All posts by fastenurseatbelts

Blue Palace Crete, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

Crete has developed some great modern and luxurious hotel resorts in recent years. If you think of Crete as the classic package holiday, you’re out of touch! The Blue Palace Crete, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, is an hour’s drive from Heraklion airport. It is located on the beautiful north coast of Crete in Elounda.

Blue Palace Crete, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa,

As soon as you can spot the hotel, the special design of the dome-shaped building immediately catches the eye.

In the spacious lobby, you feel like you’ve arrived on vacation and are warmly welcomed! After your check in, you have the hotel’s own app on your smartphone. It allows you to make reservations or read the restaurant menus.

The resort, situated on the mountainside, is anything but a hotel bunker! Despite its size, we always felt undisturbed and comfortable! Due to the special architecture, there are quiet oases everywhere that invite you to linger.

Island Suite

The choice of rooms is large, couples, single travellers and families will have a great holiday here. There are standard rooms, family rooms, various suites and bungalows. Each guest has his or her own retreat. The bungalows are very inviting, lovingly and comfortably furnished. They all face the sea, which promises a beautiful view. Some have their own pool. Here you can end the day relaxing and admiring the magical sunset.

The spacious Island Suite also has a heated pool. Good mood music is provided by the modern music box from Bank & Olufsen, which can be taken into any room. In the spacious bathroom with its own exit to the terrace, no one gets in each other’s way! No matter if 2,3 or 4 people! We only left our room for dinner and some time on the beach because we liked it so much! In general, we never felt the need to leave the hotel complex and normally we always like to explore the surroundings.

By booking a suite at the you can enjoy many exclusive benefits, for example a relaxed à la carte breakfast at the Anthos restaurant overlooking the island of Spinalonga.

Time to swim & relax

For those who love larger pools, there are three outdoor pools. Two are filled with fresh water and one with seawater, and these are heated in the colder months. In the spa area there is a heated indoor pool and two outdoor pools for children.

The main pool is located directly on the beach and is particularly popular with families with children. The hotel’s own beach with comfortable sunbeds and parasols leaves nothing to be desired! You can even order drinks and food from your lounger. The crystal clear water invites you to swim, snorkel or dive. Afterwards, you can relax and enjoy the fantastic view of the sea and the Spinalonga island. There is always the possibility to visit the island by boat.

Culinary delights

Here, too, you won’t get bored so quickly and everyone will find something to their taste! Several individual restaurants with great delicacies brighten up the evening for the guests. We visited the Greek restaurant “Anthos” and my personal highlight was the “Blue Door” taverna right by the sea.

Blue Door Travern

Blue Door was once an old fisherman’s house and today they serve typical fresh Greek dishes straight from the sea onto your plate. You have to try the Greek dish Moussaka!

Restaurant Anthos

But you can also indulge yourself in the restaurant Anthos for breakfast and dinner! With the panoramic lift, even the approach is something very special! Once you arrive at the restaurant, you will be overwhelmed by the view of the herb garden and the sea. Greek classics are also served here, as well as their own creation of modern dishes. It’s worth trying!

Leisure

The hotel offers exclusive boat trips on luxurious yachts. Exploring the area from the water is always an experience. There is also the option of surfing, sailing or water skiing. There is something for everyone.The wellness oasis is located right next to the beach. Here you can gather new energies.Our favourite is the nearby “play area” for adults with a table tennis table or an air hockey table.For the children, there is a kids’ club where they can do handicrafts, play and have fun together.

Whether as a couple or as a family, a trip to the Blue Palace Resort in Crete is always worthwhile!

Barefoot Hotel – New design hotel on Mallorca

Barefoot Hotel, Til Schweiger, Fasten Ur Seatbelts

To feel good and enjoy – a dream hotel on the picturesque east coast of Mallorca, that is the Barefoot Hotel in Portocolom. Its bohemian chic breathes the serenity of the Balearics and is anchored in the colours, shapes, furnishings and generously sized rooms of this small, family-friendly hotel. Restrained luxury with natural colours and materials forms the basis of the pleasant design concept for this design hotel.

