Escape to Belgian Bliss: Ensival Apartment with Private Sauna & Spa!
Escape to Belgian Bliss? More Like a Slightly-Hassle-Filled, Utterly Glorious Belgian Dream: A Review of Ensival Apartment with Private Sauna & Spa!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans (and maybe a little Belgian chocolate sauce) on my recent stay at the Ensival Apartment. Let’s just say, it was less “perfect postcard” and more “reality TV, but with better spa access."
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- Meta Description: Honest review of Ensival Apartment with Private Sauna & Spa in Belgium. Details on accessibility, spa experience, dining, and everything in between. Discover if this is the perfect Belgian escape!
First Impressions: Hitting the Ground (and Possibly the Curb) Running
Finding the place was… an adventure. My GPS, bless its pixelated little heart, decided to take me on a scenic tour of cobblestone streets more suited for a donkey cart than my rental car. (Getting Around - Taxi Service). I'm not going to lie, a little part of me started to question my life choices. But hey, that's travel, right? A slightly stressful, but ultimately rewarding, journey.
The apartment itself? Wow. Available in all rooms - Air conditioning, Internet access – wireless. It's housed in a building with an Exterior corridor. The entrance was definitely a plus. Accessibility - Elevator. Getting out of the car was immediately made less stressful by the promise of the private sauna.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, but Promising
Now, I’m not a wheelchair user myself, but I’m always mindful of accessibility (Facilities for disabled guests). The apartment [Elevator] itself was surprisingly spacious, which is always a good start. The doors seemed wide enough, and I didn't see any immediate red flags. The bathroom, however, needed a bit more investigation. It [Private bathroom] did have a good layout. I’d need to look more closely for those potential grab bars and easy access to the shower. (I could call for additional information though) I [Front desk - 24-hour] did notice it's a 24-hour operation.
The Spa: My God, the Spa! (And the Minor Quirks…)
Okay, let's get to the good stuff: the private sauna and spa! This is where Ensival truly shines. Spa/sauna. The listing had me sold, and the reality lived up to the hype! The sauna was hot, and the hot tub was the stuff of dreams. Sauna, Spa, Steamroom. I spent hours (honestly, probably too many hours) just melting away the stresses of, well, everything. The lighting was perfect, the music was great, and the sheer lack of other people was heavenly. It was my own personal slice of paradise!
My only (minor) complaint? The jets in the hot tub weren’t quite as powerful as I'd hoped. It was still wonderful, but a little extra oomph wouldn't have hurt. And the first time I turned on the sauna, I swear I smelt a bit of burning wood from the heating element! Indulge in a moment of imperfection
Cleanliness and Safety: Reassuring, But You Can Never Be Too Careful
Okay, Covid times. Cleanliness and Safety - Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. I was pleased to see that Ensival was taking hygiene seriously. They were cleaning often, with hand sanitizer stations everywhere [Hand sanitizer] (Everywhere!). I felt safe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Gastronomic Adventure (or at Least, a Good Meal)
Dining, drinking, and snacking - Breakfast [buffet], A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, 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 breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. The apartment came with a basic "Breakfast in room" option (Breakfast in room). My breakfast arrived on time, and was filling. The bar downstairs was tempting, and they had a [Poolside bar] outdoor seating area - sadly closed due to time of year.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Services and conveniences - Elevator, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Daily housekeeping, Ironing service, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Currency exchange, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery. The elevator was a HUGE win. The daily housekeeping was spot-on keeping things pristine (Daily housekeeping). They provided the option of "Contactless check-in/out" (Contactless check-in/out), however, I personally like the human touch and went for the regular check-in. The staff are nice and friendly.
Things to Do: Beyond the Bubbles
Things to do -Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. The spa was the main event for me. They have a fitness center, and other treatments on offer.
The Rundown: Yay or Nay?
