Friesland Dream Home: Dishwasher Included! (Franeker)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my Friesland Dream Home: Dishwasher Included! (Franeker) review. Forget the polished brochure – I'm bringing you the unvarnished truth, the good, the bad, and the slightly mildewed (figuratively speaking, I hope). Let's get messy!
SEO & Metadata – Because Google demands it (and so do you, apparently):
- Title: Friesland Dream Home Review: Franeker's Hidden Gem (Dishwasher Included!) – My Honest Take
- Keywords: Friesland Dream Home, Franeker, Netherlands, Hotel Review, Dishwasher, Accessibility, Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Food, WiFi, Family Friendly, Cleanliness, Safety, Reviews, Travel, Vacation, Accommodation, Friesland, Wellness, Hotel, Spa Day, Netherlands Travel
- Meta Description: My unfiltered experience at Friesland Dream Home in Franeker! From the dishwasher bliss to the questionable spa, I spill the tea on accessibility, food, cleanliness, and whether it's actually a dream… or just a very nice place with a dishwasher. Read the full review for honest opinions and a splash of humor!
Let's Get Started: The Arrival and the Expectations
Right, so, Friesland Dream Home. The name alone… well, you dream of a place, don't you? I'd been picturing rolling green hills, windmills gently turning, maybe a little Dutch elf helping me with my luggage. Reality, as it always does, was a bit more… sensible. Check-in was smooth – Contactless Check-in/out, score! – which is a godsend after a long journey. The Doorman was polite as heck, and the lobby was… well, it was there. Clean, you know? The air conditioning in the public area was working, which was crucial because I'm not built for the Dutch summer.
Accessibility: Bless the Dutch (and the Elevator!)
Now, accessibility is CRUCIAL to me. I need to know if I can actually move around the place. First things first: the elevator. Yes! An elevator! Big win. Facilities for disabled guests were listed, which I always applaud; a little more detail would be great, though, maybe a simple floor plan with measurements. I didn't personally need wheelchair access on this trip, but it’s important to note it for others.
And yes, there’s a Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]. That's a big fat win in my book. Getting around can be a bear, and knowing I have somewhere secure to park, is a plus.
That Glorious Dishwasher! (And Other Roomy Things)
Okay, let's get real. My room! I'm one of those people who spends a lot of time in the room, so it needs to be a sanctuary. The Air conditioning? Check! Blackout curtains? Praise be! I SLEEP! The extra-long bed was indeed extra-long, and the pillows were, for once, actually fluffy. The room’s soundproofing was pretty good, which is essential since I snore like a wounded walrus.
Oh, and the Dishwasher. Yes, the dishwasher! The "Dishwasher Included!" in the name, I'll admit, piqued my interest. It was a small but significant detail that made the whole thing feel a little more… homelike. I was traveling for several days, so having a dishwasher gave me the slightest feeling of being at home.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Disappointment)
Okay, so food. This is always a crucial one. I had my fingers crossed for a killer breakfast, and, bless their hearts, they delivered: Breakfast [buffet]! There was also a breakfast in the room option. There were a few Asian breakfast options and a western breakfast. I love a good buffet. Now, the buffet was good. Not mind-blowing, but perfectly serviceable. You've got your eggs, your bacon (always a win), your pastries, your fruit… all the usual suspects. The coffee, though…let's just say it wasn't the star of the show. Needed more caffeine, stat!
The Restaurants! There was a Restaurant with A la carte! Yay! Also, International cuisine in restaurant! I tried a few things, and it was alright. The Salad in restaurant was solid. So, I can eat well. There was a Poolside bar, but I didn't venture there. I could imagine it would be fun.
Relaxation and Wellness: The Spa Saga… (Mostly Okay?)
Okay, the spa. This is where things got… interesting. The property boasts a pool with a view – which was lovely, actually. I ended up spending a good chunk of time there, just floating and staring at the scenery. Bliss! There's also a sauna and a steamroom.
But, and here's the thing, the "Spa" itself? A Body scrub? Body wraps? Now, I'm a simple gal. I'm not exactly used to getting wrapped in anything, but I went for it. The staff were very nice, but… let's just say it wasn't the most luxurious spa experience I've ever had. More of a "basic but pleasant" vibe.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Sigh of Relief
In these post-pandemic times, cleanliness is everything. And Friesland Dream Home did a decent job. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere? Check. So, I felt safe, and that’s a huge plus.
