Unbelievable Castle Oud-Poelgeest: Secrets Netherlands Hides!
Unbelievable Castle Oud-Poelgeest: Secrets Netherlands Hides! – A Rambling Review (With a Side of Castle Fever)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just spent a gloriously messy weekend at Unbelievable Castle Oud-Poelgeest and I'm bursting to tell you all about it. Forget the glossy brochures, you're getting the real deal, warts and all, from a travel-obsessed weirdo who's seen a few castles in her time. And let me tell you, this one? It's got secrets. SEO-friendly secrets, at that! (Because, you know, I'm trying to get you to book this thing!)
First Impressions (and a Near-Miss with the Cobblestones):
Okay, so picture this: you're driving down a leafy lane, the kind with fairy-tale whispers and the faint scent of… well, I'm not sure what the Netherlands smells like, but it's good. Then BAM! The castle. Oud-Poelgeest. And it's legitimately breathtaking. Okay, maybe I stumbled a little over the cobblestones getting out of the car (note to self: pack better shoes), but even that tiny humiliation couldn't diminish the initial "WOW" moment.
Accessibility – A Mixed Bag, Sadly. (But They're Trying!)
Now, onto the nitty-gritty. Accessibility is crucial in my book, and while Oud-Poelgeest isn't a perfect score, they're clearly making an effort.
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, they have some rooms designed for wheelchair users. The website lists specific amenities.
- Elevator: Yes! Thank the travel gods. My knees are very grateful.
- Facilities for disabled guests: They have some, like the room's designed for wheelchair users as mentioned above, but I'd definitely call ahead and speak with them directly about your specific needs. They're friendly folks, so don't be shy.
Getting Around (And Avoiding Awkward Encounters with the Locals):
- Car park [free of charge]: HUGE win! Parking is always a headache.
- Car park [on-site]: Bonus points for convenience!
- Airport transfer: Available – good if you're flying solo!
- Taxi service: Yep, should you need it.
- Bicycle parking: Holland, baby! You should be cycling. They encourage it!
- Valet parking: Fancy schmancy? Yes I also enjoy that
The Rooms – My Happy Place (and Why I Never Left):
Okay, let me gush. My room…It was divine.
- Air conditioning: Check! Crucial for a sweaty traveler.
- Free Wi-Fi: Praise be! Because you need internet to Instagram your croissant. (Speaking of croissants…)
- Internet access – wireless: Yep. Everywhere!
- Coffee/tea maker: HELL YES! My morning rituals are sacred things.
- Bathrobes: Luxurious! I lived in mine.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Bliss!
- Blackout curtains: Oh sweet, sweet darkness. Perfect for sleeping in.
- Desk: I did manage to get some work done, but it was HARD.
- Extra long bed: I'm tall, so this was heaven.
- In-room safe box: Always a good idea.
- Mini bar: Stocked… Tempting…
- Non-smoking: Yay! I'm sensitive to that.
- Soundproofing: Crucial! I was so comfy!
They say that you can take a vacation from your life for only a few days. I agree.
Dining, Drinking, and Snack-Time Adventures (Let's Talk Food!)
Prepare your taste buds, because the food at Oud-Poelgeest… chef’s kiss.
- Restaurants: Several! You're spoiled for choice.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Excellent. Waffles, pastries, the works. Seriously, I might have eaten my weight in croissants… or close to it.
- A la carte in restaurant: For dinner, a solid option.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yes! Unique…
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Also, yes!
- Bar: Perfect for pre-dinner drinks, or, you know, an afternoon tipple.
- Poolside bar: Did I mention the pool? More on that later…
- Room service [24-hour]: Excellent for late-night cravings (like my relentless craving for chocolate).
- Snack bar: Because sometimes you just need a quick bite.
- Vegetarian restaurant: A nice option to have.
- Coffee shop: A welcome addition, especially when you're craving those caffeine.
- Desserts in restaurant: I will not disclose the amount of desserts I ate. Let's just say it was a lot.
My Favorite Thing: The Spa & Relaxation – Pure, Utter Bliss (And the Pool with a View!)
Okay, I'm just going to come out and say it: the spa at Oud-Poelgeest is amazing. This is where the messy structure stops and the pure adoration begins. It's beautiful, quiet, and they do everything.
- Spa: Yes, a full-service spa!
- Massage: Obviously. I had the best massage of my life. Seriously, life-changing.
- Sauna: Perfect for relaxing.
- Steamroom: A nice complement to the sauna.
- Swimming pool: Oh. My. God. The pool with a view? Come on. It's outdoors, heated, and you can just float and stare at the sky. Absolutely magical. I could have stayed there forever.
