Holiday chalets in Belgium

Chalets come in all sizes, from a small cosy chalet for two to a large family chalet with five bedrooms, a spacious open kitchen and a terrace with a view. They are often built on a slope or at the edge of the forest, which adds to the feeling of being away from it all.

What all chalets share is the atmosphere. It is a stay that puts you in holiday mood from the moment you step inside. Shoes off, fire lit, time to breathe.

Ardennes chalets are often built from local timber and fit naturally into the surrounding forest and rolling countryside. Many chalets have their own terrace, a fireplace or wood-burning stove and a fully equipped kitchen. They are rented for short weekend breaks as well as longer holidays.

In the Campine you will find smaller, lighter chalets that sit comfortably in the heath and pine forest landscape. Along the coast there are also some safari chalets and wooden accommodation on campsites or in the dunes. Each type of chalet offers its own atmosphere.

A chalet has atmosphere. The characteristic timber construction, the warm feel inside and usually a fireplace or wood-burning stove make it the most welcoming form of holiday accommodation, especially in the cooler months. Where an ordinary holiday home is primarily practical, a chalet is about the experience: snug indoors while it is cool outside.

Many chalets also sit in quiet, rural spots, deep in the forest or with a view across a valley. That sense of seclusion and closeness to nature is exactly what people come to a chalet for. A terrace or veranda to take in the view is usually part of the package, as is a garden where children and dogs can run around freely.

The classic wooden chalet is what most people picture: built entirely from timber, with a pitched roof and a warm, natural look. A stone chalet or part-masonry build offers the same feel but is often better insulated and quieter, which makes it more comfortable for year-round stays. Both types are plentiful in the Ardennes.

A bungalow is sometimes also called a chalet, but it is single-storey and more modern in style, which is practical for groups with older guests or young children as there are no stairs. So do not rely on the word chalet alone; read the description and look at the photos to understand exactly what type of property and what atmosphere you are getting.