The Buitenpoorter Vof

De Buitenpoorter in Avenhorn, located at Grosthuizen 117, advertises itself as a spacious group accommodation, suitable for up to 28 to 50 people, depending on the source. On paper, it's an ideal location for family weekends, outings with friends, clubs, and even business training sessions. The amenities, including a professional kitchen, a bar with beer tap, a recreation room, and a spacious garden, paint the picture of a perfect retreat where groups can gather freely. The presence of ten bedrooms, each with its own bathroom and all on the ground floor, suggests comfortable and accessible accommodation for a diverse group. However, a deeper dive into the experiences of recent guests reveals a disturbing and consistent pattern of serious problems, which cast a significant shadow over the promise of a carefree weekend getaway.

The Promise: A Spacious Group Accommodation

At first glance, De Buitenpoorter seems to offer everything a large group could wish for. The website and photos show a property with potential: a large, central space that serves as a dining and recreation room, complete with a cozy bar and billiards table. This is the type of accommodation that invites group activities, from game nights to festive dinners. The professional kitchen gives groups the freedom to cook for themselves, which is often an important part of a group weekend. Outside, there is a large terrace and a garden where children can play and barbecues can be enjoyed. For those looking for a functional hospedaje for a large group, this seems like an excellent choice. The availability of multiple rooms with private bathrooms is a clear advantage over a more basic youth hostel or albergue .

The Facilities at a glance

• Large central recreation room with bar and billiards.
• Professionally equipped kitchen for self-catering.
• Ten bedrooms, each with its own shower and toilet.
• A lounge area on the first floor for extra comfort.
• Spacious garden with terrace and play facilities.

The Reality: A Recurring Pattern of Complaints

Despite the promising presentation, guest reviews paint a completely different picture. An overwhelming majority of recent online reviews are extremely negative, with multiple independent groups reporting identical problems. These complaints are not isolated, but appear to be systemic in nature and primarily revolve around the service, the condition of the accommodation, and, most significantly, the financial settlement after the stay.

The Borg Debacle: A Sense of Fraud

The most prominent and alarming issue reported by countless guests is the non-refund or partial refund of the security deposit. The scenario is often the same: groups leave the property assuming everything has been left tidy. Some guests even claim to have mopped and cleaned the property, and as a precaution, take photos and videos as evidence. Despite this, the security deposit is subsequently retained, often under the guise of a "cleaning fee."

Communication about this from the owners is described as minimal, late, or even nonexistent. Guests report that a request for an inspection upon departure is rejected, only to be later confronted with the deduction. One guest describes how, after a phone call, the owner gave vague reasons such as uncleaned toilets, while the group believed they had left everything spotless. Another reviewer reports having to wait four months for a message that the deposit would not be refunded, without any explanation. This leads to a strong sense of injustice and powerlessness among those affected, with words like "unjustified," "money-hungry," and even "scam" being used. This poses a significant risk for anyone considering booking this location, whether it's a series of holiday apartments or a large villa ; the financial settlement must be reliable.

Service and Communication: Well Below Standard

Besides the problems with the deposit, there is much criticism of the owners' general communication and service orientation. Communication is described as slow and inflexible. Questions are answered late or not at all. Several reviews mention an unfriendly and unhelpful attitude. One group even describes how they felt almost forced to purchase additional services, such as bed linens and kegs of beer, which gives the impression that the focus is more on revenue than on hospitality. These experiences are in stark contrast to what one would expect from a group-oriented accommodation, where clear and flexible agreements are crucial for a successful weekend. This is not a service befitting of a finer hotel or a luxury resort , but even for a simple inn or posada , a customer-friendly approach is a basic requirement.

Quality and Comfort of the Accommodation

The physical condition of the accommodation itself is also a source of dissatisfaction. Guests use terms like "shabby" and "bare." A common complaint is the building's noise level. The rooms directly adjoin the large, central hall, meaning that noise from the hall penetrates directly into the bedrooms. For groups with different day and night rhythms, such as families with young children, this is a major drawback. While some people are still comfortably settled in the hall, others find it impossible to find peace. The beds are described as extremely uncomfortable, and one reviewer even describes the overall hygiene as "non-existent." These descriptions are more reminiscent of a run-down hostel than a pleasant group accommodation. It's clear that, according to these guests, the value for money is completely lacking.

A Place to Approach with Great Caution

In summary, De Buitenpoorter Vof presents itself as a spacious and functional group accommodation, but the overwhelming number of consistently negative reviews paints a risky picture for potential tenants. The recurring issue of wrongfully withholding deposits is the most concerning and poses a significant financial risk. Combined with complaints about poor communication, unfriendly treatment, noise, and mediocre comfort, this accommodation is difficult to recommend.

Potential guests considering booking here are advised to exercise extreme caution. Document all agreements, particularly regarding cleaning and the terms for the deposit refund, in great detail and in writing. Insist on a joint inspection with the owner upon arrival and departure, and document the condition of the accommodation extensively with photos and videos. However, given the experiences of previous guests, it's questionable whether anyone should risk a stay where conflict lurks and hospitality seems to be lacking.