Ensor's Secret: De Haan's Chic South-Facing Gem!
Ensor's Secret: De Haan's Gem – My Honest (and Slightly Chaotic) Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans – and maybe a little Belgian chocolate – on Ensor's Secret in De Haan. I've just spent a week there, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. One that, frankly, I'm still unpacking mentally (and possibly emotionally). Let's dive in. I’ll try to be organized, but no promises, my brain is still running on Belgian waffles and sea air.
First Impressions and Accessibility (or Lack Thereof, Ironically):
Right off the bat, the "south-facing gem" bit is no joke. Sunshine poured in! Glorious. Accessibility? Ugh. Listen, I don't need a wheelchair, but I do have a bum knee that occasionally acts up. Navigating the place felt… let’s just say challenging. The website boasts "Facilities for disabled guests," but I had a hard time figuring out exactly what those were. The elevator did exist, thank goodness, a godsend for a second-floor room. But, honestly, navigating inside the entire building, even with the elevator, was a bit of a maze which may be a negative for wheelchair users. So, if accessibility is your main concern, proceed with (very) cautious optimism and call ahead. Honestly, I feel bad I haven’t mentioned this sooner. It’s important.
The Room: My Glorious, South-Facing Sanctuary (Mostly):
My room, oh, the room. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens… and it felt… good. I mean, REALLY good. Soundproof rooms were a blessing - it's quiet, except for the seagulls which honestly, I loved. The Window that opens was great. Having a Laptop workspace was ideal for me. The complimentary tea was a nice touch, but hey, I paid for a coffee shop and a restaurant with coffee/tea, why even bother?! The extra long bed made my sleep blissful and the free Wi-Fi worked… most of the time. There were moments of lag, sure, but it was manageable, and I'm not sure if that was a personal problem or the Wi-Fi. Overall, the comfort was undeniable. Loved the reading light, the slippers, and the fact that I didn't have to move my suitcase around! Loved the blackout curtains too, in fact, I could sleep until midday. I did, of course.
The Spa Craze: Swimming Pool with a View and More!
Okay, this is where things got… interesting. The hotel calls itself an "experience" hotel, and the Spa/sauna area offers Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool, and Swimming pool [outdoor]. I'm not much of a spa person, I admit. I prefer chocolate. But my friend, Mary, she's a spa fiend. She had the full works, from the body wrap to the massage, and she was glowing afterwards. Glowing, and slightly, and rather alarmingly, purple. I think they may have used actual grapes in that wrap. And, I must say the pool with a view (sea view!) was lovely, very idyllic. I spent an embarrassing amount of time just bobbing around in it, staring at the vast expanse of the North Sea. And the sauna? So hot! It nearly killed me! Not really, but my sinuses are still recovering. I didn’t get a chance to use the fitness center, however I did spot it and the Gym/fitness area, and it did what it said on the tin – it was a gym/fitness area. Dining and Drinking – The Good, The Bad, and the Waffle-Shaped:
Okay, let’s talk food. This is where the experience gets a little… bumpy. Ensor's Secret boasts the following: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. The breakfast buffet was… well, it was there. The croissants were decent, the coffee… okay. But the staff seemed genuinely surprised that I actually wanted more coffee. The Asian breakfast was… adventurous. I saw my neighbour try it, and I have no idea what he was eating. The poolside bar? Nice, if you don’t mind waiting 20 minutes for a lukewarm beer. The restaurant? The food was good but the prices reflected it! The wait staff were a little slow, I think the servers were overwhelmed. I will definitely avoid the desserts next time. Not for me!
I will be honest; I had my doubts about Western cuisine in restaurant because I'm always looking for something different, but, surprisingly, I rather enjoyed it! The bar was a relaxing place to be, a place to sit and stare out at the sea. The snack bar was… well, I'm still not sure I understand the concept. It had things! The 24-hour room service was a lifesaver at 2 am, when I got a serious craving for something carby. They delivered a decent pizza which was absolutely delicious.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the Post-COVID Era:
Okay, so they’re taking Covid seriously. There's Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. I mean, they really are. You can also expect: Front desk [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Smoke detector. I felt extremely safe. Almost unnervingly so. It was a bit much, honestly, I felt like I was moving through a sterile bubble. But hey, at least I wasn't going to get the plague!