I swear, I spent more time in my bathrobe than in my actual clothes. The staff was friendly. I felt like I was visiting a dream. I did nothing but swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the incredible services. I seriously considered never leaving.
Cleanliness and Safety – Important Stuff (And They Take It Seriously!)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Always a good sign.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Makes you feel secure.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: More peace of mind.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Reassuring.
Things to Do (Besides Eating, Swimming, and Getting Massaged):
- Fitness center: They had a gym, which I did not use. (See croissants, above.)
- Terrace: Perfect for a relaxing evening.
- Bicycle rental: Which I should have done!
- Things to do: there were lots of things. This is an area of the Netherlands, and there's lots to do!
Services and Conveniences – The Little Touches That Matter:
- Concierge: Very helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Laundry service: For the inevitable croissant crumbs.
- Luggage storage: Useful!
- Cash withdrawal: If you need to hit the town.
For the Kids (If You Have Them):
- Babysitting service: Good for the parents.
- Family/child friendly: They seemed to cater to families.
The Quirks and Imperfections (Because No Place is Perfect):
Okay, here we get to the "honest" part.
- The Wi-Fi: It wasn't always the most reliable in the hotel grounds.
- There was a very long line for the buffet breakfast one day.
- You might stumble over the cobblestones. Be warned.
The Finale (And Why You NEED to Book This Place):
Look, I could go on and on. But here's the gist: Unbelievable Castle Oud-Poelgeest is a hidden gem. It's a place where you can truly escape. You can lose yourself in the history, relax into the spa, feast on incredible food, and just breathe. Yes, there are a few imperfections, but the sheer magic of the place more than makes up for them.
My Unsolicited Recommendation:
Go! Book a room. Treat yourself. Indulge in the spa, swim in the pool, and eat all the croissants. You deserve it. You'll come back feeling refreshed, relaxed, and maybe just a little obsessed with castles (like me).
Ready to book? Here's a super tempting offer!
FLASH SALE! Escape to Unbelievable Castle Oud-Poelgeest!
Book your stay for [Dates] and receive:
- 20% off any room type!
- Free breakfast for two! (That's a lot of croissants!)
- Complimentary access to the spa and pool! (Because you earned it!)
- **A welcome bottle of bubbly!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the (possibly soggy) world of Castle Oud-Poelgeest, Netherlands. This isn't your dry, bullet-point "arrive, see, leave" itinerary. This is a messy, rambling, probably-getting-lost-at-least-once, and definitely-eating-too-many-stroopwafels experience. Prepare for the emotional rollercoaster that is… me on vacation.
Castle Oud-Poelgeest: A Dutch Adventure (That May or May Not Go According to Plan)
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Stroopwafel Hunt (And Maybe Jet Lag)
Morning: The Flight From Hell (aka, Getting There is Half the Battle…Right?)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, bleary-eyed, in [Your Current Location]. Curse the alarm clock, the packing list I clearly didn't finish, and the fact that my passport is currently hiding in the very back of a drawer.
- 9:30 AM: Uber to the airport. Already stressed about the flight. Did I remember the travel adapter? (Spoiler: Probably not.)
- 12:00 PM: Finally on the plane. Air is dry. Baby crying. Someone has decided the perfect time to crack open a bag of overly-garlicky chips. Pray for mercy. Drink approximately five tiny cups of that awful airplane coffee.
- 5:00 PM (or whatever time it is in Dutch Land): Arrive at Schiphol Airport. My brain is mush. The vastness of the airport is terrifying. Trying to read signs, my brain goes to a standstill.
- 5:30 PM: Finding my train to Leiden (or, you know, trying). The train is nice, but I think I hear a faint inner voice that screams "Go to a cafe".
Afternoon: Leiden – The City of Canals & (Hopefully) Coffee
- 6:30 PM: Arrive at Leiden Centraal. The train station is cute. Looking for my hotel. Wandering down the streets, I find myself in a coffee shop. It's called "Cafe I guess I will." I am starving. Ordering a bitterballen (deep-fried meatball) with my coffee. It's…interesting.
- 7:30 PM: Check into the hotel. Realize I forgot to pack my face wash. Curse myself. Vow to find the nearest pharmacy in the morning (and maybe a Dutch bakery).
- 8:00 PM: Stroll along the canals. Leiden is charming, even in the twilight. So many bikes! Seriously, how do people live here? Stumbling along the cobbled streets, I nearly trip over a hidden brick.
- 8:15 PM: Commence the Great Stroopwafel Hunt. This is a crucial mission. I've heard rumors of magical, caramel-filled goodness. Must. Find. Stroopwafels. Wander into a grocery store, the size of a palace. Finding those heavenly circles.
Evening: Dinner, Exhaustion, and the Promise of Tomorrow.
