On a sunny Friday morning, as we packed the car, the children were already excitedly planning their adventures as we headed towards Harkány, because according to our friends, the Dráva Hotel Thermal Resort is a real family paradise. This turned out to be true, because the huge ancient park, the petting zoo, the medicinal water, the wellness facilities, the green surroundings, and the many shared experiences perfectly recharged the family.
As soon as we arrived, we knew we had come to the right place. The Mediterranean climate, unique in Hungary, the friendly atmosphere of the charming little town at the foot of the Villány Mountains, and the huge park with ancient trees at the Dráva Hotel immediately captivated us. The staff greeted us with a friendly smile, calling us by name, while paying attention to the little details to make us feel at home. The immaculate cleanliness of the hotel and the well-kept surroundings only reinforced this feeling.
The children immediately took possession of the playground, the petting zoo, the turtle Kneipp walkway, and the indoor playroom, while we occupied the spacious family apartment with access to the garden. Waking up in the morning to the view of the park, it was soothing to see the huge trees of the ancient park and the sunlight glistening on the leaves. The day always started with a generous breakfast buffet, where fresh delicacies from local producers were lined up. Not only us, but also the children always found something to their liking among the crispy pastries, fresh vegetables, homemade jams, cheeses, and cold cuts. In addition, the hotel pays special attention to offering alternatives for food sensitivities at every meal.
In the mornings, the hotel’s wellness area took center stage. While the children splashed around in the warm water of the indoor adventure pool, laughing as they tried out the neck massage jets, we enjoyed relaxing in the jacuzzi after our swim and unwinding in the sauna area. We also walked over to the Harkány Thermal Bath and Beach, where the children really enjoyed the countless pools, the two outdoor and one indoor water slide parks, and the huge green area, while we enjoyed the pampering effects of the thermal water.
The days passed quickly because there were so many interesting programs waiting for us that we knew we couldn’t try everything we wanted to in just one weekend. Sometimes we splashed around in the pools, sometimes we basked in the sun on the terrace, and other times we walked in the park or around the neighborhood streets. One of the highlights of the evenings was dinner, which offered a real gastronomic journey with traditional Hungarian and local specialties, as well as international delicacies. We parents were also happy to sample wines from regional wineries, which paired perfectly with the food. The children’s favorite was the kids’ bar, where they found something new every evening.
After dinner, we took a pleasant walk in the crystal-clear, fresh air, tried our hand at tennis as a family, and headed to the Retro Bowling Bar. Bowling, billiards, and darts are not only fun for children but also for parents, as the cheerful competitions were often accompanied by loud laughter.
We also took time to explore the surrounding area. This is how we ended up at Siklós Castle, which looks impressive even from a distance, where the historical atmosphere and the view from the castle are guaranteed to enchant visitors. Of course, we also cycled to Villány, an unmissable destination, and we were not disappointed: while the sight of the beautiful wine cellars with their historical atmosphere is captivating, we also got a taste of the local wines by visiting some of the cellars, which are the only ones in the country that are open all year round. From this, we learned that next time it would be worth spending more time on the Villány tour starting from the Dráva Hotel.
As the weekend flew by, on the way home, after reminiscing about our experiences, we decided that we would return to the Dráva Hotel Thermal Resort soon, so that we would have more time to explore the area in addition to enjoying the hotel.
Erika Kocsis
