The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium could eventually get its own hotel.
New planning documents released by the Zoo outline a proposal for a large themed resort-style hotel near the entrances to both the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay. If the project moves forward, it would mark a major expansion for one of Central Ohio’s biggest tourist destinations.
According to a recently released Request for Developer Interest and Qualifications, the Zoo is seeking a development partner to build and potentially operate a themed hotel adjacent to the entrances of the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay. The project is part of the Zoo’s larger “2040 Framework,” a long-range master plan focused on expanding attractions, increasing overnight stays, and creating a more connected destination campus.
And based on the early details, this won’t just be a place to sleep after walking through Heart of Africa.
According to the planning documents, the Zoo is looking at a minimum 130-room upper-upscale hotel built with families in mind.
The goal is to create something that feels connected to the Zoo experience from the moment guests walk through the doors.
Early concepts include immersive theming, conservation-focused programming, and amenities designed to keep guests on-site even after the Zoo closes for the day.
Some of the ideas outlined in the proposal include:
- Animal-themed guest rooms
- Family suites with bunk beds and separate living areas
- Balconies overlooking the Zoo and Zoombezi Bay
- A themed lobby featuring conservation and educational programming
- An indoor pool with a waterslide and whirlpool
- A full-service restaurant and café open to both hotel guests and local visitors
- Roughly 7,750 square feet of meeting and event space
- Dedicated pedestrian access to the Zoo entrance
- Potential perks like early attraction access and bundled ticket packages
The hotel would also sit near a future aquarium planned as part of the Zoo’s long-term expansion efforts.
The Zoo campus already attracts enormous crowds.
According to the RFQ, the Columbus Zoo, Zoombezi Bay, and Safari Golf Club collectively welcomed more than 2.1 million visitors in 2025. Despite that traffic, there are currently no on-site lodging options.
The Zoo believes a hotel could help capture overnight visitors who currently stay in nearby areas like Dublin, Polaris, or Downtown Columbus. It could also encourage multi-day visits and increase year-round tourism activity.
The development would likely come with a significant price tag. The feasibility study estimates costs between $32 million and $45 million, excluding land.
Right now, the Zoo is collecting qualifications and interest from developers.
The selected partner would handle financing, planning, design, and construction. The Zoo has indicated it’s open to multiple deal structures, including a ground lease or partnership arrangement.
At this stage, no official timeline for construction has been announced, and many details could still change as developers submit proposals. Still, the idea of a fully themed Zoo hotel raises some interesting possibilities for Central Ohio.
Across the country, destination zoos and wildlife parks have increasingly leaned into immersive lodging experiences. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is perhaps the best-known example, but safari-style accommodations and conservation-focused resorts have become a growing tourism trend.
The proposal suggests the Zoo is aiming for a hotel experience that feels more immersive than a typical family stay near an attraction.
For plenty of families, a trip to the Zoo already takes up an entire day.
Adding a hotel to the mix could turn those visits into full weekend getaways, especially during the summer when Zoombezi Bay is packed and the Zoo regularly stays busy from open to close.
The hotel proposal is only one piece of the Zoo’s broader vision for the future. The long-term framework also includes expanded habitats, new guest experiences, sustainability initiatives, and the eventual addition of a standalone aquarium.
If the hotel moves forward, it would represent one of the most ambitious tourism projects tied to the Zoo in decades. And for Columbus-area families, it could eventually mean something pretty unique: waking up just steps away from polar bears, giraffes, and roller waterslides.
