Czechia · Amazing Places

Vodní domky Čejkovice: a night in a cabin on the water

Before you start reading, here is the gist
  • The Čejkovice water houses float on three pools in the grounds of the Čejkovice forest nursery, about 5 km (3 miles) from České Budějovice.
  • There are three: Provence, Blue and List, each for two adults, without electricity, with a stove, a fire pit and a boat.
  • I have been here twice, in August 2020 and September 2023, and booking goes through the houses' website or Slevomat.
Where to stay: Vodní domky Čejkovice (Water Cabins)
View the offer on Slevomat →

I have tried the Vodní domky (Water Cabins) in Čejkovice near České Budějovice twice. A night on the water, swimming, fishing, a fire and calm. The accommodation is not on Amazing Places, nor on Booking or Airbnb, bookings go through the cabins' own website or through Slevomat (a Czech deals and short-stay portal).

Wooden cabin on the water with a jetty, loungers and a boat on the pond
Cabin on the water with a boat.
Cabin with a purple door on the pond surface seen from behind greenery
The cabin from the opposite bank.

What are the Water Cabins and what makes them special?

The cabins stand in the twelve-hectare, fenced grounds of the Čejkovice Forest Nursery, about five kilometres (3 miles) from České Budějovice. They float on three pools, so from your bed you look out over the water. Every cabin has its own style, and next to it there is a fire pit with a small grill and a boat (from spring to autumn). The cabins have no electricity and are heated with wood stoves, but the bathroom is a short walk away and has a socket and a fridge.

It is accommodation for two adults, children are not possible here. Dogs only by arrangement: a small breed up to 10 kg for 500 CZK (about EUR 20) per night. For me the main charm is that nothing is planned here: a hammock, a book, fishing and swimming.

Vodní domky Čejkovice: Corner with a wood stove, a basket of firewood and a heart on a light wooden wall
Wood stove in the cabin.
Man in glasses and a cap taking a selfie in front of the cabin on the water
In front of the cabin on the water.

What cabins do they have?

  • Provence: lavender colour and Provençal-style furniture, a raised four-poster bed and a large window above it. Outside area 38 m², inside 17 m². The pools by Provence and Blue are best for fishing.
  • Blue: nautical style, blue and white colour, a bed hung on ropes and nets above the water surface. 37 m² outside, 22 m² inside. By the cabin there is also a portable toilet, because the bathroom is further away.
  • List: nature inside too, walls with a 3D wallpaper and a solid acacia wood bed. The largest, 55 m² outside and 26 m² inside.

The first time I was in the cabin with the purple door, which matches Provence in colour, and the second time in the List cabin.

Vodní domky Čejkovice: Cabin with a purple door on the pond surface, with green grass and a wooden path in front
The Provence cabin from the shore.
Wooden jetty across the water to a dark cabin with a green roof among trees
The way to the List cabin.

What can you do here?

  • swim in the pond, for example on an inflatable ring
  • fish catch and release, the pools hold carp, pike, zander, rainbow trout, perch and other fish
  • go out in the boat and sit by the fire pit with the grill
  • read in a hammock above the water
  • watch birds and a herd of roe deer grazing on the meadows
Vodní domky Čejkovice: Man swimming on a blue inflatable ring in the pond in front of the cabin
Swimming on a ring.
Picnic basket with food, a melon and a flask on a wooden terrace above the water
Picnic basket.
Man fishing from the terrace of the cabin on the water, with a boat and loungers beside him
Fishing from the terrace.
Fishing rod, a box of hooks and scissors on a wooden terrace
Fishing gear.

What about breakfast and food?

Breakfast is not included in the price, but you can order a continental breakfast in a picnic basket with morning delivery right to the cabin. According to the website it costs 500 CZK (about EUR 20) for two and must be ordered at least 24 hours in advance, and for a surcharge there is also a gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetarian and vegan version. Nearby there is the Minipivovar Kněžínek microbrewery with a restaurant. I had my food on the terrace and a fire by the cabin in the evening.

Vodní domky Čejkovice: Burning fire in a round fire pit at dusk
Fire pit by the cabin.
Bottle and two glasses of wine in the grass by the pond at sunset
Wine by the pond at sunset.

What is nearby?

  • Vrbenské rybníky nature reserve, within walking distance, with a four-kilometre (2.5 miles) educational trail
  • České Budějovice about five kilometres (3 miles) away
  • Hluboká nad Vltavou chateau about 15 km (9 miles) away, with a park and a zoo
  • Český Krumlov about 22 km (14 miles) away and Třeboň about 22 km (14 miles) away
  • Lipno reservoir about 50 km (31 miles) away

My experience

The first time I was here: swimming, fishing, a picnic basket and a fire. The second time in the List cabin. You can find the reel on Instagram. The cabins have the profile @vodnidomkycejkovice.

Practical info

Location: the grounds of the Čejkovice Forest Nursery, about 5 km (3 miles) from České Budějovice (Čejkovice).

Booking: the Vodní domky website or Slevomat. They are not on Amazing Places, Booking or Airbnb.

Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 10:00. Price per night for two according to the price list on the website, without breakfast. Free cancellation only up to 30 days before the stay.

The grill, fire pit and firewood for the stoves are ready, bring your own sausages for roasting.

Tip: stays on Slevomat

I found the Water Cabins through Slevomat, not through Booking. Slevomat sells stays, accommodation and experiences all over the country, often at special prices, and it is useful even where the classic booking portals offer nothing. Before you book anything elsewhere, take a look there to see whether there is a better price.

Stays and accommodation on Slevomat →
Lukáš Dobrovolný

Lukáš Dobrovolný

Traveller, content creator and online marketer

Over 17 years on the road, but still with one foot in Czechia. I write about road trips, mountain hikes, cycling trips, Amazing Places and my favourite food.

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