Vakantiedomein Hoge Duin

The website for this hotel is very glossy, shame they couldnt apply some gloss to the grey walls of the hotel itself which are unpainted breeze blocks. Everything inthe hotels structure looked as if it had come from a Jewsons trade centre. At best it feels like a youth hostel, at worst a prison wing given over to inmates as a reward for good behaviour. The staff are thin on the ground and dissapear after 5 oclock. Mind you it was hard to distinguish the staff from the guests as they seemed to dress down and make use of the facilities for their own pleasure. You can really feel the drabness lift off when you step outside the hotel. Glad this was only a stopover. On a good note the breakfast was very satisfactory.

This Hotel, located a blustery 5 minute stroll from the Belgian seafront, is constructed entirely of grey coloured breeze blocks (unpainted throughout), which lend a rather utilitarian feel. Parking at rear. Check in was fine, albeit slightly unconventional, with the receptionist handing over the television remote as though it were some precious relic. The room itself was clean and well proportioned, but with a slightly severe ambience, partly due to breeze blocks, but also thanks to a matching pair of cheap pine bunkbeds against the wall. These were made up with clean but clearly unironed bordello-red sheets and duvet covers. The bathroom is clean and spacious. All in all, the general effect is reminiscent of a youth hostel of some sort. This hostel vibe flows seamlessly on into the communal areas, which bear unending rows of mounted coat hooks, and dark corridors punctuated by bossy signs printed out on computer paper. There is a bar/brasserie which claims to serve food until 8, but the kitchen was shut (without any sort of explanation) when we arrived shortly after 6pm, likewise the restaurant upstairs. When we entered the bar, two teenage girls (clearly hotel staff of some sort) lay occupying the ball pit in the children's play area, and rather than moving aside for the children to play, simply stared at us sulllenly as we finished our drinks. The outdoor play area is adequate. Breakfast is good, a better than average continental affair, with decent pastries and even Belgian chocolate bars. A large number of elderly guests refilled their plates with a great deal of enthusiasm, with one apparent octogenerian shovelling a small handful of chocolate bars into his pocket. With that, we returned our televison remote to reception and departed, having paid about 115 Euros for a family room plus breakfast for 3. Worth it? Possibly. I've not stayed in the area before, so don't know what else is on offer elsewhere. The Hoge Duin is perfectly adequate as a place to sleep and to have breakfast, it's just that it's a little odd.