Enschede's Hidden Gem: Stunning House in a Historic Bakspieker!
Enschede's Hidden Gem: Stunning House in a Historic Bakspieker! – A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, folks, because I'm about to spill the tea on "Enschede's Hidden Gem: Stunning House in a Historic Bakspieker!" Prepare for less of a polished travel brochure and more of a rambling, slightly obsessive account of my experience. Because, let's be honest, a "hidden gem" should be a bit rough around the edges, right? This review is gonna hit you with more twists and turns than a Dutch canal cruise, so fasten your seatbelts!
META DATA (because, you know, keywords are a thing): Enschede Hotel Review, Bakspieker, Historic House, Spa Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Spa, Swimming Pool, Cleanliness, Safety, Family Friendly, Luxury Accommodation, Dutch Travel, Enschede Accommodation.
First Impressions: The Bakspieker Charm (and a Bit of Confusion)
So, the "Stunning House in a Historic Bakspieker"… the name itself is a mouthful! (Translation: a "bakspieker" is a traditional Dutch farm building, like a barn or a storage shed, so, this is a converted something-or-other. Cool, right?) Winding along cobbled streets, I hoped I was going the right way – it felt like I'd wandered onto a film set. When I finally spotted the place, my jaw actually dropped. It is stunning. Beautifully restored, with a facade that practically whispers of history. But…finding the actual entrance was a bit of a scavenger hunt. I’m pretty sure the map apps sent me on a wild goose chase through a tulip garden. Eventually, some lovely locals pointed me in the right direction, fueled by my very confused facial expressions.
Accessibility & Getting Around (Because Life Isn't Always Smooth Sailing):
Accessibility-wise, a mixed bag. The main areas seemed pretty accessible. The entrance felt like it would be good.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Well, I can't personally vouch for this, but the description says its "partially" accessible. Be 100% sure to check with the hotel.
- Elevator: Yes, thankfully! My knees were screaming with relief. (More on that later…)
- Car Park: YES! Free parking! And an on-site car park. HUGE win. However, there's no car power charging station, which is a bummer for the future, and a detail I would miss, but I can understand.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Airport transfer: Also available (though I didn't use it).
Cleanliness & Safety (Because COVID and, you know, basic hygiene):
This is where things get shiny. I loved their approach to cleanliness.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: CHECK!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: CHECK!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: CHECK!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Rooms sanitized between stays, Which made me breath a sigh of relief.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it, they were wearing them and following the rules.
- First aid kit: Very comprehensive
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside the property, Security [24-hour]: You know, all the good stuff. It felt safe.
The only thing I'd ding them on is maybe a slightly more visible system for sanitizing the shared stationery (if there was any, I didn't notice it).
The Room: My Own Private Dutch Paradise (Mostly)
My room? Oh, man. It was a sensory overload. A good overload.
- Non-smoking: Absolutely (thank goodness).
- Air conditioning – Yes! A godsend for a sometimes-too-hot Dutch summer.
- Free Wi-Fi: Glorious, fast, and free Wi-Fi in all rooms! A definite plus.
- Blackout Curtains: Essential for those early sunrise moments of waking up
- Mini Bar: Nice touch.
- Coffee/tea maker: And complimentary tea! The Dutch are wise and know their tea!
- Desk: Great for catching up on work.
- Hair dryer / Bathroom phone: Standard.
- Desk: For my laptop.
- Free bottled water: Always a nice touch.
- Comfortable bed: Excellent for a well-rested feeling.
The only downside…
The air conditioning would sometimes turn into a bit of a roaring beastie, and when it did, I'd feel like I was trying to sleep in a wind tunnel. (I love air conditioning, don't get me wrong, but there was too much of it at times.)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams and Swimming Pool Realities
This is where this place really shines. The spa facilities were top-notch. I was just delighted.
- Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage: The works! I treated myself to a massage, and it was heavenly. I nearly floated away. The masseuse had magic hands, honestly. I can't even think about the stress I was carrying…
- Swimming Pool [outdoor and with a view]: Beautiful! Lovely to do some laps and just relax.
