BUFFALO, N.Y., and HONEY CREEK STATE PARK, Iowa (June 1, 2016) – Delaware North, one of the largest privately held global hospitality and food service companies in the world, has expanded its parks and resorts portfolio into Iowa with a contract to manage the resort at Honey Creek State Park.
Delaware North will manage the AAA Three Diamond-Rated Honey Creek Resort, owned by the State of 
Iowa, for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Under the terms of the 15-year contract, which begins today, June 1, Delaware North will invest $1.5 million to enhance the resort, which was built in 2008 and is LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Buildings Council.
Honey Creek Resort is located on the shores of Iowa’s second largest lake, Lake Rathbun, 85 miles southeast of Des Moines. The resort features 105 guest rooms; 28 cottages with one, two or four bedrooms; and an RV park with 20 campsites.
Among the resort’s myriad amenities are an 18-hole championship links style golf course, a 42-slip marina, a two-story pirate-themed indoor waterpark and a full-service restaurant and bar with outdoor patios.
“We are excited to have been selected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to manage the beautiful Honey Creek Resort and are proud to add it to our portfolio of properties at national and state parks,” said Jim Houser, president of Delaware North’s parks and resorts business. “We plan on making improvements to the property, including bringing our industry-leading food and beverage experience, to enhance the guest experience.”
In addition, Delaware North will integrate its core business systems and processes, such as its highly regarded customer service program, GuestPath®, and its environmental management program, GreenPath®, into the operation.
Honey Creek Resort is an ideal destination for both the leisure and business traveler. Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor experiences, including walking trails, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, nature programs and wildlife watching. Lake Rathbun’s sprawling 11,000 acres features eight parks, two marinas and several restaurants and cultural activities.
Additionally, the resort boasts 7,000 square feet of meeting facilities, state-of-the-art banquet facilities and event and wedding service staff who can accommodate both large and intimate groups.
Delaware North will also enhance the marketing of the resort, which is conveniently located in south-central Iowa, 90 minutes from Des Moines, a few hours from Cedar Rapids and the Quad Cities region and less than four hours from Kansas City and Omaha.
With the Honey Creek Resort, Delaware North now owns and/or operates more than 20 lodging locations throughout the United States and in Australia.
About Delaware North's parks and resorts business
Delaware North Parks and Resorts is a global leader in the hospitality industry, operating lodging, food and beverage and retail services, recreational activities, and educational programming at destinations throughout North America and Australia. Delaware North operates in many of the United States’ iconic national and state parks, including Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Niagara Falls State Park, as well as at cultural attractions such as Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. Its portfolio also includes five luxury resorts in Australia. To learn more about Delaware North’s hospitality management expertise, visit http://www.delawarenorth.com/parks-and-resorts-home.aspx.
About Delaware North
Delaware North is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Our 60,000 employee associates are dedicated to creating special experiences one guest at a time in serving more than 500 million guests annually. Delaware North has annual revenue of about $3 billion in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts, gaming, and specialty retail industries. Learn more about Delaware North at www.delawarenorth.com.
