Country & Lake 15 miles from Amsterdam in Amsterdam

Exceeding expectations....

Irena, Susan, Stefan and Jurian (Brooklyn, NY)
Review submitted: July 1, 2008   Date of arrival: May 16, 2008

We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing two weeks in the Country and Lake apartment - and we don't say that lightly since we travel with two small children (twin boys of 2 years old).... The actualy apartment, amentities and surroundings surpassed any expectations we had based on the descriptions on the Internet. The apartment is beautiful, clean, tastfully decorated (including beautiful bouquets of fresh flowers), and the view (typical Dutch) is magnificent. Many of the days we were there, we just stayed "home", with the kids playing in the big garden (including sandbox), and us, adults, enjoying the quiet and the view. Or we hopped over the dyke to play on the beach. Or we rode our bikes along the dyke to the quaint little town Edam. One of the days we went to Amsterdam to visit the zoo (Artis) and this was only a 40-minutes drive.

Saskia and Onny were wonderful hosts and they helped us make the apartment child-friendly (they had two cribs for us available, put up a gate on top of the stairs, and even lent us some toys for the boys!).

We were/are so pleased with our stay at the Country and Lake that we are considering coming back there for next year's vacation!

Recommended for: families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 7 / 7

Peaceful country place accessible to Amsterdam

California visitor (Palo Alto, California, United States)
Review submitted: June 22, 2012   Date of arrival: June 16, 2012

There's always something to watch from the large apartment's living room. The big Holland sky with the ever-changing weather. A large green vista of fields and canals, relaxing to the eyes. Horses pastured nearby, frolicking, gamboling, or just feeding. The industrious farmer who lives next door at his many tasks. Staring out the window at the canals and fields and farm animals feels like being in Holland of 150 years ago.
The apartment is modern and clean. We enjoyed cooking in the kitchen. The TV has an excellent sound system. Upstairs, the bedroom is a peaceful airy room with beautiful views of the lake nearby. It has a high ceiling and a wonderful bathtub. Downstairs, a sauna, hot tub, and outdoor patio where we ate when the weather cooperated. Also a computer/laundry room. The owners are super-nice. They gave us rides from the bus station.They also provided us with working bicycles and locks so we could do our errands in nearby Edam, or take the bus to Amsterdam. Most important, they gave us privacy.
If you want to spend a week in the Amsterdam area, consider this little slice of heaven, and take the bus when you feel the need to be in the city. Otherwise, enjoy Dutch country life or the charming small town of Edam.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, romantic getaway

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1

The location and quality of your apartment are among the best we have ever rented.

Irena (Canada)
Review submitted: May 5, 2012   Date of arrival: March 18, 2012

We are writing to thank you for your wonderful hospitality during our recent one-week stay at Country & Lake. The location and quality of your apartment are among the best we have ever rented. In the immediate area we so enjoyed walking on the lakeshore, the fields with the sheep and horses, and the quiet. But the location is also within easy reach of Amsterdam, Keukenhof, and other towns.

The apartment is so spacious, with its wonderful views of the lake and the canal. We spent many restful hours simply enjoying those views. And the apartment is so light and airy, with comfortable furniture in the lounge, and the huge dining table in the superbly equipped kitchen. The bedroom, with its ensuite bathroom and balcony overlooking the lake, is truly luxurious.

The fresh flowers in the bedroom and the on the kitchen table when we arrived set the tone for wonderful holiday. Using your bicycles to ride along the dike to Edam for the market and to enjoy local shops and restaurants in such a quaint village was very relaxing and great fun. The use of the computer room, laundry and sauna made for a very comfortable stay. Onny, a special thank you for advice on how to eat smoked eel. The meal we made with that and also with smoked mackerel and fresh vegetables from the local market were delicious.

We anticipate visiting you again in the years to come.

Do you find this review helpful?   Yes   No

Helpful votes: 1 / 1