B&B Zwiep

You’re right out in the peaceful countryside, and brunch at the mill is the icing on the cake. A nearby B&B is easy to find, and this one couldn’t be better.

The ground-floor room was tidy and looked good, with the bed and bathroom together. Upstairs was a very different story. The musty smell hit as soon as we reached the stairs, and the kitchenette on the landing wasn’t clean. There was a tiny shower, and the toilet flushed so loudly it was annoying at night. Dust and dead flies covered the windowsill, some lights didn’t work, and the ceiling light was dirty and full of dead flies. Even the bedding smelled musty, so I sprayed perfume on it to make it easier to sleep. We had rented every room as a family, but it felt strange to call it a B&B when breakfast wasn’t included. You could get breakfast across the street, but had to pay for it. I contacted the owner, who apologized and said there had been a mix-up that left the upstairs in an unsatisfactory state. That was putting it mildly. First we were offered a voucher for six coffees and pastries at their restaurant across the street, then we were told we could have 10% back, or 27 euros. I thought that was poor compensation for having to stay in such a shabby, filthy place. The ground-floor room was fine, but the price for the upstairs apartment is ridiculous. The photos don’t show what it’s really like. This was a one-time stay for us, never again, not even at the mill across the street. Definitely wouldn’t recommend it.

We had to pick up a filthy garbage bag ourselves, and the hallway toilet was leaking onto the floor. And if breakfast costs extra, why call the place a B&B? What a dirty house.

The hosts were so friendly, and their story about how the mill came to be theirs was lovely. They also have a real sense of community, which felt special. Breakfast at the mill, 100 meters away, was delicious and generous, and they did everything to make us comfortable. Our room was simple, with its own toilet and shower, and the beds were wonderful. The garden is modest, but the view of the Lochemse Berg is beautiful. We had a great time cycling through the villages nearby, and dinner at "De Witte Wieven" (The White Women) was excellent too.