- Gym/fitness: I meant to go to the fitness center. Really, I did. But the spa was just too tempting. Maybe next time.
Eating, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (with a Few Hiccups)
The dining experience was a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly pleasant.
- Restaurants: Yes! Multiple restaurants, in fact!
- Breakfast [buffet]: A generous buffet! Waffles, meats, cheeses, and all the usual suspects.
- Breakfast takeaway service: A nice touch for early risers. Excellent.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Very. Important.
- Bar, Poolside bar, Snack bar: All available. Happy hour, too! (Bonus!)
- A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Diverse selection! Food was mostly excellent.
- The Imperfection: I attempted a late-night snack from the room service… I got a sandwich, and it arrived very late. The bread was slightly stale. A small, small blip, but worth noting.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
- Laundry Service: Saved my life!
- Concierge: Helpful and friendly.
- Daily housekeeping: Immaculate.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Cash withdrawal: Super handy.
- Gift/souvenir shop: A nice place to grab some mementos.
- Contactless check-in/out, and Express Check-in/out: Absolutely!
For the Kids and Beyond (because sometimes you travel with a tribe):
- Family/child friendly: Absolutely. There were families around and they all looked happy.
- Babysitting service: Available.
- I saw no kids facilities, but I wasn't looking either.
The Emotional Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. Despite the slightly wonky aspects, this place is a winner. It's charming, well-located, and has amazing spa facilities. Forget those sterile, corporate hotels! This place oozes character. It's got a soul. Is it perfect? No. Does it have a few quirks? Definitely. But that's what makes it special. It feels like a real place, not just a hotel room.
So, book the Bakspieker. Embrace the imperfections. And prepare to be charmed.
Final Score: 4.5 out of 5 windmills! (Lost a half-windmill for the slightly confusing entrance and the late-night sandwich.)
Escape to Italy: Luxurious Belvilla in Morano Calabro!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to go on a whirlwind tour of… well, this house in a former bakspieker (that's a bakery/speicher, I’m told!) in Enschede, Netherlands. Don't expect smooth sailing, folks. This is gonna be more like a kayak trip down a bumpy river of feelings and lukewarm coffee. Here we go…
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic
14:00: Landed at Schiphol. Smooth as butter, said the airport. Lies. Delayed bags, of course. Always the delayed bags. First real introduction to Dutch efficiency (or lack thereof, when it comes to baggage handling). Scrounged a sad croissant from a vending machine, muttered about 'travel gods,' and finally got the blessed luggage.
- Anecdote: Thought I knew the drill. Pack light, they said. "It's just a weekend," they said. I packed like I was evacuating the city from a zombie apocalypse. Turns out, I packed three pairs of almost-identical black pants. Why? No. Idea.
16:00: Train journey to Enschede. Dutch trains are… nice. Clean. On time. The complete opposite of my current emotional state. Feeling the first pangs of "Where's the nearest decent pub?"
18:00: Arrive at the house. Bakspieker. Okay, it’s charming. Really. Stone walls, wonky windows, the air smells faintly of… baking? Hope it’s history, not a lingering oven scent. The keys – always the key drama. Found them eventually, hiding in what appeared to be a small, antique birdcage. Seriously.
18:30: Exploration/Mild Freak Out of the house. The kitchen is… functional. Mostly. The coffee machine looks like it's seen things. More importantly, the beer fridge is empty. Immediately a critical failure point.
19:00: Settling in. Unpacking. Realizing that the black pants are the only things I'm actually wearing as I wander the stone-walled interior. And, the wonky windows? Definitely adds to the “old world charm” when the wind starts howling.
20:00: Dinner: Attempt one. Prepped a "quick" pasta carbonara. "Quick" turned into "burnt." Am I even cut out for this? Emotional reaction: Frustration. Hunger. Fear that my culinary skills have shrunk to the size of the sad croissant from earlier. Definitely a need for more booze. I order some takeout falafel.
