New Years Eve at the Aquapalace in Prague, Czech Republic

Basics

• Our Childs Age: 4-5

• Suitable for: All Ages

• Cost: 2024

  • 3 nights for 2 adults 1 child half board with entrance to the water park and New Years package with drinks – 980 Euro

  • 13 Euro a day parking

  • 14 Euro – Uber one way Hotel to City center

Getting There

We drove to Prague from where we live, I know not everyone can drive to Prague, but you do not need to, it is really accessible and easy to fly to, Prague has become very popular destination for tourists, I don’t think there will be an issue to find an airline locally, that will fly you there. From the airport or from down town, a taxi or an Uber will not cost much to Aquapalace, we paid about 14 Euro for an Uber from town to the hotel, as an example.

Driving for us, we had this beautiful landscape. It hadn’t snowed, but it had a freezing fog for days and was white from this, the trees were like a fairy tale, the photo opportunities were endless, alas I was driving and had to watch the road. Going through that part of Bavaria (the route we took) to get there had these amazing looking Hopps farms for the beer, which we really want to go back and see maybe in Autumn, hike and of course sample some produce, just before a harvest.

If you are driving there rather than another means of transport, something I do want to point out. In Germany you are driving the autobahns and cracking on with the speed your risk tolerance is willing to go to, legally limitless speed. You cross over into the Czech Republic quite unwittingly, you sort of appear in another country, and appearing in the Czech Republic with relatively slow speed limits on the motorways - Be conscious of nearing the border and adjusting your speed to be on the safer side of the law or you could find yourself having problems.

Aquapalace General

I found Aquapalace searching for New Year events specifically for kids, rather than kid appropriate celebrations. They organise a nice program it seems each year. Aquapalace is a water park in case you hadn’t worked that out, it’s a water park on the outskirts of Prague city, with an indoor and outdoor area, it has a hotel attached to it. In summer it must be very busy and a lot of fun. In winter the outside area is not open, only the inside area. It is a big complex!

They cater for all. And in that respect this New Years program is suitable for all ages, I suppose the older your children get, or are, the more fun they will have. And I would say for adults without kids I think you would enjoy this trip and stay. In the pool area they have it all, and remember I am only talking of the indoor zones, as I didn’t see the outside area.

Included in the entry price they have the young or small kids’ area and beach. Here they have the pirate ships and other fun things in shallow enough pools for the small children to play. The synthetic beach is used in the evenings for concerts and animations, and likewise the stage behind has throughout the day animations, exercises and whatever else, for kids and adults. In the same area is a swim-to-bar, selling reasonably priced drinks – mainly for the adults but of course soft drinks too. From the swim-to-bar they have the jacuzzi just below. And on the upper floors there is a couple of the included saunas suitable for kids as well, and the chill out lounges.

Moving on from the kids’ zone there is the swimming zone, here they have the pool for lane swimming, more on the active doing something side rather than playing side. Around this they have the one of 2 lazy rivers which you can follow the current round on a route with various strong current stop off/resting points on the way.

Passing this there is a small pool area which was almost like a chill out area, and on the back of this pool, a glass wall and aquarium with fish on the other side.

The main attraction. The waterpark and slides. There is an array of slides to go on, all shapes, sizes and speeds. The second lazy river with stronger currents, monkey bars, little caves and nooks to escape and retreat from the current. It’s a very nice water park (and remember, only the inside was open, must be great with the outside as well).

A gym and fitness center are included in the free area, having not been, I really can’t comment on them.

The paid area or additional services area, had beauty treatments of all kinds, which if you do wish to do, I suggest booking in advance or you will not get a reservation. They had a scuba diving deep pool for training which, as a diver, keen to see more people take up the sport, was pretty cool. And the adult only wellness areas with saunas, steam rooms and the like.

All the activities, drinks and food you buy inside the water park, you have a bracelet that is used to tally up your expenditure, and on leaving the water park it is scanned, the bill is summed and you can settle what you owe on the exit. It is not a bracelet that you pre load with money, rather an ‘I Owe You’, and there is no need to have money or cards inside the pool area.

