FAQ - The reply to your questions

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "inLanguage": "nl", "url": "https://appartement-met-zeezicht.be/faq-veelgestelde-vragen/", "headline": "FAQ - Answers to frequently asked questions about your holiday by the sea", "description": "All answers to questions about holiday rentals in our apartment and loft in Ostend. Booking, payment, house rules, amenities, dogs, beach and more.", "dateModified": "2026-09-11T08:22:37+00:00", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Apartment with Sea View (Seamore)", "url": "https://appartement-met-zeezicht.be/" }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "I would like to book. How do I book my holiday period?, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Booking with us is easy. Click on the reservation page, choose the desired period for your holiday, and enter your details. Next, we draw up a rental agreement. You will receive the rental agreement by email. After reviewing and agreeing, you can sign and return it. You will also find all payment details in the rental agreement.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I rent for one night, a weekend, or a midweek?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No, unfortunately that is not possible. We have a minimum rental period of one week. We rent out our holiday homes only by the week, always with the same start day.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I choose on which day the rental period starts?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We work with fixed arrival and departure days. At Het Appartement, that is always on Saturday. The Loft is rented out from Friday to Friday.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When do I have to pay the rent?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Are you booking 1 month or less for your vacation? Then you pay the full rental price immediately. Are you booking more than a month before your holiday? Then you pay half the rental price when booking. One month before departure, you pay the other half. Are you booking more than 8 months in advance? Then you pay 25% when booking, another 25% 4 months before departure, and the final 50% one month before departure.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I book last minute?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Certainly! You can book your holiday with us last minute. Provided that the Apartment or the Loft is available. Then you can even book the day before. Call or email us. Pay close attention, as our holiday apartments are popular and are usually booked months to a year in advance. The chance that you can still rent one of our holiday accommodations for a week at the last minute is therefore rather small. Check Prices & Availability to see if the week you want is still available.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much is the deposit? And when do I get that back?, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The deposit amounts to 250 euros. You pay this together with the final installment of the rent (one month before departure). The money will be refunded to the account from which the rent was paid within a week after your stay.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the cancellation conditions?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For cancellations up to two months before departure, 10% of the rental price will be charged. For cancellations up to one month before departure, 50% of the rental price will be charged. For cancellations thereafter, 100% of the rental price will be charged. To avoid risks, you can choose to take out cancellation insurance through your insurance broker.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which house rules must I respect?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Our house rules ensure that the tenant leaves The Apartment or The Loft in excellent condition for you. They remind tenants of the smoking ban, our rules regarding pets, and so on. Everyone who rents from us must sign and abide by these rules.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "At what time can I arrive and until what time can we stay?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can arrive at the Apartment from 15 p.m. You must depart by 11 o'clock at the latest. You can arrive at the Loft from 17 PM and check out until 14 PM. Thanks to our flexible key system, you can also arrive later and/or leave earlier.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I get the keys to the holiday home?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We work with a key safe containing all necessary keys in duplicate. This gives you the freedom to arrive or depart at a time that suits you best. As soon as the balance of the rental is in our account, you will receive an email containing the exact location and the code for the key safe.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I take my dog(s) on vacation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the sea with those they love. With your partner, your friends, your children, grandchildren… and so also with your dogs. One or two dogs are perfectly fine for us, provided a small surcharge is paid.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "May I smoke in the holiday accommodation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No, smoking is prohibited in The Apartment and The Loft."
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is not included in the rental price?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "All costs are included in the rental price, except for final cleaning (€60 in the Apartment, €65 in the Loft), bed linen, bath towels, and kitchen towels. Final cleaning is mandatory. You can bring your own bed linen, towels, and kitchen towels to The Apartment or rent them.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What are the dimensions of the beds?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In The Apartment: Room 1 has a double bed (1.80m – 2.10m with split). Room 2 has a double bed (1.40m – 2m) and a single loft bed (90cm – 2m). Living room: Double sofa bed (1m40 - 2m). In The Loft: Double bed (1.60m – 2m). Made beds are included at De Loft in the price of the final cleaning.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there a bicycle parking facility available?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. You can store your bicycles indoors, dry and safe. The apartment has a spacious garage with space for bicycles. The Loft has 3 rooms for bicycles in the basement of the building, accessible from Troonstraat.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there an elevator in the building?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, both holiday homes are accessible via the elevator. The apartment is located on the sixth floor and is accessible by elevator via the main entrance. At De Loft, you have a choice: either take the main entrance, climb a few stairs, and take the elevator from there to the fifth floor, or take the back entrance of the building on Troonstraat, where you can take the elevator straight to the fifth floor.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I rent bed linen, towels, and kitchen towels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We prefer not to rent bed linen, towels, and kitchen towels anymore. The new VAT rules make this too expensive and too complex.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What cooking and eating utensils are available in the kitchen?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The kitchen of The Apartment is very extensively equipped with many kitchen appliances, pots and pans, a baby chair, and more."
