Center Parcs De Eemhof

There’s plenty for all ages, from games and other activities to swimming and water slides at Aqua Mundo. The cottages are excellent, and there are different food and restaurant areas plus a mini mart for shopping. Parking is plentiful, too. It’s a very friendly place for a family vacation, and I highly recommend it for a good time with family or friends.

The staff were kind and polite, and everything else was good. There was a slight sewage smell in the rooms, though. Sometimes it seemed there might not be enough staff, but that could have been because it was the holiday period.

This place is huge and looks amazing, but the “holiday village” idea turned out very differently from what I expected. The wall by the room entrance says “Welcome home.” For me, “Welcome to your money pump” would fit better. There's no air conditioning in the rooms, and a fan costs €6(?) a day. Towels and bedsheets also cost extra. If walking is difficult and you want a “TikTok” (mobility scooter), it's €140 per day, and you still can't reach some areas. The nearest grocery store is about 25 km away, outside the complex, and the on-site shop takes full advantage of visitors. We ordered pizzas at one of the restaurants, but got circles of dough with toppings. Two of them didn't even have cheese. Everything feels staged and fake. Even the 'wooden chair' by the outrageously expensive store is plastic. At the on-site cafe, dishes come without napkins or cutlery, so you have to ask. The air conditioning vents put out no air, and the ceiling fan wasn't switched on. At the food stall you can't order a certain dish without a sauce, and each portion of ketchup or mayonnaise costs 2 euros. Check everything carefully before making a mistake you'll regret.

The check-in welcome was genuinely warm. Once inside, though, we had to unload all our luggage, then drive the car back out to the main car park, which was very far away and inconvenient. Our room was beside the outdoor children's playground, with Swan Lake and the water park nearby. A little farther on were a small farm, soft play area, and arcade, which made for a wonderful experience for our daughter. There are several restaurants close by, but I think their service needs work. After I ordered, the waiter said the chef wasn't ready and rather condescendingly suggested that, as a visitor, I wouldn't mind waiting a bit.