Efteling Bosrijk

This was our tenth visit to Efteling - we have been coming for 20+ years, initially with our toddlers, now with our adult children, who still love it as much as ever. Originally we stayed in the ('Wonder') hotel but since Bosrijk opened, we have stayed there, as it is ideally suited to a party of 6 (we always take a village for 8 though, for extra space). My main gripe, and the reason I can only give 3 stars, is the shockingly low lighting levels in the house. It is ridiculous - even with every available light switched on (including the cooker hood!) it is practically like being in candlelight! I'm all for mood lighting, but it is genuinely impossible to do normal activities (reading anything, putting on makeup, even preparing food). Other reviewers have pointed this out too. This seems so silly - modern LED light bulbs are low energy AND bright. Come on Bosrijk, upgrade the light bulbs, the villas are just too dingy. In other respects, our stays have always been good - kitchen has everything you need, the beds are comfortable, Bosrijk is quiet and you get a decent night's sleep. We had delivery pizzas which were good and prompt - although beware the English menu translation - it has both 'Greek Veggie Pizza' and 'Pizza Greek Veggie' on there, we ordered one if these and it turned out to be anything but a Veggie - loaded with meat in fact.

These houses definitely live up to the marketing images, beautifully located within woodland and very peaceful with lots of space around them. Accommodation is perfectly functional with easy to access 'e-key' and very comfy beds. If you stay here then access to the park the entire visit from day you arrive to the day you leave is a massive bonus. Popping in for a 10pm rude in Baron is an experience I won't forget. The downside is the location. To get to the accommodation you have to drive around the whole park perimeter, so no easy popping to the shops. And it is billed as a 10min walk to the park however... That's from the reception, if you were staying at the back of the lodges ~500 then there's another ~5min on top of that. This is fine if you weren't on your feet all day in the park. There is a shuttle bus but it appears to only do one stop in the lodges so pretty useless to most people.

lovely set up in the woods. spacious accommodation for 8 ppl, we were just 5 but chose it as had 2 separate toilets, showers. walking distance to the park. stocked kitchen, outdoor seating, sauna.