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there stable WiFi (WLAN)?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. In The Apartment and The Loft, you can use Wi-Fi (WLAN) for free. This one is fast, always works, and is stable. You have Wi-Fi throughout the entire apartment. You will find the password in the information brochure upon arrival. There is also free Wi-Fi (WLAN) on the Zeedijk and in the city center of Ostend.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there digital television?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Thanks to digital television from Proximus, you can enjoy 80 television channels in digital quality, including Belgian, Dutch, French, and English channels. Apps like Netflix, Spotify, VRT Max, Prime… can be found on the television's home screen.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the holiday accommodation wheelchair accessible?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We are not entirely sure what is required to label a property 'wheelchair accessible'. What we do know is that people who are in a wheelchair rent the apartment regularly. We have provided floor plans of our holiday accommodations showing the dimensions of the main entrance, the elevator, and the sizes of all doorways in the home.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How big is the parking lot? And where is that located?, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "At The Apartment there is a covered garage at street level. This one is 6 meters deep, 2.90 meters wide, and 2.05 meters high. The garage is located at the rear of the apartment building. The Loft has its own parking space. This one is 5 meters deep and 2.50 meters wide. This parking space is located in a secure parking lot on the street at the back of the building.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I park a second car?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can park your second car in the streets around the Apartment or the Loft. From October through March, you can park for just 10 cents per hour (daily 9 am - 20 pm). From April through September, you pay €0,75 per hour. You can also park in the large car park on the corner of Troonstraat and Northlaan (usually free) or behind the horse racing track.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How far are the Apartment and the Loft from the beach?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both the Loft and the Apartment with sea view are located on the beach. The distance to the beach is exactly the width of the promenade. You step out the front door, cross the dike, and descend via steps to the beach.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are the apartments suitable for people with allergies?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, people with a pet allergy will also find their way to the apartment. We have strict rules regarding pets. Furthermore, we clean thoroughly after every stay and ventilate the room well.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are there shops nearby?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. 2 supermarkets, 2 bakeries, a pharmacy, various restaurants and taverns, the MediaMarkt. They are located within 1 km of Het Appartement and De Loft.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are the holiday homes easily accessible by public transport?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Certainly. You can easily reach your holiday destination by train and the coastal tram. At Ostend station, take the coastal tram towards De Panne. Get off at the Oostende Northlaan stop. The apartment is located 400 meters from this stop. The Loft is located 500 m from this stop.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the apartment suitable for children?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The apartment is suitable for children. There is a children's bedroom for 3 children (or adults) and it is possible to place a baby cot. There is a free baby bed available in the closet in the nursery. Furthermore, you have a high chair, a booster step, and children's tableware. The Loft is for 2 people, ideal for couples or singles.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do the apartments really have a direct sea view?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Both the Loft and the Apartment have a direct sea view. They are located on the first line of the beach dike. In the Apartment, that provides a 4-meter sea view, while in the Loft, there is a full 5 meters of pure, frontal view of the sea. You have a panoramic view of the sea and the horizon.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are landlords Anke and Hans real people?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, 100%! Anke and Hans are no marketing figment. It is a couple that lives in Kalmthout and regularly spends time by the sea. They rent out their apartments personally as private landlords. No call center, no anonymous rental company. Just Anke and Hans you call, who arrange your contract and quickly resolve any potential problems.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where are the lifeguard stations in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Lifeguard stations are located at regular intervals along the entire Ostend coast. The main lifeguard station in Ostend is located centrally, near the Kursaal and the Albert I Promenade. During the summer months of July and August, the lifeguard stations along the entire coast are staffed from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "My child is missing on the beach in Ostend. What should I do?, "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Go immediately to the nearest lifeguard station if you lose your child on the beach. During the season, it is staffed from 10:30 to 18:30. Is it a real emergency? Then call the emergency number 112 immediately. The lifeguards have a designated zone for lost children.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I prevent my child from getting lost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Choose a clearly recognizable spot on the beach, for example with lost child markers. Increase visibility with a striking windbreak, kite, or bright beach tent. Go meet the lifeguards together with your child. Get a free lost-person wristband from the lifeguards for your day at the beach. On that, they write down a name and phone number.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I swim in the sea in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Ostend has thirteen official, supervised swimming zones and one surfing zone, spread along the entire coastline. These zones can be identified by the blue swimmer flags on the beach maps. The lifeguards patrol these zones from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do the colors of the beach flags mean?