Belgium has some pretty unique places to stay at and Domaine de Ronchinne is one of them! This castle domain is situated in the heart of the Condroz region of Namur, so the perfect base for your hiking trips or castle visits in the area. You can choose from different kinds of stays on the domain; from staying in one of the rooms at the castle or the former stables to sleeping in a tree house. I was lucky to be able to spend a weekend in the futuristic, but cozy Loft Cube. Curious what it was like? Then continue reading!
This article is sponsored by Wallonië België Toerisme (Wallonia Belgium Tourism), however my opinion is as always my own.
Book your stay now at Domaine de Ronchinne with a 10% discount using the code WANDERISTA10.
A perfect weekend in the Loft Cube at Domaine de Ronchinne
The arrival at Domaine de Ronchinne
After leaving the highway you immediately end up driving a small road through woods and fields passing charming little villages such as Ivoy and Maillen. It is like entering an oasis of calm. Once you drive through the domain’s gates the bumpy road takes you straight to the castle domain. Don’t drive too fast though or certain parts of the car won’t make it to the big parking lot!
Domaine de Ronchinne is situated on top of a hill and is surrounded by woods and fields. It consists of several buildings; the castle, the stables (les Ecuries), la Maison du Jardinier and quite a few unusual places to stay at like a tree house, huts, covered wagons (the ones you see in old cowboy movies), the Loft Cube and more. The reception is located at the main building of the Château. Upon arrival I received a friendly welcome and the fantastic news that my Loft Cube was already available, even though I was 2 hours too early! Which was perfect since I was cold and soaked from hiking in the rain!
Read more about hiking in the Belgian Ardennes here: Hiking in the Belgian Ardennes: 10 most beautiful walks you must do
The Loft Cube
It takes a 5 minute walk from the parking lot to the Loft Cube following a path leading to the forest area. When you arrive at the Loft Cube it feels as if you are stepping into the future or a Star Wars movie. It is an original cocoon designed by German designer Werner Aisslinger. Originally his Loft Cube was intended to be a temporary living structure, placed on rooftops. But I think the woods are a way better home for this modern but cozy cabin!
The windows are 360° wide, which makes the cabin look extra spacious and light and makes you feel closer to the woods surrounding it. The interior is a mix of modern/futuristic and Seventies style thanks to the orange and green colors. Everything is situated in one open space, except for the toilet. Even though it looks very modern and open, the Loft Cube still has a very cozy vibe.
What made this place even more perfect was the huge bathtub and the 2 meter bed! (Yes, I like it large!) Immediately after arriving at the Loft Cube I filled the bathtub with hot water and half a bottle of bath foam. I was looking forward to this moment so much, being cold and wet from the hike! You can choose the color of lighting above the bath, depending on your mood. I chose red and enjoyed my 45 minutes of bath bliss until I was wrinkled like a newborn baby. Since it is one open space, it is also possible to watch TV, while you are taking a nice long bath. I prefered to listen to the rain that fell against the windows and on the rooftop. It was the ultimate relaxation!
The lounge area contains a big green couch, a big coffee table and a widescreen TV. But I prefered watching TV from the incredibly comfortable 2 meter bed! Without exaggeration; it was the best hotel bed I ever had! It had the perfect mattress (not the kind you sink into completely, when you go sitting on the bed) and soft and hard pillows, so you can choose your ideal pillow. I had a fantastic night of sleep in that bed! Waking up the next morning being surrounded by nothing than woods and bird sounds was heavenly.
Food
Even though the restaurant and bar at the domain are currently closed due to Covid-19, you can still order food to eat in your room or at a nice spot on the domain (they even have disposable BBQs!). There is an adjusted menu for lunch and dinner. You simply order what you would like to eat in advance and between 19.00 and 20.00 you can get your food at the restaurant. I tried the meatballs in tomato sauce with potato gratin for dinner and it was delicious! I especially loved the tomato sauce with extra vegetables like carrots and zucchini.
