One day before arrival the receptionist of the hotel phoned that there was an overbooking. Because we had incurred expenses in order get to Boekelo, we did not agree to a cancellation and eventually got a free upgrade to a suite with fairly soft beds and clean carpet. The suite was rather dark and the lighting could be better. The children's summer recreation program consisted of an hour of tinkering in the morning and an evening dinner for children (without parents and on payment of € 7.50) at 6.00 PM followed by movie or mini disco. The pool was open from 7.00 AM to 11.00 PM. This pool of 20 by 15 meters was pleasantly warm. For a fee ( € 25,00) it is possible to get a late checkout untill 6.00 PM. There is a beautycenter and spa onsite but we did not visit these.

Rooms were simple, but good. Bathroom was modern! Staff at the reception were friendly. The barkeeper however looked as if he was really bored by his job. I can believe that, since we were the only guests in the bar :P It's really a family/old peope hotel. The surroundings of the hotel however are beautiful. The swimming pool is not that great. There where a lot of children swimming (they had swimming lessons before and during those swimming lessons you can't use the swimming pool) and it's not big, so it can get really crowded. The hallway really need new carpet, because now it was full of stains and dirt. We only payed 30 euros for 1 night, so for that money we can't complain, but I would definitely not return here, just because there's not that much to do!

Positive impressions
VALUE FOR MONEY
We got a great internet deal for a weekend away. I would never pay the full rate to stay here.
LOCATION
This is the perfect spot to explore the textile/ industrial heritage of the region. Museums close by. The rural setting is photo worthy. The woodsy park surrounding the hotel encourages walks and bike rides. If for nothing else this is the hotel's best feature.
ATTRACTIONS
A surpisingly affordable swimparadise is nearby. Totally makes up for the dismal offering at the hotel. Resort bath it is NOT. Smaller museums a quirky and interesting. Stekhouse in Boekelo is a haven for meateaters!
ACCOMODATION
The lobby is lovely. Some fun optical/ audio art throughout. The reception is very adequate. The bar and reading areas are attractive and well appointed. Thesleeping rooms are big enough, storage is very good, bathroom is straight forward. Big enough. clean. Interior furnishings are modern and "hip." Neutral tones color scheme.
The games room is OK--there is a laundry and a playroom for little people. The massage stools are a nice addition, though they are right out in the hall. The amount of food at breakfast was enough.

Negatives
This is a four star wanna be hotel. Beyond the lobby everything looks tired and worn. The hotel shop is a room with some articles stored in it and displayed haphazardly. There is no porter, and the only elevator only goes from the lobby to the restaurant. Don't bring heavy bags to lug through the long halls and up the steep stairs. The carpets throughout are in really poor state. Like the staff trailed bleach water everywhere they went. Icky.

No family rooms/ three to a room limit. This means although the rooms are very spacious for two, there is a huge empty space where a third bed is brought in and everything else is smooshed towards the one side of the room. Thus, the exit to the balcony is behind the storage/refrigerator/bar cupboard. Odd room arrangement. The usual hospitality items were hardly an afterthought in the bathroom- extra towels were available FOR A FEE. ( In a four star??)
The swimming pool ( the only free resort service) is just a lap pool with no place to sit at poolside, no deck nor lounge chairs at a spa pool??. The spa is uninviting- and there are no family hours in the saunas for families who don't want their teenagers around naked strangers. We did not use any of those services. The tennis court is available FOR A FEE. Bikes are available FOR A FEE. With policies like that the costs could mount quickly. Even the games room had fees built in. The place nickle and dimes one to death. Offputting.
The breakfast was included in our deal= otherwise I would not have paid for it. Our first morning the bacon was SWIMMING in grease. Even a tiny child knows to drain fried food. The little pancakes are rubbery. The scrambled eggs are tired of being dried out in the chafing dish. Ordinary assortment.
It was a scramble at checkout time because the cleaners were already knocking at our doors before time!
Although I would reccommend this hotel as a great location, there are far better 4 star accomodations- and ones that are truly spa resorts.

Sandton Bad Boekelo was soooooo good we extended our visit.
A great place for rest, to walk, to enjoy anture, but most of all to enjoy each other.
And a great restaurant, every evening full.