Pool Towel Thieves at MVC Resorts - My Rant

[dioxide45]

Has anyone else run into this problem? We especially notice it at resorts that ration pool towels by providing them in your room and either not providing exchange or making exchange a cumbersome process. This has happened twice to us in the past four resort visits. One of those resorts just has Towel Trackers (I love these now) and the other resort we didn't swim. So two for two really on having towels swiped from our pool chairs (kinda).

We mostly go to the pool only for a couple hours and spend much of the time in the pool. My wife uses a powered mobility device that we just park somewhere. Perhaps under an umbrella or off to the side as we don't usually need a lounger to lay on. At the last resort, Crystal Shores, we just left our folded towels sitting on her mobility device. Seems reasonable. We got into the Upper Cascades Pool, but the deeper end is at the opposite end of the pool from where our towels were. So we were away from our "spot" while in the pool. From the distance I can see someone pilfering through our towels. I try to hurry up there, wading as fast as I can through the resistance of the water. I get up there just as they are trying to leave and I call them out. Asking why they took our towels. They didn't have much of an explanation except to try and claim they thought it was the resorts towels. How The-F (was my thought, I didn't use profanity at the pool) is my wife's mobility scooter the resorts towel exchange. I guess they used all their towels and needed more. I didn't end up getting out of the pool at the time as they returned the towel they stole (I thought) and took back the wet one they threw on top of our other towels.

When we did get out of the pool about 15 minutes later, we were short one towel and there was a wet one left there that was rolled up to look like it was untouched. Something similar happened at Oceana Palms (the other resort we had this issue at). Though I didn't see the person that took the towels and they didn't leave their wet ones behind. I had something similar happen at Shadow Ridge several years ago where I went by myself to the pool and left two clean towels on a lounger while I was in the pool. The people down from where I had put the towels decided to help themselves.

This is a reason why I now don't like, and never really liked, rationed towels in the room. When you don't give people a vialble way to exchange their wet towels poolside, they take matters into their own hands. Crystal Shores says you can exchange pool towels between 4pm and 6pm at the activities room. Perhaps in peak times of the year they still have pool side exchange as I remember them having that in the past at the Lower Cascades Pool.

We are at Ocean Pointe now and I see they now have pool towels just in the room. I recall a towel exchange years ago but that must be gone. The card they left beside the towels on the bed just say to not leave them at the pool. No explaination on what to do with them when wet. My plan would be to wash them in the in room laundry (or one of the shared laundry if in a studio), but I know many people don't think of that or do that. They expect a way to swap them out for clean towels. The card just says to call at your service if you have questions. The resorts need to provide better direction on what people should so, swap them, exchange them, steal other people's towels. Something.

Okay, rant over

 

[RX8]

Towels are rationed because there are too many people in this world that are exactly like the one who tried to steal your towel.

 

[PsuFrh]

At Ocean Pointe, you can request fresh towels by calling housekeeping and putting your used towels outside your door and they will leave new ones for you. Last year they also had a drop off bin in the lobby where you can leave your used towels and request new ones. You can also dry them in the laundry room or your room dryer. Too many towels were being recycled throughout the day when you could exchange them by the pool and they couldn't keep up with having enough towels available each day, prompting the system to used now. At other MVC locations they have towel cabinets available with use of your room key to get them throughout the day.

 

[Pennytx]

I think your rant is very fair
Sometimes you just need to vent

 

[Hindsite]

The laundry costs of people exchanging their towels several times per day are an unnecessary cost on maint fees. If people want to keep MFs low then reducing laundry costs is one way. You'd have to speak to the specific resort management to get the data, but my understanding from Son Antem is that it reduced the laundry costs by a lot. No I haven't cross-checked the budget statement, to prove it as the lack of piles of wet towels in the changing rooms are evidence enough for me.

 

[pedro47]

I think your rant is very fair
Sometimes you just need to vent

Dioxide45 you words and action were justified. That person could have stolen some personal items from your spouse and you. I will be more vigilant at the pool.

