• A hotel guest relaxing on the lazy river.lazy river image by Vonora from Fotolia.com
  
  Once upon a time, hotels simply provided a clean room for guests to rest after a day exploring theme parks or other fun attractions. Now, however, hotels are offering their own attractions. There are many hotels throughout the country that offer on-site water parks complete with rides that thrill, spray and let you take a gingerly ride along a lazy river.
  
  

Great Wolf Lodge Water Park

• Let the soothing waters of the Crooked Creek lazy river ride carry you throughout the indoor water park at the Great Wolf Lodge in Scotrun, Pennsylvania. The water park, two hours northeast of Harrisburg, also offers "Fort Mackenzie," a four-story water fort for toddlers and children, the Coyote Cannon enclosed water slide and the Double Barrel Drop, a unique ride that combines six-story drops, spinning vortexes and a hairpin turn.
  
  Hamburgers, snacks, soda and adult beverages are available at the park's Spirit Island Snack Shop. Only lodge guests are allowed entrance to the water park. Lodge guests may purchase day passes for non-lodge guests, but are limited to one pass per registered guest, age 3 and older, in your party.
  
  The water park is open daily from 9am-9pm, but hours are subject to change.
  
  Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
  1 Great Wolf Drive
  Scotrun, PA 18355
  800-768-9653
  greatwolf.com
  
  

The Springs Water Park at Country Springs Hotel

• Relax as you float along the Barrel Roll River, the lazy river water ride at the Springs Water Park, part of the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Springs Water Park, an hour and a half east of Madison, offers the lazy river and other rides as part of its 45,000 square foot indoor water park. The park also offers a three-person boat slide known as the Triple Dog Dare and a speedy, twisting body slide called the Cyclone. Waukesha Waterworks offers water dump bucks, water geysers and slides for toddlers and older children.
  
  Sandwiches and drinks are available at the park's Square Meal Snack Bar. Hotel guests are guaranteed access to the park and day passes are available on a first come, first served basis to those not staying at the hotel. Both day passes and splash passes can be bought online. Day passes are only valid on the purchase date, but Splash Passes can be used on the day of purchase or bought 90 days in advance. Both passes are to be printed and redeemed at the water park.
  
  The park is open Monday through Thursday from 10am-9pm, from 10am-10pm on Friday, from 9am-10pm on Saturday and from 9am-9pm on Sunday. However, the hours are subject to change.
  
  The Springs Water Park at Country Springs Hotel
  2810 Gulf Rd.
  Waukesha, WI 53187
  800-247-6640
  countryspringshotel.com
  
  

MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Grand Pool Complex

• Lazy is usually not a term used in conjunction with the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas strip. However, you can find a lazy river at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino's Grand Pool Complex. The complex MGM Grand, located near Tropicana Avenue and opposite the New York New York Hotel & Casino, features the 8,000 foot long Backlot Lazy River, which allows guests to float under a canopy of lush island foliage. Guests may also enjoy a whirlpool or swim in one of the five swimming pools.
  
  Admittance to the complex is limited to MGM Grand guests. Guests may choose to lounge in poolside cabanas complete with mini refrigerators, televisions, free raft or tube rentals and food and drink service. There are fees for cabana, tube and raft rentals, which are subject to change. The complex even has its own restaurant, the Cabana Grill, which offers poolside breakfast and lunch options. Should you get thirsty, there are five bars within the complex, including the Backlot Bar near the lazy river.
  
  The complex is open daily February to November from 8am-6pm.
  
  MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Grand Pool Complex
  3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South
  Las Vegas, NV 89109
  877-880-0880
  mgmgrand.com