Kingsgate Daily Fee?

[Arimaas]

Is this a new fee? I have not been to Kingsgate. I don't like the idea that owners need to pay additional fees to use Club facilities. Thoughts from the group here? I guess unlimited use of the arcade is nice, but isn't that what maintenance fees are for?

• There is a mandatory $7.00 daily fee per suite for Owners and $13.00 for guests. The fee includes numerous amenities including, premium WiFi for unlimited devices ($50 weekly value), unlimited use of arcades, gas grill and gazebo, DVD rentals, movie theater, mini-golf, tennis, and kid's activities.
  
  
  

 

[paxsarah]

It's a longtime fee. It's one of the only Club Wyndham resorts with a true resort fee. With kids I found it quite worthwhile, but now that they're older less so, so last time we went to Williamsburg we stayed at GG instead.

 

[Arimaas]

It's a longtime fee. It's one of the only Club Wyndham resorts with a true resort fee. With kids I found it quite worthwhile, but now that they're older less so, so last time we went to Williamsburg we stayed at GG instead.

Thanks. Happy that it hasn't trickled out to the others. At least it is worthwhile - but that's an extra $49 over a week.

 

[HitchHiker71]

That additional fee funds the activity center basically - which is much better than what most other resorts offer in comparison - especially the arcade area. It's not something that the Kingsgate owners want to build into resort MFs, so it will remain a separate fee as it always has been.

 

[Floridaman76]

This is not a new charge here. It's fairly unique to this resort.

 

[HitchHiker71]

This is not a new charge here. It's fairly unique to this resort.

Honestly I wish it wasn't unique to this resort - I wish it was more common across resorts - it's great for kids especially. We've stayed at Kingsgate in the past and I'd be a liar if I didn't say I've enjoyed quite a few hours playing some of the older arcade games in the activity center while my kids are busy on the game machine stations that they have there.

 

[Arimaas]

Honestly I wish it wasn't unique to this resort - I wish it was more common across resorts - it's great for kids especially. We've stayed at Kingsgate in the past and I'd be a liar if I didn't say I've enjoyed quite a few hours playing some of the older arcade games in the activity center while my kids are busy on the game machine stations that they have there.

Since I’ve never been, I can’t really comment, other than I don’t like the idea of any mandatory add on fees. I’m ok with given the option, like parking at some of the resorts, but mandatory I always find not really something I want to pay. Glad here it’s worth it.

 

[Floridaman76]

Honestly I wish it wasn't unique to this resort - I wish it was more common across resorts - it's great for kids especially. We've stayed at Kingsgate in the past and I'd be a liar if I didn't say I've enjoyed quite a few hours playing some of the older arcade games in the activity center while my kids are busy on the game machine stations that they have there.

My kids loved the arcade at Kingsgate, Bonnet Creek, Grand Desert and Ocean Walk.

What I think they should do it offer direct charges for the arcade at resorts which have them, rather than charging everyone. Which is what they do at the resorts other than KG.

Admittedly, I didn;'t mind at all paying this when we had kids, and they definitely got use out of it, but now that my kids have "aged out" of the arcades or don't travel with us, I don't like the fact that we are basically subsidizing the KG owners MF's... which is what that is. Paying for something we (now) make zero use of. I don't really think that's fair.

It makes even less sense that they charge $6/night MORE for guests than owners.

I stopped going to KG and went to Patriots Place when they started remodeling there to avoid the resort fee, but that's not an option anymore. If you have not noticed, it's NOTICABLY harder to book in Williamsburg inside the discount window now. Also KG does not have 1BR Deluxe units and the only 1BR units they have there are small with mini kitchen. GG 1BR Deluxe units book up faster than normal now.

 

[comicbookman]

My kids loved the arcade at Kingsgate, Bonnet Creek, Grand Desert and Ocean Walk.

What I think they should do it offer direct charges for the arcade at resorts which have them, rather than charging everyone. Which is what they do at the resorts other than KG.

Admittedly, I didn;'t mind at all paying this when we had kids, and they definitely got use out of it, but now that my kids have "aged out" of the arcades or don't travel with us, I don't like the fact that we are basically subsidizing the KG owners MF's... which is what that is. Paying for something we (now) make zero use of. I don't really think that's fair.

It makes even less sense that they charge $6/night MORE for guests than owners.

I stopped going to KG and went to Patriots Place when they started remodeling there to avoid the resort fee, but that's not an option anymore. If you have not noticed, it's NOTICABLY harder to book in Williamsburg inside the discount window now. Also KG does not have 1BR Deluxe units and the only 1BR units they have there are small with mini kitchen. GG 1BR Deluxe units book up faster than normal now.

I have had no more trouble than normal ( minimal) booking inside the discount window at kingsgate.

 

[chapjim]

I have had no more trouble than normal ( minimal) booking inside the discount window at kingsgate.

I have five nights (Sun-Fri) in a 3BR unit at Governor's Green next month for 24,000 points.

As for the arcade at Kingsgate, last time we were there (many years ago) it seemed like free kid-sitting for some parents. Unsupervised kids running amok.