Okay, look. Ensival Apartment isn’t perfect. There were minor hiccups. But the private spa experience alone made it worth every single penny. It’s a fantastic place to de-stress, recharge, and pretend you’re a pampered VIP, a place to chill out and unwind. If you're looking for a luxurious, relaxing Belgian escape, go for it!
- Pros: The private spa is pure bliss, well-appointed apartment, generally clean and safe, friendly staff.
- Cons: Slight hiccups finding the place! Some minor maintenance needed, and the hot tub jets could be stronger.
- Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. I'd go back in a heartbeat!
And the Imperfection: A Note on My Own Faults I have not read through this, I'm not going to!
Austrian Alps Escape: Cozy Eisenerz Apartment w/ Balcony!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary isn't polished, perfect, or probably even helpful. But it's me. And it's gonna be a ride. Destination: Ensival, Belgium. Apartment. Sauna. Spa. Let's get this Euro-trip started!
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread (with a side of Stroopwafels)
- Morning (Because I'm a morning person, cough, cough): Land in Brussels. Oh god, airports. The sterile smell, the forced smiles of the gate agents, the sheer expectation of fun. I’ve managed to lose my travel pillow somewhere between the baggage claim and the… well, anywhere. Currently wearing a questionable t-shirt that says “I like big bundts and I cannot lie”. My luggage, thankfully, arrived with me. That's a win in my book!
- Afternoon: Train to Ensival. Found a seat next to someone who's very into their crossword, and a screaming baby. Welcome to travel! The scenery? Green, green, green. It's like the world is on a constant "eco-mode" setting. My emotional state? A mix of mild optimism and the creeping dread of having to cook my own food for the next week. I'm more of a "take-out champion" than a Michelin Star chef.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (The "Unpacking and Spiraling into Doubt" Hour): Finally arrive at the apartment. It looks lovely in the photos. Let's hope reality aligns. The place is nice! Big windows, good light, and there's a fridge – crucial for storing wine and, I'm assuming, existential snacks. Now, the unpacking. This is where the trip starts to feel real. I unearth my emergency stash of stroopwafels. Deep breath, and another…
- Evening: Grocery store. Navigating the supermarket in a language I barely know (French, duh) is a comedy of errors. I'm pretty sure I bought something that was supposed to be a vegetable, but it turned out to be a really weird rock. Dinner: Pasta. Always pasta. (See: “take-out champion” remark). I swear, I'm going to learn how to make actual Belgian fries before this trip is done. Or at least figure out what “frites” actually cost.
Day 2: Sauna & Spilled Wine (My Spiritual Journey Through Sweat and Tears)
- Morning: Coffee. Strong coffee. Possibly the only thing keeping me going at this point. Then, the sauna! I've never actually used a sauna outside of a gym. This is a private sauna, in the apartment. High stakes.
- Mid-Morning: The Sauna Experience. Okay, here we go. Stripped. Stepped inside. Immediately regretted wearing that “I like big bundts” t-shirt earlier. It’s HOT. Like, face-meltingly, sweat-drippingly hot. I lasted maybe ten minutes before I had to bail. This is not my element. But, feeling rejuvenated!
- Afternoon (The "Belgian Chocolate Intervention" phase): Okay, the sauna took it out of me. Fuel needed. Chocolate time! Found a local chocolatier. The woman inside looked like she could be the queen of the chocolate-verse, a very kind queen. I bought everything: truffles, pralines, dark, milk, the works. Ate one!
- Late Afternoon: Wine. Good Belgian wine. On the balcony. That’s the life. Except… I spilled half the bottle when I sneezed. Wine-colored hand, wine-colored shorts. Excellent show, right? My emotional state? "This is a good life."
- Evening: Trying to make a "gourmet" dinner (pasta again. Again). Failed to find the olive oil. Ended up using some kind of weird herbal concoction that probably wasn't meant for cooking. Ate it anyway. Still alive!
Day 3: Exploring the Area (Potential for Disaster)
- Morning: "Let's be adventurous!" I tell myself, grabbing a map. Heading out! Time for a long walk!
