Escape to Paradise: Hotel De Boskar Peer, Belgium - Your Unforgettable Getaway
Escape to Paradise? Let's Talk Hotel De Boskar Peer, Belgium - A Review That Doesn't Sugarcoat It
Alright, so I'm back. Fresh from a supposed "escape" to the Hotel De Boskar in Peer, Belgium. "Escape to Paradise," they call it. Let's just say my idea of paradise involves less… well, let’s get into it. Buckle up, because this review's gonna be as messy as my suitcase after the trip. (And spoiler alert: there IS a direct link to a certain category.)
Accessibility - A Tale of Two Worlds (And My Knees)
First things first: accessibility. They say they're set up for it. I’m not sure if I believe them. Yes, there’s an elevator, a huge plus, and facilities for disabled guests are listed. Wonderful! But honestly? Navigating some of the spaces felt like playing a particularly cruel game of Tetris, weaving around furniture and hoping my (dodgy) knees would hold up. The "facilities" part? Could be improved. Might I suggest actual accessibility assessments?
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: They were…there. Kind of. I had a few hairy moments, that’s for sure.
Wheelchair Accessible: See above. It's trying, bless its heart.
Internet & Tech – Wi-Fi Whiplash (and Occasional Bliss)
Internet Access: They've got it. Good start.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Okay, this is a definite win. Thank you, Hotel De Boskar. You spoke my language.
Internet [LAN]: Hmm, that's cool and all, but who uses a LAN cable anymore? shrugs
Internet Services: They offer it. I connected effortlessly, which is a HUGE win.
Wi-Fi in public areas: Mostly worked. Occasionally I chased a signal more aggressively than a hungry toddler after cake.
Things to do, ways to relax - The Spa! The Spa! (Sort Of)
So, here's where things get interesting. Remember that suitcase I mentioned? Yeah, it’s because I’m always packing for a spa. This part was make-or-break for me, and honestly, it's…complicated.
Body Scrub, Body Wrap: Didn’t try, should have, probably missed a trick to avoid an argument with the other half.
Fitness Center: There's a gym. I heard it was there. I may have, or may not have, checked it out. You figure it, I'm going to be brutally honest.
Foot Bath: Tempting.
Gym/fitness: Again, there it is. I may have, or may not have, checked it out.
Massage: Tried. The massage was generally pretty good, but my masseuse had a habit of humming along to whatever music was playing, which took me a bit of getting used to. A VERY specific little quirk that I still have to think about and is still somewhat frustrating.
Pool with view… You know what? It did have a view. A perfectly pleasant view.
Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, now we're talking. This is where the "escape" starts to feel tangible. I spent a solid afternoon alternating between the sauna, the steam room (which smelled delightfully of eucalyptus), and the outdoor pool, which was wonderfully chilly. It was…blissful. Truly, finally, truly blissful! Like being wrapped in a warm towel of relaxation.
Cleanliness and Safety – Germaphobes, Rejoice (Mostly)
This is where the Hotel De Boskar shines. Seriously.
Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room (more on this later), Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service… They clearly take hygiene seriously. A HUGE plus, especially these days.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep! Everywhere.
Doctor/nurse on call… Good to know!
First aid kit… They've got it.
Hand sanitizer… Everywhere.
Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter… They really went all-in.
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… Honestly, if you came to this hotel because you are worried about germ and hygiene, you would absolutely love it.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food, Glorious, Slightly Imperfect Food
Alright, let's talk food. Because I eat. A lot. And this is going to get… personal.
A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement: Present. The restaurant had a pretty solid menu, despite a few… hiccups.
Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant: Didn't see/try either, unfortunately, and now I'm kicking myself.
Bar: The bar? Lovely. Seriously, perfect for a late-night Negroni. The bartender actually listened when I requested it a little more bitter.
Bottle of water: Free! Always a good start.
Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfasts… were a mixed bag. I'll get to the extremely specific point of frustration and joy later.
Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: Decent. Standard hotel buffet fare.
Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant… It's all there.
Poolside bar: Didn't use.
Restaurants: Multiple!
Room service [24-hour]: YES! Essential for a lazy day.
Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant… Again, all there.