 

[Pennytx]

We are checking in Friday
Are all the arcade games free?
I’m old but it might be entertaining

 

[HitchHiker71]

We are checking in Friday
Are all the arcade games free?
I’m old but it might be entertaining

Yes, at KG, everything in the activity center area is free as it's covered by the daily fee charged.

 

[HitchHiker71]

My kids loved the arcade at Kingsgate, Bonnet Creek, Grand Desert and Ocean Walk.

What I think they should do it offer direct charges for the arcade at resorts which have them, rather than charging everyone. Which is what they do at the resorts other than KG.

Admittedly, I didn;'t mind at all paying this when we had kids, and they definitely got use out of it, but now that my kids have "aged out" of the arcades or don't travel with us, I don't like the fact that we are basically subsidizing the KG owners MF's... which is what that is. Paying for something we (now) make zero use of. I don't really think that's fair.

It makes even less sense that they charge $6/night MORE for guests than owners.

I stopped going to KG and went to Patriots Place when they started remodeling there to avoid the resort fee, but that's not an option anymore. If you have not noticed, it's NOTICABLY harder to book in Williamsburg inside the discount window now. Also KG does not have 1BR Deluxe units and the only 1BR units they have there are small with mini kitchen. GG 1BR Deluxe units book up faster than normal now.

I understand your premise - however at the same time - my kids have aged out of school age and left our home - yet I still pay school taxes every year as part of my property taxes - regardless of whether I use that funded benefit - so from this perspective - when everyone pays it results in lower costs for all involved as opposed to only charging for those who would actually use it - which would likely result in significantly higher per use charges - and result in benefits of this nature disappearing over time as fewer people who elect to use said benefit as the price rises.

 

[Floridaman76]

I understand your premise - however at the same time - my kids have aged out of school age and left our home - yet I still pay school taxes every year as part of my property taxes - regardless of whether I use that funded benefit - so from this perspective - when everyone pays it results in lower costs for all involved as opposed to only charging for those who would actually use it - which would likely result in significantly higher per use charges - and result in benefits of this nature disappearing over time as fewer people who elect to use said benefit as the price rises.

That's a ridiculous article I knew someone would try to make.

Public education is a "common good" need for society.

Conflating that to any aspect of timeshare ownership is absurd.

 

[Arimaas]

I understand your premise - however at the same time - my kids have aged out of school age and left our home - yet I still pay school taxes every year as part of my property taxes - regardless of whether I use that funded benefit - so from this perspective - when everyone pays it results in lower costs for all involved as opposed to only charging for those who would actually use it - which would likely result in significantly higher per use charges - and result in benefits of this nature disappearing over time as fewer people who elect to use said benefit as the price rises.

Actually, NYS gives seniors without school age children a reduction on their school portion of their property tax. But I agree with @Floridaman76, the comparison is apples and oranges.

Which brings me back to one of my original posts on this thread - I'd rather see this as an optional charge, not a mandatory all in charge. But then again, I'll just chose a different resort if, we do go there, and I don't find it worth it.

 

[comicbookman]

Actually, NYS gives seniors without school age children a reduction on their school portion of their property tax. But I agree with @Floridaman76, the comparison is apples and oranges.

Which brings me back to one of my original posts on this thread - I'd rather see this as an optional charge, not a mandatory all in charge. But then again, I'll just chose a different resort if, we do go there, and I don't find it worth it.

should the same logic be applied to the pool? why should my, maintenance fees cover the pool if I never use it when on site during the winter? common good is absolutely applicable to timeshare maintenance fees (which this charge is) The entire premise of maintenance fees is based on a common good philosophy.

 

[Arimaas]

should the same logic be applied to the pool? why should my, maintenance fees cover the pool if I never use it when on site during the winter? common good is absolutely applicable to timeshare maintenance fees (which this charge is) The entire premise of maintenance fees is based on a common good philosophy.

In my opinion, this should be included in the MFs of the resort like the pool, or an optional add on for those that want to use it. It is a slippery slope to see what timeshare resorts will start tacking on mandatory fees for. Let it be optional for those that want to do it - like feeding the fish in Bonnet Creek. These aren't "common good" MFs, hence my statement about comparing apples and oranges. It's a resort fee.

Also, I think your winter analogy is quite off. If you're an owner, t's your choice to come only in the winter, but you own at that property. Your MF's include the cost to maintain all infrastructure at that property that you own - in both closed and open seasons. It would cost more if it was open year round. You actually pay less because it is closed.

 

[jp10558]

I understand your premise - however at the same time - my kids have aged out of school age and left our home - yet I still pay school taxes every year as part of my property taxes - regardless of whether I use that funded benefit - so from this perspective - when everyone pays it results in lower costs for all involved as opposed to only charging for those who would actually use it - which would likely result in significantly higher per use charges - and result in benefits of this nature disappearing over time as fewer people who elect to use said benefit as the price rises.

But this should just then be part of the maintenance fees. If everyone has to pay it, why not just be in the MFs? Well, because now all businesses now love hidden junk fees. Because if they advertised the actual cost in one amount, then people will choose cheaper options, but if you hide fees, well, now people are already committed to your location and many will just pay the previously hidden fees. I actually give props to RCI for now adding the resort fees in the cost right in the resort list so you can see ahhh, this resort is more expensive and decide up front if you like that or not.

This again puts me at a wish that we'd pass a law that you can set whatever pricing you like, but whatever you advertise has to be the out the door price. At least for mandatory fees. If you want to offer a premium add on that's optional, then fine - but it needs to be truly optional. Kind of like Smugglers Notch - you don't have to buy any add ons but you can if you'll have fun with it.

 

[Floridaman76]

A pool is a general resort amenity that almost EVERY resort has, universally. Also a workout room.

It's generally accepted pretty much all resorts have such. Unlike an arcade which has a very, very limited scope of involvement (teens, pre-teens),p whereas pools have very broad demand across all age groups.

And no, i do not think we should go the "resort fee" for use of amenities. I feel those costs should be borne by the owners of that resort exclusively as part of their MF.

I also feel that urban resorts built without parking garages which charge only people who park, IS a fair way to handle those costs so that only the people who drive there pay the direct cost of that.

 

[HitchHiker71]

But this should just then be part of the maintenance fees. If everyone has to pay it, why not just be in the MFs? Well, because now all businesses now love hidden junk fees. Because if they advertised the actual cost in one amount, then people will choose cheaper options, but if you hide fees, well, now people are already committed to your location and many will just pay the previously hidden fees. I actually give props to RCI for now adding the resort fees in the cost right in the resort list so you can see ahhh, this resort is more expensive and decide up front if you like that or not.

This again puts me at a wish that we'd pass a law that you can set whatever pricing you like, but whatever you advertise has to be the out the door price. At least for mandatory fees. If you want to offer a premium add on that's optional, then fine - but it needs to be truly optional. Kind of like Smugglers Notch - you don't have to buy any add ons but you can if you'll have fun with it.

Not every owner who owns KG inventory uses points or ever stays at that resort. Should KG owners should pay that special add-on fee whether they ever use that resort or not? The separate fee structure means that only guests who actually stay at that resort, and consume those benefits, pay the fee in question. Should every guest pay it whether they use it or not? That seems to be the point of debate. There are arguments both ways. I agree price transparency is always a plus.

 

[Floridaman76]

Not every owner who owns KG inventory uses points or ever stays at that resort. Should KG owners should pay that fee whether they ever use that resort or not? The separate fee structure means that only guests who actually stay at that resort, and consume those benefits, pay the fee in question. Should every guest pay it whether they use it or not? That seems to be the point of debate. There are arguments both ways.

The answer to that is a resounding YES in my opinion.

Just like the owners who own at Panama City Beach have to pay the special assessment for PCB, even if they never stay there.

Point is, some of these "optional" resort features add to the operating costs of the resort. And add negligible value to the owners. The owners at this specific resort, took the cheap way out and delegated the cost to others. This is literally the only resort which does this.

I don't consider a pool an optional resort feature. There's only a few resorts which have no pool whatsoever. Old Town Alexandria, Midtown 45 and Canterbury are the only ones which come to mind. And OTA used to have one (a shared pool with the Hilton, and they filled it in).

 

[HitchHiker71]

The answer to that is a resounding YES in my opinion.

Just like the owners who own at Panama City Beach have to pay the special assessment for PCB, even if they never stay there.

Point is, some of these "optional" resort features add to the operating costs of the resort. And add negligible value to the owners. The owners at this specific resort, took the cheap way out and delegated the cost to others. This is literally the only resort which does this.

I don't consider a pool an optional resort feature. There's only a few resorts which have no pool whatsoever. Old Town Alexandria, Midtown 45 and Canterbury are the only ones which come to mind. And OTA used to have one (a shared pool with the Hilton, and they filled it in).

KG is likely set up the way it is because it's not entirely owned by Wyndham, there are wholly owned condos/townhomes, and other non-Wyndham units, so it's not just Wyndham involved when it comes to the fee structure. I suspect this is, at least in part, why the activity center is carved out separately.

 

[pedro47]

Is this a new fee? I have not been to Kingsgate. I don't like the idea that owners need to pay additional fees to use Club facilities. Thoughts from the group here? I guess unlimited use of the arcade is nice, but isn't that what maintenance fees are for?

• There is a mandatory $7.00 daily fee per suite for Owners and $13.00 for guests. The fee includes numerous amenities including, premium WiFi for unlimited devices ($50 weekly value), unlimited use of arcades, gas grill and gazebo, DVD rentals, movie theater, mini-golf, tennis, and kid's activities.
  

Is that a $7.00 fee for each Owners and a $13.00 fee for every guest visiting the resort with the Owners?

Are the additional fees to added to maintain the Club facilities liked the pool area, gas grills and the Premium WiFi ?

 

[Floridaman76]

Is that a $7.00 fee for each Owners and a $13.00 fee for every guest visiting the resort with the Owners?

No, it's per unit, per night. Not per person per night.

 

[pedro47]

No, it's per unit, per night. Not per person per night.

Thanks for the clarification. Now that cost is very seasonable.