Services and Conveniences (Good and Bad, Mostly Good):
Ensor's Secret offers: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. The Concierge was incredibly helpful, he booked me a train to Bruges. The Daily housekeeping was impeccable… they kept the room spotless. I didn't use the Business facilities, but they seemed… well, business-y. I liked the Luggage storage for the day I was leaving. The convenience store was handy, but… overpriced. I’m talking, outrageously overpriced. The terrace was divine, perfect for watching the sunset.
Things to Do (Beyond the Spa):
De Haan itself is a cute little town. There are: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking. The beach is lovely, the architecture is charming. The hotel has Bicycle parking, but actually, it was just a shed. The Car park [free of charge] was handy. I did some beach
Escape to Italy: Stunning Lake Como Villa Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-manicured Eurotrip itinerary. This is De Haan, Ensor Style, baby! I'm talking waves, waffles, and a whole load of existential angst (probably). We're in James Ensor's old corner apartment, the very air thick with artistic ghosts. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival & Artistic Haunting (and Waffles!)
- 10:00 AM: ARRIVAL! (Finally, after the train from… well, doesn't matter, let's pretend it was glamorous). Unpack. Immediate assessment: This apartment? Perfect. South-facing corner? Jackpot. That's where the light dances. I mean, Ensor lived here! Cue the immediate, uncontrollable urge to channel my inner tortured artist.
- 10:30 AM: First immediate reaction: Wow, that old gas furnace, it better works. Wait, what am I saying?! It's Belgium in November, I'm cold already. (Mental note: Find a working heater, preferably one that doesn't sound possessed.)
- 11:00 AM: Okay, now, serious business. Research: is there a good waffle shop nearby? My stomach is rumbling like a grumpy sea monster, and you know, art and hunger do not mix.
- 11:30 AM: Waffle Quest! Found "Chez Gaston," because of course it's Gaston. My god, these waffles. Crispy edges, fluffy inside, drowning in whipped cream. Pure, sugary, Belgian bliss. Spent 40 minutes silently judging all the other waffle-eaters. Am I in a good place? I think so.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the apartment. Attempting to channel Ensor. Staring at the sea, trying to "feel" something profound. Mostly feeling the need for a nap. Maybe it's the sugar overload. Also, the wind sounds like it's crying.
- 2:00 PM: Failed art session. Scribbled some vague shapes. Decided my artistic ability is currently limited to eating waffles and judging other people.
- 3:00 PM: Exploring De Haan. The "Concessie" area looks like a gingerbread village in pastel colors. It's achingly charming but also kind of… unsettling. Like, I'm waiting for a giant gingerbread man to lumber out and eat me.
- 4:00 PM: Found the beach. The North Sea is grey and angry. It’s magnificent. Spent a long time just watching the white-capped waves crash. Trying to understand Ensor's love for this coast. Maybe there's a reason I feel down, could be the weather, could be something more… like my life.
- 5:00 PM: Getting cold. Retreat to apartment. Attempt to build a fire in that dodgy furnace. Fail. Curse the Belgian climate.
- 6:00 PM: Cooking dinner. Attempt at a Belgian classic: "Stoofvlees" (beef stew). Burn the onions. Salvage the rest. Eat it anyway.
- 7:00 - Bedtimeish: Rambling thoughts. Contemplating the absurdity of existence, the nature of art, the proper density of whipped cream, and why I'm alone in a cold apartment. Reading Ensor biography. Trying understand him… and failing. And it's dark, and I'm going to bed.
Day 2: Ghosts, Galleries, and the Meaning of Life (Maybe)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Feeling a bit better, but still cold. Made coffee, instant. Not a good start.
- 9:00 AM: Back to the beach! The light is different, less dramatic, more… realistic. Walked further, trying to actually see the sea. And think.
