Romantic Weekend in the Ardennes: Holiday Parks with a Private Sauna
Holiday parks are often associated with children's shrieks and wave pools. Yet several parks in the Ardennes and the Limburg Campine offer cottages designed for couples, with a sauna depending on the category and a wooded setting.
· 6 min read
The figures in this article cover the 33 parks we have studied in detail. The comparison tool now covers 595.
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Why choose the Ardennes for a romantic weekend?
About 1 hour from Liège, 1h 30m from Namur and 2 hours from Brussels (allow 3 hours from Lille), the Belgian Ardennes offer an instant change of scenery: deep valleys, beech and conifer forests, winding rivers and picturesque villages.
In autumn and winter, golden leaves or snow on the ridges invite you to switch off, before returning to the warmth of the cottage in the late afternoon.
VIP and Exclusive cottages: wellbeing without leaving your living room
For a romantic weekend, the accommodation tier matters. Standard family cottages do not meet the same expectations as the higher tiers:
- A private sauna: Finnish or infrared depending on the cottage, located inside the accommodation, for a relaxing session after a walk.
- A spa bath: depending on the cottage, a whirlpool bath replaces the standard bath.
- Beds made on arrival in the higher tiers: check on the accommodation page what is included (linen, bathrobes).
Three addresses for a getaway for two
Here are three addresses for a stay for two, in the Ardennes and, a little further north, in the Limburg Campine:
Center Parcs Terhills Resort
Limburg (Dilsen-Stokkem)
1h 20m from Brussels · 8.4/10 (4.2/5) on Tripadvisor
Center Parcs Les Ardennes
the Ardennes (Vielsalm)
2h 02m from Brussels · 7.4/10 on Booking.com
Chalet Le Haut Lieu (Malmedy)
the High Fens (Malmedy)
1h 47m from Brussels · public rating not confirmed
Two holiday parks and a private chalet, for different moods.
- Center Parcs Terhills Resort (Dilsen-Stokkem, Belgian Limburg): on a lake, on the edge of Hoge Kempen National Park, with cottages some of which have their own jetty, and the Elaisa wellness centre (7,500 m²) nearby.
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes (Vielsalm): on the wooded heights of Vielsalm, it offers VIP cottages from 2 people, with a sauna depending on the category (check the cottage page).
- Chalet Le Haut Lieu (Malmedy): a private chalet let by Ardenne Résidences, with a Nordic bath, sauna, wood fire and panoramic view. It is not a holiday park: no pool and no shop on site.
Good habits for a flawless romantic stay
- Go outside school holidays: between November and March, avoid the festive season, the Flemish autumn break in early November and the carnival holidays in February and March, both Belgian and Dutch. The parks are much quieter then.
- Ask, if the operator offers it, for a cottage on the forest edge (sometimes a paid option).
- Check whether there is a breakfast or fresh bread service: some parks offer one, sometimes delivered to the cottage.
Discover our selection of parks for a weekend as a couple: calm, spa or private sauna, good restaurants nearby.
See parks for a romantic weekend →Frequently asked questions
- Which cottages have a genuine private sauna?
- At Center Parcs, mainly the VIP and Exclusive cottages, depending on the park; with other operators, look for “sauna” on the accommodation page. Depending on the cottage, the sauna is Finnish or infrared.
- Aren't holiday parks too noisy for a couple?
- If you go outside school holidays and pick a cottage on the forest edge, it is quiet. The bustle is mostly around the water park during the day.
- Can you book just 2 nights at the weekend?
- At Center Parcs, the classic weekend stay runs from Friday to Monday (3 nights). Other operators sometimes accept 2-night stays depending on the park and date: check the lengths of stay offered when booking.
- Which parks offer treatments and massages?
- Center Parcs Les Ardennes does not mention a spa on its official page. Outside the Ardennes, Center Parcs Terhills Resort (Belgian Limburg) is close to the Elaisa wellness centre (7,500 m²), and Center Parcs Les Trois Forêts (Lorraine) has a Deep Nature Spa with treatments and massages à la carte.
The author
Edits hoprat and holds editorial responsibility for it. hoprat is operated by the company Yourachme, Belgian company number BE 0771.759.318.