Barefoot Hotel, Til Schweiger, Fasten Ur Seatbelts


Situated in Portocolom, not far from the small harbour, only about 1.5 km from the nearest bathing beach “Cala Marcal”, it offers all the prerequisites for a relaxing holiday with sporting and many other experiences at the same time.
The hotel has 60 rooms and suites, some with terrace or balcony and private Jacuzzi. The basic architecture of the hotel with its pleasantly large rooms and lounges is modern – but pleasantly adapted to Majorcan traditions and perfectly fitted into the surrounding nature. The picturesque and unspoilt nature is taken up and continued here in the building and furnishings.


The fine sandy beach “Cala Marcal” is within easy reach. Sunbeds and parasols are available on the public beach for a fee. For those who like diving, the nearby “Skualo Adventure Sports Centre” offers all possibilities to explore the underwater world of Mallorca: PADI dives, introductory dives or diving visits to underwater sea caves.
Meals are offered by the Barefoot Hotel in Portocolom in two restaurants with rooftop and sun terraces. For variety in dining, there are many chic restaurants on the street surrounding the hotel to explore. The beach restaurant “S’Arenal de Portocolom”, just a few minutes’ drive away, is also particularly appealing. Bamboo hammocks under pine and tamarisk trees to relax in and enjoy seasonal salads, fruit platters and seafood are the specialities here.

Extreme care in the quality, freshness and originality of the ingredients, this also characterises the breakfast at the Barefoot Hotel, which can be enjoyed every day of the holiday.
The hotel’s child-friendliness should be emphasised, which is reflected not least in the practicalities: children’s tableware and toys are a matter of course in the hotel’s two restaurants.
The class of the Barefoot Hotel is also reflected in the fact that, in addition to a pool for cooling off or early morning exercise, a sauna with hamam has also been set up. Individual wellness offers can be arranged here at any time.

The “Parque National de Mondrago” is a special kind of excursion experience. This impressive nature park, established 30 years ago, is only about 20 minutes by car from the hotel. It offers access to beautiful and secluded stretches of beach and views of wild and romantic rock formations in several gorges, which can become raging torrents during rainfall. The park is accessible by a number of hiking trails and cycle paths, and is also accessible by car on a few roads during opening hours. Here grow the rare wild olive tree, various varieties of juniper and oleander, in damp areas tamarisk and in the cultivated zone also the almond, fig and carob trees that characterise Mallorca. The natural environment is home to turtles, countless reptiles, more than 70 species of birds and also the small-spotted genet, which has become rare on other Balearic islands.

The Barefoothotel is the perfect place in this environment of the original Mallorca. Here, the special nature, culture and philosophy of life of this Mediterranean island are taken up, implemented and made tangible in the architecture and hotel concept.

Design House in Oostburg


Guests can expect great views, stylish furnishings and plenty of peace and quiet in Oostburg. As soon as you arrive, it feels as if time has stood still. You can choose between 50 square metres and 75 square metres of accommodation, in which nothing is missing. In addition to the tasteful furnishings, the fact that books and other reading material as well as a Bluetooth sound system are available for use is a particularly positive feature. If you want to work in this beautiful idyll, you can do so undisturbed with the free WiFi at the in-house workstation. Basic cooking equipment is also available, as is plenty of privacy in the outdoor area. Depending on the accommodation option booked, a balcony or private garden with a vegetable garden and beautiful wildflowers is available. Cosy evenings by the campfire are just as possible as dining al fresco. Guests arriving by car can use the car park on the property free of charge.

Things to do in the neighbourhood of Oostburg


Just a 10-minute walk away is the quaint café “In De Morelleput”, which serves a really great carrot cake and exudes a lot of charm. It is the ideal place to stretch your legs and enjoy coffee and cake in a cosy atmosphere.
For long walks on the beach or a summer swim, Nieuwvliet beach is just a 10-minute drive away.
Knokke is a 20-minute drive away, where you can enjoy a nice stroll. All the luxury brands are represented there and there are fantastic beach clubs to round off the evening with a sundowner. The beautiful city of Bruges is only 30 minutes away from Oostburg and is worth a day trip for its beautiful houses and colourful facades. It is not without reason that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its historic city centre. Dreamy alleyways, numerous museums and the possibility of romantic canal cruises make Bruges a very attractive destination for a day trip.
If the journey can take an hour, the Belgian harbour city of Antwerp is highly recommended. The famous Grote Markt is the “place to be” to start a city tour from this central location and the magnificent town houses will amaze day trippers.

