Barefoot Condominiums, South Dakota

[timesharer]

We found reviews from RCI and tripadvisor to be quite mixed regarding the Barefoot Condominiums in South Dakota. Is this resort currently remodeling its units? If yes, does anyone know when the upgrades will be completed?

We exchanged to a one bedroom unit in the Evergreen Valley Inn & Villas in Maine last year. From our research, the one bedroom type was upgraded and was in the main lodge that had wireless connection. It looked very nice on the resort’s web page. When we checked in, we were told we were switched to a 2-bedroom unit in a separate building away from the main lodge. The 2-bedroom unit was very run down and had a musty smell. It was so humid they had a dehumidifier running constantly in the downstairs floor. We had to empty the dehumidifier of a large bucket of collected water daily. There was no wireless reception in the building we were in, unlike the main lodge. The kitchen utensils were in terrible condition. All nonstick pans and pots had numerous scratches in the coating surface. The plastic handle of the forks and spoons cracked and fell apart. There was an insufficient supply of silverware. We only had enough for one day. The kitchen cabinets and counter tops were extremely old, probably older than thirty years, and in poor condition. That was one of the worst units we had ever stayed in. It almost ruined our vacation.

When a resort has units that vary widely in degrees of upkeep and renovation, how can we ensure we will get on of the nicer units?

Thank you in advance.

 

[susieq]

Barefoot Condos was one of our best vacations ~ even though it was a few years ago. We originally exchanged for a two bedroom unit, (even tho it was just the two of us). About a month or so before we went, I called there directly and asked that if the unit we were assigned to wasn't air conditioned, if we could switch to one that was as we both had allergies, (we would accept a 1 BR). Not a problem, they switched us, and we had a wonderful time. They even let us check in early ~ 2 1/2 hours early! If you book there, you won't regret it!! Have a great vacation!!

 

[rapmarks]

our unit that had two bedrooms down and one up was not very nice, but the building with two bedroom condos looked nice. we were very uncomfortable with the loft bedroom being very hot, furnishings were not very nice. If I went again, I would not take the unit that slept 8.

 

[cullerful]

Update on the improvements at barefoot

Yes you are correct the units at Barefoot resorts are being repaired. The owners have finally kicked out the developers who did nothing but misappropriate our funds for years. Now the resort is bootstrapping its way back from being a run-down building in a wonderful place to being pretty darn nice and still in a wonderful location.

So far two units have been stripped to the bone and completely redone. There is a special assessment for all of us owners for 2015, 2016 and 2017. They are attacking the biggest needs first and taking a few units out of availability for 30 - 45 days at a time in the slow periods to completely gut and refit them.

In attacking the biggest needs first this year, the pool area, where the roof collapsed, is nearing completion; all the units are getting new beds, new sheets and new towels and several units are getting new TVs. At least three more units will be gutted and completely refitted.

There are 4 buildings all of different ages. The oldest building is where the heavy construction is going on. Make no mistake the 3 BDR units in the old building are small and they will still be small when they are remodeled but they are still my favorite because they have the best view.

Long story short - If you go there this summer you will have a comfortable bed and a decent room at 7,000 feet elevation looking out across the black hills. With each successive year you have a better chance of getting completely refurbished room in the same great location.

 

[rapmarks]

thanks, now that my daughter has moved to Sioux Falls, this would be a good trip with the grandsons. will they do something about the air conditioning? that upper bedroom was so hot and uncomfortable.

 

[cullerful]

AC at Barefoot

The newest building was built with AC. The second newest one has portable/wall type units. As for the oldest building it is a maybe. They are difficult to fit in but it is under consideration. Remember Barefoot is at 7,000 feet so it is much cooler up there than down in Deadwood. If you avoid the hottest couple of months AC isn't a big deal. If you must go when it is hot you might be able to request a unit with AC, based on availability of course.