Cascades at Winstar — Attraction in Gainesville

Average rating because overall it was enjoyable, but I feel like the price is too high for what you get. The pools are nice and enjoyable. Stunning views! The staff were also very kind. I liked that I had a chair specifically reserved for me. We got the basic lounge chairs with umbrella. There are two lounge chairs per umbrella. I found out on the second day that there is a little tray that pulls out from each chair to use as a table. The cost is $30/day for a reservation, per person. Half-day options are also available for $15. The pools are absolutely stunning and the landscaping is done beautifully. I took a beautiful picture of the sunset from the 21+ area. I also absolutely love that the upper three pools are for 21+. Is very enjoyable, not to have any screaming and splashing when I just wanted to relax. I went in the evening and it was less busy. The lifeguards were all very nice and each pool, but they did seem a little bit bored. I like that they do have showers to rinse off, but, it’s all the way by the front outside and there were only three of them for the entire place. The little rinse off showers, do provide shampoo and conditioner, however, there’s absolutely no place to set your items down. Be very careful with your items, as the showers overflow and your items will get sopping wet. I set my cell phone and towel and other items just down by the little barrier wall in front of the showers on the ground and they ended up getting sopping wet. The rinse off showers are cold. Considering that they do provide shampoo and conditioner, it would be nice if they would at least provide, warm water to rinse off with. The swimming pools are also very cold during the evening. I did not realize that you were supposed to tip the young man who takes you to your chair and set the towels out. I was told that an average tip should be five dollars, but it is not required for the young person that set the towels on your chair. Was not busy when we went and there were multiple people behind the bar working. It took a very long time to get the drinks. Probably 15 minutes for just three drinks. I don’t really understand the hold up, but was told that it was because the bartenders just kept hanging out and talking to each other instead of making the drinks. At no time, did we have anyone offer any food or beverage at our chairs. We never saw an attendant come around and ask if we needed anything. Maybe because it wasn’t very busy when we went so they must’ve just assumed that if we were hungry, we had to go to the bar to order it. It seemed like overall they are very nice, but a lot of them literally just standing around doing absolutely nothing. They just looked super bored like they had absolutely nothing to do. With the exception of the lifeguards who were stationed at every single pool, even if nobody was in the pool. I did go by the terrace pool and it was still extremely full as most people are still choosing just to go to that pool I think so due to the cost. It is such a bummer because they are beautiful and would be so nice if more people could enjoy it. The price is absolutely too high, especially for larger families. I don’t really know if the family pools would be really fun for the kids because although it is pretty, there’s nothing playful for the kids at Cascades. 3 things that Would make cascades more enjoyable….. Lower the cost. Add more showers with WARM water and it would be nice if there was a changing area other than the bathroom stall. Also, add a little table or a little shelf along the little barrier wall at the outside showers, so that people have a place to put their items. Also, please add some hooks so that people can hang their towel instead of having to put their towel on the wet ground, and then try to wrap it around their body. I was extremely shocked that such a simple thing as a hook to hang your towel on was missing. Extend your hours, even if it is just by one hour. Closing at 8 o’clock is just way too early. I’m excited to try it out again next...

SUMMARY: Yes I recommend visiting, but do your research before you go, pre-order your seats in advance, and give the staff some grace because some of them seem to still be in training. SCENARIO OF OUR VISIT: Two adults, we pre-registered for our “Lounge Chairs”. You pay half the cost online as a deposit when you pre-register. [NOTE: each type of chair is a different price tier. We chose the cheapest price of chair.] When you have a reservation, the check-in process goes fast when you get to the counter. People without a reservation stood there a while with a lot of questions. Staff walked us to our seats and they laid out the towels for us and our server came by to introduce herself. Attentive service most of the time, it depends on the staff. USING THE POOLS: Once you’re inside, no matter what seat you have, you can visit all the pools and walk around the entire area. There are three pools that are for ages 21 and up. During our stay, the kids did not enter that area and so I was glad it was controlled. We were able to order food and we were told we can eat it anywhere we want, even eat while in the pool. AMENETIES/PRO’S: Shop area in the entrance with sunscreen, suits, hats, etc. Multiple restrooms. Water fountain and water refill stations. Every assigned seat has shade of some sort such as an umbrella or covering (size and amenities vary). Six pools. Lounge chairs in the water that are first-come-first-serve. Chairs in the water in one of the 21+ pools that is right next to a bar. Seating area for eating food or relaxing, first-come-first-serve, which is under the shade. Menu has a variety of food and did not take very long to arrive. Pretty foliage. Crystal clean pools. One of the pools is 8-inches deep the whole way through so it’s more for sitting or lounging in it, or for little kids. Wheelchair friendly and some of the pools have ramps into the pools if you can’t do stairs. Music is low-key but audible during the day, and we experienced some music from a DJ that started mid-day and it was a great mix of music. CONS: No hot tubs. No public showers. No changing area unless you’re okay changing in a bathroom. Music from the DJ was too loud in some areas. No pool toys allowed (but we saw kids breaking that rule, and staff let them. No swimsuit dryers (like the ones in the Winstar Spa). They can close for bad weather, and they don't give refunds...

Visited on 4th of July and rented a premium cabana. We were situated (#40) next to the rainfall on the backside of one of the bars. Very nice spot as the pool almost felt private in the morning. Positives: large complex, pools are clean, NO KIDS IN 21+, our morning waitress, Latavia, was absolutely awesome—she made us feel at home. The frozen drinks were really good in the sun. Buckets of beer delivered without opening all of them, an absolute plus! Very quick food and beverage service. Lots of servers, and lots of lifeguards. Negatives: line for entry was long, 30 minutes (perhaps a dedicated cabana line would be nice). When paying for the remainder of our cabana there was a tip option, but this is tip only for the pool services NOT food and beverage—I am not sure why I would tip 18% on pool service ESPECIALLY when there were NO towels at the cabana, and our WAITRESS (who is tipped on separate check) had to bring us towels. Interesting that cabanas do not list towel service. Website says dedicated food and beverage server, but seems the dedication is for the entire pool area you’re in. Cabana was a bit dirty, spilled liquids on counters, as well as debris on shelves. Attempted to open a cabinet, but many of the cabinets were broken. We were able to finally figure out fans, but then another cabana had a technician work on something and then our lights and fans turned off. Could never figure out how to get the TV turned on. We also ordered chicken tenders and the beef quesadilla. Chicken tenders were juicy, but the batter was not crispy and the texture was rubbery, like a thin hard pancake. French fries with this were soggy, but seasoned well. The quesadilla had lots of flavor and the steak inside was tender. If we did 1/2 day we wouldn’t order food. You could not hear the music at our cabana, not sure if it’s louder on the weekend, but the music level was annoyingly low for us. They did allow us to use a speaker, with the understanding we may have to turn off if complaints lodged.

Overall, for a special occasion, worth it to splurge ($400) on the premium cabana. We were crispy by 3, and decided if we go again, daybeds in the 21+ area would...