 9:00 AM: Sleep-in. The concept still seems foreign but we were successful.
- 11:00 AM: Wandering around Ferrières. The charming little town of Ferrières itself. We explore the local shops, buy souvenirs (mostly useless). The cobbled streets are pretty. We debate the merits of different types of cheese.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a local restaurant. The food, thankfully, is better than my cooking. There's a communal moment of peace.
- 3:00 PM: The River Adventure. We decide to be active. We rent kayaks and float down the Ourthe River. The water is cold, the current strong. We almost capsize, laughing the entire time.
- 5:00 PM: The Aperol Spritz Ritual. Back at the holiday home, we create an Aperol Spritz ritual for the remaining days.
- 7:00 PM: The Big BBQ. We make an attempt at a BBQ, but the charcoal refuses to light, and we are forced to run into the kitchen.
- 9:00 PM: Movie Night. A classic movie night to end the night.
Day 4: Goodbye, Belgium?
- 9:00 AM: Last-Minute Panic. Realizing we've forgotten something crucial (sunscreen? Phone chargers? Sanity?).
- 10:00 AM: Packing is a nightmare. There is a mad scramble.
- 11:00 AM: A quick exploration around the house.
- 12:00 PM: Final Lunch. Enjoying our last meal in the house.
- 1:00 PM: We head home. Our heads, hearts, and bellies full, and our clothes dirty.
Important Considerations:
- Flexibility: This is a guideline. Plans will change. Embrace the chaos.
- Food: Pack snacks. Lots of snacks. And chocolate. Always more chocolate.
- Mood Swings: Expect them. They’re part of the fun (and the occasional meltdown).
- Patience: You'll need it. Particularly in the kitchen.
- Sense of Humor: Non-negotiable.
This trip won't be perfect. There will be moments of frustration, moments of laughter, and moments when you question why you agreed to this in the first place. But through the mess, the mishaps, and the general insanity, you'll create memories that will last a lifetime. And let's be honest, isn't that what it's all about? Now go forth and conquer Ferrières! Godspeed. And bring chocolate.
Selci, Italy: Your Dream Poolside Holiday Home Awaits!
Escape to Vieuxville: Your Chaotic Guide to Bliss (and Belgian Beer!)
Okay, so... What *exactly* is Escape to Vieuxville? Sounds pretentious.
Pretentious? Maybe a *little*. It's a fancy way of saying "a really nice holiday house in Belgium that sleeps six." Think: exposed beams, a fireplace that actually *works* (unlike my place), and enough space that you won't be tripping over each other like clumsy penguins. It's in a village called Vieuxville, which roughly translates to "old town," but trust me, it’s less dusty history book and more... well, mostly peaceful. Mostly. Expect some Belgian chocolate consumption. Seriously, it's a requirement. Like breathing.
Six-person holiday home... Suitable for what? (Avoid the obvious "six people.")
Ah, *that's* the million-dollar question. Let me paint you a picture… Think of it this way: you and *five* of your closest pals (or, you know, tolerate-ably close pals). Think of a family looking for a more grown-up holiday, a place where the kids can entertain themselves and the adults can actually *talk*. Or even better, a couple of couples who want to escape the city's concrete jungle, drink good beer, eat amazing food, and maybe, *maybe* fall in love with each other all over again. (I'm projecting here. My marriage needs a vacation. Badly.) Basically, anyone who needs a serious dose of "Ahhhhhh" and some serious Belgian charm.
The word "luxurious" has my alarm bells ringing. What's the catch?
Okay, okay, it's not *palace* luxurious. But it’s definitely a cut above "renting a leaky shed." We're talking a fully equipped kitchen (trust me, I *need* that), comfy beds (that’s crucial), and hopefully, an actual *shower* with decent water pressure (my current rental has a dribble, and it’s depressing). The catch? Well, you're paying for the privilege of not having to haul your own wood for the fire – likely. It's not cheap. But hey, who can put a price on escaping the utter chaos that is your life? Me. I can. But it's still worth it.
Belgium. What if I don't know anything about Belgium?
Bless your heart. You should know more. Start with chocolate. Then beer. Then waffles. Belgium is a small, beautiful country filled with amazing things. Then there’s the history… oh, the history! Castles, medieval towns, World War I battlefields… It's a good thing! But mainly, it's about the food. I repeat: FOOD. And the friendly people who will welcome you with open arms (and more food). Honestly, even if all you did was eat and drink your way through the trip, you'd have a pretty good time.
Tell me about the location, Vieuxville. Is it accessible? Is it... *isolated*?
It’s in the Ardennes, that bit of Belgium that feels slightly… fairy tale-ish. Accessible? Yes. You can drive (car rental is probably the easiest), or if you're feeling ambitious, you can train and rent a car. It's not *miles* from civilization. You're close to towns, shops, and restaurants. Isolated? Nope. You're not going to be stranded in a cabin, battling bears and running out of toilet paper (although, pack extra anyway). You can still see your Netflix, order pizza, and generally connect with the outside world. But! You can also disconnect, and that’s the real magic. You'll probably be surrounded by nothing but trees, fields, and the occasional cow giving you the side-eye. Which, frankly, is fine by me.
Okay, specifics: What's *actually* in the house? Not just the fantasy version.
Alright, alright, let’s get down to brass tacks. From what I've gathered (and stalked, mostly), it has a fully equipped kitchen (I'm visualizing myself making an amazing breakfast and eating it in peace… then realizing I have to clean the kitchen, which is less idyllic). Living area with comfy seating and a fireplace. Bedrooms (hopefully with actual blackout curtains! I DESPISE being woken up by the sun.) Bathrooms (plural? YES PLEASE!). Outdoor space (for BBQs, assuming the weather cooperates; Belgian weather can be… unpredictable). And, hopefully, Wi-Fi that doesn't make me want to throw my laptop out the window. Also, hopefully, a washing machine so I don't have to pack a suitcase full of dirty socks.
Is it dog-friendly? Because my fluffy boi needs a holiday too.
Actually, this is really important. I NEED to give this a serious thought process. Is it dog-friendly? I think I can safely say that if I needed to know, I would have been informed. So I should assume it is NOT, but I am making an educated guess. I am NOT looking for a place to be dog-friendly. I would not want dogs running around a place I rented, and I can't imagine what it would be like being the landlord of a dog-friendly place. They'd be liable for too many things.
What's the parking situation like? Do I have to fight for a space?
From what I can tell, and I HAVE done some extensive internet stalking here, there is usually parking available. Unless, you know, a herd of tourists arrives at the same time as you. Then you might just be staring at your car and wondering why you thought the cobblestone roads of Vieuxville were worth it. Honestly, parking is the bane of my existence. Just… pray for space. And if you have a tiny car, maybe you'll get lucky with that teeny space.
What if something goes wrong? Is there help available?
Good question. This is IMPORTANT. There *should* be a contact number for emergencies. Hopefully, the owners are (or have a local that is) responsive. Because if the heating goes out in December, you're going to want help, and FAST. And if the toilet clogs... well, let's just say I've been there, and it's not a fun experience. Always, *always* check the fine print about emergency contacts. Don't be that person who realizes they haveHotels Blog Guide
