Hillcrest Lodge in Lake Wales, FL

Pros

• The new owners have created a great, quiet, and peaceful place with wonderful views.
• Families and guests can enjoy amazing times at the lakefront beach area and around the fire pit near the lake.
• Overall, it is a great place to live.
• It is a beautiful place to visit in Central Florida with outstanding lakeside views.
• The new ownership has made it a great-looking place, perfect for events.
• It is a nice, safe place to live.
• It is a beautiful place with several apartments and a few houses, featuring a large clubhouse, and it is full of history with a breathtaking view.
• It is a beautiful, quiet lakefront community that is ideal for boating and fishing.
• The property includes a boat ramp and a small beach area, and offers spacious cottages at decent prices.
• It is a place where neighbors look out for one another, like family, and where residents can find help, peace, tranquility, and privacy.

Cons

• The place is completely run down and a dump; it needs to be sold and rebuilt.
• There are snobby people with no manners or respect.
• The owner is mean.
• The place is horrible; no one should rent in this dump.
• The owners don't care about anything; there are rats and roaches, spiders and snakes.
• Landlords don't fix anything and are rude and nasty; it is the worst place in the world.

Review

Hillcrest Lodge in Lake Wales, Florida is best suited for budget-conscious adults and families who prize a lakeside setting, a quiet, home-like atmosphere, and a sense of history. The property mix - lakefront apartments and cottages with a simple clubhouse, a small beach area, and a boat ramp - creates a low-stress, outdoor-friendly routine. For households that want affordable, private space and daily access to boating or fishing without the trappings of a modern resort, Hillcrest Lodge can be a strong, value-driven choice. The scenery is the anchor, and the opportunity to gather around a lakefront fireside makes it feel like a true neighborhood rather than a managed development.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are the ones who require consistent maintenance, polished amenities, and reliably pleasant interactions with management. Reviews reveal a split experience: some tenants describe a rude or disengaged owner, with assertions that repairs lag or never arrive, and pests in some units. The social climate can feel uneven as well, with a few readers reporting snobbery or a cloistered vibe among residents. If maximum predictability, professional management, and a consistently clean, pest-free environment are non-negotiables, this community is unlikely to satisfy those expectations.

The strongest positives center on location and lifestyle fit. The lakeside views consistently win praise, and the presence of a boat ramp and small beach area expands outdoor living options beyond the door. New ownership is cited as a hopeful sign - there are mentions of a refreshed look, a quieter atmosphere, and a sense that the property can host events and gatherings. For families and retirees who value privacy, tranquility, and opportunities to enjoy water-based recreation without paying premium resort prices, these attributes can deliver meaningful daily benefits that silence some of the cosmetic gaps.

Yet the drawbacks are meaningful and should be weighed carefully. Maintenance reliability and pest control emerge as recurrent themes in the reviews, with some tenants describing slow or absent repairs, and others reporting pests such as rats or insects. The characterization of management as unfriendly or indifferent compounds the risk, particularly for residents who depend on quick remediation or clear communication. A few reviews frame the property as historically intriguing but emotionally unsettled, which can feel off-putting for newcomers seeking a straightforward, welcoming entry into senior living or family-ready occupancy.

The pros offset the cons most decisively when the community is managed with transparency and a steady hand, and when residents are comfortable rallying around a shared space rather than relying on a perfect, polished facility. The allure of lakefront living and a tight-knit vibe can prevail for households willing to endure occasional upkeep challenges if the new ownership maintains momentum on upgrades and response times. Prospective renters should demand a concrete maintenance plan, a pest control schedule, and verifiable examples of prompt service from current tenants. If the new owners sustain the improvements and foster a respectful, inclusive atmosphere, Hillcrest Lodge can become a reliable, enjoyable home base that leverages its waterfront appeal.

Bottom line: Hillcrest Lodge rewards those who want affordable, lakefront living and a quiet, community-oriented setting enough to overlook imperfect maintenance and an occasionally uneven social climate. It is less suitable for families or individuals who demand pristine conditions, consistently proactive management, and a uniformly welcoming culture. For anyone considering this community, approach with a checklist: confirm maintenance timelines, request pest-control history, and seek candid feedback from several current residents about everyday operations and the leadership team. When those questions are answered affirmatively, the lakefront promise - and the sense of belonging it can deliver - becomes a credible, practical foundation for a stable, low-stress lifestyle.

This area of Lake Wales, Florida, offers a convenient location with easy access to essential services and amenities. Close proximity to Holy Spirit Catholic Church provides a spiritual community for those seeking religious services. The nearby hospitals, such as Lake Wales Medical Center, offer quality healthcare options for residents. Several dining options are available within a short distance, including fast food chains like Burger King and family restaurants like Manny's Chop House. Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens are easily accessible for prescription needs. The Regal Eagle Ridge Mall theater offers entertainment options for seniors looking to catch a movie. Overall, this area provides a comfortable and convenient living environment for seniors in Lake Wales.

Places of Worship

• Holy Spirit Catholic Church (0.3 miles)
• Winter Haven Worship Center (10.2 miles)

Physicians

• Advanced Interventional (0.4 miles)
• Heart Of Florida Ob/Gyn Associates (0.4 miles)
• Central Florida Cancer Institute (0.7 miles)
• Caroline C Honculada MD Pa (0.9 miles)
• Dr Oropeza's Office (0.9 miles)
• Allam Mahesh G, MD (0.9 miles)
• Royal Palm Orthopedics (0.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Burger King (0.7 miles)
• Lake Wales Family Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• Mannys Chop House (1 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (1.1 miles)
• Junior's Fish Market (1.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• The Apothecary Shop (0.8 miles)
• Sweetbay Supermarket (1 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (5.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Lake Wales Medical Center (0.8 miles)
• Mpn Medical Center Dundee (9.3 miles)
• Day Surgery Center (11 miles)
• Winter Haven Hospital Cath Lab (11.2 miles)
• Regency Medical Center (12 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Eagle Ridge Mall (4.7 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (9.7 miles)