Who would have thought it was possible to walk barefoot on warm sand without leaving Belgium? In Haneffe, about twenty minutes from Liège and roughly an hour from Brussels, Le Renard à Sornettes has transformed a former 19th-century barn into a retreat that’s as surprising as it is welcoming. A place designed to help you unwind… the moment you walk through the door .
A barn full of surprises
From the outside, the building retains all the charm of its agricultural past. Inside , you’ll find a vast, light-filled room where the original beams blend with bohemian decor and spaces designed to slow down the pace. The true hallmark of the space? An authentic warm-sand floor that runs across the room and creates a completely unexpected sensation—the feeling of being on a private beach, even as the fields of the Liège countryside stretch out just beyond the windows.
A private spa where time stands still
Well-being is at the heart of the experience. The wood-fired Nordic bath is available at any time, while the sauna—also wood-fired and equipped with Himalayan salt stones—offers gentle or intense heat, depending on your preference. A coal stove completes this ultra-cozy atmosphere. To make the moment last longer, you can even book an Ayurvedic massage or end the evening in a cinema room equipped with a giant screen and a video projector. Not to mention the garden, with its fire pit, outdoor games, and walks starting from the flower-filled village.
A romantic getaway that everyone loves
Le Renard in Sornettes primarily welcomes couples seeking tranquility, but can also accommodate up to four people. Rates start at €274 per night on weekdays for two, with a discount for stays of two nights or more. Travelers regularly praise the hosts’ hospitality, the impeccable cleanliness of the premises, and the intimate atmosphere that reigns there. Just a few kilometers from Brussels, this former barn proves that sometimes all it takes is a little warm sand, a wood-fired sauna, and a healthy dose of creativity to feel like you’ve escaped to a faraway place.
📍Address: Rue Marionsonnet, 2, 4357 Haneffe, Belgium
