ABOUT THE PANELIST

Jeff Coy is president of JLC Consulting, a research and consulting firm based in Cave Creek, Ariz. Certified by the International Society of Hospitality Consultants, Coy has more than 30 years’ experience in the development, management and marketing of hotels and resorts. He has written for several publications, and in 2001 formed Hotel Waterpark Resort Research & Consulting with Bill Haralson.

 

Owner: Platinum Holdings, LLC

Year opened:2002

Size: 25,000 square feet

Staff:50, peak season

Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, Iowa, has 194 rooms with a 25,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, themed for the nearby Mississippi River. Waterpark features include slides, a giant play structure, a lazy river, two activity pools and two hot tubs. There’s also an arcade and a Tony Roma’s restaurant on site, and the hotel is connected to a 120,000-square-foot convention center, which it operates for the city. Every Friday and Saturday the waterpark hosts Splash Bash, featuring a live, interactive DJ and poolside games, plus activities in the WaterSquirts Kids Club room.