 

[jbman]

I’d be just as frustrated in your shoes. I honestly can’t imagine someone stealing towels, and from a mobility device, that’s unbelievable.

For me, I think poolside towel service should be standard. Cutting it feels like saving pennies in the wrong place.

The “savings” don’t add up to me, having guests washing towels in-unit still use the resort’s water and electricity, likely at a higher per-towel cost than commercial laundry. Sure, there might be some labour savings and fewer towels washed overall, but it can’t be significant enough to justify the downgrade in guest experience.

I could deal with a system like Ocean Pointe where you could call for fresh towels, but if the only option were to wash and dry them yourself, it would be a deal breaker. I’d be very hesitant to stay at a resort that doesn’t offer some form of towel exchange.

 

[davidvel]

Has anyone else run into this problem? We especially notice it at resorts that ration pool towels by providing them in your room and either not providing exchange or making exchange a cumbersome process. This has happened twice to us in the past four resort visits. One of those resorts just has Towel Trackers (I love these now) and the other resort we didn't swim. So two for two really on having towels swiped from our pool chairs (kinda).

We mostly go to the pool only for a couple hours and spend much of the time in the pool. My wife uses a powered mobility device that we just park somewhere. Perhaps under an umbrella or off to the side as we don't usually need a lounger to lay on. At the last resort, Crystal Shores, we just left our folded towels sitting on her mobility device. Seems reasonable. We got into the Upper Cascades Pool, but the deeper end is at the opposite end of the pool from where our towels were. So we were away from our "spot" while in the pool. From the distance I can see someone pilfering through our towels. I try to hurry up there, wading as fast as I can through the resistance of the water. I get up there just as they are trying to leave and I call them out. Asking why they took our towels. They didn't have much of an explanation except to try and claim they thought it was the resorts towels. How The-F (was my thought, I didn't use profanity at the pool) is my wife's mobility scooter the resorts towel exchange. I guess they used all their towels and needed more. I didn't end up getting out of the pool at the time as they returned the towel they stole (I thought) and took back the wet one they threw on top of our other towels.

When we did get out of the pool about 15 minutes later, we were short one towel and there was a wet one left there that was rolled up to look like it was untouched. Something similar happened at Oceana Palms (the other resort we had this issue at). Though I didn't see the person that took the towels and they didn't leave their wet ones behind. I had something similar happen at Shadow Ridge several years ago where I went by myself to the pool and left two clean towels on a lounger while I was in the pool. The people down from where I had put the towels decided to help themselves.

This is a reason why I now don't like, and never really liked, rationed towels in the room. When you don't give people a vialble way to exchange their wet towels poolside, they take matters into their own hands. Crystal Shores says you can exchange pool towels between 4pm and 6pm at the activities room. Perhaps in peak times of the year they still have pool side exchange as I remember them having that in the past at the Lower Cascades Pool.

We are at Ocean Pointe now and I see they now have pool towels just in the room. I recall a towel exchange years ago but that must be gone. The card they left beside the towels on the bed just say to not leave them at the pool. No explaination on what to do with them when wet. My plan would be to wash them in the in room laundry (or one of the shared laundry if in a studio), but I know many people don't think of that or do that. They expect a way to swap them out for clean towels. The card just says to call at your service if you have questions. The resorts need to provide better direction on what people should so, swap them, exchange them, steal other people's towels. Something.

Okay, rant over

Unfortunately as you note and we all know, there are just a lot of entitled self centered cretins out there. You can use this to your advantage, however. These dirtbags want crisp new towels, so just unroll/unfold your towels and crumble them up into a big pile on the chair. These people don't want your used towels, and only you know they are fresh and clean.

 

[dioxide45]

Unfortunately as you note and we all know, there are just a lot of entitled self centered cretins out there. You can use this to your advantage, however. These dirtbags want crisp new towels, so just unroll/unfold your towels and crumble them up into a big pile on the chair. These people don't want your used towels, and only you know they are fresh and clean.

I think that is a good idea. We won't leave them nicely folded or rolled anymore. Just put them into a big pile.

