We were there week 25 this year and have been going for seven years now. It is not a high end resort like the Marriott's, but it is a great family resort with plenty to do. You do not need to leave the resort and will still be busy all day and night long. It is definately self-contained. My daughter is 17, so I'm not 100% sure of the amenity prices, but they are close. I'll be posting a review in a few weeks also. Here goes:
It is in the middle of nowhere, but built in the beautiful mountains. The resort itself was built in the seventies, but all (or most) of the units have been renovated with comfortable, attractive furniture. The beds are okay mattresses, but definately not top of the line. The kitchens are small, and all of the newer buildings have a stove top and combo micro/convection oven. These, I find, are a pain in the neck. I hate them. Having one of these units limits the size of the meals you can bake and the other downside is that you do not have a microwave while the oven is in use or cooling down after. The units that have a conventional stove/oven are a little bigger. The kitchen table comfortably seats four, six is very crowded. I always bring a large frypan with cover, a cookie sheet, as well as an oblong pyrex baking dish. The rest of the kitchen supplies are fine.
You get a daily limited maid service, which includes bed making, towel exchange, trash removal, and toilet paper/kleenex resupplied as needed. They also give you a few hotel size bars of soap in each bathroom. You will get a roll of paper towels, small bottle of liquid dishwashing soap, and one packet of dishwasher detergent. You will not need trash bags, but you will need dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent (unless you want to buy the small boxes for $1.50 each). There is a coin operated washer and dryer in each building ($1.50 for each load in each machine). Pool towels are supplied at the pool, free of charge.
The buildings are two floors with four two BR units per building. The floors and walls are thin. Try to get an upper floor, or you will hear chairs sliding across the floor and children running the jumping. We were on the top floor and had the family from hell across the hall - 5 little undisciplined boys who ran and jumped up and down the hallway/stairs from 8:30 am until 10:00 pm.
There is a complimentary shuttle that runs continuously all day, if you choose not to walk. I hardly ever use it, but if you're unit is at the top of the hills, you will want to use it by the end of the week. All you do is stand out front, and it will pick you up and take you anywhere on the property!
By the time you arrive, the new hotel should be open. It is scheduled for around July 28th. It should be very nice, with restaurants, lounging areas, bar, etc.
There is a kiddie pool and two other outdoor pools along with one indoor pool. There is a new very large outdoor jacuzzi by the pool bar. They have recently redone the pool area and it is beautiful. There is also a snack bar (reasonably priced) by the pool. For fee amentities are: Go Karts - $10 or $12, horseback riding, paintball ($35?), rock climbing wall ($5), bumper boats
($5), bowling alley ($4.50 includ. shoes), racquet ball and the arcade for the children.
For fee activities include: Bingo ($1 per card, they play 8 games), Horseracing ($1 per bet - definately cute), Duck Racing ($3 - they play four games and pays anywhere from $45 on up. I won $64 on one race this year - this is a really cute activity for the children), and they have a golf course.
Free amenities are: 2 Billards tables ($5 or $10 deposit and you get it back when you return the balls), 2 ping pong tables ($5 deposit - get it back when you return the paddles, the balls are $0.25 each), indoor bocce ball, outdoor bocce ball, indoor shuffleboard, outdoor shuffleboard, horse shoes, tenis, basketball court, ball pit for small children. I'm probably missing something.
Free activities are: bocce tournaments, shuffleboard tournaments, trivia games, softball games, line dancing lessons, nightly shows at the forum - some of the comedians are very good. The shows usually start around 9:30 or 10:00 and last 30 to 45 minutes. Babysitting is provided for $5 for young children. Each night they have something for the young teens (until 10?) and then the older teens (until midnight) to do - there is a teen lounge there for dances and karaoke. They also have bonfires.
There is a kids camp (not sure of cost - may be free now), where your younger children can be entertained throughout the day with various activites by the activities staff (it's broken down to age groups). They also have a activities sheet that comes out each night as to the schedule for the next day. There is something do do all day long for the young, teens, and adults. Can't say enough nice things about the activity staff. The activity director, Lynn, is wonderful!
They offer bus rides for a fee one day to Manhatten for the day, Monticello Racino another day, and Woodbury Commons (shopping) another. We have not done these.
Around the area, you can go white water rafting. Other than that, I'm not sure, we don't leave the resort.
There is a nice market in Jeffersonville (10 minutes down the mountain) which has a great selection of Boars Head meats/cheeses, bakery items, good looking meats and other grocery supplies. There is a convenience store at the resort, but it is so overpriced - we go into town if we run out of anything.
Overall, I can't say enough nice things about this resort. If you have any other questions, PM me and I'll help you best I can.
Have a great time and tell Lynn and Tom from the activities staff that Tina says "Hi"!
. We will be there August 10-17.
