Aquaworld Resort Budapest

Aquaworld Resort, built in 2008, is housed in a long, eight-story beige-and-brown building with rows of balconies. It's a massive complex with a giant indoor waterpark attached. The lobby is spacious and sophisticated, with marble-tile floors, square brown wood columns marking off a central seating area, chandeliers, a dark brown reception desk and a coordinating bar studded with a row of hanging pendant lights. A glass-ceiling throws light on a cozy lounge with checkered parquet floors and cushioned wicker armchairs. With its massive waterpark, spa, and kids' play area, the resort draws mainly families, but couples and business travelers find their way here too. 

Aquaworld is located in a quiet, green area on the outskirts of Budapest. The hotel has a free shuttle that drops guests off in the city at Heroes' Square (a 15-minute ride). From there, guests can take public transportation to the city's major sights. Be aware that the shuttle runs only four times a day, and that Heroes' Square is still a hike to the city sights. Chain Bridge, for example, is about 20 minutes from Heroes' Square via public transportation, while Buda Castle is 25 minutes away. Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is about 30 minutes away by car, without traffic. 

The hotel's 309 rooms at the Aquaworld Resort Budapest are split among seven room types, the majority of which are entry-level Standard Rooms measuring about 270 square feet. Plenty of the Standard Rooms are connecting and used to create Family Rooms. Other rooms include Suites and Two- and Three-Bedroom Apartments measuring as large as 1,000 square feet.

Rooms are contemporary and sophisticated with neutral color palettes featuring cream-colored carpeting, white walls, dark-brown furnishings and accents, and beige and light-pink fabrics, such as the upholstered chairs and drapes. Darker wallpapered accent walls behind the beds have an embossed floral pattern that adds style and elegance. Bathrooms are roomy and modern, with white-and-brown striped wall tiling and large showers with clear glass stalls or shower/tub combos.

All rooms include flat-screen TVs with Pay-TV and free Wi-Fi, along with well-stocked minibars. Upgraded rooms include coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms include dispenser-style toiletries (no individual toiletries), hairdryers, and bathrobes. Some rooms have pleasant balconies with sitting areas and views of the waterpark.

The hotel's main draw is the Aquaworld, an enormous, mostly indoor waterpark with at least 13 pools (including wave pools, whirlpools, and kids' pools) and 11 slides all inside a large, glass dome with a central structure made to look like an ancient Mayan temple, finished with carvings, columns, a rope-railing bridge, and tropical plants. The waterpark also has three outdoor pools and is designed for both children and adults, but it requires an additional fee. Guests should also note that most of the activities in the waterpark have a height requirement of 140 centimeters (about 55 inches).

The hotel itself has its own pools that are part of the spa area and free for guests, including two indoor pools, one set in concentric circles and featuring different temperature grades -- it's located under a glass dome that leads directly to an additional outdoor pool. The pool area also has loungers, a cafe area with tables and chairs, and a pool bar.

The hotel's full-service spa includes treatment rooms, wellness facilities, and fitness areas. Eight treatment rooms, including single and couples rooms, offer massages, facials, beauty treatments, and more. Wellness facilities include a sauna, aromatherapy baths, and a hammam. Fitness facilities include an outdoor tennis court (open seasonally), two squash courts, and a gym with a range of cardio and weight-lifting equipment. Group fitness classes and personal training sessions are available. The hotel even has a dental clinic offering teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures. 

The hotel has two main on-site restaurants, Duna Restaurant, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet style (extra fee), and the Colorado, a fine-dining restaurant serving lunch and dinner. The waterpark also has dining and drinking options. The hotel has a lobby bar and lounge. But the food gets mixed reviews. Room service is available during limited hours. 

The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, 15 meeting rooms, free parking, a free shuttle that runs to Heroes' Square four times a day, and free Wi-Fi. In addition to the waterpark, the hotel has kid-friendly amenities like a large playhouse featuring a climbing wall and other activities. As of early 2016, children between the ages of three and 12 can stay in this area for up to three hours a day with free supervision. Pets are allowed for an extra fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.