The Aquapalace hotel is basic, but fine. It is not luxury but it is clean and nice. With direct access to the water park. There is parking. From what we saw, there is not much in the vicinity but there is a Kaufland supermarket to get supplies you need – for us it is usually water, snacks and some adult alcoholic drinks, just to keep in the room.

We paid a little less than 1k Euro in 2024, this was for 2 adults, and a child. It included half board, New Year’s Eve gala dinner, entertainment and drinks, entrance to the pool and was for 3 nights. I think with each dinner (not NYE) there was a beer or wine included and after that it was paid. Before going there and experiencing it, I personally already thought that was a great deal. And I still do! Depending how inflation works out, for me, this was really good value, and I hope for you, it remains so.

Our experience

We were going to arrive late morning and we couldn’t check in to the hotel or go to the water park until 2. As we were spending a few days there we want to go to Prague for a look around and lunch. We had heard, unlike many places in Europe, the Christmas Markets were still on after the 25th December.

Here is my second bit of advice after telling you to watch your speed crossing the border. Never, ever, under any circumstances, drive to Prague city. I cannot stress this enough. Driving itself is ok, it's not like dodgems in Italy, or as mad as London. It’s a busy city and some roads are tight, there are trams, its not without complications. But the biggest reason I can give you to not drive. Parking!!!! There is none! Honestly, we were driving around complicated road systems, cars pulling out, crazy road works all over, trying to go from GPS location to GPS location, it was nearly as long to park, as the drive we had to get there. Finally, we could park by the train station on street parking. I will never do that again. Park outside the city center, find a park and ride or taxi but do not attempt to enter downtown. Or you are braver than me!

Once parked, we discreetly shuffled into a hotel, by-passed the check in queue to illegally use their loo, we headed off for a look around and lunch. Prague is beautiful, it is big, and it is very popular. Full of tourists. It was my second New Year in Prague, I had gone many years earlier with a young crowd of friends and we had partied in the city, so this time was different – I recommend both experiences, with or without kids it is a cool place. The sun was shining, the atmosphere great. We find our way to the Old Town Square, which for the Christmas markets appears to be the food area. There was a couple of stands selling things, but it must have been 95% food and drink.

We had our lunch at the markets. Continued taking photos and enjoying the city, wondering around. Carried on to Wenceslas Square, where they had some more food stands and the shops. By this time, it was time to head to the Aquapalace hotel and check in.

There is not much English spoken at Aquapalace (Unlike down town Prague) and there are not many Anglophone guests – good or bad thing – you decide. It’s not luxury by any means, but do not take that as a negative. It is clean and does what it’s supposed to, it is comfy and we liked it.

If you have read other trips on this blog, you know the ritual. Out comes our 3ft plastic fold out tree, lights on. Christmas cards stuck on the walls and on any available space, to make it as festive as we can for us and our little buddy.

Can you imagine being in a water park with a 4 year old and expecting to chill out in the room for 5 mins? Not a chance. Swim suits straight on, bathrobes and slippers on, and off we go with our towels to check out home for the next few nights, straight into the water park.

This was a good trip, and perfect for what we wanted, great for kids, but if I could find a fault with this trip, it was probably dinner time. Not the gala dinner, that was well done. But the other evenings. Maybe some of you have been on the all-inclusive holidays and experienced the buffet dinners. This was the case. Some I am sure love it, and maybe I have become above my station and a bit snobby. But the buffet style like this, together with it being a kid’s hotel was a bit chaotic and for me, I would probably prefer a bit more peace and quiet with some 'a la carte' service. But again, do not be put off. The sacrifice is a small price to pay, for what will be a really cool New Years. From my personal taste, I would not recommend drinking the wine, you can try for yourself, it wasn’t for me, however, the Czech beer was pretty good as were the long drinks.