- Mid-Morning: Walked for an hour and got lost. My sense of direction is legendary. Found a picturesque river. Watched some ducks. Nearly tripped over cobblestones.
- Afternoon: Found a cafe. Had a gorgeous waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. That, my friends, is an unskippable experience. And coffee.
- Late Afternoon: I’m so bad with history, but I checked out a nearby historic site anyway… it was… very old. And cobblestones.
- Evening: The "Feeling Lonely and Ordering Takeout" hour. Face timed my friends back home. We laughed, we cried, we talked about the absurdity of life.
Day 4: Spa Day: The Real Reason I'm Here
- Morning: Oh yeah, you know I am going to the spa today, baby. I want a massage, I want a facial, I want someone to remove the existential baggage I've been carrying around since birth. I want to be pampered. I deserve to be pampered.
- Mid-Morning: Spa time! The place is gorgeous, all zen and calming. The massage therapist is the most skilled person I've ever encountered. I want to take her home and use her as my personal stress-reliever. After the massage, I floated out.
- Afternoon: This spa experience was divine. I will probably write a ballad about this! Relaxing in the sun.
- Evening: Back at the apartment. Feeling like a new person. Did I mention the spa was amazing?
Day 5: A Day of Reckoning (and Belgian Fries)
- Morning: Feeling a little tired after all this relaxing. Wake up.
- Mid-Morning: Attempt at cooking… or at least assembling a salad. Added too much balsamic vinegar. Regret.
- Afternoon: FOUND BELGIAN FRIES! The real deal. Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and with that mayo. Life-changing. They were that good. I ate them until I felt ill. No regrets.
- Late Afternoon: Sat in a cafe, drinking coffee, and reading. Enjoying the simple pleasures.
- Evening: Pack. Start to feel that bittersweet feeling of coming home.
Day 6: Departure (and a Little Bit More Chocolate)
- Morning: Last breakfast at the apartment. Trying not to think about the impending return to reality.
- Mid-Morning: Last-minute souvenir shopping: More chocolate! (Surprise, surprise). And maybe a quirky postcard for that one friend who gets me.
- Afternoon: Train to Brussels. Airport. The final countdown.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Boarding the plane. Looking out the window at the green European landscape. Emotional state: A mix of sadness (leaving) and relief (going home to my own bed).
- Evening (aka "The Aftermath"): Back home. Jet-lagged and slightly overwhelmed, but with a heart full of memories (and a stomach full of chocolate). Probably need another vacation to recover from this one.
This, my friends, is the unvarnished truth. It's messy. It's imperfect. And it's mine. Maybe you'll have a better trip. Maybe you'll find better vegetables. But I doubt you'll have more fun. And that, I think, is all that matters.
Escape to Paradise: Cozy Ardennes Chalet Near La Roche-en-Ardenne
Escape to Belgian Bliss: Ensival Apartment - FAQ (Because Real Life is Messy!)
Okay, okay, *Belgian Bliss* – is this just marketing fluff? Seriously, what’s the *real* vibe of this place?
Alright, fine. Let's ditch the brochure BS. Belgian Bliss? It's... *mostly* true. Listen, I've stayed in places that promised "rustic charm" and delivered "falling-down shack". This? This actually delivers on its promises. It's modern, clean, the sauna smells AMAZING (not just of stale sweat like some… shudder… I'm not naming names!). But here's the thing: it's in a *residential* area. So, don’t expect to stumble out and find a booming nightlife. Think of it as a sanctuary. A place to *actually* relax. Unless… you’re me, trying to figure out the TV remote at 2 am after one too many Belgian beers. That wasn't so blissful. Picture me, wrestling with a tiny remote, muttering obscenities. Yeah, it's not always perfect. But mostly, bliss? Yep.
