Wyndham resorts do not all smell the same! I am talking stuffy units, no fresh, clean smell to the unit upon arrival

[rickandcindy23]

I was finishing all of my reviews of Wyndham stays over the last six weeks, and the one thing I made note of at Panama City (Presidential 3 bedroom), Nashville 2 bedroom, and Villa Ricca, Georgia, 2 bedroom, was the lack of a clean smell. The units smelled stuffy. So stuffy, in fact, that we went to the store to buy plug-in deodorizers for the rooms and took them with us to the other resorts.

If Wyndham is not using a cleaner that has any smell for allergy reasons, then I am going to notice the lack of a clean smell. I have never experienced this at any Marriott, Sheraton, Westin or Disney, or even WorldMark or Shell.

I know a lot of you probably think that is picky, but when I walk into Bonnet Creek, it smells clean. The other one that we thought smelled and looked clean was Fairfield Bay, Fairways was the specific area where we stayed. It was an extremely pleasant smell, and it was remodeled and looked nice everywhere. So comfortable, and I want to go again, when we can enjoy the area a little more.

Has anyone else noticed the stuffy, not-clean smell in these units? Nashville was pretty and arguably one of the nicest resorts we have stayed, even just the standard 2 bedroom, but even that one didn't smell clean.

 

[FirstMarie]

Not at Ocean Boulevard. Him: What's that perfume? Me: That's the Wyndham smell!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Not at Ocean Boulevard. Him: What's that perfume? Me: That's the Wyndham smell!

I think if you go to a Wyndham that's been sitting vacant, the stuffiness is there. I think that is why Bonnet Creek always smells nice, because it's turned over pretty often and cleaned often.

Panama City, we opened the patio doors and let the fresh air in, but at night it was right back to stuffy after a while. I wish they would put screen doors on all oceanfront units. It would be nice to leave the doors open.

 

[jackio]

I am allergic to most scents, and get migraines from a lot of cleaning products, especially Carpet Fresh and Febreeze. I would rather have a stuffiness and open windows. I cannot tolerate moldy smells, however. HGVC Seaworld has the master tub on a carpeted area. We have stayed in 3 different units and all of them smelled moldy in that area.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am allergic to most scents, and get migraines from a lot of cleaning products, especially Carpet Fresh and Febreeze. I would rather have a stuffiness and open windows. I cannot tolerate moldy smells, however. HGVC Seaworld has the master tub on a carpeted area. We have stayed in 3 different units and all of them smelled moldy in that area.

Oh, ick!

 

[HitchHiker71]

Some resorts and luxury hotels use commercial HVAC scent diffusers. The Margaritaville resorts are known for this, using various scents developed over time. We actually like it. We were just at MVC PR and asked them about this and they openly admit to using diffusers at this particular resort. The scent they were using while we were there, I think was called "Only the Ocean" or something similar. I think resorts that have no carpet in the units and have been more recently updated, like MVC PR, suffer less from the dank/stuffy smells type issues overall.

We definitely notice the dank/stuffy smells in some older units that haven't been updated in a long time - like in the non-Crestview units up at Wyndham Shawnee for example.

 

[HitchHiker71]

I know a lot of you probably think that is picky, but when I walk into Bonnet Creek, it smells clean. The other one that we thought smelled and looked clean was Fairfield Bay, Fairways was the specific area where we stayed. It was an extremely pleasant smell, and it was remodeled and looked nice everywhere. So comfortable, and I want to go again, when we can enjoy the area a little more.

Has anyone else noticed the stuffy, not-clean smell in these units? Nashville was pretty and arguably one of the nicest resorts we have stayed, even just the standard 2 bedroom, but even that one didn't smell clean.

I wonder if BC uses HVAC scent diffusion. It's one of the premier Wyndham resorts so it wouldn't surprise me if they did. I'm glad to hear Nashville was so nice - we haven't been there just yet but it's on our bucket list to get there. What made it one of the nicest resorts in your estimate? Are there different sections at Wyndham Nashville?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Updated units do smell better, in general, but Nashville was updated pretty recently, gorgeous tans and even browns and golds, and it was stuffy, but I think it's that the furnace is running in January, and maybe the furnace filter?

Still, Villa Ricca needs some updates and major airing out. Even the linens were thin and not luxurious like they are at the other resorts.

Rick was surprised at the very small television in the master bedroom at Panama City. The master is gigantic, and the TV was way, way far away, and it was about a 36" TV. Boy, are we spoiled.

Fairfield Bay, Fairways, such a nice place to stay, and the TV in the master was huge.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wonder if BC uses HVAC scent diffusion. It's one of the premier Wyndham resorts so it wouldn't surprise me if they did. I'm glad to hear Nashville was so nice - we haven't been there just yet but it's on our bucket list to get there. What made it one of the nicest resorts in your estimate? Are there different sections at Wyndham Nashville?