 

[dioxide45]

For me, I think poolside towel service should be standard. Cutting it feels like saving pennies in the wrong place.

I would tend to agree. I don't think there is a single hotel property we would go to that doesn't have pool side towel service. Even the most budget of brands out there provides towels poolside. How much is the property saving in linen costs? I don't have insight into that so I would be interested to know. If I attend a budget meeting this year for one of our resorts, I will ask the question. Though I think all the resorts I own at provide pool side towels. Is it an extra $20 per unit week? I couldn't think it is more than that. I do know that resorts can go through a butt load of towels when they offer poolside exchange and Grande Vista often runs out of clean pool towels during peak season. That said, the current towel situation lugging soggy towels back to the room doesn't provide for a great vacation experience.

It would be interesting to know how many people wash their own towels vs. call down for an exchange. Which also utilizes labor resources. Who washes those towels? I suspect they are sent out with linen service or washed on site. Is a linen service more expensive than the resort washing in house. I read an article that indicated in house could cost up to 15 cents more per pound. Though that was written mainly for hotels and also how outsourcing the service could turn former space that was used for laundry into space used to sell or provide services.

The main problem with the resort towels and not providing any kind of exchange is that they are so thin that one time drying off with them reaches their max absorbency. The room we are in now can sleep up to 12 and I think it has12 towels in it. That is pretty rationed. Obviously what the guests who stole our towels, whatever was in their room wasn't enough for them.

 

[Superchief]

After watching people take towels from the dispenser at Canyon Villas last spring, I understand why many resorts don't provide them pool side any more. I observed many people taking four towels per person and the dispensers needed replenishing several times per day. Towels were left everywhere, including on lounge chairs when it was obvious the people had left for the day. It seems like consideration for others is a diminishing characteristic today.

 

[dioxide45]

After watching people take towels from the dispenser at Canyon Villas last spring, I understand why many resorts don't provide them pool side any more. I observed many people taking four towels per person and the dispensers needed replenishing several times per day. Towels were left everywhere, including on lounge chairs when it was obvious the people had left for the day. It seems like consideration for others is a diminishing characteristic today.

If the Towel Trackers actually did what they claim they do, they could easily charge guests a fee for not returning towels to the return bin.

 

[heathpack]

After watching people take towels from the dispenser at Canyon Villas last spring, I understand why many resorts don't provide them pool side any more. I observed many people taking four towels per person and the dispensers needed replenishing several times per day. Towels were left everywhere, including on lounge chairs when it was obvious the people had left for the day. It seems like consideration for others is a diminishing characteristic today.

Aw. We often take 4 towels. I guess we’re jerks!

One to spread on the lounger, one to roll up for under my neck and two to dry off because I will usually swim more than once.

I have never been to a resort where the towels are in a vending machine though.

We are however perfectly fine using the designated beach towels from the room when provided because we’ll inevitably do some wash soon enough. And they often give us eight and it’s just two of us. So in that respect I guess we’re not jerks!

PS if the resort supplies big towels I’d probably only take two. Maybe that makes us half jerks?

PPS also we don’t leave our towels lying about. So maybe we’re quarter jerks?

 

[PsuFrh]

After watching people take towels from the dispenser at Canyon Villas last spring, I understand why many resorts don't provide them pool side any more. I observed many people taking four towels per person and the dispensers needed replenishing several times per day. Towels were left everywhere, including on lounge chairs when it was obvious the people had left for the day. It seems like consideration for others is a diminishing characteristic today.

I think that people who own at the resort are better about taking the towels back to the unit when they are finished for the day at the pool while people who are there on points seem to care less about taking them off the chairs and bringing them back to their units.

 

[davidvel]

Aw. We often take 4 towels. I guess we’re jerks!

Your guess is correct.

 

[heathpack]

Your guess is correct.

The funny thing is how we’re not jerks if we take 4 towels from our unit, carry them down to the pool, and then carry them back, and then wash them at resort expense in our unit.