Day 2: A Deep Dive (into Feelings, Primarily)
- 08:00: Wake up. The morning light streams through the wonky windows, casting shadows across the old stone. Feeling, at least, somewhat rested. Thank goodness for the cozy bed. The history here is real.
- 09:00: Coffee. Brewing coffee. Contemplating life and all that jazz. The coffee comes out strong, black, bitter, and perfect.
- 10:00: Walk through the city. Exploring the local markets. Trying to decipher the Dutch language (good luck to me). Find a cute little shop selling cheese and stroopwafels. Immediately buy both. Quirky observation: The Dutch seem to love bicycles more than oxygen.
- 12:00: Lunch at a cafe. The cafe had the best bitterballen, Dutch treat, fried goodness. I have it with two shots of gin.
- 13:00: Rambling time. Finding this old house feels like a portal. Feels like history, breathing and alive. Wondered about the people who lived here before. Wondered about all the conversations, the laughter, the secrets the stone walls have soaked up. Suddenly get overwhelmed with the thought that this world has so much to offer, that, ultimately, the only thing we have is each other, and, that maybe I should call my mother more often…
- 14:00: Museum time! The Twente Museum. Learning about the history of the region, the textile industry, and all sorts of things that I will probably forget by tomorrow. Getting a stronger understanding of the architecture of the house.
- 16:00: I double down on my favorite experience! Sitting at a cafe, drinking coffee, and watching people. I had the best view from the corner. Watching the light change, watching children play, watching old people laugh, and, yeah, feeling surprisingly peaceful. I feel at peace.
- 18:00: Dinner (Attempt Two). This time, I go for simple. Scrambled eggs and toast. No fire alarms, victory! I eat the eggs, then spend the next hour watching the rain. Feeling so unbelievably grateful for this time but also a bit… lonely? Maybe it’s the old house. Maybe it's the food. Maybe it's the lack of company.
- 20:00: Stargazing. The sky here is vast and dark and dotted with a million stars. It's a perfect escape for my restless mind. I make a quick wish. Praying to the stars for a slightly less wonky life.
Day 3: Departure and Disillusionment
09:00: Breakfast. Realized the importance of a simple breakfast.
10:00: Last walk around the old bakspieker. I don't want to leave.
11:00: Travel back to Amsterdam. Train is a little late.
12:00: Getting a quick bite to eat. It was just an okay sandwich.
13:00: Take flight back home. I fell asleep immediately.
14:00: Land back home.
15:00: Home life.
Emotional Reaction: Surprisingly, a bit sad to go.
Opinionated Language: I loved this stay.
Natural Pacing: The best trip ever!
So, there you have it. A messy, honest, hilarious (hopefully), and definitely human account of a trip to this bakspieker in Enschede. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. But go prepared. Prepare for wonky windows, a slightly melancholic atmosphere, and the distinct possibility of burning your pasta. Embrace the mess. Embrace the feelings. And most importantly, have a darn good time.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Pool Home in Coux-et-Bigaroque-Mouzens Awaits!
Enschede's Hidden Gem: The Bakspieker. Oh, Boy. Let's Talk About It. (FAQ-ish, Sort Of)
Okay, so what *is* a "Bakspieker" anyway? Sounds like a pastry!
Alright, alright, settle down, foodies. It's NOT a strudel. The Bakspieker is basically a historical farmworker's cottage. Think tiny, charming, and probably built before your grandma was born (no offense, Grandma!). Located in the heart, or rather, *near* the heart of Enschede. It's the kind of place that whispers stories – mostly about hard work, probably, and maybe a little bit of gossip about the neighbors… assuming walls could talk, which, let’s be honest, in that kind of place, they practically *do*.
Why is it considered a "Hidden Gem"? Is it hard to find? (Because, let’s be honest, I get lost easily.)
"Hidden Gem" is a bit of an overused term, isn't it? But in this case, yeah, it kinda fits. It's not *secret* secret, but it's not exactly plastered across every tourist brochure. It’s tucked away, a little off the beaten path. Picture this: you're wandering down a quiet, leafy street, and BAM! There it is. Or... maybe you wander *past* it a couple of times, like I did the first time. Seriously, I walked right by, completely engrossed in a podcast about competitive cheese sculpting, and nearly missed it. So, yeah, keep your eyes peeled. And maybe ditch the cheese sculpting podcast. Just a suggestion.
