Veluwe Escape: Cozy Bungalow w/ Dishwasher in Epe, Netherlands!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into a review of Veluwe Escape: Cozy Bungalow w/ Dishwasher in Epe, Netherlands! This isn't your typical sterile travel blog post. This is REAL. I'm talking spilled coffee on the keyboard, a slightly panicked search for the "save" button, and a whole lotta subjective opinions. Let's see if this place is worth your precious vacation time.
First Impressions: The Drive & The "Cozy" Promise
Right, so, getting there. Accessibility, they say? Well, first off, the drive to Epe is straightforward enough. Lovely Dutch countryside. I actually got a little lost on the way (GPS, you fickle beast!), and ended up admiring some particularly fluffy cows. Pure bliss. But, seriously, the roads are generally good for driving, and there's plenty of free parking on site (car park [free of charge], car park [on-site]). That's a HUGE win. Accessibility within the bungalow? We'll get to that. "Cozy Bungalow" – that's the promise. I'm a sucker for a good cozy. We'll see if they deliver.
Accessibility: A Deep Dive (Because it Matters)
Okay, this is important. Let's talk accessibility. The listing mentions facilities for disabled guests. That is a GOOD start. A big, fat, hopeful thumbs up. But details are EVERYTHING. I didn't see specific descriptions about things like ramp access, grab bars in the bathroom, or the width of doorways. This is a bit of a hiccup. I'd REALLY recommend contacting the property DIRECTLY and getting specifics. Don't rely on vague promises. If you (or someone you are traveling with) needs guaranteed wheelchair accessibility, call first!
The Bungalow Itself: Dishwashers and Dutch Dreams (Plus the Occasional Flaw)
Alright, let's get inside. Key feature? Yup, a dishwasher! (Available in all rooms). THANK GOD. I am not a fan of washing dishes on vacation. The place was generally clean (Cleanliness and safety). Room sanitization opt-out available, but I’d rather sanitization as a rule if I’m honest, especially these days. Rooms sanitized between stays is a good move. The decor? Well, it's… Dutch. Think functional, comfortable, and maybe slightly… beige. But beige can be cozy, right? The "additional toilet" and "separate shower/bathtub" in the ensuite are HUGE advantages. And the "extra long bed"? Bliss! I'm tall. It mattered.
The "coffee/tea maker" was a LIFE SAVER. Complimentary tea, too. Necessary for surviving the Dutch weather (it can change in literally five minutes). "Mini bar…" well, it was stocked, but let's say I maybe, possibly, sneaked in some of my own chocolate. Judge me all you want.
Internet and Tech Stuff: Wi-Fi & That Maddening "Wireless" (or Lack Thereof)
Wi-Fi [free] in the room, YES! And it actually worked! No more frantic searching for a signal while trying to upload Instagram stories of those fluffy cows, thank Christ! (Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN). I did see "laptop workspace" but my idea of a workspace is a giant, messy pile of snacks, so I didn't use it. The "desk" was actually quite functional.
Amenities: Pools, Saunas, and the Elusive Spa Experience
Okay, let's be honest, I wasn't here for the spa (Spa/sauna). I was here for the QUIET. But there is a swimming pool [outdoor]! (Swimming pool). I peered at it through the window. Looked inviting. And there's a sauna (Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom). This is a BIG plus. I'm all about a good sauna. I didn't experience it, but I absolutely would have if the weather had been less British-summery (aka, raining sideways).
Dining: Breakfast, Drinks, & the Quest for the Perfect Bitterballen
Okay, Dining, drinking, and snacking! This is where things get interesting! Breakfast [buffet] is an option. I opted for the room service [24-hour] option one morning because, you know… duvet. I had the "breakfast service". The food? Decent. Not life-changing. But the coffee was hot, the juice was… orange, and it was PERFECTLY acceptable for a hungover post-travel morning. I didn't try the Asian breakfast (didn't feel adventurous enough, I guess). There’s a Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop but my brain was stuck on “cozy bungalow”
There's a bar, (Bar), a Poolside bar, Restaurants, snack bar. I attempted to locate the perfect Bitterballen. I consider that a travel requirement, but failed.
Cleanliness and Safety: Hand Sanitizer – My New Best Friend
The cleanliness seemed good. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas is a good sign. Hand sanitizer was EVERYWHERE. I felt relatively safe. Staff trained in safety protocol. The "smoke alarms" and "fire extinguisher" definitely inspired confidence. They also offer "Contactless check-in/out". I love that!
Stuff for the Kids (Because, You Know)
Kids facilities, Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids meal. I don't have kids, so I can't provide a first-hand report. However, from what I saw, this place seemed pretty geared towards families. Plenty of space to run around, and the proximity to nature is fantastic. I also caught a glimpse of a playground on the way in.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Beyond the Bungalow
Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], 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, 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, For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, 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, 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. Oh, honey, you're IN the Veluwe National Park. BIKING! You can Rent bicycles, (Bicycle parking). I spent a glorious afternoon cycling through the forest. The air! The trees!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Belvilla Awaits in Italy's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-planned travel brochure. This is my trip to that cozy bungalow with a dishwasher in the Veluwe, near Epe, Netherlands. And trust me, it's going to be a ride.