The next day or so we were in the water park. Our lad loved it; he had so much fun. He was nearly 5 years old at the time, he could not swim. He had one of these cheap Intex inflatable life jackets, which he had always loved. It packs up flat, takes no weight or volume in your luggage, inflate it and the child is perfectly safe. I would not say let the kid go off on their own. But under supervision, it is one of the best and cheapest things we've bought. Armed and fitted with his life jacket he was raring to go and to make the most of everything there.

The slides intimidated me and his mum, with nerves and concerns for his safety. I saw a basic slide, you know, no curves, no tunnel, just sit on the top, and slide down. The water at the bottom was shallow. It was fine and easy for him to go on, so I thought. Under my suggestion, we go on that first. I expected that was us for the holiday, all he would be able to manage.

Well…

We go on the basic, easy, simple, super child friendly slide - as I saw it! We went down like rockets. It was like Han Solo in the Millennium Falcon hitting Hyper Space. The 4 year old, at the bottom, jumping around excited so pleased with himself and wanting more, and me reflecting on my decision thinking I didn’t expect that. So, after going on the ‘easy’ slide, it was clear we could probably go on more varied ones. Hitting that speed and him apparently not being scared, we had more options. Typically, I would go down a slide and see how fast it was, how scary or dark it was with the tunnels, and how deep the water was at the exit point, with this I took my own risk assessment on what he could do. There were only a couple he could not do. And actually, there was one that had a maximum weight limit, which I exceeded, and thought I won’t risk it, I didn’t want to be on the news that evening.

We didn’t do this, but there is some virtual reality option you can have, I think you can rent some VR goggles and when you go on the slide, they do whatever effects they do, and make it all obviously surreal and more exciting I suppose.

There is loads to keep busy all day. With food and drink options inside and I was impressed by the swim-to-bar and the reasonable prices, as inside we clearly had little option, they could have charged what they liked.

The main event. New Years Eve!

With an infant, it goes without saying, after breakfast we spent a few hours in the water park on the 31st. For our son it was a must. We stayed a reasonable time until mid-afternoon. I stopped off a bit longer for a sauna, and our son and his mum/my partner went off to the room to relax before the evening, I followed shortly after. All of us taking a brief nap then getting ready.

The hotel had a full program planned. There was a seating plan, and I believe it was done between adults with kids and adults without kids, dividing the guests into 2 or 3 rooms. We were certainly in the kids and kids’ entertainment room. Everyone congregated in the hotel reception and lobby bar, the apero with bubbles and saxophonist, us all preparing for the evening and getting in the mood. They had some kids craft things going on in a room and bobby cars etc for the small ones. There was also a buzz in the air, so the kids even without the toys and games, knew something was going on and were excited. Eventually, the time was right, and we were shown to our room and table. We were sat with others, around 10 or more to each table, introductions and small talk. The bar was open. Kids could drink what they liked and the wine and beer was flowing for the grown-ups.

Throughout the evening, they had entertainment, and our room was very children focused. We had an award winning magician, who cut a woman in half - and put her back together I should add! This was impressive even for the adults and left us amazed. There were animators dressed as pirates bringing the kids to the dance floor, having a kids disco, professional, dare I say sexy dancers for other performances, DJ, saxophonist, band. You name it, we had it. Even a free sort of photo booth with fancy dress and props, just as a bit of fun.

The food was buffet style. Each room only catering for the guests there, but still it was busy, and the queue length long. The food was fancy and high class, top dishes, well presented and prepared, just served en masse. It was a delicious buffet and apart from the queue we cannot fault the standard.

As midnight approached, the guests were informed, the bubbles were topped up (although bottles of sparkling wine you did have to buy), the children provided with their drinks, coats on, and off outside into the breach of a Czech winter for the welcoming of midnight. For this event they organised performers specialised in fireworks and lights, performing a full fire show and popping the fireworks for midnight. I treated myself and partner to some Bohemian Sekt (Czech bubbles).

After the show, and being outside for half hour in Eastern Europe in what was now January, it was time to head in to warm up. The party continued, although my family were all on our last legs. The midnight buffet and food was served, the evening band and DJ playing cool party songs, and those left enjoying the evening. For us, our lad made it his mission to collect as many balloons as he could with the hope to take them home, along with the masks and other props, luckily he didn't float off, however, now for us and the balloons, it was bed time.

