Hotel Villa Select

We booked a twin on the hotel’s website but our room was in fact a family room with two additional beds in a separate room. We had a look at the nicer beach and sea view from its window but, for the rest, we had no use for it. The main room was still a good size though. The furnishing was not our style, but there was nothing wrong with it. The bedding was comfy but, like so often in hotels, the bedside lights were totally unsuitable for reading or working. We had a safe and a small fridge with water, but no minibar. We didn’t need one anyway. We suppose our bathroom was larger than in a regular twin. It had a bath tub and a shower; the toilet was in a separate room. We loved the Sundari complimentary toiletries (without synthetic fragrances or dyes). The spacious breakfast room offered a splendid beach and sea view. The buffet was ok, but nothing special although we enjoyed the possibility to make fresh orange juice. Like the reception staff, staff in the breakfast room were very friendly and helpful. As we only had two days in De Panne we didn’t spend any time in the hotel spa or swimming pool in the basement. Our room provided direct access by lift so we could have gone down in the provided bathrobes if we wanted to. As architecture lovers we appreciated the fact that Hotel Villa Select is located in a listed building in Flemish Renaissance Revival style. Maybe the oversized and ugly extension towards the beach predates the listing but the plans to add an apartment on top of the hotel clearly don’t. But that’s the Belgian coast for you.

We stayed for one night in August and had Room 42. It had a great view of the beach and promenade through front and side windows and was larger than we expected. Comfy beds, great coffee, superb breakfast and excellent service overall from Matthias and the team who could not have been more friendly. It was a wise idea to book parking in the underground car park where the hotel can reserve spaces - the directions and description to get there were really good and we felt that the car was really safe and secure, and easy also to drop off bags outside reception and leave the car for 15mins when doing so at check in. As the hotel restaurant closes on Sunday evening we ate opposite at the Au Filet de Sole Restaurant - another great experience and warmly recommended, but wise to reserve in advance. Villa Select has some beautfiul public areas in the bar and restaurant and we imagine it would be superb in hot warm summer weather with the doors open and the sea breeze rolling in. We encountered Storm Antoni during our stay with close to hurricane conditions, but it didn't detract from our stay - just watching the storm and the seas was just breathtaking! De Panne was a great experience and Hotel Select will be one to which we return - thanks once more to the team for a great stay!!!!