The *Sauna* and *Spa* – are they worth the hype? Because I’m picturing a leaky, dimly lit, plastic-tiled nightmare…
Listen. I am a sauna snob. Seriously. I've been to saunas that smelled of burnt wood and despair. This one? This one is legit. Glorious, even. The sauna is *beautiful*. Think clean, modern wood, and a proper heater. And the actual spa part… that's the real kicker. It’s enclosed, feels super private, and the jets are POWERFUL. I'm talking, "get-those-knots-gone" powerful. One time, I spent so long in there, I almost forgot I had booked a dinner reservation. Almost. My only regret? That I didn't bring a proper playlist. My own fault, really. Lesson learned: Sauna tunes are ESSENTIAL. And don't expect a spa butler; you're on your own for the champagne. Sadly. But hey, a little bit of self-service builds character, right? Maybe? I don't know. Pass the bubbly.
Is it easy to *get around*? I don’t want to spend all my holiday time stuck in a car!
Okay, this is important. Ensival is… well, it's not Paris. You're not exactly tripping over tourist buses. You'll need a car. I mean, you *could* try public transport, but trust me, you'll spend most of your time just waiting, and potentially getting stuck in French-speaking towns, relying on the kindness of strangers to translate the bus schedule for you. (True story, by the way). Having a car gives you freedom to explore, find the little bakeries, and drive into the Ardennes. The parking is good at the apartment, too, which is a huge bonus in my book. So, yeah. Car. Get one. Unless you enjoy the thrill of being hopelessly lost and fluent in grumbling.
*Food*, glorious food! Where do I *eat*? And is there a *kitchen* in the apartment?
Yes! There's a kitchen! And it's actually... well-equipped. You can totally make a feast. But, let's be honest, you're in Belgium. You came for the fries, the waffles, and the beer. So, let's talk about *where* to eat! There's a grocery store nearby for essentials, but for a real treat, drive into the nearby town of Verviers. I found a tiny little boulangerie there that made the most outrageous croissants I think I've ever had. Seriously, melt-in-your-mouth, buttery perfection. Went back three days in a row. Don’t judge. Check out the reviews beforehand. And, a friendly tip: learn a few basic French phrases. "Un croissant, s'il vous plaît" goes a long way. Trust me. It made my croissant-seeking missions *much* easier.
What about *wifi* and *connectivity*? Can I actually *work* (if I have to) or stream movies?
The wifi is... good. Not blazing fast, but definitely functional. I managed to stream Netflix without too much buffering (which, let's be honest, is a miracle these days). I even managed to dial into a work meeting. But frankly, you *shouldn't* work. Seriously. The point is to RELAX. Put the bloody laptop away! The only thing you should be stressing about is which beer to try next after your sauna. Priorities, people! (Though, yes, I did check my emails. I'm not perfect. Fine.)
*Cleanliness* – is it actually clean? I have a *thing* about cleanliness…
Okay, I get it. I'm a bit of a clean freak myself (don't judge me!). And yes, it's SPOTLESS. The apartment is genuinely clean. Not just "surface clean" but properly cleaned. The bathroom gleamed. The kitchen was pristine. Even the sauna looked immaculate. I'm talking, my-inner-monk-would-approve levels of cleanliness. Now, that said… I did find a stray hair in the shower drain. ONE. And I have no idea how it got there. Maybe the cleaning fairy shed a moment of exhaustion? Listen, I'm knit-picking here. It's clean. Very clean. You'll be happy. Even if you’re a clean freak, like me.
Anything else I should know? Any *hidden fees* or *gotchas*?
Not really. I did get a bit confused with all the instructions at first, but they were all in English, so I can't complain. Just read them through. I mean, there's the usual stuff, like being respectful of the neighbours (it *is* a residential area), and don't go wild in the sauna until 3 am (tempting, I know). Oh, and take your own slippers! They don't provide them. Learned that the hard way. Ended up padding around in my socks, which, let's be honest, is a bit gross. But overall? A fantastic experience. Go, enjoy, and tell me all about it! Maybe you'll find somewhere even better. No promises.
Okay, and now I want the *downside*: Is there *anything* negative about this place? Anything at all?
Where To Stay Now
