Kids’ experiences
Bronte gossling dives into the world’s best hotel water parks that have become family holiday destinations in their own right.
Water you waiting for? Here are some of the world’s most exciting hotel water parks.
01 It’s lime o’clock every hour at Nickelodeon Place and Aqua Nick 02 Atlantis, The Palm’s Aquaventure boasts 17 hectares of splash-tastic slides and rides.
Getting some Vitamin Sea Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
It’s definitely slime o’clock every hour at this resort’s Nickelodeon Place and Aqua Nick, which hosts mass-sliming events throughout the day. Families can wind through water slides, jump on splash pads or kick back on the lazy river. For a unique family moment, put on your second-best pair of togs and head to the Slimulator for a green-tinged surprise. Here’s a hint: it’s definitely slime time. nickresortpuntacana.com
Snow more winter, please! Hoshino Resorts Tomamu, Hokkaido, Japan
Guests of both Hoshino Resorts Tomamu’s hotels enjoy access to Mina-mina Beach, a dome of everlasting summer. Never dipping below 30 degrees Celsius year-round, it’s home to one of the largest wave pools in Japan, alongside a kids’ pool and an open-air bath, Kirin-no Yu, for families who wish to relax in the forest surrounds in summer. snowtomamu.jp/winter/en
Under the sea Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites – Waterpark, Florida, USA
Located at the entrance of the Walt Disney World Resort area, this water park is the place for those looking to soak up the Florida sun. Families can lounge around the large main pool, slip ‘n’ slide down the twisting water slides and clamber over the fourstorey water tower. Tiny tots can safely splash in the kids’ play area while mums and dads relax in one of the Jacuzzis. hisuitesorlando.com
Sea the world Aquashow Park Hotel Quarteira, Portugal
This themed 148-room, four-star resort has a wild water park that opens during the European summer. Daredevils will love White Fall, with its five-star adrenaline rating, and Freefall, the biggest freefall in Europe. Little ones can visit Aqualand or Aquakids, both of which are ideal for laid-back play. aquashowparkhotel.com/en
Splash happy Sea World Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
Guests at Sea World Resort are in for a three-in-one thrill when staying at the resort. Not only are a next-level kids’ club and well-appointed rooms available, but its water park boasts a lagoon pool and waterfall, 12-seater spa, Spongebob Splashbash and Aquaplay. seaworld.com.au
Water you doing right now? Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, Honolulu, Oahu
This fab resort has created Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon (a two-hectare saltwater lagoon), five swimming pools and a 465-square-metre Paradise Pool where families can slip and glide along Waikiki’s longest water slide, while littlies play in the tiered Keiki Pool. hiltonhawaiianvillage.com
Wave goodbye to boredom Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort Maui, Hawaii, USA
Grand Wailea Maui’s assortment of slides, tubes and pools provide aquatic fun that would even make Poseidon proud. The Wailea Canyon Activity Pool boasts rapids, a rope swing and water slides, including the new Lava Tube Slide, as well as the adults-only Hibiscus Pool. grandwailea.com
Beach bums Beaches Turks & Caicos, The Bight Settlement, Turks and Caicos Islands
This is the crème de la crème of all-inclusive multigen destinations. All hands are on deck at Pirates Island Waterpark, with a kids-only swim-up bar, heaps of water slides, a self-serve ice-cream machine, a whirlpool, water cannons, a kids’ and teens’ disco and beyond. Go with the flow along the lazy river, or little grommets can hang loose on the Caribbean’s only surf simulator. beaches.com
I’m an aqua-holic Aqua Fantasy Aquapark Hotel & Spa, Izmir, Turkey
Nestled among pine-filled hills on the Aegean coast, five-star Aqua Fantasy Hotel & Spa stuns. Dive into the on-site Aqua Fantasy Aquapark, equipped with 31 aquatic activities. Super Combo is a four-in-one water slide with tubes, an open funnel and half-pipes, and X-treme will have you screaming at 80 kilometres per hour. There’s an area for little ones, plus a Wave Pool and Lily Pad for all generations. aquafantasy.com 06 Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites boasts prime location near Walt Disney World Resort 07 Hawaii vibes at Grand Wailea 08 Beaches Turks and Caicos offers all-inclusive fun © Steve Sanacore 09 There are five fab swimming pools at Hilton Hawaiian Village © Kevin Y Jamane.