The secret is out—Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County, New Jersey, is one of the top resorts in NJ and the country, thanks to the luxe amenities and prime location that works for any season, whether you’re a skier, golfer, hiker, or want to chill out. My family has visited Crystal Springs Resort for years because it’s easy and beautiful—once we enter the secluded area surrounded by mountains, it feels like we’re far away, even though we’re only an hour from home. We recently spent a few days at Crystal Springs Resort, and everyone agreed it was one of our best yet. Read on about our visit and what to know before you go with kids or without. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

Crystal Springs Resort

The front atrium at Crystal Springs Resort is newly renovated and welcoming. Photo Credit: NJ MOM

A room to call home at Crystal Springs Resort

There are two resorts at Crystal Springs Resort—The Minerals Hotel and The Grand Cascades Lodge—and for this visit, we stayed at the Lodge. Additionally, the Adirondack-style hotel boasts everything you could want in a luxe resort, including top-notch restaurants like the renowned Restaurant Latour, a world-class wine cellar, a top-ranked spa, championship golf courses, and a ton of activities to do with kids. But what makes Grand Cascades Lodge a standout is the indoor Biosphere Pool (think a tropical oasis with balmy 85 degrees every day), newly renovated rooms, nightlife, and its proximity to the Mountain Creek recreation area, which keeps my whole crew happy. Ultimately vibe at The Grand Cascades is luxury, but for a more budget-friendly option within Crystal Springs, The Minerals Hotel is 10 minutes down the road and offers family-friendly amenities, such as an indoor pool and a rock climbing wall. 

Plenty of suite views

Though we’ve been to Crystal Springs Resort many times, this was our first time bringing my parents along for a family vacation (and a chance to sneak in some adult time). We booked a suite at Grand Cascades Lodge with a kitchen where we could make snacks and some meals for the kids, and it connected to a guest room for my parents. The newly renovated suite had gorgeous mountain views, and we loved peeking out from the outdoor balcony to see the Appalachian Mountains. The rooms were sleek and comfy, with ample seating, a cozy gas fireplace, and areas for my kids to spread out and play. 

Dive into the pool any time of the year 

After we unpacked in the room, we changed and headed to the Biosphere Tropical Pool, where it’s always 85 degrees. It’s truly a tropical oasis—a lush landscape of exotic plants and free-form pools that look like they were carved from rock, making you feel like you’ve landed in paradise. Furthermore, what makes it even more unique is the German Foiltec roofing system, which lets in 100% of the light, so you can soak up rays (yes, you need sunscreen even though it’s inside).

Enter an aquatic wonderland

The roof is retractable, and there’s swimming outside even when it’s snowing, much to my daughter’s delight, who loved floating in the ultra-warm pool while flakes fell around her. Also within the 10,000-square-foot complex is an underwater aquarium to watch fish swim by, lounge chairs to relax, a Mexican bar and restaurant, and a 140-ft waterslide. 

Relax or fill up your resort schedule

Throughout the weekend, we took advantage of the resort’s daily roster of activities, including goat yoga, axe throwing, a scavenger hunt, animal meet-and-greets, dive-in indoor movies, stargazing, and cute crafts. We did a few with the kids, including glice (aka synthetic ice) skating and my kids’ fave—spending time outdoors at the firepit making s’mores.

Over at Minerals, there are also a few other kid-friendly things to do, including a new rock climbing wall and a renovated game room and arcade. The resort is also an 8-minute drive to Mountain Creek, with the largest snow tubing and skiing trails in New Jersey and other four-season activities, like hiking, biking, zip-lining, and a water park.  

Dining with a mountain view at Grand Cascades Lodge. Photo Credit: NJ MOM

Quick bites, family-style, and fine dining at Crystal Springs Resort

We are always happy to dine at the resort for their top-notch food and because it’s very family-friendly with kids’ menus and views my kids loved looking at while eating. There are over 15 places to grab a bite between Grand Cascades Lodge and Minerals, have a sit-down meal, or engage in a full-on gourmet experience, and they all feature ingredients from local farms. Our family favorites include Crystal Tavern, with a locally sourced menu and spectacular mountain views (we dined here the most); Kites Restaurant at Minerals, featuring eclectic menu options; and Owen’s Pub, with Scottish fare.

When you want grab-and-go, there’s Zinc Cafe with sandwiches and Rosebud Roasters for delicious lattes and coffee drinks. If you’re lucky enough to bring extended family, like us, or have a weekend away from the kids, Restaurant Latour is a must. The award-winning restaurant features seasonal, modern, and stylish cooking utilizing locally sourced ingredients and is one of NJ’s top restaurants. During summer, we look forward to dining al fresco on the charming Chef’s Garden patio, where each dish incorporates produce picked from the neighboring garden. 

Savoring world-class wines in a special spot

For wine connoisseurs, The Wine Cellar is an underground stone structure with nine chambers that house some of the world’s best wines. Featuring 6,000 labels, The Wine Cellar has received the Wine Spectator Grand Award every year since 2006 and offers tours, tastings, and a dine-in experience. We enjoyed a tasting where you could take notes and savor red and white vintages showcasing their extensive collection. It was a treat to try niche wines from around the world, and we found a few favorites in this unique, wine-centric setting with a European chateau feel. 

Late-night fun at the Cabaret

My husband and I enjoyed some adult experiences alone, with a special dinner and an evening at the Crystal Cabaret. The swanky lounge experience features a singer, musicians, and a comedian in a supper-club-like setting, with cocktails and fondue. We had a blast kicking back, and the experience was a highlight. We loved that there was entertainment within the resort, and it felt like we were in a NYC nightclub.

Schedule a spa day or a tee time

During the day, we treated ourselves to a couple’s massage at the Reflections Spa and to a foot bath in the relaxation room with champagne and chocolate. Although it was pure bliss to spend this alone time together, knowing my kids were also having a blast with their grandparents was the real icing on the cake. Some activities we want to try when it gets warmer are playing golf at one of 6 championship golf courses or working on our game at their on-site academy.

We could also let loose with basketball, pickleball, or personal training, and there’s always a calendar of special events and activities around holidays and seasons. We find that each visit feels like a whole new experience with new activities or things we haven’t been able to do before. And the fact that we all had a relaxing and fun time—kids, parents, and grandparents—makes this our go-to vacation spot whenever we need to get away. 

FAQs

Is Crystal Springs open all year?

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