Trying to plan future vacation and looking for something that offers a variety of activities. Don't really want an all inclusive but would consider. We went to Smuggler's Notch a few years ago and enjoyed the activities there (painting, waterfall hike, massage, etc). Any suggestions?
-
The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!
Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
Best timeshare for activities?
- Thread starter bailey
- Start date
DeniseM
Moderator
- Joined
- Jun 6, 2005
- Messages
- 59,071
- Reaction score
- 11,111
- Location
- Northern, CA
- Resorts Owned
- WKORV, WKV, SDO, 4-Kauai Beach Villas, Island Park Village (Yellowstone), Hyatt High Sierra, Dolphin's Cove (Anaheim) NEW: 3 Lawa'i Beach Resort!
What area of the country?
So, you want a "Dirty Dancing" resort-type of vacation?
Smuggs is a very different resort ... for being a time share resort.
Sorry ... I personally don't know of another like that.
Closest in style, is Wyndham Shawnee near the Poconos, Pa ... I-80 just after you cross the Delaware River from NJ. Large resort, reasonable MFs ... with a busier than usual activities center.
BUT all that could change, if Wyndham becomes more active in cutting costs. Right now, the 5 HOAs are still mostly run by the owners. But the MFs for a fixed week are still under $700 (non-WYndham fixed weeks and not converted to points units). And many of the older ownerships are have 2 fixed weeks on ONE deed (Prime and off season). As for cost, the current MFs are under $700 for each week. Large resort ... large recreation center with big indoor pool, indoor basketball court and open from 7:30am to 9 or 10 PM 7 days a week.
IF you brought Wyndham points you can book there ... but Wyndham points have lots of 'booking' fees and almost ALL free or cheap points will have a way higher MF .. over just owning a fixed week. NO FLOATING WEEKs.
Smuggs is a very different resort ... for being a time share resort.
Sorry ... I personally don't know of another like that.
Closest in style, is Wyndham Shawnee near the Poconos, Pa ... I-80 just after you cross the Delaware River from NJ. Large resort, reasonable MFs ... with a busier than usual activities center.
BUT all that could change, if Wyndham becomes more active in cutting costs. Right now, the 5 HOAs are still mostly run by the owners. But the MFs for a fixed week are still under $700 (non-WYndham fixed weeks and not converted to points units). And many of the older ownerships are have 2 fixed weeks on ONE deed (Prime and off season). As for cost, the current MFs are under $700 for each week. Large resort ... large recreation center with big indoor pool, indoor basketball court and open from 7:30am to 9 or 10 PM 7 days a week.
IF you brought Wyndham points you can book there ... but Wyndham points have lots of 'booking' fees and almost ALL free or cheap points will have a way higher MF .. over just owning a fixed week. NO FLOATING WEEKs.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2014
- Messages
- 1,232
- Reaction score
- 1,709
- Location
- West Bath, me
- Resorts Owned
- Cold Spring Resort, Acadia Village Resort, Samoset Resort, Attitash Mountain Village Resort
Activities
Shawnee does have several activities....but it is NOWHERE near as nice as Smuggs as far as the units you will likely be booked into. Very hit-or-miss with maintenance. We like going there because of the location and the space in the unit, but just know it will be a little rustic.
Many of the resorts we've been to in New England have some sort of daily activities. Our home resort of Cold Spring has a daily van excursion, and then crafts/activities at the resort each day, too. Wyndham Bentley Brook in Hancock, MA is another that comes to mind with daily activities. Nothing like Smuggs....but something to do each day. Samoset in Maine has activities for children if you are traveling with littles. Good luck! My kids always have to see the activities for the week before we can make other plans.
Shawnee does have several activities....but it is NOWHERE near as nice as Smuggs as far as the units you will likely be booked into. Very hit-or-miss with maintenance. We like going there because of the location and the space in the unit, but just know it will be a little rustic.
Many of the resorts we've been to in New England have some sort of daily activities. Our home resort of Cold Spring has a daily van excursion, and then crafts/activities at the resort each day, too. Wyndham Bentley Brook in Hancock, MA is another that comes to mind with daily activities. Nothing like Smuggs....but something to do each day. Samoset in Maine has activities for children if you are traveling with littles. Good luck! My kids always have to see the activities for the week before we can make other plans.
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2010
- Messages
- 11,427
- Reaction score
- 7,726
- Location
- The Weirs, New Hampshire
- Resorts Owned
- Innseason Pollard Brook
What about Massanutten?
Sounds like you are not interested in activities for children?
No particular area.
"Dirty Dancing" resort...:rofl: Sure, why not? We're interested in trading, not buying. We've done an all inclusive in Mexico, but folks seem to be more interested in drinking their money's worth. Sedona resorts had some interesting activities also. I'll have to check out the Shawnee. Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming!
"Dirty Dancing" resort...:rofl: Sure, why not? We're interested in trading, not buying. We've done an all inclusive in Mexico, but folks seem to be more interested in drinking their money's worth. Sedona resorts had some interesting activities also. I'll have to check out the Shawnee. Thanks for the suggestions...keep them coming!
