Finding a balance when living in NYC is something many of us urban-dwellers strive for. Between demanding schedules, noise, crowds, and of course rodents, the city can be overwhelming, to say the least. We’d all love to fly out to the Carribbean or escape to LA or even the Hamptons on a regular basis, but even getting to those places can take many hours of either flying or sitting in traffic. So, when I got the chance to escape to Crystal Springs Resort ( an easy 1 hour and 15 minute drive outside the city), I jumped on the opportunity. Not only is getting there a breeze, but the resort itself is stellar. To say we had an amazing, relaxing experience is an understatement!
For starters the grounds are massive and include three separate resorts surrounded by rolling hills and golf courses. The best part is even though there were plenty of people there, the property is so spread out, it was truly relaxing and not crowded. We could actually enjoy the facilities and restaurants without long waits or lines which was extremely refreshing.
We stayed at the Grand Cascades Lodge, their premier 4 diamond luxury resort where we were treated to a 1 bedroom penthouse suite with a sprawling view that overlooked the gorgeous grounds. Our suite included a large balcony, fullsize kitchen, living room, and large bathroom with a separate tub and shower. (In other words, it was larger than most NYC apartments!) The resort boasts several restaurants including the new American Crystal Tavern, the French Restaurant Letour, and the adorable Chef’s Garden, which overlooks a beautiful garden of herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables. We ate at Crystal Tavern and Chef’s Garden -both which were excellent in taste and service. (We recommend the flat breads at Chef’s Garden and the kale Caesar salad, the hot wings and waffles, and tuna tartare at Crystal Tavern.)

As far as entertainment, there is plenty to do at Crystal Springs. For the golfers out there, they have 4 massive golf courses that spread across the property. In fact, they are the 3rd largest golf resort in the world! So, if you love golfing, you will love Crystal Springs. If you’re more into lounging and grabbing a drink, you can layout by their Vista 180 infinity pool that overlooks the golf courses while sipping on one of their delicious craft cocktails. Or you can explore their Biosphere pool which includes a large indoor/outdoor pool, hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, fire pits, and even a fish tank!
Most importantly, this resort is relaxing. It’s a true oasis with lush grounds, a peaceful vibe, and a patient, friendly staff. We really left there feeling rejuvenated and pampered. We will definitely be going back for our next escape from the city. It’s close, luxurious, relaxing, and the perfect way to decompress without having to stress yourself out with too much travel. Crystal Springs Resort is definitely the tri-state area’s best kept secret!
To book your staycation, call 844.826.4661
Crystal Springs Resort
1 Wild Turkey Way