An urban oasis, in the middle of the chaos of BTC? Indeed, and Vodno Mesto Atlantis, or Water Park Atlantis, certainly lives up to the hype that surrounded it during sixteen months of building.

            Calling Atlantis a ‘water park’ is a bit of a misnomer, as it is more of a €26 million park-spa hybrid, with amenities for children and adults alike. Though the crowds on weekends can get annoying, when the newness wears off, Atlantis will be a welcomed mini-break when time constraints don’t allow for a trip to the seaside.

            Designed by Munich professor Dr. Rudolf Weinands, with help from local architect Vera Lovrecic, the architecture inside the building is a deliberate mix of function and art. Nearly every part of the project, from the pool technology to interior design to documentation, included Slovene companies. Divided into three areas, Adventure World, Thermal Temple, and Land of Saunas, the complex boasts 1800 m2 of water surface area, including 14 pools, 12 saunas, three waterslides, and a wave pool. Large, thriving plants are placed throughout the complex, adding a soothing element. Most of the walls and ceilings are glass, which allows for a wonderful amount of natural light.

Geared mainly toward families and kids, Adventure World is a winding labyrinth of waterways, bridges, grottos, and water bubbles. Two 140-metre long waterslides wind outside the building, one of which is completely dark save neon lights that flash on and off during the ride. One kid-friendly area includes a brightly coloured plastic playhouse made of tube waterfalls and water cannons and is located just in front of the wave pool. Another area, removed from dangerous deeper water, includes a water snake and a slide for younger kids. As many as eight lifeguards are on duty in this area at any given time, and a glass-enclosed lifeguard station houses other lifeguards who keep an eye on things via CCTV monitors. The main pool area in Adventure World stretches to the outside, where a bar and dozens of deck chairs await sun worshippers.

While Adventure World is a bit chaotic, the Thermal Temple area is the place for a bit of calm. Three cascading salt-water baths lead to a large, 32-degree thermal indoor/outdoor pool with numerous water massages along its sides. Symmetrical and open, with loads of soft light, the pool here also stretches to the outside, lined with deck chairs and lush greenery. Best of all is the gorgeous German-imported PVC roof, which is adorned with a pattern that looks like tie-dye but casts a lovely light on the indoor pool.

The Land of Saunas is so posh it’s nearly over the top. It can look like a Budapest bathhouse, a log cabin deep in a forest, a Vegas nightclub – the themed combination of 12 dry and wet saunas spreads out over two floors. Each sauna is made of special wood known to optimize humidity and temperature. Each floor has a pool for cooling off and an outdoor terrace. Oh, and treatments include salt, ice, honey, and aromatherapy. Sigh.

If that’s not enough, each area also includes at least one bar for refreshments, with both indoor and outdoor dining spaces (no smoking is allowed inside Atlantis). There’s free parking in a nearby garage so cars stay relatively cool. A full-service restaurant is located in Adventure World and has already served parties of over 100 people. The menu ranges from pizza to traditional Slovene soups to sandwiches to ice cream treats. Three Thai massage therapists offer eleven different massage treatments (prices ranging from 5000 – 14000 SIT). A hair and beauty salon and shops with diving and swimming gear greet visitors in the main lobby. Towels and bathrobes can be borrowed. They give swimming lessons in Slovene and English. Four sparkling-new solarium beds with air conditioning and radios (!!) are available if the sun isn’t out. Atlantis even has a water trampoline for kids. It truly does seem that the developers thought of everything.

And here’s the catch. Atlantis works on a convenient system of ‘wristlets’, which each person over 4 years old receives upon entry. The electronic band allows the wearer full access to everything the park has to offer. While this does evoke a sense of freedom, the Tolars can certainly add up quickly. Think of it as a ‘put-it-on-my-tab’ philosophy – great for those with self-control, but it is quite easy to indulge when everything is right there. Machines are located on walls throughout the complex where the current totals can be checked, but who wants to do that after a relaxing massage and a thermal bath? There’s a cocktail waiting close by…

Atlantis does impose a limit on wristlet wearers – 2000 SIT for kids up to 14, and 10,000 for adults. Kids over 7 years old are allowed to wander the complex at their leisure. This is a great concept for adults wanting a bit of peace; let the kids roam around for a couple of hours while receiving a massage or getting a haircut or tan.

 

Adventure World is the default entry point to Atlantis; Thermal Temple users get automatic entry into Adventure World, and the Land of Saunas upgrade includes all three areas. There is plenty of space for everyone, for families with small children, for girlfriends wanting an inexpensive spa day, or for anyone wanting a relatively quiet place to chill after a day of shopping at City Park.

All in all, after months of skepticism and rumours, BTC seems to have a hit with Atlantis. One employee guessed that thousands of people had already visited the park since its opening on April 22; whether an exaggeration or not, Atlantis certainly will see its share of visitors this summer. A weekday would allow for a calmer introduction, but even on a weekend, a Thai massage would ease away the crowds in an instant. Or a soak in a mineral bath, or a Norwegian or eucalyptus sauna. Or an hour poolside with an icy beverage. Or….

 

Opening hours: 0900 – 2300 every day

 

Contact Info:

BTC

Smartinska 152

Tel: 01-585-2100

www.atlantis-vodnomesto.si