So you think you know what to expect from a water-park resort? Not so fast. Hotel Rome/Mount Olympus in Wisconsin Dells takes the experience to a whole different level. From the delightfully tacky façade (made to look like the Coloseum) to the huge outdoor water park, amusement park, and indoor water park, Mount Olympus is one of Wisconsin Dells' biggest attractions.

The on-site Hotel Rome gets high marks for value in its all-inclusive packages (admission to both the indoor and

So you think you know what to expect from a water-park resort? Not so fast. Hotel Rome/Mount Olympus in Wisconsin Dells takes the experience to a whole different level. From the delightfully tacky façade (made to look like the Coloseum) to the huge outdoor water park, amusement park, and indoor water park, Mount Olympus is one of Wisconsin Dells' biggest attractions.

The on-site Hotel Rome gets high marks for value in its all-inclusive packages (admission to both the indoor and outdoor water parks are included with your room, as well as admission to most of the theme-park attractions and other activities like a 27-hole adventure golf course). Some of the older rooms are showing their age, and the over-the-top Greco-Roman décor could be considered either fun or freaky, depending on your tastes; but the new Caesar Suites offer updated amenities and more upscale and neutral décor (no life-size pictures of trident-brandishing Roman warriors behind the beds).

In-resort dining options include a burger joint, pizza, sub sandwiches, gyros and other Greek fare, coffee shop, a sweet shop, and snack concession areas in the parks.

With indoor and outdoor water parks as well as amusement parks, there are plenty of opportunities for fun no matter what the weather. The indoor water park features thrilling slides like the Anaconda, "Hispaniola Bay" pirate-ship-themed children's play area, "Mayan Raging River" tube river ride, activity pool, and two hot tubs. The indoor amusement park offers another way to have fun in any weather. It's not huge, but there's enough to do to fill an afternoon, including a small roller coaster, go-karts, bumper cars, and children's teacup ride.

Outdoors is where the big fun begins. The outdoor amusement park offers a wide variety of rides, including several wooden roller coasters (prepare to be jerked around) and plenty of kiddie rides as well. The outdoor water park is a can't-miss for big kids who've already mastered the typical tube slide. Attractions like Poseidon's Rage, an intense wave pool featuring swells as large as nine feet, several steep multi-rider tube slides, and a fast-moving lazy river keep thrill-seekers happy, while three children's play areas give little ones plenty to do.

Be aware that when you reserve rooms through Hotel Rome's website, the Pompeii Motel may come up as a lodging option. The value-priced hotel is part of the Mount Olympus complex (meaning you'll get unlimited free admission to both the indoor and outdoor water and amusement parks), but it's a much more basic budget-motel property, detached from the main building.