Last week @jilltjelescrauwaet and I discovered Genk. For both of us it was the first visit to the city, so we were very excited to get to know the area. During our trip we stayed at the amazing Hotel ZUID, part of the Different Hotels group. Different Hotels consists of ten hotels and one B&B scattered throughout Limburg. All with their own character, their own approach… All different. You can find hotels in Hasselt, Tongeren, Houthalen, As, Lanaken and upon several locations in Genk. Hotel ZUID is located just around the corner of the national park “Hoge Kempen”. Making the hotel the ideal base to start your cycling and hiking adventuress from. But, rest assured, it’s only a short drive from Hotel ZUID to the city center of Genk too. Why don’t I share a bit more about our stay at Hotel ZUID with you guys.
Check-in
We were impressed with the fabulous design of the hotel from the moment we walked in. I already knew from the pictures that the hotel looked gorgeous, but it’s always nice when you get to see it in person. It’s clear that the owners put a lot of taught in the details and ambiance of the hotel. The reception desk is in combination with a nice looking bar. And also the other public areas are very inviting.
We arrived at Hotel ZUID around 10AM. We knew that the room wouldn’t be ready yet, but we wanted to drop of our luggage, so we could go out and explore Genk. By the time we got back it was already 8.30PM and we were eager to get to our room. I really liked that the employees took the time to place our luggage in the room already. Such a thoughtful example of the personal service Hotel ZUID prides themselves off.
Rooms at Hotel ZUID
Hotel Zuid has a total of 30 rooms. There are 6 different room types to choose from; Single Room, Standard Double Room, Comfort Room, Superior Room, Junior Suite with Terrace and a Suite with a Sauna. All rooms are furnished with a comfortable bath room with walk in shower or bath tub, a safe, a TV and Nespresso coffeemaker. Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. We had the pleasure of staying in a Superior Twin Room on the ground floor. While making way to our room, we kind of felt like walking through a forest, thanks to the green wallpaper and little birdhouses. So cute! Our room was extra spacious and also offered a little kitchenette, dining area and sofa bed. The room had a modern character, with warm colors and an up-to-date comfort. We felt right at home!
The bathroom was very bright and roomy, with a lovely walk in shower and plenty of space to put our stuff. The fact that the toilet is separate from the rest of the bathroom is also a big plus.
We loved the bottle of bubbly that was waiting for us. Such a nice surprise!
Food & Beverage
We decided to have dinner at Restaurant ZUID, as we wanted to enjoy the Hotel ZUID experience to the fullest. The bar and restaurant are located on the ground floor. Hotel ZUID manages to maintain a cozy vibe around the hotel, which makes it a very fun spot to have dinner at too! Restaurant ZUID is the place to be if you want a taste of the pure Mediterranean cuisine! On the menu you can find pasta’s, burgers, tajine and several meat & fish dishes. Both Jill and I are huge shrimp fans, so we decided upon the Shrimps Brochette with Thyme Potatoes and a Pepper and Tomato Sauce. So delicious! There’s also a very nice wine selection and a yummy mocktail with Grapefruit Soda and Lime. We definitely recommend dining or having a drink here.
Restaurant ZUID is also where breakfast is served in the morning. Upon the buffet you can find everything your hearts desires; fresh fruit, yoghurt, different kinds of bread, croissants, chocolate breads, cereals and cold cuts like cheese, ham or salami. I also really liked the fact that there were some local items and cute little ‘Pasteis de Nata’ available on the buffet. Everything was packed separately and very much Covid-proof, so no need to worry about that either. Orange juice was served at the table, as were the American Pancakes and eggs. Believe me, Hotel ZUID really knows how to spoil its guests.
Jill and I had a great time at Hotel ZUID! Because of the amazing reviews and the fact that the hotel was named ‘Best Hotelconcept in Flanders of 2019’ our expectations were high. The hotel is a true beauty in terms of interior design and the food is absolutely amazing. But it’s the friendliness of the people that we will mostly remember. Should I need a hotel in Genk again, I would definitely go back to Hotel ZUID! If you like to experience the southern hospitality of the hosts too, click here to book your room at Hotel ZUID. Thank you so much Lidia and Noureddin for welcoming us to your wonderful hotel! We loved every bit of it.
Practical information
- Check-in time: 15:00 and check out time 11:00
- Hotel ZUID is located upon 4km from the Genk train station. There is a bus stop in front of the hotel (line G1 Waterschei-Sledderlo). It takes about 13 minutes to get to the hotel from the city center.
- Private parking is available on site free of charge
- Pets are not allowed