The Breakfast Buffet Blues (and Unexpected Joys)
Okay, I promised I'd circle back to breakfast. So here we go - In one corner, a standard hotel buffet, with the usual suspects. Scrambled eggs – check. Bacon – check. Croissants that are probably not made daily – check. The other, totally unexpected corner, was the local Belgian waffle. Here is a very real anecdote:
Day one, my love and I were sitting at our breakfast table. I grabbed a waffle feeling skeptical. The first bite was…okay, pretty good. Okay, I was wrong, it was absolutely amazing. It was, truly wonderful. One bite lead to another, until I had nearly eaten five waffles. Yes five.
The next morning: Same. Five waffles.
Day three: I just knew I was going to be late. And I was. Late for our reservation at a spa. I grabbed two waffles but then I started thinking about the other three. I went back. I ate them. I was an hour late. I don't care. Those waffles got me.
Services and Conveniences – The Usual, Plus a Few Surprises
Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal… Standard, standard, standard.
Concierge… Helpful and friendly.
Contactless check-in/out… Smooth as silk.
Convenience store… Useful.
Currency exchange… They've got it. I've never got to use it, but they've got it.
Daily housekeeping… Excellent.
Doorman… Present and personable.
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… All present.
For the kids – Family Matters (and Babysitters)
Not particularly my scene, but hey! They have:
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal… Seems ideal for families.
Access – Security, Safety, and Those Dreaded Fire Drills
This is important!
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher… All present. Now, the fire drill… Well, let's just say it happened at 6 am. I was not thrilled.
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… All standard and good.
Getting around – Getting Away From It All (Or Just Getting Around)
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking… Very convenient, and the free parking is a huge win!
Available in all rooms – The Nitty Gritty of the Room Itself
Alright, my room
Chauncey Hotel: Lawrence Township's BEST Kept Secret (NJ)
Operation: Belgium – Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Frites (and Hotel De Boskar)
(Prepare for a whirlwind of waffle-induced chaos. This is my Belgium, warts and all.)
Day 1: Arrival and Brussels Sprouts of Doom (Brussels - Travel to Peer)
- Pre-Game Anxiety: Let's be honest, airport security is my personal Everest. I'm perpetually convinced I'm carrying something illegal, even when I'm not. This time? A half-eaten bag of gummy bears. Judge me, I dare you.
- Brussels – The Gateway to… Confusion? Brussels airport. Beautiful, I'm sure, but mostly a blur of stressed people and confusing signage. Finding the train? Challenge level: Expert. Ended up on the wrong platform, nearly missed my actual train. Classic.
- The Train to Peer: A Study in Patience. Okay, so the journey involved a train, a couple of connections, and a LOT of staring out the window at… well, a LOT of fields. Honestly, it was beautiful in a surprisingly calming way. The Belgian countryside is the ultimate chill pill. Except for that one time, I saw a farmer with a pitchfork and started wondering if I'd accidentally wandered into a horror movie.
- Hotel De Boskar: My New BFF (Maybe). Finally, Peer! And the legendary Hotel De Boskar. The exterior? Charming, like something out of a fairytale. The lobby? Slightly… dated. Think floral wallpaper and a faint aroma of… something that smelled suspiciously of Grandma's cookies and old books. But in the best possible way, you know?
- Dinner at the Hotel: The Brussels Sprouts Incident. I was starving. Ordered the local special – "Vlaamse Stoofvlees" (Beef Stew). Sounded hearty, delicious, perfect. Then… the Brussels sprouts arrived. A mountain of them. And, God bless 'em, they were massive. I swear, each one was the size of a small fist. I ate what I could, but, alas, my love for meat couldn't conquer the sheer volume of green carnage. I ended up with a stomach ache and feeling a little guilty.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, I’m a bit grumpy at the moment. The travel has been a real slog, and I miss a hot bath. The Brussels sprouts incident has cemented my skepticism.
Day 2: Peer Exploration and the Glorious Frites Revelation
- Breakfast at De Boskar: The Caffeine Conspiracy. The breakfast buffet was impressive, a delicious start to the day. The coffee, however, was… weak. Like, "barely registering as brown liquid" weak. This sent me on a mission to find a proper caffeine fix.
