Waterparks are the shining centrepiece of family summer getaways. Whether part of avant-garde hotels or individual attractions, they possess an irresistible draw for the teenage crowd, encapsulating the ideal summer haunt. And let’s not dismiss adults, who find their youthful spirit delightfully roused by the grand water slides.
Several luxurious and homely Greek resorts take pride in their vibrant and sometimes enormous waterparks, a fundamental aspect of their comprehensive amenities. It’s a key factor tempting holidaymakers back to these sanctuaries summer after summer. The notion of a “relaxing holiday with children” is surprisingly adaptable, and the supplementary thrill offered by waterslides proves to be a considerable lure for many families, locally and internationally.
From the extensive waterpark at Grecotel Olympia Thalasso in Kyllini, sprawling across 20,000 square metres, to the genuinely awe-inspiring waterpark of The Westin Resort Costa Navarino in Pylos, to smaller waterparks with engaging games for children’s pools and serpentine waterslides that conclude in a refreshing splash, there’s non-stop mirth at the aqua parks peppered across various Greek resorts.
If you’re holidaying with your young ones, these parks guarantee an unforgettable adventure.
Grecotel Olympia Thalasso
In the coastal region of Kyllini, in Ilia Prefecture, one of Grecotel’s largest hotel complexes becomes the ultimate haven for family holidays.
Grecotel Olympia Thalasso, a handsome resort akin to a small city, incorporates four unique hotels with a range of tariffs, offering delightful rooms overlooking either the verdant resort grounds or the exquisite beach, one of the most scenic in all of Ilia. Additionally, the grand villas of the Mandola Rosa hotel ensure an incomparably luxurious stay.
At the core of the Grecotel resort is Grecoland, the namesake children’s club. It’s a child’s paradise overflowing with amazing facilities, colourful games, and ceaseless activities from sunup to sundown, devised to captivate the resort’s junior guests. Its crowning glory is the enormous waterpark, the biggest in any hotel in Greece. With thrilling slides designed to incite joy in both children and adults, it’s a visual treat. A bar, stocked with colourful sunbeds, an assortment of coffees, drinks, ice creams, and irresistible granitas, invites resort visitors to a never-ending party in this 20,000 square metre waterpark, straight from a child’s most imaginative dreams. For the daredevils, the red Looping Rocket slide provides a heart-stopping freefall before plummeting you into the shimmering pool below.
Within the spacious boundaries of Grecotel Olympia Thalasso, a frequent shuttle service is available to navigate between the various resort areas. Bask in the azure waters, sun yourself on plush sunbeds, relish the expansive pools, savour meals at an array of restaurants, unwind in the lovely spa, and indulge in a spot of retail therapy at the shopping centre filled with high-end clothing and accessories.
The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino
The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino, firmly marks its territory on the map, undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and superior hotels in Greece. Each year, it becomes the destination of choice for families seeking moments of relaxation and unbridled fun in the captivating Pylos of the Peloponnese.
With a selection of accommodation options, the resort includes different buildings, bungalows, and private villas for those seeking absolute privacy and tranquillity. The comfort, subtle luxury, and the stunning natural landscape make Costa Navarino truly stand out. Young children and teenagers will find their personal utopia here, with an array of imaginative activities, captivating water sports, and infinite playtime in the resort’s impressive waterpark. Spiralling slides send you hurtling from a height into a deep blue pool, sending adrenaline levels skyward, while the tiniest guests can enjoy their time in the shallow pool, with water toys spraying in all directions, fostering an environment of joy and laughter.
During your stay, do indulge in the resort’s restaurants – a culinary journey taking you from the flavours of the Mediterranean to the extraordinary breakfast buffet at Morias Restaurant, and from there to exquisite seafood savoured in a stunning seaside setting. Among the many highlights of The Westin Resort Costa Navarino are the outdoor pools and spa, promising an unforgettable wellness experience.
Grecotel Casa Marron
Situated on the beach of Lakopetra, Grecotel Casa Marron emerges as one of the most beautiful All-Inclusive hotels in Grecotel’s portfolio, and indeed in all of Greece. It offers a comprehensive holiday package that includes everything, from a sumptuous buffet breakfast to crepes, ice creams, coffee, and cocktails.
Children will relish spending entire days in the Grecoland play area, engaging in educational yet exhilarating activities. From treasure hunts to painting, board games, music and movement games, and face painting, mornings and afternoons at Casa Marron’s Grecoland are uniquely enjoyable. Yet, the main attraction remains the two impressive waterslides that conclude in a pool with a sea view.
Grecotel Casa Marron features fully refurbished rooms with views over either the hotel gardens or the sea. There are also plenty of options for comfortable family bungalows, some of which are just a few steps away from the water, and some even offer their own private outdoor showers. A well-organised private beach with umbrellas and sunbeds, reserved exclusively for hotel guests, contributes to an overall sense of tranquillity and ease.
Blue Lagoon Princess
In Sithonia, Halkidiki, near the village of Kalyves, a charming hotel emerges as an ideal destination for families travelling to Northern Greece with young children. The Blue Lagoon Princess, located only 63 kilometres from Thessaloniki, comprises modern, comfortably furnished rooms that are well-maintained. The suites providing direct access to the resort’s pools are genuinely unique, and there are also family rooms with bunk beds for a more relaxed and comfortable stay with the little ones.
The hotel has a variety of restaurants and bars, numerous outdoor pools – one dedicated solely to children’s fun and games – and a sizeable spa area with an indoor pool. There’s also the option to select a generous All-Inclusive stay programme in which everything, from breakfast to sweets and snacks, is included in the price.
Caretta Beach Hotel & Waterpark
In Kalamaki, Zakynthos, a short 850-meter stroll from the beach, you’ll find the family-friendly Caretta Beach Hotel & Waterpark. It features an exciting waterpark with 6 slides for adults, 6 for children, a wave pool, and a lazy river, promising raucous fun for you and your children. Additionally, it offers 5 outdoor pools and a large central restaurant, where you can enjoy satisfying buffet meals all day long. Just 500 meters from the hotel facilities, you will encounter Caretta’s Fun Park Centre, a giant playground filled with inflatable games and thrilling activities. All the hotel rooms come with private bathrooms and air conditioning, while Zakynthos’ “Dionysios Solomos” Airport is a mere 3-kilometre distance away.
Blue Lagoon Resort
In Lambi, Kos, the 5-star Blue Lagoon Resort sits just a 70-meter stroll from a beautiful sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, and only 22 kilometres from the island’s airport.
Spread across its extensive grounds, you’ll discover numerous outdoor pools with amusing water games, a plethora of restaurants offering various cuisines such as Italian, Mediterranean, or Chinese, and many bars to enjoy refreshing cocktails, chilled beers, and full-bodied wines.
The central pool of the Blue Lagoon Resort in Kos stretches across 4,000 square meters, although there are smaller ones within the truly extensive resort complex. Additionally, a waterpark is located approximately 500 meters from the main complex featuring a Lazy River, Aqua Land, and slides for adults and older children. Activities like mini-football, tennis, mini-golf, and beach volleyball will help keep you in shape during your holiday, while the Votsalo Spa is an idyllic place to relax and rejuvenate your body and skin, offering a range of beauty treatments, as well as a fitness room, an indoor heated pool, sauna, steam bath, and hydro-massage for guests over 16 years old.
Particular attention is given to children at the Kids Club during the day, and professional entertainment is provided for all ages at night.
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