Facility Usage Question

[rboesl]

My wife & I just returned from a stay at Split Rock Resort in the Poconos. One thing really surprised us. Facilities at the resort, like the water park and movie theater, we available for general public use for a fee. In fact we saw billboard advertisements for day use escapes in the area. Timeshare owners were given a single use discount coupon booklet but were also charged the same fee as general public after they had used up the coupon.

We've not seen this before. Every other resort we've been to only allowed usage by timeshare owners.

My question is: Is it common practice for resorts to open their facilities up to non-Timeshare owners for a fee? And, what about owners being charged usage fees? Is this common and, if so, how do you find out before booking?

 

[tschwa2]

This also happens at Massanutten. Those amenities are owned by the developer and are run as a profit venture and not paid for and maintained by the various HOA's. In fact the developer uses the facilities and offers them as freebies for attending tours. Those that use the facilities and don't receive the freebies are really supplementing the developer gifts.

 

[Dori]

Several years ago, we exchanged to Hiawatha Manor, Tennessee. We took our kids and two of their friends with us. When we headed down to the pool area, we were told that the cost for the six of us would be $30 per day to use the facility. I was livid! When I spoke to the manager of the resort, his response was, "well, you can always use the lake."! All the extra fees were charged to subsidize the full-time residents of the community, I was told.

Needless to say, I wrote a scathing review!

Dori

 

[tschwa2]

I did want to clarify at Massanutten it is the Water Park, Ski/Snow boarding/tubing, Zipline and Golf course and restaurants that are owned by Great Eastern and open to the pubic. There are 2 indoor pools connected to fairly large recreation centers and 3-4 outdoor pools that can be used without extra fees when staying onsite and are not open to the public for a fee although a perk from buying from the developer is day use at the pools and recreation centers.

 

[rboesl]

I'd be surprised the developer is still actively involved with this resort. It's been in operation since the late 1950's and recently changed ownership. They aren't even actively selling timeshare ownership. There's no sales office or kiosk in the lobby. In fact, there's only a small mention in their welcome literature with a phone number to call if you're interested in ownership.

 

[tschwa2]

I'd be surprised the developer is still actively involved with this resort. It's been in operation since the late 1950's and recently changed ownership. They aren't even actively selling timeshare ownership. There's no sales office or kiosk in the lobby. In fact, there's only a small mention in their welcome literature with a phone number to call if you're interested in ownership.

I don't know. When I looked at the owner page on the website: http://www.splitrockowner.com/
under important numbers there is a referral department, a referral director, a sales department and another extension for owner referrals. Sounds like they are actively selling something.

 

[rboesl]

We were there just last week. The only sales office we saw was for wedding packages. We did see 2 sales people but they were definitely selling wedding packages.

 

[WinniWoman]

Smugglers Notch allows locals to use the facilities- day or multiple days usage- for a fee. They also charge a day use fee for using the Fun Zone. They also bus in kids camps to use the water park pools, much to the dismay of many owners.

 

[dagger1]

Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch pools, slides, lazy river, beach and activities are only open to owners or renters at the resort. They can also using all of the facilities of the next door Hyatt Hill Country. But Hyatt Hill Country guests can't use HWOR facilities ( I believe...).