Massanutten in VA (RCI)
Several of the larger resorts in Williamsburg VA offer extensive resort amenities to fill in between a month's worth of local sightseeing - Marriott (II), Wyndham Governors Green or Kingsgate (RCI), others - see TUG Resort Reviews
Same could be said for a few of the resorts in Gatlingburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville TN - Westgate (fine for exchanging, II), Wyndham (RCI), others - see TUG Resort Reviews
Larger beachfront resorts often have excellent activity programs and may be possible trades at the very beginning/end of summer or during the shoulder season. For example, in South Carolina, look into Marriott Grande Ocean on Hilton Head (II), Disney in Hilton Head (not on beach but good activities, RCI), the Marriott in Myrtle Beach (II), some of the Wyndhams in (N.) Myrtle Beach (RCI). In Florida, look into the beachfront Marriotts (II), Wyndhams (RCI), Disney (Vero Beach, II)), HGVC (RCI), others.
Westward, there are a large number of resorts like these as well, just more spread out on the map. We mostly went sightseeing from the Wyndham in Flagstaff AZ but there was truly plenty to do at the resort too. I've read similar about Wyndham in Pagosa Springs CO (RCI). Some of the Desert and Tahoe resorts in CA seem to fit this description. Others may be better versed with western US travel.
"Name brand" resorts may be more likely to offer clubhouse activities, such as scheduled craft activities, guided tours or walks in the area (some with a naturalist), game tournaments for adults/children, arranged golf/tennis foursomes, massages by reservation, kids activities, etc. In my experience, when the brand has multiple resorts within a resort region, these services are mainly available at the largest (# of rooms) resort and less so at the smaller ones. Hope that helps.
Several of the larger resorts in Williamsburg VA offer extensive resort amenities to fill in between a month's worth of local sightseeing - Marriott (II), Wyndham Governors Green or Kingsgate (RCI), others - see TUG Resort Reviews
Same could be said for a few of the resorts in Gatlingburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville TN - Westgate (fine for exchanging, II), Wyndham (RCI), others - see TUG Resort Reviews
Larger beachfront resorts often have excellent activity programs and may be possible trades at the very beginning/end of summer or during the shoulder season. For example, in South Carolina, look into Marriott Grande Ocean on Hilton Head (II), Disney in Hilton Head (not on beach but good activities, RCI), the Marriott in Myrtle Beach (II), some of the Wyndhams in (N.) Myrtle Beach (RCI). In Florida, look into the beachfront Marriotts (II), Wyndhams (RCI), Disney (Vero Beach, II)), HGVC (RCI), others.
Westward, there are a large number of resorts like these as well, just more spread out on the map. We mostly went sightseeing from the Wyndham in Flagstaff AZ but there was truly plenty to do at the resort too. I've read similar about Wyndham in Pagosa Springs CO (RCI). Some of the Desert and Tahoe resorts in CA seem to fit this description. Others may be better versed with western US travel.
"Name brand" resorts may be more likely to offer clubhouse activities, such as scheduled craft activities, guided tours or walks in the area (some with a naturalist), game tournaments for adults/children, arranged golf/tennis foursomes, massages by reservation, kids activities, etc. In my experience, when the brand has multiple resorts within a resort region, these services are mainly available at the largest (# of rooms) resort and less so at the smaller ones. Hope that helps.
Last edited:
Massanutten in VA
Several of the larger resorts in Williamsburg VA offer extensive resort amenities to fill in between a month's worth of local sightseeing - Marriott (II), Wyndham Governors Green or Kingsgate (RCI), others - see TUG Resort Reviews
Same could be said for a few of the resorts in Gatlingburg/Pigeon Forge/Sevierville TN - Westgate (fine for exchanging, II), Wyndham (RCI), others - see TUG Resort Reviews
Larger beachfront resorts often have excellent activity programs and may be possible trades at the very beginning/end of summer or during the shoulder season. For example, in South Carolina, look into Marriott Grande Ocean on Hilton Head, Disney in Hilton Head (not on beach but good activities), the Marriott in Myrtle Beach, some of the Wyndhams in Myrtle Beach. In Florida, look into the beachfront Marriotts (II), Wyndhams (RCI), Disney (Vero Beach, II)), HGVC (RCI), others. Usually, the largest of these will offer plenty of resort amenities, scheduled craft activities, guided tours or walks, etc.
Westward, there are a large number of resorts like these as well, just more spread out on the map. We mostly went sightseeing from the Wyndham in Flagstaff AZ but there was truly plenty to do at the resort too. I've read similar about Wyndham in Pagosa Springs. Others may be better versed with western states travel.
At Massanutten you will need to buy an activity card for most of their on site activities.I like the Marriott's Manor Club, Williamsburg,VA. They have lot activities on sites that are free and in the evening they have different guest lectures speaking on the history of Colonial Williamsburg, VA.
Last edited: