De Groote Duynen

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The house itself is modern and stylish, with a cozy feel, and that part deserves a star. But the location was the reason we chose it, and it wasn’t what the photos seemed to promise. They gave the impression of being right by the North Sea dunes, while getting to the beach actually means going through an underpass beneath a main road. The many houses all look alike and sit among artificial mounds of sand, dune grass and waterways. We were very disappointed and won’t return, since that seemingly great location was what drew us in.

We paid €2791 for a week in Waterlijn 6. The beds were good, and the corner sofa was wonderfully comfortable. The villa looked beautiful at first glance and was close to the beach. As its name suggests, Waterlijn 6 was right by the water, with an open view across the fields. Outside, though, goose droppings were everywhere and looked as if they hadn’t been cleared in quite a while. The waterside deck was covered too. Thistles filled the grass, so walking barefoot to the deck was tricky, and the cracked, uneven tiles made it easy to hurt your feet. The table and chairs were decent but clearly cheap. The lounge sofa had only seat cushions, bleached by the sun, and wasn’t comfortable without back cushions. You expect a villa when you rent one, but in this higher-end price range I’d expect better quality. I understand my complaints were passed on to the owner, and hope these issues have been sorted out for future guests.

After eight or nine visits, it really feels like coming home. I can’t imagine a better vacation spot, and everything feels just right. The houses are beautiful, welcoming and very clean, and the staff are so friendly and always available when you have a question. There’s a lovely beach nearby for walks, plus charming, cozy places to wander around.