- 10:00 AM: Ensor Museum in Oostende. A bit of a pilgrimage. The paintings… visceral. The skeletal figures, the masks… unsettling but undeniably powerful. Felt a pang of something, maybe empathy?
- 11:00 AM: Spent an hour in the museum, feeling all the feels. Then I went back and spent another hour, after all I'm getting a better grip on it.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in Oostende. Moules frites. Needed the salt to balance out all the existential angst. Also, the mussels were good.
- 1:00 PM: Wandered the streets of Oostende. The city has a different vibe than De Haan – bigger, busier, a bit more… gritty. Found a small gallery with contemporary art. Some of it was… interesting. Some of it seemed like a joke. It was so weird!
- 2:00 PM: Back to De Haan. Seriously, the train schedules here are insane. I'm pretty sure I have a half-hour's ride home.
- 3:00 PM: Sitting back in the apartment, staring at the sea again. Writing. Maybe. It's not great.
- 4:00 PM: The furnace is still dodgy. Consider arson. Reject the idea.
- 5:00 PM: Reheated "Stoofvlees." It's even worse than last night. Eat it anyway. Belgian stubbornness, I suppose.
- 6:00 PM - Bedtime: Rambling thoughts again. This time, about the nature of time, and the idea that art can somehow, maybe, make time stand still. Watched the sunset (spectacular, for a change). And reading. And then, lights out.
Day 3: Departure & Lingering Spirits (and Maybe Another Waffle)
- 9:00 AM: Final gasp of Belgian air! Packing. The apartment smells faintly of old books and impending doom. (Okay, maybe not doom, but definitely melancholic).
- 10:00 AM: One last walk on the beach. The sun's out, the sea is calmer, almost… inviting. (Don't worry, I'm not planning on swimming!)
- 10:30 AM: Ensor's Apartment Final Scan! Tried, one last time, to feel something, to channel the ghost of the artist. Maybe I did succeed this time.
- 11:00 AM: Waffle-run one last time. Needed the sugar rush for the departure.
- 12:00 PM: Departing. Brussels train. Goodbye, cold, grey, magnificent, and utterly bewildering De Haan.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
- Did I "get" Ensor? Maybe not. But did I FEEL something? Absolutely.
- The waffles were amazing. I already miss them.
- The sea… it's a constant companion. A reminder of both beauty and the vast, uncaring indifference of the universe.
- Did I spend too much time feeling sad? Probably. But hey, it was a Belgian experience.
- Would I recommend this itinerary to anyone? Probably not. Unless you like cold weather, existential dread, and dodgy furnaces. But that's me, that's my experience. That is so Ensor.
Ensor's Secret: De Haan's Chic South-Facing Gem – The Messy Truth (and the Good Bits!)
Okay, spill the beans. Is "chic" really the word for this place? The pictures look... well, pristine.
Chic? Ugh, the PR language is so smooth, it's practically Teflon. Look, yeah, the *photos* are gorgeous. They've got the perfect lighting, the cushions plumped just so... But let me tell you, I saw a *slightly* less glamorous side. One picture seemed to have a tiny dust bunny strategically positioned to add 'character', and then, after arriving, I found a forgotten dog toy under the sofa that really took the wind out of my sails.
It's chic-adjacent. Let's be honest. But hey, the *bones* are good. The location? Unbeatable. The SOUTH-FACING part? Absolutely a winner. I'm talking sunshine, sunshine, sunshine! Which, by the way, is a welcome escape from the typical Belgian drizzle. I’m pretty sure I got a tan *just* from looking at the sea from the giant windows, and the location really can't be beat. Just don't expect magazine perfection, okay? Embrace the real.
The "South-Facing Gem" thing... is that as amazing as it sounds? I'm dreaming of all-day sun.
Dude. YES. It *is* as amazing as it sounds. I mean, I'm biased because I'm basically a sun-worshipper, but that south-facing orientation? It's GOLD. And let me tell you, in my experience, it's what makes it a gem.
