The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is quietly teeing up a major new attraction that does not involve fur, fins, or feathers. Zoo leaders are exploring an on-site hotel with at least 130 rooms and family-focused theming a short walk from the main entrance. Early planning documents float perks such as bundled tickets, possible early access to attractions, on-site dining, an indoor pool, and event space. The pitch is simple: turn packed single-day visits into longer stays as part of a broader campus plan.
As outlined in the zoo’s Request for Developer Interest and Qualifications, available via HL Advisors, the zoo is looking for a development partner to deliver an upper-upscale hotel with a minimum of 130 keys, including a mix of family-oriented and standard rooms plus suites. The RFQ spells out program goals such as a themed lobby, balconies aimed at the zoo or Zoombezi Bay, roughly 7,750 square feet of meeting and event space, and an indoor pool with a waterslide. Interested teams are instructed to submit qualifications electronically by 5:00 p.m. on May 22, 2026, and the document notes that the chosen partner would likely handle financing, design, and construction.
Zoo spokesperson Nicolle Gómez Racey told Columbus Underground that the expectation is for the project to be privately financed, with staff reviewing RFQ responses after the May 22 deadline. She added that even with a developer on board, this is not a quick build: planning and design could take about 12 to 18 months, followed by another 18 to 24 months of construction. In other words, even if everything is approved, guests will be waiting several years before they can check in.
What the hotel would include
The RFQ imagines a full slate of offerings: an immersive lobby with conservation and educational programming, animal-themed guest rooms, and family suites with bunk beds. Plans also call for a full-service restaurant and a grab-and-go café open to the public, plus meeting and ballroom space designed for year-round events. Amenities would include an indoor pool with a waterslide and whirlpool, a fitness center, and a 24-hour market aimed at overnight guests. The document from HL Advisors also asks development teams to propose parking solutions, sustainable design strategies, and flexible deal structures such as a ground lease or partnership.
Timeline and price tag
Reporting on the RFQ indicates feasibility numbers that put the project’s cost somewhere around $32 million to $45 million, not including land, and note that the zoo is open to a range of deal structures for getting it built. Columbus Underground reports that the selected developer would be expected to assemble the capital stack and manage the construction process. Since the schedule stretches over multiple years, the RFQ also calls for proposals that include strategies for year-round demand and off-season programming, according to HL Advisors.
Why the zoo wants it
Zoo planners argue that an on-site hotel would help keep visitors close who currently stay in Polaris, Dublin, or downtown Columbus, while supporting multi-day itineraries that tie in Zoombezi Bay and Safari Golf Club. Local coverage points out that the zoo campus and its affiliated properties welcomed millions of visitors in 2025, highlighting the market the RFQ is trying to capture. Columbus Navigator reports that the campus drew heavy regional traffic last year, a key selling point in the zoo’s pitch to potential developers.
Local politics and the lease
The push to grow the campus follows recent political moves that secure the zoo’s long-term footprint. The Columbus Dispatch reports that the city and county extended a no-cost lease with the zoo through 2067, with county commissioners approving the extension on May 5. The Dispatch notes that city council backed the move unanimously, while one commissioner abstained because of a board-affiliation conflict.
With qualifications due on May 22, developers have only a short window to throw their hats in the ring. After that, the zoo plans to shortlist teams and negotiate terms with its preferred partner. Even if a deal comes together quickly, the layers of planning, permitting, and construction mean the finished hotel is likely several summers away, giving neighbors and hospitality watchers plenty of time to sound off on traffic, parking, and any incentives tied to the project.