Recharge your batteries in Oostburg



During a weekend break in Oostburg, every traveller will quickly find their inner centre again. Thanks to the beautiful and peaceful surroundings, the worries of everyday life are quickly forgotten. Great excursion destinations on land and water round off the holiday and enrich it with new impressions and experiences, so that everyone returns home refreshed.




Landfolk – the best address for architectural vacation homes

The young Danish start-up Landfolk offers vacation homes with that little bit extra. The houses, 70% of which can be booked exclusively there, are lovingly selected by the host experts based on four criteria and lovingly furnished by the hosts. Guests should feel comfortable and relaxed from the very first second. Landfolk offers the houses in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The company’s aim is to lure people from urban regions into nature and highlight its beauty with a cozy hostel to make their vacation perfect. Aesthetics and quality are a top priority in order to make vacation home guests completely happy.

Offers and booking process at Landfolk

You can choose from houses that no one else has access to – away from the mainstream booking platforms. Cute, small Swedish houses that are picturesquely situated in the middle of nature and offer pure tranquillity. The Kalmar vacation home in Vejby with its large grounds, tall trees and plenty of outdoor space with a barbecue and hot tub is an ideal example of this. Landfolk offers bright, light-flooded houses in idyllic regions with plenty of potential for relaxation and recreation as well as individually selected domiciles with attention to detail and great views. These include the vacation home with a fantastic view of Vejle Fjord in Denmark or the elegant house with a sea view in the bay of Sejero. Thanks to numerous window fronts, guests feel like they are right next to the sea.

Once you have found your favorite at Landfolk, send a booking request with the possible travel dates and the number of holidaymakers or book directly if available. Bookings that are confirmed immediately are also payable immediately afterwards. Houses that have to be requested only become payable after final confirmation. To help guests plan their upcoming stay, they will receive a Landfolk guide from their host before their arrival. This contains all the information they need to know and tips for excursions in the surrounding area to make the most of their vacation.

What distinguishes Landfolk from other providers?

Landfolk’s unique selling point is not only its lovingly furnished houses, but also the travel price, which is guaranteed to include everything. Guests do not have to pay extra for final cleaning, additional costs or insurance. Another advantage is the very flexible travel days. While other vacation home providers usually require Saturday as the arrival and departure day and are happy to charge extra for deviations, at Landfolk the guests alone decide when they come and go. This means that trips can also be booked during the week or for just a few days – an absolute plus point.

Beach hotel in Cadzand-Bad – vacation by the sea

Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Strandhotel, Cadzand, Knokke, Niederlande, Holland

Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Strandhotel, Cadzand, Knokke, Niederlande, Holland

At the Strandhotel, nature lovers, gourmets, water sports enthusiasts and those seeking peace and quiet meet in a stylish setting directly on a dune in the beautiful village of Cadzand-Bad. The modern hotel has the sea at its feet and many modern room types. Children are just as welcome here as dogs, so every guest will find their oasis of peace here.

Domicile in the middle of the dunes

If you book at the Strandhotel, you can choose from many different stylishly furnished rooms, suites or apartment suites. These can also be booked with a sea and dune view, which is very worthwhile. The sea seems to begin boundlessly amidst the characteristic dune vegetation and reflects the warm sunlight that disappears on the horizon in the evening. This expanse before your eyes calms the soul and creates a feeling of romantic untouchedness.

The interior design was created by Studio Piet Boon and is characterized by timeless modernity. All rooms are equipped with comfortable box-spring beds, rain showers, smart TVs, an Illy espresso machine and bathrobes to create a cozy feel-good atmosphere for guests.

