Toekomst 059 - Ouddorp - not for companies

Great place, but the internet is painfully slow.

We stayed in bungalow number 78, and I came away really disappointed. The bungalow itself needs serious renovation. The old skylights were very dirty and partly rotten, with scraps of fabric hanging in front of them. Some areas, including the bathroom, hadn’t been cleaned before we arrived, and there was dust and dirt all over the house. Then, despite paying a €65 final cleaning fee, we were expected to leave it spotless. The kitchen was tidy and adequately equipped, but there were no dishcloths or cleaning products, so we had to bring those ourselves. The bathroom was appalling: a shabby curtain, no shower rod, an ancient shower head held up with an old rubber band, and a dispenser filled with water instead of soap. The drains also smelled awful, especially when it rained and groundwater rose. The stench spread across the ground floor, and airing the place out for a long time was the only fix. The property was neglected too, with dirty spots around the house, loose curbstones, a dirty patio, and a parasol left in a shed behind the house. The driveway is narrow, and the hedges were poorly trimmed or not trimmed at all. Holly formed part of the fence, including beside the entrance, and highly poisonous foxglove grew right by the path to the front door. The owners had used the house until the day before we arrived and knew we were coming with two children, so I was surprised the plants weren’t removed or that nobody warned us. Both are highly poisonous. Getting the key was chaotic. The landlord had given a specific procedure and address in the rental agreement, but after looking around the grounds for ten minutes, we found nobody there. We called, and the woman holding the key seemed completely confused that we hadn’t gone straight to her, even though that wasn’t what the agreement said. The agreement also said there was a barrier that opened automatically when entering and needed a special key to activate a magnetic switch on the way out. There was a barrier, but it stayed open the whole time and nobody seemed to care. The house is very noisy, with no sound insulation upstairs. The wooden floorboards creak with every step, which is especially annoying at night. Some of the old floor heating grilles are bent, won’t close, or are just loose on the floor without fastenings. Calling this child-friendly is a joke. The upstairs “play area” is reached by an extremely steep, dangerous staircase and has a bare little table, an old pop-up tent, and a crib crammed with blankets and pillows. Along with the poisonous plants and a sad sand bucket with two sad shovels, it shows the owners have no idea what child-friendly means. There’s simply nothing for small kids to do on the property. I can only advise families with children to avoid bungalow number 78. Spend a few euros more and find something decent. This place is only suitable for couples without children or solo travelers with no expectations.

The owners answered questions and requests quickly, and the cottage was tastefully decorated with everything we needed. We had a peaceful, wonderful stay at Toekomst 026. There’s no entertainment at the park, which is fine if you’re planning to go out. Eetcafé Westduin at the entrance is a good spot for a meal. Search for Toekomst 026 Ouddorp.

The roads need some work, which is why I’ve given four stars. Still, this older park is lovely, with charming houses arranged playfully around the grounds. They’re close together but still offer plenty of privacy. The one-way layout makes the narrow roads feel safe. It’s worth spending a holiday here, and Ouddorp, the town center, and the beach are all within cycling distance.