Kalahari Resorts and Conventions Is Home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark

Authentically-African Resort More Than Doubles On-Site Rooms and
Expands Amenities to Offer the Premier Family Vacation Destination in
the Pocono Mountains

POCONO MOUNTAINS, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#FamilyTime—Kalahari
Resorts and Conventions in the Pocono Mountains is now home to
America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark. Boasting 220,000 sq. ft. of true
attraction space, the indoor waterpark now features eight new thrilling
slides, a wavepool, an enhanced area for children, an extended lazy
river and additional adult swim-up bars. As well as the waterpark
expansion, the most recent phase of the resort includes: an additional
520 rooms and suites, bringing the total to nearly 1,000 on-site
accommodations, two new full-service signature dining experiences,
expanded dry-play and fitness amenities, and more.

Owned and operated by the Nelson family, the company opened its doors on
its third authentically African-themed resort, and first on the East
Coast, in the Pocono Mountains in July 2015. This resort extension
project broke ground in April 2015, which allowed for construction to be
completed within an 18-month time frame.

“My family and I had always dreamed of expanding Kalahari to the East
Coast, and we’ve had a great experience in the Pocono Mountains,” said
Todd Nelson, owner of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. “We could not be
prouder to bring the distinction of America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark
to this tremendous area.”

Focused on providing a “beyond expectations experience” to guests of all
ages, the resort expansion also includes an additional 520 rooms, which
brings the resort total to nearly 1,000 guest rooms, including two new
styles exclusive to the Poconos location:

• Three-Bedroom Family Suites:
  • 1 king bedroom with master bath, 2 separate bedrooms with 2 queen
    beds each, full- sized sofa sleeper, fireplace
  • 1 king bedroom with master bath, 4 separate bedrooms with 2 queen
    beds each, full- sized sofa sleeper, fireplace, large balcony with
    furniture

  The company also placed an emphasis on providing new dining experiences
  to guests. The resort now features:

  • Double Cut Charcoal Grill — Kalahari’s signature steakhouse
    experience featuring: premium cuts of meat, craft cocktails, family
    style sides and more
  • Sortino’s Italian Kitchen — A new-age, red-sauced
    restaurant where old-school Italian cuisine meets the modern age. The
    menu will include: wood-fired pizza, Italian family dining, a large
    variety of wines and more
  • Marrakesh Market — Grab-and-go convenient, bazaar-style
    shopping, unique gifts, authentic African items and everyday needs

  Dry-play expansions include the addition of the elusive free-roaming
  virtual reality attraction “The
  Arena,” which can only be experienced at three locations in the
  country. Kalahari Resorts properties boasts two of the three locations.
  The attraction opened in the Poconos resort on Feb. 3, 2017.

  The resort is authentically African themed, and visitors will see and
  feel this experience at every turn, including the handcrafted artwork
  adorning the walls, the Rwandan coffee beans served throughout the
  resort and the souvenirs sourced from local artisan communities
  throughout Africa. The Nelson family returned to Africa last fall for a
  30-day sojourn that helped to inspire the newest amenities at the resort.

  “My family has long been inspired by the spirit and culture of Africa,
  ever since our first visit to the continent more than 20 years ago,”
  Nelson said. “As we continue to return each time, we become more
  enthusiastic about sharing our experience with our guests.”

  The expansion of the resort increases Kalahari’s workforce in the
  Poconos to nearly 1,400 full- or part-time jobs — a 60 percent increase
  from the location needs when it opened in July 2015. Kalahari’s existing
  amenities continue to attract overnight and local guests including: Spa
  Kalahari and Salon featuring the unique HydroOasis day spa, a
  40,000-sq.-ft. arcade full of games, laser tag, mini-bowling, blacklight
  golf and more, 6,000 sq. ft. of retail shopping and a 100,000-sq.-ft.
  convention center.

  Kalahari Resorts was named The World’s Coolest Indoor Waterparks by Condé
  Nast Traveler in 2014. Reservations are now being accepted at http://www.kalahariresorts.com/.
  For additional details on the history of Kalahari Resorts and
  Conventions, the authentic African inspiration and the Nelson family,
  please visit KalahariMedia.com.

  About Kalahari Resorts and Conventions

  Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin,
  Sandusky, Ohio, the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania, and coming soon to
  Round Rock, Texas, delivers a “world-away” waterpark resort and
  conference experience beyond expectations. The authentically
  African-themed Kalahari Resorts, privately owned by the Nelson family,
  is home to America’s largest indoor waterparks. All Kalahari Resorts
  feature well-appointed guest rooms, full-service Spa Kalahari, a fully
  equipped fitness center, on-site restaurants, unique retail shops and a
  state-of-the-art conference center. Kalahari Resorts and Conventions
  frequently receives awards and accolades for its guest and convention
  services. Recent recognition includes: Condé Nast Traveler’s #1 World’s
  Coolest Indoor Waterparks, TripAdvisors’ 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards,
  2016 Family Vacation Critic Favorite, TripAdvisors’ 2016 Travelers’
  Choice Awards, 2015 Reader’s Choice USA Today’s 10 Best Indoor
  Waterparks, January 2015 OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Award for Double Cut
  Grill’s signature dining experience for the second consecutive year,
  Silver Star recognition for Best Family-Friendly Meeting Hotel and
  Resort in Smart Meeting’s 2014 Smart Stars Awards, Clean the World’s Top
  50 Hot Properties in 2013, the Daily Herald’s 2014 Reader’s Choice
  Awards for Best Indoor Waterpark, selection as one of the nation’s Top
  Family Resorts by Family Fun magazine for 2013, being named the Best
  Conference Center in the state by the Wisconsin Hotel and Lodging
  Association and selection as the Corporate Meeting Destination of the
  Year by Cleveland Business Connects magazine. For reservation and guest
  information, call 1-877-KALAHARI (525-2427) or visit KalahariResorts.com.
  To learn more about Kalahari Resorts, members of the media are
  encouraged to visit KalahariMedia.com.

  Contacts

  Samantha Flynn
  Jacobson/Rost
  312.274.3349
  sflynn@jacobsonrost.com
  or
  Jasmon
  Harper
  Jacobson Rost
  312.274.3341
  jharper@jacobsonrost.com