For the Kids (and the Kids at Heart)
I did't have kids, but noticed this was a Family/child friendly place. There was Kids meal and Babysitting service.
Internet and Tech: Because I Can't Live Without It
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! The internet! The Internet [LAN]! Internet services! No complaints here. The Wi-Fi was strong, reliable, and let me binge-watch my shows without buffering.
The Downsides (Because Nothing's Perfect)
I'm not going to lie, there weren't any major downsides. But there were a few minor niggles. The coffee in the restaurant, as mentioned, wasn't great. The spa, while okay, wasn't the ultimate luxury experience.
The Quirky Observations
- The "Shrine" (listed in Services and Conveniences) was a small, slightly dusty statue. I think it might have been a leftover from a past life.
- I swear I saw the same flower arrangement in the lobby for the entire duration of my stay. Consistency, I guess?
- The Dutch are, as a whole, incredibly polite. It's almost unnerving.
Final Verdict: Would I go back?
Absolutely. Friesland Dream Home is a solid choice. It’s clean, safe, and the location is perfect for exploring Franeker (if that's your thing, which it should be). The dishwasher alone made it a contender for the next "best place to stay" award. It’s not perfect, but it's a darn good place to call home (temporarily) – and who doesn't dream of a dishwasher?
Score: 4 out of 5 stars. (Minus half a star for the coffee, and another for the spa's slightly underwhelming experience. The dishwasher? Undeniably perfect.)
Escape to Trier: Stunning Holiday Home with Terrace Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your pristine, perfectly-packaged travel itinerary. This is me, landing in Franeker, Friesland, with a dishwasher (hallelujah!), ready to live a little – and hopefully, not entirely fail at it.
Franeker Frenzy: A Week of Dishwashers, Windmills, and Wonder…Or Just Mild Hilarity
Day 1: Arrival & The Dishwasher Dilemma (aka: Where's the Wine Opener?!)
- Afternoon (Roughly 2 PM): Landed at Schiphol Airport. Smoother than expected! Kudos to the KLM pilots, seriously. Then, the train to Leeuwarden, and finally, the bus to Franeker. The countryside! So…flat. Like a pancake. But in a beautiful, windmill-studded, cow-filled kind of way.
- 3:30 PM: Arrived at the house. Cute, right? Really cute. Pictures lied a little, as they always do, but the dishwasher? Confirmed. YES! Then I spent a solid hour staring at the instruction manual, because, you know, technology. And where the HELL is the damn wine opener?! Seriously, a dishwasher and no wine opener? The injustice!
- 4:30 PM: Stumbled into the local Albert Heijn. Tried to decipher Dutch for “wine,” ended up accidentally buying a bag of cookies that taste suspiciously like… cardboard. Oh, well. Fuel is fuel.
- Evening: Successfully wrestled with the dishwasher (seriously, it’s a modern marvel, but requires a PhD in appliance engineering). Dinner: Cheese, those cardboard cookies, and the wine I eventually found (with a screw-on cap, obviously). Initial impression of Franeker: Quiet. Very, very quiet. And I’m already contemplating a second glass of wine.
Day 2: Starry Skies and Bicycle Blunders
- Morning (9 AM?!): Okay, jet lag is hitting hard. Struggled to get out of bed. Decided to be productive and explore the town. Found the Planetarium – Franeker’s claim to fame. It's a tiny but charming place, and the history is amazing. Eise Eisinga, the guy who built it, was basically a Renaissance man with a penchant for celestial mechanics. I also accidentally bought a pen with the planetarium logo on it.
- Afternoon: Rented a bicycle. This is where the real adventure began. Or, more accurately, the adventure of almost face-planting into a canal immediately. Those Dutch bikes are serious business, and I’m apparently more accustomed to the wobbly death traps they call “bikes” back home. Wandered around the canals, feeling like an idiot on two wheels but secretly loving the scenery. Found a cozy café with a terrace and bought some fries.
- Evening: Tried (and failed) to actually use the bike. It was a long, slow struggle. The planetarium was fun, though.
