NEWS: Gaylord Rockies hotel project to include water park

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25078246/gaylord-rockies-hotel-feature-massive-year-round-water

 

The developer of the 1,500-room Gaylord Rockies Hotel and Conference Center made a big splash Thursday, saying it would add a massive water park to the project near Denver International Airport.

 

The indoor-outdoor water park will feature multiple pools, two water slides, a lazy river and a simulated hot springs, Houston-based RIDA Development Corp. announced Thursday.

 

"It brings a magical connection between leisure business and group business," said Nunzio DeSantis, director of hospitality with Dallas-based HKS, the architectural firm designing the development.

 

The feature will cost $25 million within a project whose costs could range from $750 million to $850 million, said Ira Mitzner, RIDA's president.

 

Gaylord is a Marriott brand focused primarily on the conference and convention business. One goal of adding a water amenity is to encourage convention attendees to bring along family members, which would in turn translate into longer stays in Colorado, Mitzner said.

 

Also, most other Gaylord-branded hotels are in locales where the summer heat can be stifling — Orlando, Fla.; Dallas; and Washington, D.C.

 

"You don't want to be in Dallas in August," said Mitzner, who estimates the outdoor portion of the water park, with some heating, could remain open from March to October.

 

He said the feature should help the Gaylord Rockies compete for its share of business from the 300 groups that rotate through the various Gaylord hotels each year, while also serving as a draw for local families.

 

"This project will truly be monumental," said Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan at a news conference.

 

Hogan added that the city has "plenty of water" to supply the amenity.

 

The Gaylord Rockies, at 1.9 million square feet on 85 acres, is projected to draw more than 450,000 net new visitors a year and create 1,550 permanent, direct jobs, backers said.

 

Aurora and Adams County have approved incentives worth $8.4 million to $9.9 million a year, and the state's economic-development commission has approved tax rebates worth $2.7 million to $3.5 million a year, depending on the taxes generated.

 

A group of mostly Denver-based hotels, however, are legally challenging the state award. Aurora in turn filed its own lawsuit, arguing that the hotels are trying to interfere with the development.

Edited February 8, 2014 by jedimaster1227

[KBrylczyk]

Always good news when a new park is built!

 

Hogan added that the city has "plenty of water" to supply the amenity.

 

Nice of them to add this is. Meanwhile Vegas is going to have two waterparks and we're running out of water fast. That's not a desert joke, either. Our main source of water is the snowmelt from the Rockies and it has been diminishing each year.

[WildStangAlex]

This is one awesome looking property. I would definitely be interested in visiting, if they ever finish it. They seem to move at the same pace as a snail.

[Condor]

Another spectacular looking hotel from Gaylord. I am a little disappointed there doesn't appear to be a giant atrium like their other properties, but the water park is good compensation! Interesting to learn that Marriott manages them now. As a hotel mgmt. major, I was very unimpressed with the service I received at Gaylord Palms a few years ago and I'm sure Marriott is improving it.

[_koppen]

Looks very nice, hopefully they will do a nice job with the theming as well.

[technfxrick]

Another spectacular looking hotel from Gaylord. I am a little disappointed there doesn't appear to be a giant atrium like their other properties, but the water park is good compensation! Interesting to learn that Marriott manages them now. As a hotel mgmt. major, I was very unimpressed with the service I received at Gaylord Palms a few years ago and I'm sure Marriott is improving it.

 

I work in the Convention Business and i have to say that all the Gaylords have some of the worst service out there. There model is based upon turning heads in beds, and because they are not trying to attract leisure travelers, or business travelers that are doing anything other than going to the convention, they never seem to put in any effort. I was hoping the Marriott management would help, as i usually am impressed with Marriott but i was just at the Gaylord National in January for 10 nights and it was still just as bad.