- 9:00 PM: Dinner at a local café (after aimlessly wandering for an hour). Order something I can't pronounce. Probably the best thing I've ever tasted.
- 10:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Collapse on the bed. Jet lag hits. My brain feels like it's been run through a blender. Make a silent promise to myself: No more plans for the next few hours.
- 10:30 PM: Realize I forgot to charge my camera. Sigh loudly.
- 11:00 PM: Pass out. Sweet, exhausted dreams of canals and stroopwafels.
Day 2: Castle Oud-Poelgeest & The Mysteries Within
Morning: The Journey to the Castle & The Glorious Breakfast
- 8:00 AM: Wake up (much later, and slightly delirious). Eat a hotel breakfast. Eggs, bacon, and more bread than any human should consume. Fueling up for the day because, let's be honest, I have no idea what awaits.
- 9:30 AM: Get on the bus to the Castle. The bus is packed. A tiny old lady gives me a look that says "Get out of my way, tourist". I try not to take it personally.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Castle Oud-Poelgeest (finally!). The grounds are lovely. Feeling like I've stepped back in time.
- 10:30 AM: The Castle Tour. This is what I have been waiting for. The tour is…interesting. The guide speaks in a Dutch-English hybrid that is both charming and occasionally indecipherable. Pretend to understand everything, while frantically trying to take photos.
Afternoon: The Castle's Secrets & The Art of Relaxation
- 12:00 PM: Exploring the grounds. The gardens are beautiful. The air is fresh. Find a quiet spot to sit and soak it all in. The stress of life begins to melt away.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the castle cafe. The food is better than expected. The atmosphere is cozy.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the tour. A hidden library! Secret passages! Am I imagining things, or did the guide just wink at me? (Probably imagining things, but still…)
- 3:00 PM: Doubling Down on my favorite experience. Feeling that good feeling start to bubble up, then BOOM: the old stories of the castle. The guide gets into the heart of the story of the Castle of Oud-Poelgeest. He starts to describe these tales, and the whole tour stops as everybody has their jaw fallen to the floor, with the details that are being revealed. Some of the people from the tour leave at this point, but I stay. We're talking about the spirits who are said to roam the castle, the mysterious deaths, the love stories, and the secrets the castle guards with zeal. The mood shifts as the guide's voice drops to hushed tones; now I'm not sure about all the stories he's telling, but I am truly drawn into the magic of it all.
Evening: Reflection & More Stroopwafels (Because Priorities)
- 5:00 PM: Stroll back to the hotel. The memory of this castle will stick with me for a long time. The guide, with his stories, and even the stories I made up in my mind.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner in town. Eat anything. Everything.
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel. Find more stroopwafels at the supermarket.
- 8:00 PM: Re-live the day in my mind. My brain is slowly starting to recharge.
- 9:00 PM: Fall in love with this hotel.
- 10:00 PM: Pass out. This is probably going to be my norm.
Day 3: Departure & The Aftermath (And the Dread of Real Life)
Morning: Last Breakfast of the Trip & Packing Panic
- 8:00 AM: Wake up. Sadness washes over me. The end is near.
- 9:00 AM: Pack. A messier state of mind. Realize I've accumulated far too much luggage.
- 10:00 AM: One last, glorious Dutch breakfast (eggs, bacon, more bread, and a desperate attempt to finish all the leftovers).
- 11:00 AM: Check out of the hotel. Say farewell to the land of canals, stroopwafels, and castles.
Afternoon: The Long Goodbye (and a Quick Stop, Maybe?)
- 12:00 PM: Head to the airport.
- 1:00 PM: The journey back.
- 2:00 PM: Boarding the plane. Feeling overwhelmed with emotions.
- 3:00 PM: Arrived back at home.
Evening: Post-Trip Reflections & the Long Road Home
- 7:00 PM: Unpack. The mountains of dirty laundry are daunting. Photos of my trip, a beautiful collection of memories.
- 8:00 PM: Dream. What will I explore next?
- 9:00 PM: Sleep!
Important Notes/Disclaimers:
- This is a suggestion: Feel free to ditch any part of this itinerary.
- Embrace the Chaos: Things will go wrong. That's part of the fun. And if things go spectacularly wrong, that makes an even better story.
- Eat the Stroopwafels: Seriously. Don't even question it. Just eat them.
- Learn a Few Dutch Phrases: Even the basics. It makes a difference. (And it’s fun to butcher a few words!)
- Be Open to the Unexpected The best
Unbelievable Castle Oud-Poelgeest: Secrets Netherlands Hides! (and stuff nobody tells you)
What's the deal with Oud-Poelgeest? Like, *really* the deal?