I don't know about different sections. We just had a regular 2 bedroom, and everything was just beautiful. Our daughter said it had been recently updated because pictures don't show the same decor. I should look at Wyndham's site and see if they are what we saw.

I think the darker golds and browns are coming back in style. Not that I would want that at Shearwater or Bali Hai, but at Nashville, it was just so plush and pretty. The sofa was comfortable for sitting a while, but we mostly just stayed 1-2 nights and then went back on the road. It was a driving trip.

 

[chapjim]

I don't recall any lingering stuffiness in any Wyndham resort. I was much more upset about the baby's pacifier that was made up in the bed in the MBR. Don't recall where that was -- probably a good thing!

 

[HitchHiker71]

Updated units do smell better, in general, but Nashville was updated pretty recently, gorgeous tans and even browns and golds, and it was stuffy, but I think it's that the furnace is running in January, and maybe the furnace filter?

Still, Villa Ricca needs some updates and major airing out. Even the linens were thin and not luxurious like they are at the other resorts.

Rick was surprised at the very small television in the master bedroom at Panama City. The master is gigantic, and the TV was way, way far away, and it was about a 36" TV. Boy, are we spoiled.

Fairfield Bay, Fairways, such a nice place to stay, and the TV in the master was huge.

Yeah the resort manager at MVC PR mentioned they were planning to start resort renovations later this year - we were kinda surprised given the one bedroom deluxe oceanview unit we were in seemed pretty up-to-date to us and we really liked the decor and the bright open design - but one of the explicit improvements he mentioned was the need to install newer technology and bigger screens. I'd guess the LED TVs in both the living room and master bedroom were 40" best estimate - I think they were both the same size but I could be wrong. Either way, not large by today's standards. I'd guess they will have 50”+ screens after the renovations.

 

[Jan M.]

I am allergic to most scents, and get migraines from a lot of cleaning products, especially Carpet Fresh and Febreeze. I would rather have a stuffiness and open windows. I cannot tolerate moldy smells, however. HGVC Seaworld has the master tub on a carpeted area. We have stayed in 3 different units and all of them smelled moldy in that area.

There's a lot of people who have problems like this. In addition to the headache from scents, deodorizing products, cleaning product smells and mold, they also trigger my asthma.

The first thing we do when we get in our unit is start airing the unit out. If there aren't patio/balcony doors, outside front doors or windows that open we get the AC running.

Most scented products really aren't healthy for anyone! There are some deodorizing and unscented products that are safer to use than others.

Check out the Environmental Working Group website to lean more about the harmful chemicals in many of the different products on the market. And which products are healthier to use.

www.ewg.org

 

[jackio]

There's a lot of people who have problems like this. In addition to the headache from scents, deodorizing products, cleaning product smells and mold, they also trigger my asthma.

The first thing we do when we get in our unit is start airing the unit out. If there aren't patio/balcony doors, outside front doors or windows that open we get the AC running.

Most scented products really aren't healthy for anyone! There are some deodorizing and unscented products that are safer to use than others.

Check out the Environmental Working Group website to lean more about the harmful chemicals in many of the different products on the market. And which products are healthier to use.

www.ewg.org

Thank you!

 

[rickandcindy23]

I wonder if Fairfield Plantation in Villa Ricca is planning any kind of update. The kitchen was fine, but the small tables in the living and bedrooms and the lack of technology in those units was so obvious. Few outlets were even available, all were being used, so we had to unplug unused lamps to get our phones charged. I think the TV in both rooms were maybe 30 inches. Super small TV's and really odd looking furnishings. The bed was not Wyndham's comfortable bed, either. The flooring in the kitchen and hallway to the door was laminate, and it was splitting and coming away from the wall, and the door and the entire hallway were beaten up.

When we were in the Fairfield Plantation area, it was still so impressive, a nice big community with mixed housing and it was very reminiscent of Pagosa Springs with the varied houses along with the timeshares/ condos. You can tell that the units were designed by the same architect because the Pagosa Springs Eagle Loft units are identical to some of them at Fairfield Plantation. We didn't get those units, we had a building across from those units, and we were on the bottom floor, below the main floor where the elevator was located. We had a beautiful view of the lake, but alas, we had to leave to get on the road and couldn't enjoy it, and it was too cold to be on that pretty deck, anyway.

I don't think I would stay there again until they updated the units.

 

[b2bailey]

I have a friend who nearly gags at scents which I consider pleasant.
If it is intentional to have no odor, she would like it

 

[b2bailey]

I wonder if Fairfield Plantation in Villa Ricca is planning any kind of update. The kitchen was fine, but the small tables in the living and bedrooms and the lack of technology in those units was so obvious. Few outlets were even available, all were being used, so we had to unplug unused lamps to get our phones charged. I think the TV in both rooms were maybe 30 inches. Super small TV's and really odd looking furnishings. The bed was not Wyndham's comfortable bed, either. The flooring in the kitchen and hallway to the door was laminate, and it was splitting and coming away from the wall, and the door and the entire hallway were beaten up.

