Favorite smaller resorts?

[mikenjo]

We are "smaller resort people" too...don't need anything more than a clean, relaxing, comfortable place to get away. I notice that you are in SoCal like me, so don't know if you have visited the following smaller T/S:

• San Clemente Inn
• Solana Beach
• Lake Arrowhead Villas
• Capistrano Surfside
• Avila Beach
• Desert Breezes (Palm Springs)
• Lagonita Lodge (Big Bear)
• Pono Kai Resort (Kauai)

We have been to all of these, and are owners of the last two T/S on the list. They are all smaller, quieter, and more peaceful than the larger properties, but sometimes difficult to book depending on when you are looking to visit. Good luck and have fun!

 

[pedro47]

Are there no small resorts on the east coasts that are nice? I feel Port O Call. Royal Dunes & Spinnaker @ Shipyard Plantation are three (3) very nice small resorts. Plus they are all located on HHI & the east coast.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

My favorite small resort is not a timeshare but is more of a B&B. It is called Calipaso Winery and is located in Paso Robles, Ca. They only have eight units (four on each floor) and I think all have a view of their working vineyard. Rather than have room numbers, each room has a "name". Also, architecturally the resort is distinctive and beautiful. From the moment that we arrived, we felt that we were being pampered. When I arrived, they addressed me by my name (perhaps I was the last check in of the day or something). The check-in mgr. escorted us to our room and showed us the amenities (including a TV that popped out of a credenza via remote control). The unit was very large (maybe 800 -900 plus SF) and decorated professionally in a Tuscan fashion. When I commented that the refrigerator didn't have ice yet, the check-in manager apologized and volunteered to get us some and returned with a fancy ice bucket filled with ice. Then she invited us to the wine and cheese social in the evening. We enjoyed trying some of their excellent estate wines. We were also invited to a complimentary breakfast for the next morning and were served (among a wide variety of items) a cheese frittata.

We enjoyed the place so much that we booked it for later this year when we are on our way back to Napa.

The place is not inexpensive but it is worth it. When I originally was looking on Hotels dot com for a room during harvest season I was seeing overpriced (~$180-200) rooms in fleabag motels and rooms which rated 2*. When I read the reviews of those motels they were disturbing - - roaches, mice, mold, noise, and safety issues. So, for a few bucks more we splurged and got a unit with something like a 4.8 (out of 5) star rating.

 

[chellej]

We always prefer the smaller resorts as well...These are a few we have enjoyed over the years

Pend Orielle Resort - Northern Idaho
Island Park Village - now called timbers at Island Park - Yellowstone
whispering woods - Oregon
The CLiffs , Pahio Shearwater, Shell Beachboy...all Kauai
Bandera - outside San Antonio
The Falls - central Texas
Landing at Seven Coves - Lake Conroe TX
Peregrine - Galveston
regattas of Abaco (bahamas)

 

[chapjim]

Mardi Gras Manor in New Orleans. In the French Quarter but in the residential end -- quiet as can be.

 

[1st Class]

Are there no small resorts on the east coasts that are nice? I feel Port O Call. Royal Dunes & Spinnaker @ Shipyard Plantation are three (3) very nice small resorts. Plus they are all located on HHI & the east coast.

+1 for Royal Dunes...this resort is IMO highly underrated...all 3BR villas, frequently updated and nicely maintained, close to beach

 

[gypsygirl1]

I would recommend San Clemente Cove in San Clemente CA and the WIVC Alta Vista in Puerto Vallarta. Both are small and quiet and well kept with a very nice stafff onsite.

 

[WalnutBaron]

I'll put in a plug for San Francisco Suites, just below Nob Hill in San Francisco. The property is exceptionally well-managed and overseen by a dedicated owner board of directors who ensure the property is well-maintained and very hospitable for their guests and owners. They offer 1-BR suites and studio units with all of the modern amenities, and a great location right next to the Powell Street cable car route and up the hill from Union Square. Parking is available at a nearby garage for a much lower fee than the confiscatory $50-60/day charged by the Nob Hill hotels.

The staff are very accommodating, and great at organizing tours or outings for guests. Highly recommended!