Breakfast also needs to be picked up at the restaurant. Even though it is now take away, it was still quite extensive; 2 types of buns, mini croissants and pains du chocolats, charcuterie, eggs, jam and chocolate spread. You can choose between coffee and tea. Everything was very well organized following Covid-19 restrictions. Domaine de Ronchinne also opened a small temporary shop where you can buy drinks and snacks.
Activities
Domaine de Ronchinne offers plenty of sport activities like badminton, football, basketball, mini golf, tennis, volleyball,… At the shop you can get boardgames and bikes. Activities can be booked such as segway riding and clay target shooting. The domain also offers information about the hikes nearby.
The Wellness
If you would like to relax, Domaine de Ronchinne is the perfect place! There is a beautiful open air wellness area with a heated pool, a hot tub, a hammam and sauna. You can also book massages and join a yoga, pilates or stretching session. Unfortunately due to Covid-19 the hot tub and hammam are closed and massages are currently not possible. I regret I did not went for a nice swim, but I was short in time (I stayed in that magnificent bathtub too long,… twice!!) I’ll definitely try the wellness during my next visit! Because the wellness area looked absolutely wonderful!
Bathrobes are available at the temporary shop. It was a funny sight to see all the people in their bathrobes walking around the domain in the pouring rain.
The Castle and the Domain
The castle was built at the end of the 19th century. In 1909, the castle was inhabited by Princess Clementine of Belgium, daughter of Leopold II and her husband Victor Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1957 the estate was bought by the Special Fund for Assistance to Postmen, which allocated the place to holiday centres for its staff (which is why it was called Château de la Poste). Since 2006 the domain is part of the Limited Editions Hotels group, which transformed it into a hotel residence.
The domain itself looks like an elegant park. At the back of the castle you’ll find a vineyard and a big and a smaller pond. There are even small waterfalls leading to the small pond! During spring cherry blossoms and magnolia trees bloom here and the ground is covered with wood anemones and daffodils. Make sure to go for a walk at the domain and its surroundings!
Places you need to visit near Domaine de Ronchinne
- Crupet is one of Wallonia’s most beautiful villages. Here you will find the moated castle Carondelet and the Grotto of St Anthony of Padua.
- Dinant: a town situated on the river banks of the Meuse. It is known for its ancient fortified Citadel and the interactive museum of Adolphe Sax, who was born here.
- Namur: visit the impressive underground passages of the city’s Citadel
- Parc de Furfooz: a nature reserve where you’ll encounter giant caves and sinkholes, idyllic stairways leading through impressive rock formations covered in green moss, a Roman bath house,…
- Sentiers d’Art: 3 hikes offering land’art creations as well as well as beautifully designed shelters
- Domaine de Chevetogne: recreational domain with activities such as canoeing, mini-golf and swimming
- Château de Montaigle: an impressive castle ruin
- Château de Freÿr: a Renaissance castle with a garden inspired by André Le Nôtre, the landscape architect of Versailles. Even Lius XIV spent the night here!
- Château de Walzin: one of the most impressive castles of Belgium, built on the cliffs along the Lesse river.
- Château de Vêves: a castle on a hill giving the ultimate Hogwarts vibes!
- Château de Bioul: an excellent château for the wine lovers!
- Château de Spontin: typical medieval castle
- Les Jardins d’Eau d’Annevoie: the only water gardens in Belgium. The garden’s design is mainly French, but you will also find English and Italian elements. And guess what? There is also a castle on the domain!
Château de Bioul 
Sentiers d’Art
Château de Montaigle 
Crupet 
Château de Walzin
More detailed information about the castles can be found here: 32 beautiful castles in Belgium & how to visit them
If you are interested in a road trip Wallonia you might find this post useful: The Ultimate Wallonia Road Trip: Chasing Castles & Fairy-tale Villages
Book your stay now at Domaine de Ronchinne with a 10% discount using the code WANDERISTA10.
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