NJ Resort Provides Plenty Of Diversions From Everyday Concerns

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A resort in New Jersey has plenty to offer travelers who want a diversion from everyday problems, including one Long Island resident whose home was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. NY1's Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.

Marty Miller of Long Beach, New York is boarding a shuttle from Grand Cascades Lodge, where he’s staying, to Mountain Creek to take advantage of his season pass to the Northern New Jersey ski area.

It’s a quick getaway from a harsh reality that was visited upon him last fall when he nearly lost his house to Hurricane Sandy.

"My wife and I had been sleeping on an air mattress for the last month," he says. "She's pretty frazzled and hasn’t been sleeping well, and in fact, she’s still here at the hotel upstairs just enjoying the bed at the moment."

While Miller points his ski tips downhill, his wife heads in another direction altogether.

"I thought it would be a nice touch for her to treat her to some spa time for a few days shortly before we were ready to move back into our home," he says.

Given the proximity of the resort, just over an hour from Manhattan, the luxuriously-appointed Grand Cascades Lodge has harbored many Hurricane Sandy refugees seeking a bit of pampering.

Besides the Reflections spa, there’s the Biosphere, an indoor oasis with water slides and hidden pools shaded with overgrown vegetation that can trick you into thinking you’re in the tropics.

Grand Cascades Lodge is part of the Crystal Springs destination area, which offers a selection of accommodations, restaurants, golf courses and activities.

Among the winter packages include Winter Wednesdays, where staying on hump day results in two free lift tickets.

The resort offers plenty of diversions to get your mind off everyday concerns of any magnitude.

"This is a vacation from Sandy," Miller says. "We're having a wonderful time here. It's a great way to decompress, get the last of the stress out and get ready to move back into our home."

For more information, go to crystalgolfresort.com.

As is common practice in the travel industry, Travel With Val often receives complimentary travel or reduced "media" rates at hotels, resorts and attractions, including those that may be featured in these reports. Such consideration is not taken in exchange for any express or implied promise or understanding of any nature, particularly regarding the content of these reports. These reports only feature travel providers personally recommended by Valarie D’Elia in the exercise of her independent editorial judgment, and do not represent the endorsement of Time Warner Cable or any third party.