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By HELEN NICHOLSON FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 14:37 GMT, 18 August 2014 | UPDATED: 21:49 GMT, 18 August 2014
The exterior of this abandoned aircraft hangar is unlikely to feature on any holiday postcards but appearances can be deceptive.
Inside the giant dome is a water park the size of eight football pitches, boasting its own beaches, lagoons and tropical rainforest.
Tropical Islands resort is housed within the largest free-standing hall in the world, which measures 66,000 square metres and is so tall the Statue of Liberty could fit inside it.
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Unlikely location: The resort is housed in an old aircraft hangar near Berlin and doesn't look particularly tropical from the outside
Sunny all year round: Inside, the hangar is home to pools, beaches, balmy lagoons and the world's largest indoor rainforest
Blue skies thinking: The resort has even erected a fake blue sky complete with fluffy white clouds, though it will never rain inside the dome
Making a splash: Tropical Islands is home to Germany's highest water slide tower which stands at a vertigo-inducing 27 metres tall
The water park is located in Krausnick, near Berlin and claims to offer tourists all the elements of a tropical holiday destination in the middle of Europe.
The huge hangar once housed Zeppelins but its owners went bankrupt in 1992 and the building fell into disrepair. It was transformed 10 years ago into an indoor paradise by a Malaysian company.
Inside, the temperature is always a pleasant 26C which means the attraction can host the world's largest indoor rainforest, along with pools, beaches and giant water slides.
Among them is Germany's highest water slide tower which stands at a vertigo-inducing 27 metres tall.
Up to 700 people an hour can zoom down a 21-metre undulating stainless steel slide before going on the 112-metre Crazy River steel tube slide and then reach a top speed of 70 kmph on the power turbo slide.
Regeneration: The huge hangar once housed Zeppelins but its owners went bankrupt in 1992 and the building fell into disrepair until it was transformed 10 years ago
In a spin: The resort's multi-coloured slides tower over the dome and are one of the main attractions for families
Don't look up: Holidaymakers can pretend they are lounging on a tropical island, as long as they ignore the ugly grey dome above
Up to 700 people an hour can zoom down a 21-metre undulating stainless steel slide before going on the 112-metre Crazy River steel tube slide
The resort's indoor rainforest has a one-kilometre walkway and 50,000 plants, of which there are 600 different species.
The complex also offers bars, saunas, lagoons and grottos to entertain a capacity of 6,000 visitors, along with 522 beds in various rooms and lodges, and hundreds of tents.
There are 400 sunloungers to accommodate guests on the world's largest indoor beach and, although they won't be able to soak up real tropical rays, at least they can be sure that it will never rain.
In the Bali Lagoon pool, swimmers can enjoy water temperatures of 32C while they are surrounded by palm trees, Balinese huts and even a waterfall.
The park is also home to Europe's biggest tropical spa and sauna complex which is spread over 10,000 square metres.
The six different treatment areas are modelled on various cultural sites, including the Elephanta Temple, which is a scale model of the original temple in India, and the Angkor Wat Temple based on the world-famous temple complex in Cambodia.
Meanwhile, the Jungle Village sits on stilts five metres above the ground and houses a range of saunas and steam baths.
Controlling the weather: The sun peeks through the dome's windows but it will never rain inside the tropical water park
World on your doorstep: One of the resort's zones features a Balinese-themed area complete with palm trees and Balinese huts
Huge project: The giant dome measures 66,000 square metres and is so tall the Statue of Liberty could fit inside it
Some visitors on TripAdvisor said the resort was great for winter trips and was the perfect place to entertain children, while others complained about high prices, long queues and a lack of sunbeds.
Ravita wrote: 'The island is an amazing place - feels like a real tropical island and there are lots of things to do with tots', while HenrikKragh wrote: 'Lovely bathing, cool action, nice temperature, unique location and setting.'
However, other customers were not so satisfied.
Borszczuk wrote: 'Visited for one day during national holiday and the place was a bit overcrowded - forget about finding free sunbed, finding free spot on sand was quite hard too. In general, the place is great for kids. Adults will most likely find it OK but boring.'
And Viswakumar A warned: 'The sauna area of the park has a nude dress code. So be prepared!'
Soaking up the artificial rays: Tropical Islands has only 400 sunloungers to accommodate 6,000 visitors
Relaxation zone: The park is also home to Europe's biggest tropical spa and sauna complex which is spread over 10,000 square metres
Stay the night: The complex also offers visitors the choice of 522 beds in various rooms and lodges, along with hundreds of tents
Take a souvenir back with you: Tropical Islands' gift shop is well-stocked with family games and activities
Light fantastic: Bathers can chill out in different zones, several of which are modelled on other countries
Life's a beach: If you squint - and ignore all the screaming children - you can pretend that you are lounging on the beach in Bali
Home from home: Along with cheaper stays in tents and lodges, the resort offers families and couples more luxurious accommodation
Take the plunge: The resort's tropical spa and sauna complex is spread over 10,000 square metres and offers guests a range of treatments
Soak it in: In the Bali Lagoon pool, swimmers can enjoy water temperatures of 32C and are surrounded by palm trees, Balinese huts and even a waterfall
Family fun under one roof: The resort offers a host of activities and even has it's own mini-golf course
