Has it ever crossed your mind to visit Poland? Once in Europe, it's definitely one of those value for money destinations. It's within easy reach, it's practical, it's affordable. Poland offers diverse experiences from history and architecture in Warsaw, to museums and castles in Krakow. With sprawling coastlines, what many may not know is that Poland is also popular for beach getaways. My choice of travel this time around, was the pearl of the Baltic Sea, Międzyzdroje (Misdroy). Misdroy is known for its lengthy sandy beaches, high cliffs and preserved forested areas.
Poland's Baltic Sea is overflowing with beach-side accomodations with enjoyable views. These accomodations are often very family oriented. They range from simple camping vibes to luxury condominiums. The signature experience is relaxing days by the coastline as your kids enjoy nature.
An Overview of Misdroy, Poland
Location: The northern coast of Poland
Languages: Polish (German widely spoken, some English)
Currency: Polish Zloty (Euro accepted)
Great For: Families, Couples, Group Travel
Go if you like: A bargain, hotel getaways, spas, nature, beaches
How Long Should I Stay?: 3-4 Days
How to get to Misdroy, Poland
The best way to get to Misdroy from Berlin is by car, so I'd strongly suggest renting a vehicle, if possible. The drive is pleasant and only lasts about 2.5 hours. There is also a public transportation option, but it takes twice as long and will prove to be less economical for families. Should you choose this option, it involves 3 trains and a bus ride.
My experience of Misdroy was very touristic. I mainly stayed within our resort and didn't spend much time immersed in the culture, so unfortunately I can't speak much about the local area. I hope to have a more cultural experience should I get the chance to visit Poland again, since learning about the country, culture and people are my primary reasons for traveling. There were very good reasons why I stayed within our hotel though…
Where I Stayed in Misdroy, Poland
This place was everything guys! Everything! We stayed at the the newly built Bel Mare Resort. For best prices, we went in May, before the summer surge. We paid €95 per night for a deluxe apartment that could accommodate 4 persons. Such a bargain! Beware that the weather may be variable at this time, so one may not have the best climate to enjoy the water amenities. That disclaimer aside, I loooooved the place! It was luxurious without being over the top.
Rooms At Bel Mare Resort
Our room was spacious, modern, very impressive and clean. We had a kitchen outfitted with a two burner stove, fridge, kettle, dishwasher, crockery, cookware, cutlery and more. I'm not the biggest fan of cooking while on vacation, but it certainly lends for the opportunity to save money, and is very practical for families. The bathroom was clean, stylish and welcoming, and we had a roomy living area with a fold out bed (we had to pay a bit extra to use this bed though). There was also a balcony complete with a drying rack (very practical for families, as laundry is always a thing).
Amenities at Bel Mare
The compound itself is huge and fabulous. You just won't run out of things to do! Feeling bored? There's a computer game studio for teens/adults, an indoor pool & sauna (with specific adult only times for a more peaceful experience), a game arcade, mini-golf, a pool table and lounge for adults, spa facilities and more. For kids, there's even more fun! A well-kept, modern water park with various water slides and spray features, a kids' club (you may need to pay extra to access this) an indoor playhouse with two ball pits, toddler friendly slides, giant Legos, rock climbing and more. There's a mini playground for younger tots with cars and a trampoline. There's also a more thrilling outdoor adventure complex for older kids, with a oversized climbable tower, giant slides and other features. In the winter, there is a skating rink in operation. Literally, it felt like we were constantly discovering something new. Bel Mare is a family's dream come true!
If you want more to add to your itinerary, you can take a leisurely stroll along the promenade, where many dining and shopping opportunities exist. There's also an aquarium and other attractions in this buzzing area. Best of all, there's the lengthy stretch of beach equipped with playgrounds, walking paths and more. All this, is just about 10 minutes walking distance from Bel Mare Resort. Closer to the hotel's grounds, is an externally operated mini amusement park with various rides.
So essentially, this place got a 10/10 from me for its amenities, value for money, and overall feel.
What to Eat at Bel Mare
Food options at Bel Mare Resort were never lacking. There were several restaurants to visit on-site. Street food opportunities existed close to the promenade, and there were a wealth of external restaurants. However, Budget Queen me, opted for the cheapest thing. Around the hotel's complex, are small convenience shops which offered a good enough selection of pre-prepped foods, including warmed sandwiches and microwaveable meals. That was my go to. There were also supermarkets nearby for further options. Now here's a protip at Bel Mare: if you are checking out on a Sunday, you can pay a little extra for late checkout which includes their dinner buffet. This was so worth it! The spread was satisfying, lush and definitely exceeded my expectations!
The main challenge we had at Bel Mare was that information was sometimes lacking. Particularly when it came finding certain amenities and their hours of operation. The hotel has a maze-like structure with a number of buildings, all housing hidden amenities. Because of this convoluted set-up, I don't think we were able to experience everything the hotel has to offer. Even when following the maps provided, it was challenging to locate some attractions. I would suggest setting aside time, just walking around and figuring out where things are beforehand to maximize your stay. Also, English, though spoken, was often not sufficient when communicating with staff (except the receptionists). We had to speak in German every now and then. Should you not speak German, the staff was patient and helpful, plus Google Translate would help to overcome such language barriers.
Takeaway Tokens from Misdroy, Poland
What I valued about my limited experience of Poland was the courtesy and politeness shown by the local persons we encountered. They also seemed hard-working and accomodating. Thank you, Poland, for a great introduction to your country! I hope to learn more about you!