Bambara Spa Hotel Hungary – the perfect family hotel

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Hungary is famous of its thermal water and bath culture. Not only the capital, Budapest: there are lots of great hidden gems of spa and wellness hotels in the country up to the highest European standards. The one we visited during our winter stay was the Magical Bambara Hotel**** Premium

It is about an hour and a half drive from Budapest, mostly on motorway. It was a shame, that it was too cold for an outdoor walk during our stay (-12C, ouch) because the hotel is in the middle of the forest bounded by nature conservation area built on a 4 acre woody sylvan area. From summer to fall it’s a great place to go hiking, mountain biking and walking. Near the village Fels?tárkány You’ll find a cute forest railway built in 1915, should be great fun for train for train enthusiasts and children (operates in summer only). Plenty of outdoor activities in the nearby National Park. Eger, the nearest biggish town and the wine cellars nearby also worth a visit.

The hotel itself, both in summer and winter time, provides enough fun for a few nights stay with children. Their approach is so children and family friendly, that the hotel is filled with families mainly. If you’re annoyed by children at the slightest, or you’re planning to have a quiet getaway, this is not a place for you. For us, however, it worked brilliantly. The indoor spa area has a children pool and even the bigger pool is safe and fun with supervision. The staff even provides swimming nappies and floating arm and waist bands for free. There is no indoor swimming pool, just the fun pools, but they are great. No gym either. All sorts of relaxing treatments for grown ups: sauna, steam, salt and aromatic cabins, massage, you name it. All spotlessly clean and well maintained.

Plenty of activities and programs for the kiddos: strategically located soft play corner near the restaurant, meeting with the hotel’s very own meerkats, family pool paradise, jungle house and Matrix Club for the teenage children. The room sizes are generous too: big enough to accommodate a travel cot.

There is an option to choose between a’ la carte and boarding. We opted for boarding, some pluses and minuses here with the variety and quality (whilst ostrich ragout (!),  fresh salads and beautiful desserts are available, the kitchen is mainly still Hungarian style and… Well, a bit bland. Boring. (I know, what I’m talking about, I’m Hungarian.) I guess, the food needs to be less spicy for the children. On the other hand, worth to try the local red wine selection: Egri Bulls Blood. Great free tasting programs every day: African tea serving, Hungarian cheese tasting, African fuming and live music in the evenings.

We would definitely return at some point, really enjoyed our stay. Hopefully soon enough.