Every morning at the Strandhotel starts with a fantastic breakfast in the Pine House. The extensive buffet includes fresh pastries from the hotel’s own bakery, fresh fruit and hot and cold dishes to give guests a good start to the day.

Leisure activities in the surrounding area

The Strandhotel is ideally located for exploring the area by bike right from the front door. Cycling tours along the dyke or through the nature reserve “Het Zwin” are also suitable for inexperienced cyclists, as the paths are flat. With the sea breeze in their nostrils, hotel guests can enjoy the sheer endless expanse of beach from Cadzand to Knokke. Knokke is also just a few minutes away by car and is lively all year round. Magnificent villas characterize the townscape along the promenade and distinguish Knokke as a weekend and summer residence for many business people. Along the promenade, guests can take a wonderful stroll, browse through the boutiques, linger in the cafés or read in the many beach pavilions. If the weather doesn’t play ball, there is a pool and sauna at the beach hotel. With this time-out for body and soul, rainy days can be bridged in the cozy wellness area.

For an outing with children, we recommend the restaurant with the indoor playground Des Zes Bochten! Everyone gets their money’s worth here!

A stay at the Cadzander Strandhotel offers pure relaxation paired with the pure sea breeze of the Zeeland beach, which stretches endlessly in front of the hotel. Whether as a couple or as a family, everyone is welcome here and will feel at home. Walks, bike tours or excursions to the surrounding villages make your vacation varied and close to nature.

Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Strandhotel, Cadzand, Knokke, Niederlande, Holland

The Tiny Hotel – idyllic accommodation with its own farm

Tiny Hotel, Fasten Ur Seatbelts, Netherlands, Nistelrode

The Tiny Hotel impresses with its rural location just two kilometres from Nistelrode. The location in the middle of nature allows guests to experience pure relaxation. The forest surrounding the accommodation is perfect for long walks. The farm belonging to the Tiny Hotel with its many animals is particularly beautiful. Guests can stroke the animals, enter their enclosures or help look after them. The chickens provide fresh eggs every morning. The Tiny Hotel is a memorable experience, especially for children.

Tips for leisure activities

To get to the town of Nistelrode, a short journey by car is all it takes. Just a five-minute drive away are lovely cafés, a large, inviting shopping centre for errands and shopping and good restaurants. The cities of Nijmegen, Den Bosch and Eindhoven are only 30 minutes away by car. They are ideal for an exciting day trip. The staff at the Tiny Hotel are happy to provide their guests with carefully selected tips for visiting the cities.

A visit to the Vorstenbosch alpaca farm, which is just a few minutes’ drive south of the Tiny Hotel, is well worthwhile. Admission is free and it is a great experience, especially with children. The gentle alpacas can be fed and stroked. For a more active experience, guests can book a walk with the alpacas through the De Maashorst nature reserve. Each participant is given their own alpaca to accompany them through the marvellous landscape.

Tiny Hotel

The Tiny Hotel offers two different types of accommodation: the Sheep House and the Farm House. Both are surrounded by greenery. The quiet location guarantees relaxation. Children travelling with you can play right outside the accommodation houses and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings together with their parents.

The Farm House is suitable for up to four people and is decorated in warm colours. Many wooden elements blend in with the natural surroundings and create a cosy atmosphere. As the entrance area is separated from the living room, the Farm House has a cosy character. The fully equipped kitchen invites you to cook together and the large dining table is perfect for eating together, playing games or enjoying a glass of wine in the evening. When guests step onto the terrace, they are surrounded by nature. Every now and then, animals walk past and can be seen grazing in the meadow. As the accommodation has underfloor heating, the Farm House is equally suitable for the summer and winter months. In the outdoor area, guests can make their own campfire and relax in the hot tub under the stars.

Relaxation close to nature is guaranteed at the Tiny Hotel. Children get their money’s worth thanks to the proximity to the many animals and will never be bored. Nearby towns invite you to go on excursions and make it possible to organise a great day out within a short distance. The Tiny Hotel is recommended for nature lovers looking for fun activities to round off a relaxing holiday.