Day 3: Windmills and Waterworks – And a Potential Existential Crisis
- Morning: The wind. Oh god, the wind. Reminded me of my hair after a particularly uninspired dance routine in a disco. Decided to man up (or woman up, as they say nowadays) and visit the windmills. Seriously impressive structures, these things. Massive. Powerfully romantic. The history is just so fascinating. The energy within those things.
- Midday: Lunch at a waterside café – a real waterside café. Friesland is essentially a series of interconnected waterways, and I'm obsessed, they're everywhere!
- Afternoon: Got super lost. Like, really lost. Ended up wandering through a field of cows. They looked at me like I was an idiot (which, to be fair, I probably was). Started to question everything - my life choices, my ability to follow directions, my choice of travel shoes.
- Evening: Pizza from a questionable takeaway place (suspects for being in the basement of a house). Watched some dodgy Dutch TV. Felt slightly less lost and slightly more at peace with my questionable life choices. And the dishwasher worked like a champ. Thank goodness for small victories.
Day 4: The Market, the Museum, and My Obsession with Dutch Cheese (and the wind, of course)
- Morning: Went to the weekly market. Fresh produce! Flowers! And, most importantly, CHEESE. Dutch cheese is a gift from the gods. Bought a slab of Gouda that I’m pretty sure I’m going to consume entirely by myself. Also bought some weird, delicious licorice. Embraced the chaos.
- Afternoon: Museum of Friesland – actually really interesting! Really really interesting and I actually learned some new things.
- Evening: Dinner: Cheese, bread, more cheese. Wind in the ears.
Day 5: An Island Adventure (and a Ferry Fiasco!)
- Morning: Feeling adventurous, decided to take a day trip to a Frisian island. Decided on Tershelling - it's a beautiful island, and it's a little bigger, so it gave me a little more space to walk around and enjoy myself. I loved walking through the town and just enjoying the sights.
- Afternoon: Enjoyed the island, but it ended too quickly.
- Evening: On the way back a ferry, which I thought would be relaxing. More like a stressful experience.
- Late Evening: It was a long hard slog, but I eventually made my way back.
Day 6: Franeker Finale & Farewell (Maybe Not Farewell)
- Morning: Last chance to bike/almost die while on the bike. Decided to actually try and cycle with this bike business.
- Afternoon: Visited one more cafe. Just sat for hours and watched the people go by.
- Evening: Pack. Clean the dishwasher. Sigh. I don't want to leave.
Day 7: Departure (and a bittersweet goodbye to the dishwasher of my dreams)
- Morning: Final cup of coffee, final look at the canals, final hug to the dishwasher.
- Afternoon: Train to Amsterdam, then the long flight home. The dishwasher is going to be sorely, sorely missed.
- Evening: Arrive home, exhausted but happy. Already planning my return to Franeker…just as soon as I can figure out the wine opener situation.
Quirky Observations & Ramblings:
- The Dutch are generally tall. And excellent at cycling. And seem to have an endless supply of cheese.
- The wind is a constant companion. Embrace it. Or at least wear a hat.
- The canals are ridiculously charming. I'm contemplating buying a houseboat. (And learning how to steer it.)
- The dishwasher is the unsung hero of this trip.
- I'm pretty sure I saw a gnome. Or was it a really short Dutchman? The line is blurry.
- I've developed a deep and abiding love for Friesian culture.
This, my friends, is what you call a travel journal. A messy, imperfect, often hilarious travel journal, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Hope you enjoyed the ride!
Zeeland Escape: Luxurious Whirlpool & Tranquil Haven in Colijnsplaat!
Friesland Dream Home: Dishwasher Included! (Franeker) - The *Real* FAQs (Because, Honestly, Who Reads Those Dry Ones?)
Okay, let's be honest, the "Dishwasher Included!" part... Is it *really* a dream?
Look, the dishwasher. That's what got me! Friesland, Franeker – beautiful, sure. But the *dishwasher*? Like, FINALLY, a break from the hand-washing hellscape of my current life. My partner, bless her heart, is a hand-washing *machine*. She thinks it's "zen". I call it "a waste of precious Netflix time." So yes, the dishwasher *is* a dream. A small, slightly-smelly, but utterly glorious dream. I’m already picturing the mountains of dirty plates I’ll just… shove in there. The freedom!
Franeker... What’s it *actually* like? Because the brochures are always, you know, *lying* a little.