- Peer Town Center: A Delightful Stroll. Peer itself is… quiet. But in a lovely way. The market square is filled with colourful buildings, and I could have lingered for hours just soaking in the atmosphere.
- The Frites Transformation. I’d been warned: Belgium is the land of the fry. I scoffed. How good could a potato, fried in fat, really be? Answer: Outrageously good. I stumbled upon a friterie (a fries stand) on the main square. The aroma alone was enough to make me swoon. I ordered a cone, and… Boom. My life changed. Perfectly crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and served with a spicy mayo that I’m pretty sure is addictive. I may have shed a tear of pure joy.
- Lunch: I was in a daze of pure potato bliss! The fries had consumed me completely. I bought myself a beer to celebrate.
- Rethinking the Brussels Sprouts: That night, after a few more frites and the beer, the Brussels sprouts incident didn't feel so bad anymore. I was starting to feel like a local.
- Emotional Reaction: The fries have become my friend. I'm starting to come around and feel more positive. What a relief!
Day 3: Cycling, Castles, and Existential Waffles (Peer - Excursion to Bokrijk)
- Cycling Adventure: Wrong Turns and Windburn. The hotel offered bikes. Genius! Armed with a map (and a healthy dose of optimism), I set off to explore the surrounding countryside. The map was… well… I'm pretty sure it was drawn by a particularly mischievous elf. Multiple wrong turns. Lots of windburn. And a near-death experience involving a rogue cow. But the scenery? Stunning. Truly breathtaking.
- Bokrijk Open Air Museum: A Journey Through Time. A trip to Bokrijk, the open air museum that showcased historic buildings and local crafts. I got to see a house, and a whole village brought together. I ate bread, and saw a local working the craft.
- The Waffle Saga. The waffle stands were everywhere. I could resist no longer. I ended up devouring two, one with chocolate, one with strawberries and cream. I'm pretty sure my blood sugar spiked to alarming levels. But hey, it was worth it.
- Dinner: The Return of the Vlaamse Stoofvlees. I had to try it again. Maybe the Brussels sprouts had been a fluke. This time, it was perfect. Served with, you guessed it, more frites. My heart sang.
- Late Night Reflection: Sitting on the balcony, watching the stars. Even though the travel was hard, I feel happy. I'm thankful for the food, and the hospitality.
- Emotional Reaction: The cycling and waffles. I feel on top of the world for now. I'm in love with Belgium!
Day 4: Departure - A Fond (and Slightly Greasy) Farewell
- Breakfast and Farewell Frites. One last breakfast at the hotel. More weak coffee, but who cares? I had a final, glorious portion of frites. My farewell to fat deliciousness!
- Packing: The Gummy Bear Crisis Revisited. The gummy bears from my "airport security" bag survived the entire ordeal. I may have brought back a few.
- The Journey Home: Reflecting on the Mess. Leaving Belgium was bittersweet. The travel had been challenging, the food had been… intense, but the experience? Unforgettable. It was a reminder that travel isn't always about perfect plans or flawless execution. It's about embracing the chaos, the unexpected detours, and the moments of pure, unadulterated joy (and fries).
- Emotional Reaction: I'm already planning my return! It was great.
Escape to Paradise: Hotel De Boskar - Let's Get Messy with this FAQ!
So, De Boskar, huh? Is it *really* paradise? (Don't lie to me!)
Alright, alright, settle down. Paradise is a strong word, right? Look, De Boskar… it *tries*. And in a world of generic, soul-sucking hotels, that counts for something, okay? It's more like... a *really* nice, slightly quirky, endearingly imperfect escape. Think of it as a place where you can forget to be a grown-up for a few days and pretend you're in a Wes Anderson film, even if the set dressing is... well, delightfully Belgian. Seriously, I saw a gnome statue near the pool that looked like it had seen some things. That's the vibe.
I'm picturing a luxurious spa… Is that what it's about?
