Crystal Springs has been on our bucket list for 3 years. We decided we would celebrate my husbands birthday this year by spending a weekend at Grand Cascade Lodge. Before arriving I read some unfavorable reviews that made me question my choice of stay. I’m glad I didn’t change my mind because of the reviews. We had a wonderful experience. Everyone was friendly and very accommodating. The food and drinks were very good. The Shuttle service between hotels was quick and convenient. Our room was beautiful! I really liked the daily schedule of events. Plenty to keep you busy if you wanted to be. The biosphere was where we spent most of our time. Besides the pool, hot tubs, & sauna, they had a nice selection of food and drink items to choose from as well. We enjoyed a dinner show the first night we were there. The buffet had plenty of variety and everything we had was delicious. The mentalist who was the nights entertainment was outstanding. Overall this trip was everything we had hoped and more. We will definitely be returning.

From many possibilities, we chose Crystal Springs for our wedding anniversary. There were many negative reviews but we decided to take a chance. Overall, we had a great time. We loved the setting and architecture of Grand Cascades. The rooms were clean and the staff were nice. We also liked the Biosphere.
The meals we had at 2 on-site restaurants were expensive but the food and service were good. Due to the high quality and cost of the meals, we wanted to take some back to our room but there was no mini-refrigerator. Even, Holiday Inn Express has a min-fridge and their rooms are half the cost.
There were not as many activities as the advertisements imply. Many of the advertised activities were off-site or only seasonal. For example, the on-site hiking trails were the golf-cart paths. Many other activities were not offered when we were there. We hiked off-site and had a great time.
For couples who are paying premium rates for romantic get away, the abundance of kids misbehaving in restaurants, running down the halls, yelling in their rooms, and in the pool area may be a challenge.
Our room had a door for an adjoining room option which may have contributed to us being able to hear everything said by a family staying in the next room and they hearing us. This adjoining room seemed to have paper thin walls and a child who continually threw tantrums prolonged by her parents enabling. This went on for 3 days and one of the tantrums woke us up at 3am. We felt sorry for the parents who had no control and said there vacation was ruined.
It seems a lot a families bring young children to this location but, other than the pool with one water slide, there was not much to do on site this time of year. I think families with young kids might do better going to a place like Great Wolf Lodge.
If considering, call ahead and confirm what is available.