SmarterTravel Spotlight: The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark

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Indoor waterparks have been all the rage lately, and I recently had the opportunity to visit my first on a weekend in May. I was pleasantly surprised at how amazing it was. Staying at the same location as the waterpark was insanely convenient. My kids not only loved the waterpark, but they were delighted with their fun bunk room (and my son was stoked to sleep on a top bunk for the first time). From the comfort of our room, the delicious meals, to the fun-filled memories we made at the waterpark, the Kartrite made for the perfect family getaway. 

Location: Monticello, New York

The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Water Park is located in the Catskills of New York, in Monticello. Our drive there made it seem like it was in the middle of nowhere, but our hosts informed us that civilization was only five minutes away. It’s about ninety minutes from New York City, just over two and a half hours from Philadelphia, and three and a half hours from Boston. 

Property: The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark

The Kartrite is a spacious resort with a massive water park included in your stay. Outside the waterpark, there is also a giant arcade with traditional arcade games, a ropes course, VR experiences, and more. 

Amenities include:  

• Free WiFi
• Coffee Makers in every room
• Flat Screen Smart TV’s 
• Free on-site, off-street parking
• Four waterpark passes with every booking

Rooms: Everything You Need for A Comfortable Stay

The Kartrite has 324 of various types to suit your family’s needs. From their basic junior suite to a three-bedroom suite, whatever size party you have, they have you covered. The three-bedroom suite accommodates up to twelve guests- perfect for two families heading to the park together.

We stayed in a Family King Bunk Suite with a bunk room separate from the rest of the suite, perfect for our two kids. The main space was spacious, with a king-sized bed, sleeper couch, desk/table and coffee table. We had a good-sized balcony overlooking the courtyard, facing the water park. Every room has a sleeper sofa for guests, a coffee maker, a mini fridge, a microwave, an HD television, and four waterpark passes for each day of your stay. Three-bedroom suites have a separate kitchenette area with a large dining table. 

The Waterpark: Fun for The Whole Family

The 80,000-square-foot waterpark is massive and has rides and attractions that will satisfy everyone. My two-and-a-half-year-old absolutely loved Puddle Ducks, an area tucked away in a back corner of the water park just for toddlers. The water is ankle-deep, the slides are toddler-sized, and several features, such as spraying water scattered about the wading pool, are perfect for toddlers but not yet big enough for the other attractions. Parents are not allowed to use the slides, which makes it difficult for some kids, but most were able to get over any separation anxiety and have fun. I can’t tell you how many times my daughter went up the stairs and down the slide, over and over. The best part was it made bedtime in an unfamiliar place much easier! My five-year-old son was tall enough for all but one ride (the Nor’Easter) and had absolutely no qualms about going down the slides he was big enough for. I don’t know how many times he made the trek up the stairs to go down the slides (with mom or dad the lucky ones schlepping the mats or tubes up). He even loved the Jiggerty-Jaggerty, the kid-friendly area with a dump bucket, two traditional water slides (that parents can go down), and water spraying everywhere. My husband and I had just as much fun as the kids.

At one point, I suggested we try the lazy river, which was more like the “crazy” river- kids off of tubes, going against the flow, people trying to find a tube, absolute chaos, but my five-year-old loved it, and, admittedly, was one of the kids having fun off of a tube. We were lucky to get a private Flowrider session before the park opened, a stationary wave machine simulating surfing and bodyboarding. This is generally out of my comfort zone, but when I saw my five-year-old mastering it, I decided to give it a whirl, and it was a lot of fun! Only one person in the group (my husband) attempted to surf, and it was a challenge. 

We had a cabana on the second floor, overlooking the waterpark, and I recommend reserving one for your stay- it’s the perfect spot to decompress, get a bite to eat, change diapers, and change clothes. You can even order food and drinks from a server that comes to the cabana. Ground-level cabanas are $179/day, Upper mezzanine cabanas are $229/day, and the Birthday lower Cabana is $329/day. All include a mini-fridge with sodas and chips, as well as towels.

Dining at the Kartrite 

The Kartrite boasts seven unique dining options, from a sweet shop complete with cupcakes and candy to a sports bar—you can probably find it no matter what you are looking for. On the main floor, you’ll find Bixby’s, which serves a pub-like menu and has a separate bar area for delicious drinks. The Highline is also on the main floor and will be your go-to place for coffee, snacks, and a quick breakfast or lunch. It’s only open until 2, so be sure to get your fix in before it closes! Downstairs, you’ll find the sports bar, Harvey’s Wallbanger, where kids can run around and play as grown-ups enjoy a beverage watching their favorite sports team on tv.  Also downstairs is Eat. Eat. Eat., the ultimate breakfast stop with an all-you-can-eat buffet, and Pop’s Sweet, which has candy, ice cream, and yummy baked goods to satisfy your sweet tooth. The waterpark boasts the Surfside Grille and Bar Mez, which serve snacks, pizzas, and salads to enjoy between waterslides. 

Price & How to Book

Prices start at $169 and can be booked on Expedia. 

FAQ The Kartrite

Booking and Rates:

1. What are the nightly rates at the Kartrite? At the time of publication, the lowest price available was $169 per night. 
2. Does Kartrite offer any packages or deals? Kartrite does not offer packages, but every booking includes 4 waterpark passes, which are good the day of check-in and check-out.
3. What is the check-in and check-out time at the Kartrite? Check-in is 4:00 PM, and check-out time is 11:00 AM. 

Amenities and Activities:

4. What if there are more than four people at my party? Do they offer discounts on waterpark passes? Each additional guest over four people can purchase a waterpark pass for $75/night. 
5. What on-site dining options are available at Kartrite? There are seven restaurants, bars, and cafes on-site. 
6. Are there any spa services available at the Kartrite? There is no on-site spa.
7. Are pets allowed at Kartrite? Pets are not allowed at the Kartrite. 
8. Is there free Wi-Fi at the Kartrite? Yes, there is complimentary Wi-Fi. 
9. What if I just want to go to the waterpark and not stay at the hotel? Day passes to the waterpark are available, starting at $35 for a half day (3 pm-7 pm) on a weekday. 
10. What Time is the Waterpark open? The waterpark is open from 11 am-7 pm. 

Location and Accessibility:

11. How close is the Kartrite to New York City? The Kartrite is less than two hours from New York City.
12. Does the Kartrite offer parking for guests? Yes, there is ample parking for guests. 
13. Are the rooms ADA Accessible? Yes, the Kartrite does offer ADA Accessible accommodations.

Editor’s Note: The Kartrite hosted the writer of this story.

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