When we were in the Fairfield Plantation area, it was still so impressive, a nice big community with mixed housing and it was very reminiscent of Pagosa Springs with the varied houses along with the timeshares/ condos. You can tell that the units were designed by the same architect because the Pagosa Springs Eagle Loft units are identical to some of them at Fairfield Plantation. We didn't get those units, we had a building across from those units, and we were on the bottom floor, below the main floor where the elevator was located. We had a beautiful view of the lake, but alas, we had to leave to get on the road and couldn't enjoy it, and it was too cold to be on that pretty deck, anyway.

I don't think I would stay there again until they updated the units.

Your description sounds as I remember ten years ago. I'm thinking these resorts lack the funds required to update. Perhaps Wyndham should be honest and label them as sub-par.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have a friend who nearly gags at scents which I consider pleasant.
If it is intentional to have no odor, she would like it

Yes, I think no odor is their goal. Bonnet Creek doesn't really have a "smell" but it's not stuffy, not ever. I don't know how to explain the lack of pleasant smell other than to say that it feels and smells stuffy.

We are leaving for Maui on Monday and will be gone for six weeks. I know that none of our units will have this stuffy smell because one is Hono Koa, and the doors remain open for most visitors and the units are occupied a lot during the time of year we are there. Sands of Kahana same thing. Also, Westin will have that nice Westin scent, not perfume-y, not like overpowering cleaners, just that nice clean smell.

But when we get home, our house will have the furnace set at 60 degrees, and the stuffy smell will be our own home. I will get laundry going, food cooking and wash the countertops and freshen everything, and we will be back to that good house smell we love. I like the smell of cleaners.

 

[Sandi Bo]

One I remember is the smell of the lobby at Ocean Walk, it's a clean/fresh one. I had to decide I liked it, though, pretty overpowering. Likely what's used at Bonnet Creek, too.
I've smelled some pretty raunchy trash chutes - to the point of avoiding that area in Panama City on one visit. I've paid attention on subsequent visits and it's never been so overpowering. That one particular trip it was.
My guess is the maintenance is challenging for those sliding ocean front rooms. At PCB you used to be open them more, can't remember if there were ever screens. The doors are so heavy the handles have been broken a few times.

 

[weemoeway]

Few outlets were even available, all were being used, so we had to unplug unused lamps to get our phones charged.

I feel like I have been taking a surge protector on trips for years now. It probably came in handy most when we were still cruising pre-covid. I also bring an Anker charger with 6 USB ports. On more recent trips I have even started to bring a travel router! We just have too many devices to charge. Mostly phones, but now GoPro and drone batteries are getting into the mix.

 

[schreff]

I was finishing all of my reviews of Wyndham stays over the last six weeks, and the one thing I made note of at Panama City (Presidential 3 bedroom), Nashville 2 bedroom, and Villa Ricca, Georgia, 2 bedroom, was the lack of a clean smell. The units smelled stuffy. So stuffy, in fact, that we went to the store to buy plug-in deodorizers for the rooms and took them with us to the other resorts.

If Wyndham is not using a cleaner that has any smell for allergy reasons, then I am going to notice the lack of a clean smell. I have never experienced this at any Marriott, Sheraton, Westin or Disney, or even WorldMark or Shell.

I know a lot of you probably think that is picky, but when I walk into Bonnet Creek, it smells clean. The other one that we thought smelled and looked clean was Fairfield Bay, Fairways was the specific area where we stayed. It was an extremely pleasant smell, and it was remodeled and looked nice everywhere. So comfortable, and I want to go again, when we can enjoy the area a little more.

Has anyone else noticed the stuffy, not-clean smell in these units? Nashville was pretty and arguably one of the nicest resorts we have stayed, even just the standard 2 bedroom, but even that one didn't smell clean.

I have noticed this at certain Wyndham Resorts too. My wife and I love that clean smell. I do sympathize with anyone who is allergic to or does not prefer it and they could be able to request " no smell " due to their allergies etc. But please Wyndham, bring back that great clean smell.

 

[Jan M.]

I don't know how I could have forgotten this! Check the garbage disposal if your unit smells nasty. That's frequently the cause.

It's disgusting to look at, touch and smell when you take the gasket out and clean it and also clean inside of the disposal. Even though you cleaned the gasket, put it in the dishwasher the next time you run it.

I had to do this at the resort we're staying at. Not a Wyndham resort this time. Next time I'm at a dollar store I'm getting a bottle brush to add to our bin of stuff we bring with us on our travels. They work great to clean the stinky, slimy gunk out out of the disposal. When you're done rinse it off and run it thru the dishwasher too.