Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park Resort, By Charles Worley: We were traveling on U.S. 70 east through Columbus, Ohio when Tony,  brought to my attention this strange looking building that had tubes coming out twisting and turning  then going back into it again. It looked so different that we missed the name of the place the first time thru. On the way back we were surprised to find out that it was a Holiday Inn with an enclosed six story water park attached to the side of it.

After contacting them we made arrangements to stay a few days to see what it was all about. We arrived, and of course the weather was not cooperating as usual, it was dreary and drizzling. But then is when I found out that it just didn’t matter what the weather was. We pulled up under the large canopied entrance, and a very nice elderly gentleman met us with a luggage cart. He insisted upon loading the luggage onto the cart by himself, and for me to see to my family. As we entered the lobby we were transported back to the days of the old west, we were in Fort Rapids, one of the newest ideas of Holiday Inn.

This is great, I said to myself as we came up to the front desk, and this wonderful young lady asked if she could help us, and I almost said give me a ten gallon hat and a pair of pearl handled six guns because I think I have died and gone to heaven. Then I came to my senses and said that we had reservations and she gave us our room number and electronic door key. As we were going up to our room, I saw several people wearing cowboy hats, and was upset at myself for not bringing mine, when I also noticed  that they wearing badges. I asked who he was and he told me he was security and his job was to watch over the little buckaroos. We found that the security is so good that they even have a security device that you and your children can wear that if you get separated from your party that you can scan the code and it can locate any of your party on the premises. Is that great or what.

After getting settled in our room, we decided to go to the water park of the hotel. As we entered the park, we were amazed by how huge it was, and how many things there were to do. There was six large water slides, plus a couple small ones for the toddlers. There was an area just for small children, an area for the daredevils, and an area for the more mature of us. Yes I rode every water slide they had, and all my wife could do was pretend not to know me. Really it was great; there was a lazy river with trees and wild critters, and of course Indians. So you have to float past quietly or you might loose your hair. There was also a hot tub that is only for those 18 or older, yes it is your escape from the young ones for a few minutes. But do not worry; there are more than enough life guards to keep track of everyone. There is also a huge water barrel that dumps about a million gallons of water over a huge multi story jungle gem of water cannons, hoses and water falls, all the kids were having a great time on it.

They also have several private party rooms adjoining to the water park that you can rent. They also have a variety of daily activities for your family’s enjoyment such as, air brush tattoos, cold river mining, championship golf, rowdy rancher kids club, old time photography, Bad Lands bowling, tanning emporium, fitness center, and story time. They also have a complete game center for the for kids and adults.

They also have a fantastic dining establishment called The Branding Iron Grille. The food was exceptional and the service was even better, you left the restaurant knowing that you enjoyed some of the best food in the Columbus area, and we took so much food back to our room that we ate two more meals from it, all I can say is that it was great, it gets five stars from me and my family.

They have many styles of tower rooms such as the Kit Carson, Wyatt Earp, Cisco the Kid, and Wild Bill Elliot, which sleep up to four people, To the Villa Family Suits, that sleep from 6 to 12 people. And of course all room prices include water park passes. With so many things to do you can stay weekend or a full week and never leave the building, and you will be so relaxed when you leave that you will want to come and stay many times over and over again. So for a perfect vocation or just a weekend getaway come stay at Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Fort Rapids Indoor Water Park Resort.

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