Okay, the spa is… present. Let's put it that way. It’s not a sprawling, marble-clad wonderland you'd find in some soulless chain hotel. It's cozier, let's say. There’s a sauna, a pool (that gnome!), and… you know, the usual massage offerings. I had a massage. The masseuse was lovely, bless her heart. She spoke very little English, I speak VERY little Flemish. It was a symphony of awkward gestures and hopeful smiles. I think I floated out of there feeling marginally less stressed. The pool, though? Glorious. Spent a whole afternoon there, just bobbing around. Pure bliss. Don't expect the Four Seasons. Expect… charm. And maybe a slightly wonky-looking jacuzzi.
The food! Tell me about the food! That's a big deal for me.
The food… okay, buckle up. The restaurant? It’s called ‘Het Koetshuis’, which, I gather, translates to something like "The Carriage House"? And the food? Well, it’s very… Belgian. Hearty. Generous portions. Think traditional Flemish cuisine. There might be *alot* of potatoes. And, you know, the sauces! Oh, the sauces! I had a steak that was practically swimming in a rich, creamy sauce. Delicious, yes. Did I feel slightly guilty afterwards? Absolutely. Did I regret it? Never. Breakfast is a proper feast, too. The croissants… oh, the croissants. Crisp, buttery… I piled them on my plate until I felt like a walking, talking pastry. I’m not even going to mention the waffles. Let it just sink in: waffles.
I'm a worrier. Is it clean? And is the staff nice?
Clean? Remarkably so. Everything gleamed. And the staff? Beyond lovely. They're the kind of people who genuinely *care* that you're having a good time. There was a minor plumbing issue in my room (let's not go into the details), and they had someone fixing it within minutes. And they apologized profusely, which I felt was completely unnecessary, since it's an Inn and plumbing happens sometimes. It's the little things, right? Like, in the restaurant, a waitress actually remembered my coffee order from the *previous* day. That’s service! They were so good, it did make me feel a little guilty about my slightly-more-than-slightly-messy room.
Okay, okay, but what's *actually* around the hotel? Is there anything to *do*?
Peer, Belgium. Let that sink in. It’s not exactly Manhattan. But that's part of the charm! It's rural. Peaceful. You're not going to find a bustling nightlife scene. What you *will* find is… well, nature, mostly. Beautiful countryside. Walking and cycling trails. Picture postcard villages. And, if you're into that sort of thing, the hotel itself has a pretty nice garden and a lovely terrace to sit with a good drink and a good book. I spent an afternoon reading and pretending I was some kind of sophisticated European socialite. It works, you know? Plus, it's the *perfect* base for day trips. You can hit up bigger cities like Hasselt (which has great shopping) or even venture into the Netherlands. Just... rent a car. Belgium's public transport is… adventurous. Trust me on this.
What kind of rooms do they have?
Rooms range from standard to a little more fancy. I'm pretty sure they have a suite or two, but honestly, I couldn't resist the charm of a "classic" room with a little balcony, especially when those Belgian mornings were just starting to break when the sun touched my face. I'm absolutely sure it was the best choice, and the quietest, if I'm being honest (noise is a real issue for me). But from the pictures on the site, they all look comfy. Don't expect ultra-modern minimalism, though. It's more… country-chic. Cozy. A little bit "grandma's house, but make it fancy." Okay, I may have been a little jealous of the rooms with a jacuzzi.
I'm traveling with kids. Is this place kid-friendly?
Honestly? Ehhhh… It's not *explicitly* a kids' resort, you know? There's no dedicated kids' club, no splash park (darn!), etc. However, the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. The garden's big enough for them to run around (as long as they don't annoy the gnome!), and the pool is a definite draw. I saw a few families there, and the staff seemed perfectly happy to accommodate them. The restaurant is great for kids. If your kids are the type who appreciate a good waffle (and, let's be honest, whose aren't?!), you'll be just fine. It's way more chilled out than a hectic theme park.
Any downsides I should be aware of?
Okay, honesty time. There are a few little things. As mentioned earlier, it's not exactly in the middle of a bustling metropolis. If you're after non-stop action, this isn't your spot. And you might need a car to get around, though the hotel *is* near the town of Peer. Then There's the Wi-Fi. It's… adequate. Don't expect lightning-fast streaming. And the decor? It's… well, it's got a certain "lived-in" charm. Not everything is perfect, but that adds to the character. You can probably get a better deal on the actual hotel room elsewhere, but you can never get a better deal onHotel Near Airport