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Green means safe swimming. The sea is relatively calm. Yellow means you may swim, but without inflatable objects. Red means a swimming ban. Come back another day.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I surf in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can surf, kite, or practice another water sport in the official water sport zone of Ostend. It is centrally located, opposite the Beach House Surfclub on the Sports Beach. A second water sports zone for surfing can be found on the East Bank, near the Spinoladijk towards Bredene.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is the weather good for surfing?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The weather is different every day at the seaside. You can check the wind and weather in Ostend daily via our blog about the weather in Ostend.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where are the public toilets at the beach in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The largest concentration of public beach toilets can be found in the city center around the Kursaal and the Albert I Promenade. Toilets are also located on the Strandplein in Mariakerke and scattered along the Zeedijk. You can find the location and opening hours at oostende.be/plasplan."
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where are the beach bars in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most beach bars are concentrated in the central beach area around the Kursaal and the Albert I Promenade, right against the Zeedijk. There is also a beach bar on the East Bank, near the Halvemaandijk. These bars are usually open during the beach season.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where are there beach cabins in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You will find the largest concentration of beach cabins in the central area around the Groot Strand and Sportstrand. You will also find a whole row in Mariakerke near our Zeedijk (Zone 3). You can find all the info at oostende.be/strandcabines."
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I rent a beach cabin?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The city of Ostend grants approximately one thousand permits for recreational pitches every year. Sign up for the waiting list for this between October and December of the previous year. You can find all the information at oostende.be/strandcabines. When you get a spot, you can build a cabin yourself or contact local rental companies.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I park for free near the beach in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "As a guest of Het Appartement or De Loft, you always park for free. You will get a reserved spot in our covered garage or in our private parking lot, just behind the Zeedijk and the beach. Ostend also offers various free and paid parking options near the coast.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can I go to the beach with a wheelchair?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The best accessibility can be found in the Center (around the Kursaal, at both the Great Beach and the Small Beach) and in Mariakerke, near the Strandplein. There you will find a paved concrete path that runs straight across the sand to close to the waterline. At those same locations, you will also find wheelchair-accessible toilets and can use beach wheelchairs for free.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are dogs allowed in the apartment with sea view?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, dogs are very welcome, both in our apartment and in our loft on the Zeedijk in Ostend. We allow a maximum of two dogs per stay. We believe that your holiday is only complete when your loyal four-legged friend enjoys the sea, the beach, and the phenomenal sea view with you.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How much does my dog's stay cost?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "We charge a small surcharge of 7,5 euros per dog per night for bringing a dog. This also covers the extra thorough cleaning afterwards, ensuring our accommodation is spotless for new tenants every time.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will the location remain accessible to people with allergies?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, people with a pet allergy will also find their way to the apartment. We have strict rules regarding pets. Furthermore, we thoroughly clean and ventilate the room well after every stay. Because of this, you don't notice that dogs regularly stay there.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can my dog ​​come on the ferry in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A free ferry sails back and forth in the port of Ostend. It takes you to and from the lighthouse, Fort Napoleon, and the new residential towers. Your dog is certainly allowed on the ferry. The only condition is that it is on a leash.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When and where is my dog ​​allowed on the beach?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From April through September, you are only allowed on the beach with your dog before 10:00 AM and after 6:30 PM. In July and August, this is even only allowed after 20 p.m. On the beach maps, you will find green icons (dogs always welcome) and red icons (dogs only outside supervised hours). Outside the season (October to March), more flexible rules generally apply.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is there a dog beach nearby?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Ostend has specific beach zones where dogs can happily run and play. From our central location on the Zeedijk, you are quickly at the designated dog zones.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where can my dog ​​run free on the beach all year round?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The only zone in Ostend where dogs are allowed to run off-leash all year round is on the Oosteroever. This is from beach head 5 to the border with Bredene. This is also the quietest dog zone in the city, with dunes and a beautiful view of the harbor entrance and Fort Napoleon.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What rules apply to dogs in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The City of Ostend clearly collects all information about your visit to the coast with your dog on their website. Visit www.oostende.be/honden."