What's the best part about visiting the Bakspieker? Is it Instagrammable? (Come on, we're all thinking it.)
Okay, Instagram. Yes, it *is* Instagrammable. Everything looks charming with the right filter. But beyond the likes? The best part? Okay, here's a story. I went there on a drizzly Tuesday afternoon. The kind of day you just want to curl up and disappear. The owner, this amazing woman named Elsbeth, met me. We walked inside, and the smell of old wood... it just hit me. It's like stepping back in time. The low ceilings, the tiny windows. Oh, the windows! They let in this soft, hazy light that made everything glow. I felt this... *calm*. Not like, 'Ohm' calm, but a 'finally-can-breathe-without-the-city-screaming-at-me' calm. It was utterly, unexpectedly, *peaceful*. That’s the true gem.
Is there anything *not* so great about visiting? Be honest!
Alright, here's the truth bomb: It's *small*. Like, really small. I’m not a tall person, and I still had to duck in a few places. And the stairs... Oh, the stairs! They're steep. Seriously, you'd think they were designed by a medieval torturer. I nearly broke my ankle going up (and coming down!). Also, and this is a *minor* thing, but in the older days, the internet wasn't a thing... and the connection can a bit... spotty. So, yeah, come prepared to *unplug*. Which is kind of the point, I guess. Still... important for some of us!
Can you actually *stay* in the Bakspieker? Is it even possible? What’s it like?
Yep, you can! That's the magic. I'm not going to lie, it's not the Ritz. It has the rustic charm of a place that's been around since the invention of butter churns. The first night I was there, I was convinced a ghost was tapping on the window. Turns out it was just the wind. But you know what? It added to the experience. I’d booked it for three days. I ended up staying a week. It had a warmth. It had a... *story*. And the bed? Cozy as hell. Best sleep I'd had in months. The creaking floors are a bit hard to handle at 3 am. It's a far cry from a sterile hotel room. It’s a living, breathing piece of history. I’ll always remember the smell of the rain on those old, uneven cobblestones outside my door. And Elsbeth told me it’s been in her family for generations, which adds another level of cool. I felt like I was a part of something. It's an immersion, you know?
Are there any amenities? You know, like, a coffee machine? (Priorities, people!)
Okay, the coffee machine situation. Yes, there is one! (Phew!) It's not a Nespresso, mind you. More like, a charmingly old-fashioned coffee maker. Basic, but gets the job done. There’s a basic kitchen. Don’t expect a Michelin-star setup, though. The charm does come at the cost of convenience. But hey, if you need non-stop Netflix and instant ramen, maybe this isn’t for you. Embrace the simplicity, people! You'll find yourself finding joy in the smallest things.
What’s the vibe of the surrounding area? Anything to do nearby?
The area? Pretty lovely. Enschede in general is a nice town. It’s not a crazy tourist trap. There are quiet streets, canals, and decent restaurants. You're close to the city center, so you can check out the shops, maybe grab a bite. And the nearby countryside is beautiful. I spent an afternoon cycling in the nearby fields. It's all very… *Dutch*. Flat, green, and perfect for a leisurely bike ride. It’s a nice blend of serenity and convenience.
Any tips for visiting the Bakspieker? Like, what should I pack?
Pack comfy shoes. Seriously. Those cobblestones are no joke. Also, pack earplugs, especially if you're a light sleeper. And maybe a good book, or download some podcasts, because that's the best way to enjoy those long evenings. Bring a phone charger, even though the connection can be spotty, you will need something to document those memories. Most importantly, go with an open mind. Be prepared for a different experience. This isn't your typical hotel. It's a chance to slow down, to appreciate simplicity. And to, you know, maybe break a sweat climbing the stairs. But, trust me, it's worth it. The Bakspieker...it's special. And I'd love to go back someday. Even if the ghost is still tapping on the window.