Okay, so Oud-Poelgeest is… well, it’s a castle. A *Dutch* castle. Which already sets it apart from, you know, your gargantuan, Disney-fied, fairytale-esque versions. This one's more… quaint. Charming, if you're feeling generous. It’s got history dripping off its weathered brick, allegedly going back to the 12th century. But honestly? The real deal is it just feels *old*. Like, your favorite pair of jeans that's ripped in all the right (and wrong) places kinda old.
They say it's haunted too. And I *almost* believed it. Almost. More on that later…
How do you even *get* to this hidden gem? And is the journey as magical as the castle?
Getting there is part of the adventure, or the potential for minor existential dread, depending on your navigational skills. It's in a little village, Oegstgeest, just outside Leiden. I took the train, which was fine. Efficient, even. But the walk from the station? That's where the magic/mild frustration began. Lots of pretty canals, cute houses... and a sign that *vaguely* pointed in the direction of the castle. I swear, I asked three people. One guy just shrugged, the lady in the bakery barely glanced up from her *koffiebroodje* (delicious, by the way!), and the dog walker (who, admittedly, *was* walking a very majestic Golden Retriever) just gave me a knowing smile and kept walking.
So yeah, the journey? Not always as smooth as a freshly paved bike path. But hey, it weeds out the casual tourists, right? Keeps the good stuff for people like… well, me, apparently.
Okay, fine. I'm there. What's there to *do* at Oud-Poelgeest? Beyond staring at old bricks?
Alright, so you're *actually* there. Nice! First, wander. Wander the grounds. They’re beautiful. Think rolling lawns (though, slightly less manicured than, say, a Royal park), a pond with ducks (of course), and some truly ancient trees that look like they've seen more than your average Instagram influencer. Then... well, tour the castle, obviously. I did the guided tour, which was… educational. Our guide, bless her heart, was clearly passionate, but also spoke at the speed of a Dutch high-speed train. I think I caught about half of it. Lost in translation, perhaps? Or maybe just the intense beauty of the artwork.
Inside, you'll see all the usual castle-y things: portraits, tapestries, furniture that looks older than your grandma (sorry, Grandma!). And the rooms are *huge*. Really, really big. I got the feeling that it was where important people have lived with their family. There are even ghosts. They're the ones who made the tour even more interesting.
Also, there's a restaurant. I had lunch. It was... good. Classic Dutch fare. Comforting. Not gonna lie though, a bit overpriced. Castle life, am I right?
The Haunted Bit: So, about those alleged ghosts…? Spill the tea! Did you *see* anything scary?!
Okay, buckle up. This is where it gets… potentially disappointing. They *definitely* lean into the haunted thing. Lots of stories about restless spirits, unexplained noises, cold spots… the whole shebang. And the tour guide kept dropping hints about the "presence" felt in the library. I went into the library. Alone. On purpose!
I was ready to be terrified. I got my phone out, ready to record some spooky orbs. Focused! But? Nothing. Just… books. And the faint smell of old paper and, oddly, dust and a bit of cat food. The weirdest combination. I did swear I heard a floorboard creak... but then I realized it was probably my own stomach rumbling from the overpriced lunch. And the castle just wouldn't allow it.
So, did I see a ghost? No. Did I *hear* a ghost? Also no. Did I feel… *something*? Maybe a little bit of history and a whole lot of atmosphere. But honestly? Maybe I'm just not sensitive to the paranormal. Or maybe the ghosts were on holiday.
The Best and Worst of Oud-Poelgeest? Give it to me straight!
Alright, here's the unvarnished truth.
The Good: The atmosphere. The grounds. The sheer *oldness* of it all. The location. The architecture. It's special, even if it's not *haunted*.
The Bad: The price of the lunch! Also, if you're expecting a polished, perfect, Instagram-ready experience, you might be disappointed. It’s not exactly glamorous. And the signage… just, ugh. If you're directionally challenged like me... then good luck!
The Weird: The library, the mixture of cat food, the lack of ghosts!
Overall: Go. Just... go with low expectations about the haunting. And a full wallet. And maybe download a decent map app. You’ll have a good time.
Anything else I should know before I go? Got any pro-tips?
Okay, pro-tips from a seasoned castle-goer (ahem):
- Wear comfy shoes. Seriously. Walking.
- Pack a picnic. Or at least some snacks. Save money!
- Don't expect too much from the ghosts. Manage your expectations. It's a beautiful place, you might enjoy it, or you might not.
- Learn a few basic Dutch phrases. Even "Hello" and "Thank you" will go a long way. And will save you from the intense fear of ordering the wrong food.
- Embrace the imperfection. That's part of the charm!
And most importantly? Enjoy it! It’s a unique experience. A hidden gem, even if it's slightly rough around the edges. It’s a good day out. Go and make your own memories (and maybe finally see a ghost… for me. Darn it!).
