Hillcrest Lake Villas — Hotel in Abita Springs

I am somewhat biased in giving this place the extra star rather than 2/5 stars. I Stayed here once every July since I can remember with so many memories. My unbiased, accurate description: Over the last twenty or some odd years, Hillcrest Lake Villas has degenerated into an uninspired drift of stagnant drudgery awaiting its looming demise. Allow me to articulate with some context.

Lilies and alligators took over the "Lake" in the mid-2000s. It's not a lake anymore; it's more like a swamp, with an unshaded boardwalk that has about a half-inch gap between each piece of 2x4. I dropped my phone, and it landed between the large openings on the pier over the "lake."

The pool was relocated and upgraded into a superior model pool next to the receptionist's office. The pool's original location has been filled and is now a stagnating children's play area. The location of the pool lacks privacy.

The golf course is gone, and that was a primary attraction for all kinds of people, and that is why I don't believe this place is in the most solvent position.

If you stay here, be sure to get an upstairs room or a room away from other vacationers as the walls and ceilings are paper-thin from the buildings being so old.

I wish I were wrong here, as I have fond summers with my family, but it's the...

Very bad service. The WiFi was our for all of the guests but the office WiFi was magically always up and running. When I asked them if I could connect to their office WiFi the lady argued with me saying they didn’t even have WiFi. I legit had to pull out my phone and show her the WiFi in her office. Her associate then stopped in and told me I couldn’t use their WiFi for security reasons (totally understandable) They argue with their customer, give each person 1 toilet paper roll for a week and make you pay for another if you run out. The pool isn’t heated which means you can’t use it half of the year during the cold season. The grounds are upkept but the gravel roads and parking look like they’re in terrible shape. The decor in each room is from your grandmothers parlour. Overall I would give this place 1/10 due to the overall experience with the rooms and staffs attitude. Maybe this is a 4 star place to some but...

We enjoyed our stay! As others have mentioned, the units and facilities are somewhat dated and in need of funds, but we had a great time once we aligned with what the neighborhood and resort had to offer. We were coming directly from a 5-star hotel in NOLA, so we did get some complaints from our California-raised teenager 😉 Clean and quiet units, friendly locals, peaceful greenery for walks, Abita Springs Farmers markets, Flatwoods Preserve, plenty of cafes and restaurants in Abita Springs, Covington and Mandeville, books, shrimp and sausage from Roush's market ...... Would recommend at least a...