Wellness holiday homes in Belgium

The combination of a private wellness area with the freedom of a holiday home is hard to beat. You have a quiet breakfast, head out for a morning walk, and slip into the sauna in the afternoon while the coffee brews. In the evening you unwind in the jacuzzi with a glass of wine. No dress code, no other guests, no waiting times.

Wellness holiday homes can be found across Belgium, but the highest concentration is in the Ardennes. The mix of nature, calm and private wellness is almost perfect there.

A wellness break in your own country has one big advantage: you are there quickly. The Ardennes are within an hour and a half of Brussels, Ghent or Antwerp. That makes a long weekend with sauna, jacuzzi and nature a realistic alternative to an expensive wellness hotel abroad.

Belgian owners have been investing more in wellness in recent years. What used to be a basic sauna in the cellar is now often a thought-through wellness area with an infrared cabin, rain shower and sometimes an outdoor jacuzzi on a terrace with a view.

Wellness in a holiday home goes well beyond a bath with bubbles. The range runs from a simple hot tub on the terrace to a fully equipped wellness area with a Finnish sauna, infrared cabin, steam bath and an indoor jacuzzi. Some of the more luxurious chalets even have a massage table or a small relaxation room with loungers.

When choosing, look carefully at what is actually included. A property that calls itself a wellness retreat sometimes has only an outdoor jacuzzi, while another offers a complete spa experience. The description and photos usually give a clear picture. If in doubt, ask the owner which facilities are private and available throughout the year.

The Ardennes have by far the widest choice of wellness holiday homes. Chalets, farmhouses and renovated country properties there increasingly come with a full wellness area, often overlooking the forest. Around Durbuy, La Roche, Spa and the High Fens you will find properties designed entirely around relaxation, ideal after a day walking in the countryside.

In the Flemish Ardennes and the Campine, wellness holiday homes are becoming more common too, handy for those who do not want a long drive. On the coast you can combine a sauna or jacuzzi with fresh sea air and long walks on the beach. Wherever you go, filter by sauna, jacuzzi or wellness to find the right option.

A Finnish sauna uses dry heat of up to 80 or 90 degrees and is ideal for deep relaxation. An infrared cabin is gentler and heats the body directly, pleasant for those who find the high temperature of a classic sauna too much. A steam bath or hammam uses moist heat, which is soothing for the airways and the skin.

A jacuzzi or hot tub makes the most relaxing finish: the warm, bubbling water massages muscles tired from a walk or a cycle ride. Many wellness holiday homes combine several of these facilities, so you can build your own small spa routine. Do check that everything is private and not shared with other guests.

Ask the owner whether use of the sauna or jacuzzi is included in the price or whether there is a surcharge or heating cost, as a wellness area uses a considerable amount of energy. Also find out how long the sauna or jacuzzi needs to warm up, so everything is ready when you want to relax.

Pay attention to hygiene and maintenance too: a well-kept wellness area with clear house rules is a sign of a good property. Check whether the facilities work all year round, as some outdoor jacuzzis are closed in winter. Finally, read the rules on use so that you can enjoy your wellness stay without any worries.