Strandvilla und Dünenlodge

The Dutch—modern, hip and above all so much more relaxed than many nationalities. Although the climate on the Dutch North Sea coast can be harsh, the attitude to life is often everything but. There’s nothing of the old-style seaside resort here, plastic chairs and souvenir shops full of knickknacks are long gone. Instead, you’ll find cool beach bars, small boutiques and restaurants that would be perfectly at home in any European metropolis. A great place to experience the laid-back vibe of the Dutch is Noordwijk: A thirteen-kilometer-long beach with dunes, forest, really good restaurants and great little shops to browse in. Just a few minutes from the dunes are the pretty vacation homes, Strandvilla and Dünenlodge. With lots of wood outside and inside and a high-ceilinged living room with open gable (six meters high!!!), the space is wonderfully airy and bright. On cooler days the fire can be lit; when the sun is shining everyone can tumble out into the garden or onto the large wooden terrace.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The beach house look, thanks to the simple wooden construction of the two houses
• The extremely spacious and bright living rooms—lots of light and air 
• The simple furnishing with lots of wood and calming natural tones
• The beautiful, custom bunk bed for the little ones (or the big ones)
• The second bedroom high up on the gallery
• The hanging swing in the living room—a favorite spot
• The stove in the Strandvilla, where you can curl up with a cup tea on cold and windy days
• The great beach bars where you can look out over the sea, sheltered from the wind, and sip a “koffie verkeerd” (latte) or something stronger.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The houses are situated on the edge of a quiet vacation park behind the dunes.
• Children are very welcome—highchairs are available and baby beds can be booked free of charge on request.
• The houses are very well equipped—from dishwasher tabs to candles for candlelight dinners.
• Two bicycles per house (one with a child seat) are available to guests free of charge.
• The houses are well insulated and have underfloor heating—cozy and warm, even in winter.
• The amenities in Noordwijk are right by the sea—you can get just about everywhere by foot or bicycle.
• Noordwijk offers many activities: All kinds of water sports, a whale museum, flower fields nearby, hiking, and biking routes; trips to Amsterdam (approx. 45 minutes by car).
• Just as in many seaside resorts, there have been some questionable building decisions made in the town and on the beach front—but the cool and casual atmosphere makes up for it.