Visited Efetling last week, so thought I'd do a quick review for anyone who is thinking of visiting. (Mike Delete if not really fit for the group)
Efteling is a Theme Park resort in The Netherlands, may not appeal to some, but we tend to prefer Theme Park Holidays rather than beach holidays, last year it was Portaventura, this year was Efteling.
Never been to Efteling, so didn't know what to expect. We went for the road trip option, driving from Nottingham, down to Dover, catch the ferry to calais and then a simple 3 hour drive through France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
We stayed on site at the newly opened Loonsche Land Hotel and a bed and breakfast basis. The hotel is not themed as such but fits in with The Efteling's looking after nature ethos. When Efteling originally opened it was a nature park, now that it has grown into a theme park and is set in acre's of beautiful woodland, Nature and looking after it is at the forefront of everything they do.
The Loonsche Land complex offers an Hotel with bar and restaurant as well as self catering lodges that look truly amazing, think enchanted lodges at Alton Towers but a hell of a lot better looking, and very picturesque.
As I say, Loonsche land only opened this year, in may I think it was, but it really is a stunning hotel. Food prices are respectable, arounf €11 to €20 for main courses. The menu was a little limited but there was dishes available to suit any taste.
Bar prices were ridiculously cheap, €2.50 for a pint of local beer that was around 5.5% and tasted really nice.
The hotel was a short 10-15 minute walk from the main theme park but there was also a free eco-friendly shuttle bus service that ran every 15 minutes.
The theme park itself is truly amazing and magical. Rides to suit all ages, honestly from whipper snappers to grand parents, there's something for everyone. Theme Park entry is included with your hotel.
Food and drink prices like the hotel are respectable, Lunch will cost you around €7 for say, evening meals?? They don't really have a large selection for evening meals and I found this strange. If you've been to say alton towers, they have places like woodcutters, pizza pasta and the roller coaster restaurant where you can get what I class as a substantial meal. There's not really that option at the efteling park.
However, there is one place where you can have a really nice meal, and this was the highlight of the whole holiday. As it was my Birthday we decided to make a reservation at the Ravelin restaurant in the park, it's not called that but I can't remember the dutch name for it.
Now, at this restaurant, they don't have a menu, you pay a fixed price per person and they will feed you, A starter, A main course and a dessert. The only option they have is meat or vegetarian.
We decided to go for it, it's an experience. It's €30 per person, kids are cheaper. The restaurant itself is beautiful and has a medieval feel to it.
The starter was a sharing platter consisting of, Salami, Pancetta, a selection of cheese, pickled onions, gherkins, grapes and loaf of rustic bread.
The Main course was a full roast chicken served on a bed of seasonal vegetables
The Dessert was a beautiful Apple Pie with vanilla custard (And I don't like apple pie)
To wash it all down you had unlimited soft drinks.
And, And AND!!!!
UNLIMITED BEER AND WINE, for €30 each. How good is that.
It was one of the best meals I've ever had, and every dish was surprise, you literally get what the chef decides he is cooking.
So in summary if you fancy a break away, to a theme park, then I highly recommend that you visit Efteling.
Some pics below for you, but if you have any questions just drop them in the comments.