Franeker is charming. Like, really charming. Think canals, brick buildings, and a general air of "well, this is peaceful." Coming from the city, this was a HUGE adjustment. At first, it was a bit… *quiet*. I mean, REALLY quiet. No sirens, no late-night kebab shops (okay, that one stung), just the gentle clinking of boats and the occasional cow mooing in the distance. Now? I love it. It's exactly what I needed. My partner was worried about finding somewhere the kids could play, but the parks are great, and the people are genuinely friendly - even the grumpy old men on bikes!
Is it *too* quiet in Franeker? I'm a city person.
Okay, you didn’t ask, but I’m going to tell you anyway: YES. Or, maybe. It depends on *you*. I, for the most part, am now a reformed city person. Used to be glued to my phone all the time, but now I find myself… looking at the ducks. Yep. Ducks. But there are times, I'll admit it, where I crave the chaos. The buzzing energy of the city. The 24-hour deli. But for the most part, the peace and quiet are incredibly restorative. We still visit the city for a proper night out every now and then. But the quiet... it gets under your skin in a good way. Just... be prepared to embrace the slowness or you might end up climbing the walls. And, frankly, there aren't a lot of walls to climb in Franeker - it's pretty much all wide open spaces.
The house itself... What's the catch? (There's *always* a catch.)
Okay, okay, the catch. Honestly? There are a few. First, the *garden*. It's… big. Like, "I need a tractor" big. I have never gardened a day in my life. My partner is more into the idea, god love her. And that's just the beginning. The stairs are *steep*. Seriously, I swear they're a health hazard. And the previous owners... well, let's just say their decorating choices were… *unique*. (Think: a lot of floral wallpaper and a truly baffling collection of ceramic cats). But hey, the dishwasher works. And the space is great. Plus, you can make it your own – quirks and all! I like to think we're slowly making it *our* home.
Are pets allowed? Because my cat, Mr. Fluffernutter, is practically family.
Ah, Mr. Fluffernutter! I love it. Yes, pets are generally allowed, but ALWAYS check with the owner (or the real estate agent, you know, for legal reasons). Franeker is pretty pet-friendly in general. There's plenty of green space for your furry friend to explore (and, you know, leave their mark). Just be mindful of the ducks. They're… territorial. And honestly, cats are the best, though. Ours has already declared the window sill in the living room his kingdom. The way the sun shines on the window in the morning is just divine.
Okay, let's talk *money*. Is it actually affordable? My bank account is currently sobbing silently.
Compared to (shudders) *Amsterdam*? Yes, it *is* more affordable. Significantly so. We stretched our budget, but it was manageable. Of course, that's relative... You'll need to assess your own financial situation, consult a mortgage advisor, blah blah blah. But generally speaking, Franeker offers better value for money than a lot of other places. Just factor in the potential for unexpected garden expenses. And the inevitable urge to completely redecorate. (That floral wallpaper... I still wake up screaming).
Dishwasher - the REAL deal! Does it actually *work*? And is it *quiet*? This could be a deal-breaker for my sanity.
Okay, the dishwasher. Finally, the moment of truth. Yes, IT WORKS! Thank the heavens. And the angel of dishwashing peace. It's also... reasonably quiet. I can still hear the TV, which is crucial for my sanity. My partner is still not completely on board; in her opinion, it's "too loud" - but that's only because she's spent a lifetime hand-washing in silence. (We're working on it.) And honestly, the sheer joy of loading it with dirty dishes after a family meal? Unparalleled. It's a small victory, but a victory nonetheless. I'm telling you, it's worth the price of admission alone. Although, the cycle does sometimes takes what feels like forever, and on occasion it can leave a lingering scent of... well, used dishes. But I’ll take that over hand-washing any day. Any. Day.
What's the *worst* thing about living in Franeker? Don't sugarcoat it.
The wind. Dear god, the wind. Friesland is known for its blustery conditions, and Franeker is no exception. It's a constant battle against the gale. Your bike? Prepare to be blown sideways. Your hair? Forget about it. And the feeling of sand blasting your face on a stormy day? Not fun. The winter is very long. It can get depressing if you're not used to it. But hey, at least the dishwasher can handle a few extra mugs for hot chocolate in the cold.Hidden Stay