 

[silentg]

This is where we stayed in Santa Fe
http://www.otravezensantafe.com/

 

[jackio]

In July we visited Bluegreen Suites at Hershey in PA. There are only 3 medium sized buildings and has a small resort feel. The staff there couldn't be nicer, and the units were well appointed. You can see the roller coasters from the resort, it's that close to the park, and right across the street from Tanger outlets.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Lodges at Cannon Beach #C275
Cannon Beach, OR USA

We stayed here when they first opened in 2011. I think there is only eight timeshare units total. There is an Inn connected with this property that shares the check-in. Free continental breakfast was included. Huge, beautiful lodge-like units. No ocean views unfortunately, but only a block from the ocean.

 

[Panina]

Just came back from Main 84 in Kennebink, Maine. There are only 7 units. Easy car ride to go to all the tourist areas and the beaches. Up on my list of my favorite timeshares.

 

[Whyspyguy]

Even though we are on the west coast, we are open to whatever. I am loving this list - so many places that were never on my radar. With the exception of Yosemite and Hawaii, we like to go to places where we have never been before.

In the spirit of the thread, our favorite timeshare vacation was to Club Intrawest Palm Desert. We loved the units - decorated in a very southwestern style - and the unit we stayed in had an outdoor shower as well as a private courtyard patio. The resort was nice and compact, and of course Palm Desert is close to Joshua Tree NP and some great hiking up at the Palm Springs tramway. Even though it was warmer than we expected in October (over 100 degrees) we had a great week.

Another hidden gem is Kala Point just outside the Victorian town of Port Townsend, Wa. It is a great home base for exploring the Olympic Peninsula or skipping over to Victoria, BC or to the San Juans. The resort itself has a beautiful walking beach and lagoon, pool, tennis and pickle ball cts and mature lush landscaping offering privacy. Not that wide open bare feeling of some.

 

[klpca]

Sounds awesome, whyspyguy.

 

[Bunk]

Several of you have recommended places in Oregon and Washington. What are the best seasons to visit. What is the weather usually like in the winter. Thanks

 

[dsmrp]

Several of you have recommended places in Oregon and Washington. What are the best seasons to visit. What is the weather usually like in the winter. Thanks

Late spring to early fall is best period. We have little/no humidity in summer in Western Washington.
Winter is usually gray and rainy. But not a pouring down rain; usually lighter , but persistent.

 

[geist1223]

During the Winter for Oregon if you like cold and snow then the Cascades and Eastern Oregon. The Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley tend to be gray and raining during the late Fall until Spring. Last Winter was very unusual for the amount of snow and ice for Portland and the Willamette Valley. We love going to the Oregon Coast during November. You never know what to expect - Shorts and T-Shirts or gale force storms.

 

[FLDVCFamily]

My all time favorite resort it South Mountain in Lincoln, NH right in the center of the White Mountains. Great base camp for exploring the area and a lot to do in Summer, Winter and Fall. (spring, not so much). Second in the area is Pollard Brook. There is also a new resort just coming online called Riverwalk.

Any of the resorts in Newport, RI. Great location with a lot within walking distance.

We actually stayed at Riverwalk in late June on cash. If you can get a trade in there, do it!!! It was sooooo nice! We had a fantastic time there and would definitely go back!

 

[51ssvinton]

We actually stayed at Riverwalk in late June on cash. If you can get a trade in there, do it!!! It was sooooo nice! We had a fantastic time there and would definitely go back!

EGRETS POINTE TOWNHOUSES, EDISTO beach, sc INFO@EGRETSPOINTE.COM is great fall/winter/spring...too hot in summer for me but great tropical climate..Beach resort...Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort...
Egrets Pointe is inside resort but privately managed/run by owners poa NOT WYNDHAM...quiet, nature filled island....
45 min south Charleston, SC
1 hr North of beauford, sc.
Beautiful place, lots of history.
THEY ALSO GIVE MONTHLY RATES FOR SNOWBIRDS, UP TO 3 MONTHS....THE LONGER THE STAY THE LESS THE MONTHLY CHARGE IS.....GREAT PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM COLD)TELL CANDACE SANDI REFERRED YOU AND GET ALWAYS GREAT SERVICE

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[Egret1986]

