Strandhotel Cadzand-Bad, the Netherlands

The Netherlands is not really a big country. Yet we are on our way to our destination for three wonderful days by the sea: Strandhotel Cadzand. This beautiful seaside resort is located close to the border with Belgium in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. Overall, it is well worth the trip. When we send our car into the driveway of the hotel, we are impressed. On top of the dunes, the resort towers majestically above everything and everyone. Although it is quite a large hotel, we immediately feel at home. The well-known Dutch interior designer Piet Boon is responsible for the interior design. This design for various spaces was inspired by the characteristic Zeeland coast. The colour palette gives a calm, relaxed atmosphere in which the environment plays the leading role. By using luxurious and timeless materials, details and special art objects are given a prominent place in the various spaces. It is combined in all its facets with stylish design and a warm, hospitable welcome. All senses are stimulated here.

Now we as adults can really appreciate such design details, our girls are especially interested in the indoor swimming pool and the sea. From our connecting rooms we have a beautiful view of the latter. The Zwin nature reserve is around the corner. A unique nature reserve where it is possible to cross the border between the Netherland and Belgium on foot. This was originally the inlet that connected Bruges with the North Sea. As a result of later embankments in the 12th century, this estuary has silted up. Due to further silting and silting up, not much more than a beach channel is left. An estuary poorer, but beautiful nature richer. The Zwin is characterized by the dune area with its characteristic crops. The Zwin Nature Park is in the part of the estuary that belongs to Belgium. In the Netherlands it is in the nature reserve Het Zwin. Since February 4, 2019, the Belgian part of the Zwin has increased by 110 hectares after crossing the international dyke, the Dutch part has expanded by ten hectares.

Before we explore all this beauty, let us go back to our rooms. For the first two nights of our stay, we have a combined comfort and superior sea view room. The superior room is a luxuriously furnished room of 35-40m². This spacious room has a lovely bed, rain shower, nice fluffy bathrobes, Illy espresso machine and luxury bath products from Marie-Stella-Maris. Extra nice is the balcony with Piet Boon love seat on which we settle down to enjoy the complementary homemade cocktails. While we enjoy the view, our daughters are setting up their own comfort room. This room has the same amenities but is slightly smaller.

For our last night we move to the family suite land view. A very cosy stay under the ridge of the roof with a perfect view over the Boulevard de Wielingen. From the balcony it is wonderful to watch all the activity. The welcoming sitting area invites you to watch a movie with popcorn and drinks. And to enjoy the wonderful surprises provided by the staf for our daughter’s birthday!

In addition to the various rooms and suites, Strandhotel Cadzand also offers apartments ranging in size from eighty-five square meters to 135 square meters. Extremely suitable for a weekend or extended stay on the Zeeland coast with a larger family or group of friends. These apartments are also equipped with all comforts. Such as Auping box spring beds for optimal sleeping comfort. The fully equipped kitchen is in direct contact with the living room and offers beautiful views over Cadzand or the beach and the sea.

However, the question is whether you want to cook at all during your stay; it would actually be a shame. For the Strandhotel is also the home of Michelin star chef Sergio Herman. The man who has put Zeeland culinary traditions on the map worldwide. The restaurant concepts Pure C and Blueness are in the hotel itself. And in the marina of Cadzand with its head on the North Sea wind, you will find brasserie AIRrepublic. A sleek, modern design pavilion welcomes guests for beautifully prepared products from Zeeland. With a menu offering mainly fish and shellfish. In all three places you will disappear in his predilection for Zeeland crustaceans and shellfish.

We ourselves try Blueness; international guests and local residents meet for an aperitif and elegant dishes. We report quite early for dinner. Our eldest daughter is now also developing a culinary taste herself, which makes it extra fun to sit at the table together. The dishes are prepared in a classical way with Japanese accents. Every course is a surprise and an overwhelming experience. Not only are the flavours top-notch, but the presentation is also exceptional. Everything is fresh daily, and the enthusiastic team clearly has fun and likes to make the guests happy. On weekends, a live DJ set enhances the mystical feeling. But also enjoying a cocktail or good glass of wine is an experience. This is possible on Mondays and Tuesdays if you only work with a compact bar menu with tasty snacks and delicious drinks.

Of course, all those culinary temptations require some sporty counterbalance. We took the surfboards with us only wind and waves let us down. Although we enjoy the last few beautiful days of the year, the sea is already challenging in terms of temperature. We therefore seek refuge in the heated water of the indoor swimming pool. Also a bit fresh, but still better than the sea water. While our daughters do not care much about the water temperature, we settle down on the comfortable chaise lounges equipped with luxurious beach towels to enjoy their pleasure from there. In between we make use of the tranquil saunas. In harsh weather, or for guests who prefer to stay indoors, this is a wonderful place to be.

In addition to wave surfing, you can also go kite surfing just around the corner from the hotel. Furthermore, Moio beach restaurant is not only recommended for a nice lunch or dinner, but also the base for various beach and water sports. The adventure centre offers a whole list of possibilities: block karting, surf kayaking, rafting, power kiting, skimboarding, supping and so on. You can enjoy yourself here for a few days. Even without activities, the coastal strip here is wonderful. It is one of the few places where you can find shark teeth. If you look hard... And yes, we succeeded!

Which does mean that you do not get much of the beautiful Zeeland Flanders and that would be a shame. The surrounding region is pure and authentic. Farm fields dominate the landscape between the well-known and lesser-known villages. In Sluis there is a stroll and in the smallest village in the Netherlands, St. Anna ter Muiden, there is a beautiful historic church with a monumental tower from the 14th century. For wine lovers, there is the vineyard 't Biezenhof 17 km from Cadzand and easily accessible by bike. The owners of this traditional piece of land under the Zeeland sun are happy to take you on a walk through the domain.

For Belgian flair you can go to Knokke, which is about half an hour by bike from Cadzand. Where the beach pavilions in Cadzand are pure and casual, Knokke offers style and flair by the sea. The luxury fashion shops and the beautiful showcases of the caterers. The many galleries with contemporary art. Knokke are a feast for lovers of the fashionable life.

In addition to a visit to this recommendable seaside resort, we will spend a day on one of the electric golf buggies that the hotel offers for rent. The name golf buggies do these machines injustice. They are also called 'electro mobiles'. Driving it is an experience in itself. Although the speed is limited to about twenty-five kilometres per hour, you can still use it on public roads. We have a lot of fun with it and are regularly greeted by other road users in a friendly manner. For us it is the ideal means of transport for a treasure hunt. Drive from hiding place to hiding place with the Geocaching app. Highly recommended.

Our stay of three days is much too short. On the one hand, the ambiance provides a wonderfully relaxed feeling. Of those relaxing moments where a day slips by unnoticed while you enjoy a delightful book and each other's company. On the other hand, there are countless possibilities for culinary, sporting, or cultural activities. It is this combination that makes Strandhotel Cadzand unique. Unique in Zeeland and even in the Netherlands. We therefore heartily recommend it. Go see for yourself and enjoy!

WOW

# From the moment you step into this hotel you immediately feel the tranquillity of the hotel and its surroundings.

# What a great culinary experience; unique in the Netherlands and all that under one roof.

# Top design with a profound sense of style and detail, but at the same time never stiff or formal. Perfect destination for a relaxing family vacation.