Crystal Springs Resort

Beautiful resort. Great and easy location. Loved the safe, secure and warm underground parking. Rooms are very generous in size. Heated bathroom floors. Washer/Dryer, dishwasher, fridge and stove in each unit. We had a 4 day conference. Each meal was hot and delicious. Service was constantly ensuring enough for all and that everything was clean and hot. Spa and the Biodome were highlights.

I recently stayed at this property and, while the service itself was decent, I was shocked by how every little thing seemed to come with an extra charge. I’ve never stayed at a hotel that charges for a crib—this alone felt like blatant nickel-and-diming. If my baby needs a crib, it should be provided as a courtesy, not an additional fee. Moreover, essentials like water were outrageously priced at $10, which is inexcusable, even if this isn’t an all-inclusive resort. The kitchen was another letdown. It was advertised as “fully equipped,” yet there were no mixing bowls, barely any cooking utensils, and the knives were so dull they were practically unusable. The rooms are antiquated and we didn’t get good sleep due to lack of shades (the sunlight in the mornings woke us up very early). The beds are hard and not at comfortable. To put things in perspective, I’ve stayed at similar properties—like the Marriott villas—and had a significantly better experience for a comparable or even better value. Their amenities are higher quality, and they don’t charge you for basics like a crib or sky-high water prices. At this property, it feels as though you’re paying purely for the mountain view, which honestly isn’t worth the exorbitant costs. Given my experience, I don’t plan on returning and would advise anyone considering a stay here to be prepared for surprise charges and underwhelming amenities. It’s a shame because the resort could be great if they focused more on guests’ comfort and less on finding ways to charge for every minor convenience. Absolutely the worst experience…who rated this place a four diamond???

Crystal Springs Resort in New Jersey is a great getaway with clean, well-maintained facilities, plenty of amenities, and daily activities to enjoy. The staff stands out! They’re attentive, friendly, and accommodating. However, one drawback is that everything closes early during the week. Pools, gyms, cafes, and other amenities shut down by 9 PM, even during the holiday week leading up to New Year’s Eve. Given the premium price for that time, I felt things should have stayed open later to accommodate the added guests. Grand Cascades Lodge vs. Minerals Hotel I initially stayed at the Grand Cascades Lodge, but honestly, it didn’t live up to the hype. The lobby was small and congested, the hallways and gym were underwhelming, and the much-touted biosphere pool was smaller than expected and always crowded with kids. The standard room was basic and unimpressive. For over $1,700 for two nights, I expected more. Maybe I would have felt a little different if I was able to stay in a studio suite or higher. Unfortunately, they were sold out. In contrast, the Minerals Hotel was a pleasant surprise. The spacious, modern lobby immediately felt more inviting, with features like a large sports club, rock wall, basketball court, and cafe all conveniently located. The indoor pool complex was a highlight, much larger and more impressive than Grand Cascades’ biosphere. It included multiple pools, a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, heated outdoor pool, and even a gaming/arcade room nearby. Everything felt thoughtfully designed. I ended up switching to the Minerals Hotel, and it was the best decision. Rachel at the front desk was incredibly helpful and set me up in a deluxe studio suite with a patio and fireplace. The room was larger and better than the standard room I had at Grand Cascades, and it cost $400 less! While I didn’t stay in a Grand Cascades studio suite due to availability, I did see one in passing, and they are definitely newer and more luxurious than the suites at the Minerals Hotel. However, even with that in mind, the overall experience at Minerals was far better for me. Final Thoughts For the price, Grand Cascades Lodge wasn’t worth it. However, I loved the Minerals Hotel and plan to return, especially in the summer with my kids. It’s only an hour from home, and I can see it becoming an annual trip for my family. If you value convenience, amenities, and family-friendly vibes, I highly recommend staying at the Minerals Hotel.

My friends and I absolutely loved it here, I cannot believe this is in the US! Felt like a mini getaway, the vibe is relaxing and all staff members were nice and helpful. If you want to have a getaway you need to come here.. they have heated pools and an enormous outdoor pool. I loved the fact that they had lifeguards at every pool and they kept an eye on everyone at all times. Breakfast absolutely was delicious!! Only thing is everything closes by 10pm even outside of the hotel, so be prepared to stack up on snacks. Overall a great getaway.

My wife and I chose this location for a babymoon close to the NY area. Upon making this reservation for a spa and stay package we were expecting a certain level of service that was just not there. The check-in process was rushed, with no explanation of resort amenities or location. We were simply handed a map and told our room number. The only activity that I was able to take part in was the wine tasting which was a very good experience. We booked a King Studio Suite. Since this was an upgraded room we had high expectations. We ending up in the hallway that was on the way to the restaurants which lead to us being woken up between 11am and Midnight both nights from other guests being loud in the hallways. Room upgrade was a mistake, especially since the floors did not feel clean, and shower was not up to par. Part of the room upgrade was a fireplace, unfortunately the flame was not high and the heat coming of of it triggered the air conditioning to turn periodically to the point where we could not use it. Spa services were average, not the greatest treatments we have received but not the worst. The Crystal Tavern was a good option for meals. We had both a lunch and a dinner that were well received. Breakfast buffet was average. Expectations were high for Restaurant Latour. After being told of the dress code and reminded of it several times and looking at the tasting menu I was hopeful that this would be a special experience. Unfortunately the dress code was not enforced leading to my wife and I to be over dressed (The couple next to us was in outerwear and sneakers), and the environment was spoiled by the same couple who mid-meal stood up and while they were leaving for what I imagine was a cigarette and decided to have a loud conversation with the next table. The tasting menu was enjoyable and the wine pairing interesting. We had high hopes for the trip that were unfortunately not met.