Veluwe Veluwe! (or, Getting There is Half the… Frustration?)
Day 1: Arrival, Awkward Encounters, and the Quest for the Right Towel (and Coffee)
Morning (ish): Alright, so the flight was… let's just say the person in front of me reclined their seat with the force of a thousand suns. And the plane food? Don't even ask. Landed in Amsterdam, bleary-eyed and armed with nothing but a vague memory of Dutch phrases I "learned" on Duolingo. Finding the train to Epe felt like navigating a maze designed by a sadist. Seriously, signage in Dutch is like a secret code!
Afternoon: Found the holiday park! Finally, after what felt like an eternity of train platforms and frantic Google Translate sessions. The bungalow… well, it's charming! In a slightly "Grandma's attic, but with a dishwasher" kind of way. The key situation was a mess. I ended up wandering around like a lost puppy for a good 20 minutes. Eventually, I found the right unit by sheer luck.
The Towel Tussle: The real test? The towels. Are they fluffy? Are they… not? (Spoiler alert: they were not. More like sandpaper masquerading as a towel.. I started pulling and I was so dissapointed.) This is a crucial element of any trip, and I was not able to find it.
The Coffee Catastrophe: There's a coffee machine! This is progress. But the instructions… in Dutch, of course. After a valiant, and frankly hilarious, attempt to decipher the manual, the first cup of "coffee" tasted suspiciously like burnt motor oil. I'm going to hunt down a decent place, even if it kills me.
Evening: Explored the holiday park. It's filled with families having too much fun. I'm slightly jealous. I had a sandwich (the only logical option after the coffee fiasco) and started to re-read my book. The only time I felt like I was having a good time during the day.
Day 2: Nature's Embrace (And the Mosquito Massacre)
Morning: Ah, the Veluwe! Supposedly, it's all rolling forests and adorable wildlife. Armed with a map of the region, I set out on my bike, determined to become one with nature.
- The Forest Fiasco: The forest was beautiful. Truly. Until I encountered the mosquitoes. They were relentless. I swear, they formed a tiny, buzzing army, out for blood. I ended up cycling back to the bungalow in a cloud of bug spray.
Afternoon: I tried again! This time, I took a (very brief) hike, determined to befriend the birds. I didn't see a single bird. I think I gave up after 10 minutes.
- The Squirrel Drama: Okay, one squirrel. But it was like a furry little bandit, eyeing my sandwich with wicked glee. I had to fend it off with a baguette . It was both terrifying and ridiculous.
- The supermarket was so much better than the forest.
Evening: I decided to eat well. It felt better than the walking around. I had Pasta carbonara ( I was trying to eat well but my cooking skills are not there) in front of the TV.
Day 3: Epe's Charm, Artistic Leanings, and a Mild Meltdown (in the Good Way)
Morning: Time to venture into Epe itself. I decided to walk around, get to know the town. It's adorably quaint, full of cute shops and people who actually seem to know each other.
Afternoon: Went to a local art gallery. I don't consider myself an artist but this place gave me new ideas, maybe I would buy paint and colors to start one. An hour later I left with no ideas, but I was feeling more free.
- The Gelato Glorification: Found an amazing gelato shop. The pistachio was divine. Pure, unadulterated happiness. It was a religious experience, I swear. I wanted to go back but it was too late.
Evening: Back at the bungalow, I spent the whole time organizing all the pictures I took. I spent hours on it.
Day 4: The Deep Dive (Into the Heather Fields!)
- Morning: This is it. Today, I'm going to conquer the Veluwe. Or at least, walk for a while in it. I've decided to take the bus, since I don't want to bike anymore .
- Afternoon: The fields were incredible. I'm not sure why, but I felt this urge to dance. I danced. With the wind and the heather. I should have recorded it, it was beautiful. I felt like I was free.
- Evening: Back at the bungalow, now without the anxiety, exhausted, but happy. Now I just feel peaceful.
Day 5: Departure – and the bittersweet goodbye
- Morning: Breakfast was the last I had. I left very early.
Observations, Ramblings and General Mayhem:
The Dishwasher: The dishwasher is a lifesaver. I mean, who wants to wash dishes on holiday? Especially after a day battling mosquitoes and existential angst in the forest.
The Dutch: They're mostly friendly. They speak amazing English. And they're very, very efficient. It's both inspiring and slightly intimidating.
My Emotional Rollercoaster: I've laughed, I've cried. I've wrestled with towels. I've lost a battle to a squirrel. This has been amazing, weird, and absolutely, perfectly me.
The Need to Return: Seriously, I'm already planning my return. I need to learn more Dutch, befriend the birds, and maybe, just maybe, conquer that coffee machine.
So, there you have it. My imperfect, hilarious, and utterly human adventure in the Veluwe. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find more gelato. Cheers!
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