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is my dog ​​required to be on a leash?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "On the Klein Strand, between the Westerstaketsel and the Westelijke Strekdam, your dog must be on a short leash all year round. This zone is a popular resting place for seals. The same short-leash requirement applies on the beach at Raversijde, between the Westlaan and the border with Middelkerke.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which jellyfish swim in the North Sea?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many species of jellyfish swim in the North Sea: Moon jellyfish (spring to early autumn), Sea mushroom (August to autumn), Blue hair jellyfish (spring and early summer), Yellow hair jellyfish (can have longer tentacles), Compass jellyfish (recognizable by brown radial compass rose, summer to autumn), Japanese cross jellyfish (local occurrence). Which species you see depends on the season, wind, and ocean currents.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which jellyfish are dangerous?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Life-threatening jellyfish do not occur here on the Belgian coast. However, watch out for the compass jellyfish: its long tentacles leave red welts. A sting from the yellow lion's mane jellyfish, blue lion's mane jellyfish, and Japanese cross jellyfish can also cause painful skin reactions. Watch out for washed-up jellyfish — they are usually still alive, and even dead ones can still sting.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What should I do if I have a jellyfish sting?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Stay calm. Rinse the skin with seawater (never with fresh water). Carefully remove tentacles with shaving foam and a credit card. Immerse the body part in hot water for approximately 20 minutes (max. 45 ° C). Do not use vinegar, urine, or a pressure bandage. Do you feel unwell or do you have breathing problems? Then call 112."
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is a weever?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A weever is a small fish of 10 to 18 centimeters that lives on sandy seabeds. During the day, he burrows in. Its dorsal fin contains poisonous spines.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why are weever fish dangerous?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Weever fish do not attack, but you can accidentally step on them. The sting is very painful and usually causes redness and swelling. Seek medical help if the pain is still severe after two hours, or if there are signs of infection, nausea, dizziness, or palpitations.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are there weever fish in the North Sea?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. The lesser weever is found close to the coast, often in the surf. The greater weever lives deeper in the sea and poses a particular risk to fishermen.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I protect myself against weevers?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Wear water sandals or water shoes with a sturdy sole in the surf and while swimming. Were you pricked after all? Rinse with seawater, immerse the body part in warm water (40-45 °C) for at least 30 minutes, disinfect the wound, and check your tetanus vaccination. Call 112 in case of serious symptoms.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do seals swim in Ostend?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Certainly. Thanks to the direct sea view from Het Appartement and De Loft, you might spot one. Bring your binoculars. The Klein Strand at the breakwater is a particularly well-known resting place.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What do I do if I see a seal?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Leave the seal alone and stay at least 30 meters away. A seal on the beach is usually resting. Do not touch him, do not feed him, and do not try to help him back into the sea. Do you see an injured, sick, or weakened seal? Call NorthSealTeam on 0491 74 32 78 or Sea Life Blankenberge on 0477 34 58 90.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "May I swim to a seal?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No. Seals are wild animals and need rest. Do not swim towards it and do not try to make contact. They have sharp teeth and can bite. Does a seal spontaneously pop up next to you? Stay calm, give him space, and let the animal continue swimming on its own.
      } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Why must my dog ​​be on a leash near seals?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Keep your dog on a leash and at least 30 meters away from a seal. This is how you protect both animals. Usually, the seals flee quickly into the water, but larger specimens defend themselves and bite back. Seals can also be carriers of infectious diseases that dogs can contract.
      } } ] }