HyTides Waterpark — Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Indian Wells, Calif.
Architect/Aquatic Designer & Consultant: Cloward H2O
Landscape Architect: EDSA
Builder: Hamel Construction
Pool/Spa/Waterfeature Builder: California Commercial Pools
Desert Oasis
The team was charged with expanding and renovating the aquatic space at this well-established and -loved resort. The goal: Increase entertainment amenities and maintain the property’s classic feel.
They turned HyTides into an instant attention-getter, with the largest water features in the Greater Palm Springs area.
To visually meld with the resort and pre-existing aquatics space, the new features were given an oasis feel. The lazy river features a fully landscaped island, while plantings through the slide path and around the pool further reinforce the look.
Aesthetically anchoring the waterpark is the slide tower with two 214-foot dueling pool slides. To ensure this predominant feature reflects the resort setting, the design team took their cues from the architecture's combination of Southwest, Mission and modern styles, with large columns, beams, arches and corbel accents.
Designers wound the river through the slide columns to make the space more inviting. This proved a bit of a tightrope walk, as they had to maintain appropriate clearances while juggling river width and deck space. Combining the slide pool and leisure pool maximized utility and allowed enough space for deck chairs.
As the area averages only about 5 inches of rain per year, the team took a number of measures to conserve water. Regenerative media filters are estimated to save the operation more than a half-million gallons per year. A significant portion of an existing large lagoon was removed, reducing the water-surface area and increasing usable space. Native planting was incorporated with a water-wise drip system.
SUPPLIERS:
Racing Lanes, Slides: WhiteWater