Buytenplaets Suydersee

A campsite that seemed perfect but has ultimately left us with a very bitter taste.

My partner and I are Spanish and have been living in Lelystad for the past few months for work. Due to personal circumstances, we have decided to live in our campervan, so we have been staying at various campsites in the area. Of all of them, this was … undoubtedly our favourite because of its location and surroundings.

On our previous visits, we had always felt very welcome, thanks to one of the campsite’s employees. It was actually this employee who suggested that we could rent a pitch for the winter, which would have been perfect for our plans.

We were told that we would need to speak to the owner first, so we arranged an appointment to discuss the possibility. We also booked a night at the campsite while we were there.

However, when we arrived, the owner explained that his employee had not been sufficiently clear with us and that he did not want foreign people who work in Lelystad staying at his campsite.

He explained that he had had bad experiences with foreign workers staying in the area over the past few years and that, as a result, he had decided not to allow people in our situation to stay there.

We were completely shocked. We simply could not believe what we were hearing.

We fully understand that bad experiences with certain guests may lead a campsite owner to introduce rules to protect their business, property and family. However, what we find unacceptable is excluding people based on their nationality and the fact that they work in the area, judging them in advance because of experiences with other people.

We find this decision deeply unfair and discriminatory, especially considering that we had already stayed at this campsite several times without any problems. Ultimately, we are the ones paying the price for the bad experiences the owner may have had with other people.

As if that were not enough, it became clear that we would not even be able to enjoy the night we had booked, nor would we ever be welcome to stay there again. The reason? Being foreign workers.

It is such a shame, because we really liked this campsite and would have loved to spend the entire winter there. We leave feeling deeply disappointed, not because of the facilities or the surroundings, but because of the treatment we received and the attitude and policies expressed by the owner.

We are sharing our experience here so that nobody else has to go through something like this. Nobody should be made to feel unwelcome somewhere because of their nationality or because they work in another country. Read more Show less

The website gives a nice impression of what to expect. We opted for the RV site. The price was attractive. I had read something about shower tokens, free access to the “De Koploper” pool, and 10-amp power. Upon arrival, the reality was a bit different. The price doesn’t include electricity, so there’s an additional 3.50 per day. That wasn’t … mentioned anywhere on the website. Free access to the pool isn’t offered. We couldn’t ask any questions because the front desk was closed. Shower tokens cost 1.00 for 4 minutes—that’s really steep. The RV sites hadn’t seen a lawn mower in a long time. That tall grass was extremely annoying. The restrooms are probably only cleaned once a week during the off-season. It was just grubby, and the floors were dirty. The “sink area” (for washing dishes) was also filthy. At least there were wipes available to clean it yourself!! The washing machine and dryer were already in hibernation. We don’t complain easily, but this was really the absolute minimum of what you’d want to experience. Read more Show less

De Buytenplaets is a nice, smaller campground with good amenities on the outskirts of Lelystad

I had the opportunity to attend a family reunion at the Tasty Wok in Lelystad. Since I didn’t feel like driving all the way back to Brabant like a meatloaf, I looked for a campground nearby. I prefer smaller, nature-oriented … campgrounds.

The Buytenplaets Suydersee website looked inviting, so I quickly booked a spot. Upon arrival, I received a very warm welcome, and check-in was really just a formality. I’d opted for the private restroom facilities—it’s nice to have your own little spot. The restrooms were neat and clean, though not really suitable for taller people or those with limited mobility. There was a step to get into the room.

You can do your grocery shopping just around the corner at 't Lelycentre. The bus stop for Line 5 is a 7-minute walk away. De Buytenplaets has lots of fun, slightly unconventional places to stay: ranging from a sewer pipe to a recreational yacht, as well as hiker’s cabins, Pipo trailers, and glamping tents. Prices are reasonable for these options.

Is there anything I’m not satisfied with? Yes, I don’t think the road signs leading to the campground are great. It actually wasn’t until I reached the entrance that I realized I was at the campground. The second thing that surprised me was the breakfast service. 17.50 per person. When I see the photos of what you get, it’s just not worth it to me.

P.S. I tried to make myself unrecognizable in the photos, but something tells me I didn’t succeed :) It’s that beard that gives me away. Read more Show less

We stayed in a treehouse. It was very cozy and comfortable. We had coffee and tea in our room. It’s a shame that the front desk is often closed. We recommend it. It’s a unique experience.

Sorry, but it's really an old, run-down place. It's fine if you come with your RV. But if you rent a cottage, you'll end up in a run-down, musty little place! And it's pricey, too.

Unique and kid-friendly—highly recommended!
A truly unique and kid-friendly park! There was one gentleman who worked incredibly hard and took care of everything with great kindness—he really deserves a compliment. The exteriors of the accommodations were a bit green/mossy, but that’s almost part of the charm of a place like this surrounded by nature. We’ll definitely be back ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️