The celebration was lovely and in our dining room during the party. it was really focused on the kids. They would have enjoyed it from almost any age. I would say from 13 perhaps they would have preferred a more adult theme but below that age, it would have been great for them. I think the other room had similar entertainment, but more grown up and slightly more adult focused, so genuinely I think the venue did accommodated for all.

New Years Day – It’s a new beginning, it’s a new year

Around / New Years Day

There was no rush to wake up on New Years Day, it was a long night for us all. As you know, with kids you never really have a lay in, no matter how late they went to bed. We woke and had breakfast. The hotel didn’t do anything exceptional for breakfast; it was kind of the same as the other days.

As the staff, I am sure, also wanted to rest after a big night, the water park wasn’t opening until 11. This was not a big deal as we planned a day in Prague in any case. After breakfast and getting ready, we took an Uber from Aquapalace to Prague city center – about 14 Euro each way.

We took the Uber to the Faculty of Law or Cech Bridge in the city, and on the bridge in one of the sort of tiny stations / houses at the end of the bridge is an office for Prague Boats, we booked a boat trip on Prague Boats. The weather was good enough for us to sit on the open top deck outside in the elements. The boat tour commentary gives brief explanations of the sights, it passes the bridges and sails through the city, turns around and goes a bit past where we boarded before returning and docking for disembarking. The tour is very nice and I would suggest you do it. The kids love it at first, being on a boat seeing the city. It is however a bit long for them to remain interested the entire ride, I think it’s an hour and a half. Once you get to Charles Bridge, about the half way point they start to get fidgety, and by the time you dock, they have had enough, at least based on our kid’s tolerance level. It is possible to eat some snacks and/or have drinks on board, we treated ourselves – being the first of January and sailing through the city of Prague it did seem only right!

We got back to dry land and began wondering through the city, enjoying it. Then something I had already booked in advance for us to do. I had booked us to do a Beer Bath. We booked at Bernard Beer Spa, the one which is inside the Hotel Majestic Plaza.

What is a Beer Bath and How is this for kids I hear you cry? Well, apparently bathing in Hopps and the other herbal mix they create is healthy and has magic properties, we are told it is an ancient custom and used through the ages. So, it is rather a wellness treatment than a pub crawl - perhaps. You enter the hotel and follow the corridor down almost to the basement and you enter a very atmospheric area. The staff give you some details, how healthy it is, what the mix is etc etc, they show you the changing rooms and then to your private bathing room. In it, a bed to relax on, and the bath. It is atmospheric, and would be romantic without little ones.

The bath is not yet run, and the staff run it there for you, explain the Hopps mix they are throwing in and your allotted time slot. You enter the bath, which is very warm and steamy, with extremely strong scent and lots of bubbles. And that’s you, relaxing and chilling with these aromas and health enhancing bath mix.

Of course that’s not it, it doesn’t end there. This is Prague. Hen and Stags go there for a reason! As well as water taps to run the bath, there is a beer tap with Bernard Beer free flowing. For all you beer monster Dads, I bet you're thinking amazing! I can tell you, a hot steamy bath, it's not so easy to drink cold pilsner in large quantities. The relaxing bath and cold beer go against one another - however, where there is a will, there is a way!

What else can I say. Our son was in the bath with us. For a small child under 5 or 6, one bath is enough for the 3 of you. If you have a bigger child or multiple children you will need 2 baths or more. It is not a problem; they have rooms to accommodate all and you will all be in the same private room together. For the kids they do offer non-alcoholic beer by the bottle and will give this to them. A word of caution, it’s not truly alcohol free, its 0.5% proof. We knew this could be the case and pointed it out to them, so I am not sure if they have updated this policy. For a teenager I wouldn’t worry, but a small child I personally wouldn’t risk it. There is fresh drinking water available which is a better option for the little ones.