EGRETS POINTE TOWNHOUSES, EDISTO beach, sc INFO@EGRETSPOINTE.COM is great fall/winter/spring...too hot in summer for me but great tropical climate..Beach resort...Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort...
Egrets Pointe is inside resort but privately managed/run by owners poa NOT WYNDHAM...quiet, nature filled island....
45 min south Charleston, SC
1 hr North of beauford, sc.
Beautiful place, lots of history.
THEY ALSO GIVE MONTHLY RATES FOR SNOWBIRDS, UP TO 3 MONTHS....THE LONGER THE STAY THE LESS THE MONTHLY CHARGE IS.....GREAT PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM COLD)TELL CANDACE SANDI REFERRED YOU AND GET ALWAYS GREAT SERVICE

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Great to hear this awesome report. We bought Egrets Pointe Townhouses from the developer back in 1986 (thus my TUG name Egret1986). It went through many years of mismanagement in the 1990's and we finally deeded back the timeshare after finding TUG. Back then, Egrets Pointe was in the beginning stages of pulling out from Fairfield (now Wyndham) to become self-managed. There were "growing pains", especially since it is located within the Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort. The struggles back then made it hard for us to keep up the "good fight" and we were relieved to get out. However, the area was remarkable, quiet and unspoiled. The units were very large and nice. We haven't been back since deeding back our week to the HOA. Since we love coastal SC and have fond memories of the Edisto area, this may be a place to consider for a future vacation in the Spring or Fall. Thanks for posting, Candace!

 

[pedro47]

Is Egret Pointe in Hilton Head?

 

[51ssvinton]

Great to hear this awesome report. We bought Egrets Pointe Townhouses from the developer back in 1986 (thus my TUG name Egret1986). It went through many years of mismanagement in the 1990's and we finally deeded back the timeshare after finding TUG. Back then, Egrets Pointe was in the beginning stages of pulling out from Fairfield (now Wyndham) to become self-managed. There were "growing pains", especially since it is located within the Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort. The struggles back then made it hard for us to keep up the "good fight" and we were relieved to get out. However, the area was remarkable, quiet and unspoiled. The units were very large and nice. We haven't been back since deeding back our week to the HOA. Since we love coastal SC and have fond memories of the Edisto area, this may be a place to consider for a future vacation in the Spring or Fall. Thanks for posting, Candace!

We are remodeling units, about 2/3 of them done. Hoping to finish soon. Now is great time to visit..no crowds, mild winter temps...
Spring and fall also....my favorite.
Its always warmer in Edisto due
To semi tropical area.

Come for a visit


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[51ssvinton]

Is Egret Pointe in Hilton Head?

No....Edisto Beach, 45 mins south of Charleston, hour north beaufort, SC
Off hwy 17....
Www.egretspointe.com
Like us Facebook EGRETS POINTE TOWNHOUSES

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[51ssvinton]

Great to hear this awesome report. We bought Egrets Pointe Townhouses from the developer back in 1986 (thus my TUG name Egret1986). It went through many years of mismanagement in the 1990's and we finally deeded back the timeshare after finding TUG. Back then, Egrets Pointe was in the beginning stages of pulling out from Fairfield (now Wyndham) to become self-managed. There were "growing pains", especially since it is located within the Wyndham Ocean Ridge Resort. The struggles back then made it hard for us to keep up the "good fight" and we were relieved to get out. However, the area was remarkable, quiet and unspoiled. The units were very large and nice. We haven't been back since deeding back our week to the HOA. Since we love coastal SC and have fond memories of the Edisto area, this may be a place to consider for a future vacation in the Spring or Fall. Thanks for posting, Candace!

I m sandi V...owner
Candace is EP OFFICE STAFF....ASK FOR HER AND TELL HER I REFERRED YOU)

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[Egret1986]

I m sandi V...owner
Candace is EP OFFICE STAFF....ASK FOR HER AND TELL HER I REFERRED YOU)

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Thanks, Sandi!

My vacations are booked through 2018. Not retired yet, so my opportunities for travel are limited to five weeks. But it's nice to know about the property and will definitely consider it for future vacations or a place to stay for extended winter breaks once I do retire (not too far off!)

It's nice to hear Egrets Pointe Townhouses made it through the tough times!