Indoor Waterparks Make Great Lists. They Make Terrible P&Ls.
Travel + Leisure ranked the 15 best indoor waterparks. Nobody mentioned what it actually costs to keep one running — or what happens when the novelty wears off.
Market
Illinois
2 stories
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First covered Feb 19, 2026
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Latest Feb 15
Illinois represents a significant hospitality market in the Midwest, encompassing major urban centers and leisure destinations that drive substantial lodging demand. The state's hotel market includes Chicago, one of the nation's largest convention and business travel hubs, alongside secondary markets and resort properties that serve both leisure and extended-stay segments.
Recent industry discussions involving Illinois have centered on operational challenges facing specific property types within the state. These conversations highlight profitability concerns for amenity-heavy properties, particularly indoor waterpark hotels, and the growing competitive dynamics of the extended-stay segment. These topics reflect broader market trends affecting property performance and investment decisions across Illinois hospitality assets.
The Illinois market remains relevant to hotel operators and investors monitoring Midwest performance metrics, convention travel patterns, and the viability of differentiated property concepts in competitive regional markets.
Illinois Coverage
Extended-Stay Is Winning. Here's What Nobody's Asking.
Extended-stay hotels outpaced the industry again in Q4. But the real story isn't in the RevPAR — it's in what's happening inside those buildings.