There are numerous beer spas around Prague and in the tourist areas, we picked one I thought was nice and good value. And I got just that, I was pleased with the experience and service and recommend this one, the beer was good too, but I didn't look 10 years younger when I left - you iwn some you lose some! We paid around 110 Euro for all 3 of us, and you’re in the tub for an hour. When you research this, check out the website you will see various options, you can have a massage and other ‘Beer’ treatments, if you wish, as additional extras to the bath. On leaving, we were given a goody bag, with a couple of the Bernard Beers, some beer mats and leaflets.

Our son did enjoy this. Anything with water for him is always fun. The novelty and the taboo, he was in a bath of 'beer', almost made it naughty and therefore fun for him. It’s a bit expensive and an indulgence, but then it was New Years Day, why not splash out.

My final point on this. The mess! We were with our son so had swimming suits on rather than naked. They do recommend naked though. After your bath, your skin does feel good. Hopps I am told is from the same plant family as weed. The mix in the bath is strong and coarse. It finds its way in all nooks and crannies and it's all over your swim costume, I don’t think you can really wash them by hand to get this out. In our hotel room, after letting the swim suits dry, it stank and there was the bath mix everywhere. The swim suits certainly need to be washed in the machine at home. It's not an issue or negative, it is just what it is.

The last trip I will talk about, outside of the water park and actually outside of Prague, if truth be known, we did this on the way home, although it is easy to do as a day trip. We visited Pilsen. The home of Pilsner Beer. It’s an hour to an hour and a half drive. Pilsen was perhaps more of a treat for Daddy for driving all week and entertaining everyone. There are at least 2 breweries in Pilsen you can visit, we did the main one, the one with a lot of history and famous, Pilsner Urquell. It is recommended to book at least 1 day in advance, and you should be fine, without at least 24 hours advanced booking you may not get a place. We booked and got on the tour, and it’s a good one, as said, historic and interesting, you visit the cellars and try some unfiltered beer. The souvenir shop is good and well-priced; I have a cool engraved glass from the trip. After the tour, the bar and restaurant on site serves great food and beer (as you would hope from a brewery). In fact, it looks like they throw a good New Years Party themselves. The other big brewery in town, which is owned by the same guys, is Gambinus.

Apart from the breweries there is not loads to do in Pilsen. It’s a small place, very Eastern feel about it. There is the second largest Synagogue in Europe here, and the Cathedral, with the tower that you should climb for the views.

Conclusion

Aquapalace is a New Years Eve/Vacation that is really dedicated to the kids, of any age! That said, it's also really enjoyable for the parents and adults without kids too. They have the mix right between keeping everyone happy. Our child was on the younger side for a water park, however we also saw even younger, including new-borns, there, with everyone having fun. Yes, we did some adult things as well, relating to beer, but we were in the Czech Republic, famous for its beer, and it can’t always be all about the children, there is give and take. The price for this trip was very good, considering we got, accommodation, food, drink, activities, entertainment and everything else.

Aquapalace is a place I tell friends about with kids, and suggest they go - anytime of the year. It’s a very good family break, with plenty of other things to keep busy and occupied. This is a New Years Eve celebration we would do again.

If you want to treat your children, let them have the most fun for New Year, and not spent a fortune, this is probably your best bet.

Take Aways

• Aquapalace is a New Year really focused on kids of any age

• It does represent good value

• Never drive in to Prague center. Take an Uber, taxi, bus or train. Parking in the center is impossible

• It's not all about the kids, consider a brewery tour or beer spa and have some fun yourselves. But do book. Prague is popular, showing up may not work out for you

• If you drive and cross from Germany, be careful near the border. Crossing is not so obvious and there is a huge difference in the speed limit inside Czech Republic compared to Germany. If your GPS is saying you're close, just drop down the speed and take it easy

• Plan New Years Eve, as in the 31st, a little. 8 hours plus in the water park followed by eating, drink, fun and games until gone midnight, is going to be a lot for adults, for the kids they are likely to be destroyed, try to squeeze a nap in