Yenny Passanante
Google
Mixed Experience – Good Water Park, But very Disappointing Hotel Stay
If we had only come for the water park, this review would be much more positive. The park itself is nicely designed, and we really appreciated that a generous portion of it is under a covered area—great for Florida weather. However, we chose to stay at the hotel as well, and unfortunately, that decision negatively impacted our overall experience.
The room was very clean, but it had a strong and unpleasant odor, similar to a sulfur or “fart” smell. The mattress was clearly old and uncomfortable—every move caused loud creaking, and when my husband shifted, the bed dipped so much it pulled me down too. The pillows were thin, hard, and provided no support. I woke up with neck and back pain from how uncomfortable everything was.
To make things worse, we were woken up at 12:30 a.m. by two staff members having a very loud conversation right outside our room. I called guest services for assistance, but no one answered, which was concerning—what if it had been an emergency? I ended up opening the door and politely letting them know I could hear them. One of them did apologize, and they left, but by then, the night was already ruined.
Another frustrating detail: the water park doesn’t open until the same time you’re required to check out, which is incoherent. If guests are paying to stay in the hotel for the purpose of enjoying the park, early access should be offered.
The silver lining was that I called to express my concerns in the morning, and the person I spoke with was very understanding. She granted us a late checkout so we could still enjoy the park for a little while, which I really appreciated.
Aside from the two staff members who disrupted the night and whoever failed to answer the phone, the rest of the staff was excellent. The lifeguards were focused and took their responsibilities seriously. Sandra, who works in breakfast and maintenance, was kind and attentive, and the front desk associate who assisted with the late checkout was professional and empathetic.
This place has so much potential. The water park is fun and well laid out, and the hotel has a smart structure—but updates are urgently needed. The beds, mattresses, and pillows should be replaced, and the pool surfaces are rough and could use refinishing.
We won’t return to the hotel, but we might visit the water park again. With a few key improvements, this could be a fantastic destination.