This summer, we set off on an adventure eastwards, all the way to Burgenland, Austria to visit one of the most impressive water parks in Europe – Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg. From Switzerland, it’s a long but scenic drive, passing mountains, rolling fields, and small villages that feel untouched by time. For us, a road trip is more than just getting from A to B. It’s a chance to explore together and enjoy being in each other’s company without the daily rush.
We were lucky to stay in the small and charming family hotel Xylophon, located right next door to Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg. From the moment we arrived, our days fell into a happy rhythm – splashing and sliding at Sonnentherme, where the endless slides, wave pools and playgrounds kept us entertained for hours and hours!
Hotel Xylophon is designed with children in mind – colourful, playful, quiet, absolutely easy-going and wonderfully practical. It offers several play areas, indoor and outdoor, child care services with a daily children program, such as pony riding, painting, music and dance activities. There’s even a little petting zoo with goats and rabbits, which the kids adored. The hotel is also pet-friendly, and our dog was welcomed with love, something that’s always very important for us when we travel.
We didn’t need daycare for our children, but it was nice to see that such thoughtful options were available for families who do – if you want to spend some time in the Sonnentherme adult spa, for example.
Our hotel room was equipped with everything we needed as a family. We had a very spacious family room with 2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a changing table, a comfortable place for our dog and a small balcony. And if we were to require any extras, the hotel would provide us with everything we need, from a baby monitor to bicycles for the whole family, free of charge.
“From the moment we arrived, our days fell into a happy rhythm”
Hotel Xylophon has a direct underground connection to Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg. Just a one-minute walk and you’re in a completely different world! Sonnentherme is huge, with endless space to swim, play, and relax. I quickly noticed it’s the perfect place for families with small children – warm pools, shallow areas and plenty of fun without feeling crowded.
Sonnentherme is known for the longest Virtual Reality slide in the world! In total, it boasts 18 slides adding up to 800 metres of pure fun, plus a variety of pools spread across 1,000 m², along with wellness and spa facilities for the grown-ups, and also for families. Staying at Hotel Xylophon meant we could visit the water park every single day free of charge, an incredible bonus that allowed us to enjoy the full water adventure experience without rushing.
I’ll admit, I’m usually a bit anxious about water slides (and big attractions in general), but at Sonnentherme I definitely levelled up! With the kids cheering me on, I tried more slides than I ever thought I would, and I have to say… I had so much fun!
In the evenings, slightly exhausted from water activities, we loved spending time at the hotel’s terrace, enjoying a good glass of local wine and watching the kids running in the garden and making new friends.
Oh, and another bonus of staying at Hotel Xylophon is the ropes course and activity park located right on the hotel grounds. The kids loved climbing, balancing, and challenging themselves. We really enjoyed watching our youngest daughter gain confidence with climbing and walking the high ropes areas.
There were so many things we still could do around the area, we simply didn`t have enough time to see and experience everything. I mean not only hiking and biking, but also horse riding, for example. There is another entertainment park just less than an hour away from Lutzmannsburg, Austria’s biggest theme park – Family Park Sankt Margarethen. Nevertheless, we took two afternoons and drove through Burgenland’s gentle countryside, endless vineyards, sunflower fields and visited Eisenstadt city and Sopron city in Hungary. On the way back, we stopped at Graz and spent a couple of days there.
For us, this trip was unforgettable – a mix of nature and sightseeing, a read trip adventure and a family activity that we don`t get to do very often (water park fun). And that warm Austrian hospitality that makes you want to come back. We left with happy children, a camera full of memories and a new favourite place on our family travel map!
If you liked this blog post, feel free to share it in your FB group, WhatsApp chat, Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook. Thank you for your support, and till next time! Elena
*Ad. This trip was a press trip organised by Accent Hotels. Text and Images ©Elena Habicher and Family First.
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