But we are jerks if the resort provides towels poolside and we take 4 towels.

So it seems that it’s not the using of 4 towels that defines one as being a jerk, nor is it the using of towels that are provided poolside, but instead it’s specifically the using of 4 towels that are provided poolside that makes one a jerk.

#makessense

 

[Fasttr]

I think that people who own at the resort are better about taking the towels back to the unit when they are finished for the day at the pool while people who are there on points seem to care less about taking them off the chairs and bringing them back to their units.

How would you judge me if I own at the resort, but am staying via points outside of my season. Am I then likely to bring half of my towels back to the room and leave half on my chair?

 

[heathpack]

How would you judge me if I own at the resort, but am staying via points outside of my season. Am I then likely to bring half of my towels back to the room and leave half on my chair?

We have already established that the origin of the towels is a key factor.

If they are poolside towels, then you are a jerk for using more than one and also a jerk for leaving half on the lounger. This would make you a double jerk.


However, if they are room towels, then you are not a jerk for using more than one, but you are a jerk for leaving some behind. This would make you a half jerk.


Please feel free to ask any further questions here in this thread if you need to determine your overall resort jerkiness level. We are happy to judge help.

 

[chriskre]

I think they moved the towels to the room to cut down on people stealing them not to save on laundry cleaning costs.
You can be sure people are not just stealing them from you to use at the pool but to take home too.

That’s why they are making us schlep our wet rags around like a lost puppy.

Wyndham does the same thing.
Some places will do a towel exchange in the lobby. That’s just lovely to go to the lobby soaking wet and cold. I hate it.


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[dougp26364]

Gee, reading all of this makes me feel better that we’re not pool people.

 

[jwalk03]

The pool towels really are not even nice towels. I don't get why anyone would want to steal them! Though I will admit I think I stole 2 once. Not because I wanted them- but because I had several bottles of liquor I needed to pack in my suitcase to take home and wanted them wrapped up in the towels to avoid breakage on the flight! LOL

I agree with the thought of not leaving them nicely folded or rolled up on chairs. If you spread them out and make them look used someone else won't want your "used" towel. The nerve of someone to rummage through a scooter for towels is just insane to me.

I like the towel vending machines. I wish all the resorts would do this.

 

[dioxide45]

I think they moved the towels to the room to cut down on people stealing them not to save on laundry cleaning costs.
You can be sure people are not just stealing them from you to use at the pool but to take home too.

That’s why they are making us schlep our wet rags around like a lost puppy.

Wyndham does the same thing.
Some places will do a towel exchange in the lobby. That’s just lovely to go to the lobby soaking wet and cold. I hate it.


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That could be part of it, but as @jwalk03 said, the towels are such poor quality I don't know why anyone would want them. Any store bought pool or beach towel is better. We already have dozens of them bought in different places. The only resort that has good towels is Westin Kierland Villas. They provide poolside exchange.

 

[chriskre]

That could be part of it, but as @jwalk03 said, the towels are such poor quality I don't know why anyone would want them. Any store bought pool or beach towel is better. We already have dozens of them bought in different places. The only resort that has good towels is Westin Kierland Villas. They provide poolside exchange.

People take them because they are free.
Anything free and people take it.
I used to work at a hospital and people would steal those thin cheap blankets all the time. Maybe to use for their dogs, who knows but hey it’s free so why not.


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[heathpack]

I will admit I think I stole 2 once.

Jerk!

 

[dioxide45]

The funny thing is how we’re not jerks if we take 4 towels from our unit, carry them down to the pool, and then carry them back, and then wash them at resort expense in our unit.

But we are jerks if the resort provides towels poolside and we take 4 towels.

So it seems that it’s not the using of 4 towels that defines one as being a jerk, nor is it the using of towels that are provided poolside, but instead it’s specifically the using of 4 towels that are provided poolside that makes one a jerk.

#makessense

At times, we take two towels to start out. Once those are soaked through we go back and drop them in the bin and get two new ones. Now we've used four! Just not at the same time. I wonder if that makes me a jerk too?