Flanders Fields Cottage Leisele

There were plenty of things for the kids, including a trampoline and playground equipment, and the living room was great. The garden is spacious, though riddled with holes in both the lawn and the tiles. On the downside, the house is next to a busy road, there are lots of flies, and the first floor and stairs creak terribly. The dishwasher needs some work before it works properly, and the rear sliding door doesn't lock properly.

The village bakery Stefaan was excellent, and the beach is an easy 30 to 40 minute drive away. Still, we wouldn't rent this house again as it is now, because of the flies and the overall state of the place. If those issues were sorted out, we would consider returning, since the house itself has a lot going for it. We came with friends and our children, and there was plenty of room for two families. The large garden was good for playing, and the trampoline was a hit. The play equipment was a little too small to keep the kids occupied for long, and they didn't notice the sandbox. The house is overdue for renovation. Both bathrooms are dated and didn't feel fresh or clean. One bedroom's stairs creak very loudly. This had already been mentioned in reviews four years ago, when the owner apparently said it would be fixed, but nothing has changed. It affected our sleep. The kitchen is spacious, with an okay stovetop and plenty of cookware. The extractor hood is very old but clean, and the refrigerators aren't new either, though they were clean. Fly spray was constantly used in the living spaces. Every day, dead flies and insects covered the living room and kitchen, so we had to clean thoroughly each day. That made for a less carefree stay. Fly screens on every window would be a more constructive fix. The house is only about 2 meters from a road with a 70 km/h limit, though people often drive 90 km/h or more. You could clearly hear and feel the cars passing. It was especially noticeable at night, when a car speeding past broke the silence. We wanted to barbecue, but couldn't find any working lighter or plugs. It would be nice if the owner provided them. Dishwasher tablets, soap, a towel and a dishcloth were there.

The owner was friendly, and we had a fantastic family weekend. We'll definitely come back.

The house has plenty of room, and the owners are friendly and helpful. It does need quite a bit of updating, though, including fresh paint and replacement of the worn tiles. Darts for the dartboard would be useful too. There was also noise from the creaky stairs and wind coming in everywhere, and the place was damp.