Picture this: you wake up, stumble out of bed, bleary-eyed, and BAM! Sunshine flooding the living room. Coffee time, folks! You can practically *feel* your Vitamin D levels soaring. And the sea view? To die for! I spent a solid chunk of my holiday just parked on the sofa, basking like a lizard. My skin felt like it was already a summer dream, and so much more appealing.
However. And it's a big however. I stayed there once during a crazy heat wave. It got *intense*. The air conditioning was struggling (more on that later). So maybe, just maybe, it can be *too* much of a good thing. But generally? Phenomenonal. Definitely a selling point.
What's the deal with the view? Is it really "sea views"?
Oh, the view. Yes. It has sea views. It's a *lovely* sea view, actually. You're not going to be disappointed. The windows are huge, like, let's-throw-away-the-walls huge, which is utterly fantastic.
But... and here comes the brutally honest part... there's a *slight* obstruction. Not really. It depends on the wind. I think it's a building. Or possibly a very tall bush. I have a limited ability to remember. But the view is definitely *mostly* sea. You'll see the beach, the waves... the whole shebang. I even saw a particularly graceful seagull performing some sort of aerial maneuver. Fantastic!
Do *not* let this little detail stop you. It's still an utterly gorgeous view. You will be chilling. You will be happy.
Is it family-friendly? My kids are tiny tornados.
That's a tough one. Tiny tornados, huh? Look, I think it *could* be family-friendly, but... I wouldn't take my tiny tornado (or the one I'm related to...).
The decor is… let's say, not toddler-proof. Think pristine white sofas, delicate artwork, and probably a few things you *don't* want a sticky-fingered little one getting hold of. There wasn't enough space in the main living room to accommodate it all. I'm picturing a lot of frantic "Don't touch that!" moments. The stairs could be a problem too. Maybe it's me.
If your kids are generally calm and well-behaved? Go for it. If they're more of a… rambunctious bunch? Maybe look for somewhere with a slightly more forgiving aesthetic. Just my personal preference. I'd be stressed!
What about the kitchen? Is it actually equipped for cooking, or just for show?
Okay, the kitchen. This is where things get *interesting*. Yes, there's a kitchen. It *looks* great. Gleaming appliances, all the right angles... It's designed for an Instagram post, clearly. But... and there's always a but. The storage space is... well, limited. I feel like it was designed by someone who eats exclusively takeout.
I tried to cook a simple pasta dish one night. A simple *pasta dish*. It was utter chaos. I had to pull the pots and pans, the utensils, everything - from the most oddly placed and inconvenient drawers. And the fridge had to be rearranged to fit even a reasonable meal in.
So, yes, it's equipped. Technically. But prepare to get *creative* with your cooking. Maybe stick to easy meals, or order pizza. My recommendation, anyway!
Are there any downsides? Be honest!
Okay, real talk. Yes. There are always downsides. Aside the slight chaos in the kitchen, one big issue was the air conditioning – as I mentioned earlier. Or more of a *lack* of air conditioning, actually. I visited during a scorcher, and the place heated up FAST. It was like being in a greenhouse – a really stylish greenhouse, but still.
The Wi-Fi was... inconsistent. Fine for checking emails, maybe a light stream. But if you're planning on binge-watching Netflix, you might be disappointed. My wife and I found ourselves staring at a circle-of-doom, constantly frustrated.
But, and here's my crucial point: these downsides are *minor*. Seriously, I went expecting perfection, which doesn't really exist, and the flaws only made it unique, a memory. I'd go back there again in a heartbeat. The location, the view, that sunshine... those things outweigh everything else. Just bring a fan, okay?
Finally, is it worth the price?
Cost. The million-dollar question! Honestly? Yes, I think it's worth it. But it depends on your priorities. If you're looking for a budget holiday, no. This is a splurge. It's not a cheap getaway. You're paying for the location, the view, the general aesthetic. And if you're a sea-view, sun-worshipping, design-appreciating person? It's likely to be worth it for you.
I would happily recommend it. It’s a place that sticks with you. I still think about that sunlight! Despite the small, manageable issues... the overall experience was fantastic, and I'Popular Hotel Find
