I visited Great Wolf Lodge for the first time with my husband, and the $400-a-night stay was totally worth it

The elaborately themed property instantly reminded me of my favorite Disney World hotels.

The lobby was filled with immersive, wilderness-inspired decor. There were even character mascots greeting guests and we could watch a show with animatronic characters.

Upon checking in, we were given a complimentary pair of wolf ears. This was a fun touch that I wasn't expecting.

The resort has a large range of room sizes, including uniquely themed suites that fit up to eight guests.

We were impressed by our $400-a-night suite's size. It included a king bed and even had a separate living-room area. The modern furnishings and forest theme further added to the escapism.

I've stayed at a lot of resorts across the country, and this one was significantly bigger than anything I've seen.

Although Great Wolf Lodge offers a day pass for the water park anyone can buy separately, full-service hotel guests have unlimited access — a perk that we looked forward to.

The water park, which is located steps from the hotel rooms, housed cozy seating, slides, interactive playscapes, a restaurant, bars, and more.

By arriving right when the facility opened, we got to experience the attractions without lines. We loved the slides and the wave pool, which had wolf-howl sounds that ignited the waves.

Crowds poured in as the day went on, but we had no trouble finding seating.

The outdoor activities included a large pool with a poolside bar. We spent a good amount of time enjoying the sunshine and cocktails.

The food at the water park was basic — chicken fingers and burgers — but delicious. Plus, the ordering process was seamless.

My husband and I split a cheeseburger for lunch, and it was delicious.

I was surprised by the number of dining options at the hotel. The offerings ranged from pizza and ice cream to full-service dining and bars.

We spent an evening at Lodge Wood Fired Grill, where we ordered cocktails and an amazing soft pretzel. For breakfast, we dined at the Loose Moose Cottage, a buffet that featured breakfast staples like biscuits and gravy.

We spent most of our time around the water park but made sure to take advantage of other activities.

There were lots of fun options on the property like laser tag, mini golf, a ropes course, bowling, and an arcade.

MagiQuest — an interactive game that transforms the resort into a playing field — is a Great Wolf Lodge staple. But I didn't know what it was until I visited.

The live-action, role-play concept is similar to a scavenger hunt but even better.

The game costs $17 and guests who buy a $20 to $25 wand with sensor technology can interact with set pieces around the common areas. There are special actions like opening a chest or fighting a dragon.

Activities are available à la carte, but we ended up purchasing a bundle pass that saved us money in the long run.

The packages are available in three levels: Wolf Pass ($100), Paw Pass ($80), and Pup Pass ($60). We chose the mid-level Paw Pass option because it included most of the activities we were interested in, including MagicQuest, bowling, and mini golf.

There's also a dining pass available for those looking for an all-inclusive experience, but we opted to purchase food à la carte and share between the two of us.

In comparison to water parks I've visited across the US, this held up to some of the very best. I can definitely see myself coming back.

Although Great Wolf Lodge is largely known as a destination for families with kids, there was plenty for us to do as adults. I enjoyed the wilderness theme — it felt like a true vacation.

With everything under one roof, I also loved that we could stay put once we arrived. Unlike a traditional theme-park vacation, this required very little planning on our behalf, which was a bonus.