The new era of outdoor resort features are bigger and more ambitious than a mere pool and a row of canvas-topped cabanas. There are waterslides; surf simulators; cabanas that look like living rooms; creative landscaping; and food and beverage from A-list chefs.

As hotels editor Chrisina Jelski explored in a cover story this summer, the pool-upgrade trend ties in several pandemic-era trends: Bleisure, family travel, outdoor vacations and spending more to upgrade their vacations. And of course, a resort's investment in waterpark upgrades can pay dividends in terms of increased rates and ancillary revenue. We talk about all this and more with Jelski and Michael Scioscia, the general manager of the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes.

This episode was recorded Sept. 22 and has been edited for length and clarity. 

Episode sponsor

This episode is sponsored by Air France/KLM Royal Dutch Airlines https://www.afkl.biz

Related links

Resorts make a splash with waterparks https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Resorts-make-a-splash-with-waterparks

JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mcojw-jw-marriott-orlando-grande-lakes/waterpark/