What do you look for when you first settle in?

[sea&ski]

I got to thinking about a few posts lately. When we first enter our villa, I do a cursory check for supplies. This time, I find there is no dish soap and no scrub pad for dishes. Is this intentional? I doubt it but I will find out in the morning. I sure hope I don't find this is something I need to pay for. Everything else seems to be in order. There are extra kleenex boxes, horrid paper towels and soap bars, towels, pool towels, etc. What else I do? check the dishwasher for standing water and open the washer and dryer. The last two are recurrent issues with me. Our home location involves sand. Sand often fills the dryer, the barrel and the lint filter. I have had convos with the GM of our timeshare and the cleanliness has improved. However, I do have issue with the washer almost everywhere we stay. Tonight I find a detergent dispenser filled with a hardened, gelled substance and water. I am running a tub clean cycle to see what transpires. How hard is it to check this when cleaning a villa between visits? In-unit washer and dryer are a big plus of the timeshare units. Am I alone in finding this an issue?

 

[dioxide45]

I've never really noticed issues with the in unit washing machines and we have been in a lot of timeshare units. I was shocked when we checked in to Grand Chateau earlier today to find eight (count em 8) wash cloths in the one bedroom side of the three bedroom lock off. The two bedroom side had a total of 16. I've never seen that many washcloths in a timeshare unit. In many cases we are lucky to get three in a 1BR.

There are also dozens of Finish automatic dishwasher detergent packets between the two units. Though the actual dishwashers are covered in scale on the inside. I suspect some vinegar through a cycle would fix that. A lock off also means we get two Scrub Mommys

 

[sea&ski]

I've never really noticed issues with the in unit washing machines and we have been in a lot of timeshare units. I was shocked when we checked in to Grand Chateau earlier today to find eight (count em 8) wash cloths in the one bedroom side of the three bedroom lock off. The two bedroom side had a total of 16. I've never seen that many washcloths in a timeshare unit. In many cases we are lucky to get three in a 1BR.

There are also dozens of Finish automatic dishwasher detergent packets between the two units. Though the actual dishwashers are covered in scale on the inside. I suspect some vinegar through a cycle would fix that. A lock off also means we get two Scrub Mommys

No scrub anybodies here. I will follow up on this because we should have some of those relatives at our place. Sounds like you hit the wash cloth jackpot! Check your washer! You might have our washer detergent, I found that missing too

 

[dougp26364]

I can’t say we’ve ever had an issue serious enough that I remember. There’s always been adequate cleaning supplies. The washer/dryer has always been in good working order, although sometimes I’ve felt it was a cheaper model than we prefer, but that’s a matter of preference.
We have had the occasional snags where we know the room wasn’t thoroughly cleaned because we’ve found items under the bed or furniture, but that’s been rare. I don’t recall ever being short on kitchen supplies, but I don’t hand wash items so I don’t really look. Because of seasonal allergies, I do notice the unit being supplied with extra boxes of Kleenex and have never run short that I recall. However, when talking a 25 year history of ownership with Marriott, it’s hard to really be certain.

 

[clifffaith]

Ever since I found about a dollar in coins in a washing machine, I always grab the spindle and rock the drum. Except for a very occasional odd coin, lightening hasn’t struck twice!

 

[Danlop88]

I can’t say we’ve ever had an issue serious enough that I remember. There’s always been adequate cleaning supplies. The washer/dryer has always been in good working order, although sometimes I’ve felt it was a cheaper model than we prefer, but that’s a matter of preference.
We have had the occasional snags where we know the room wasn’t thoroughly cleaned because we’ve found items under the bed or furniture, but that’s been rare. I don’t recall ever being short on kitchen supplies, but I don’t hand wash items so I don’t really look. Because of seasonal allergies, I do notice the unit being supplied with extra boxes of Kleenex and have never run short that I recall. However, when talking a 25 year history of ownership with Marriott, it’s hard to really be certain.

 

[jme]

In this order: make sure that the A/C, Fridge/ice maker, and TV are working well. Balcony glass door functioning properly.
Wife checks the other stuff....dishwasher working, supplies, etc.

 

[klpca]

We just make sure that we have coffee filters and that we understand how to make coffee so that we can make coffee in the morning. We bring our own coffee or buy it on the first grocery run, but we get tripped up by coffee filters or weird coffee makers every once in awhile.

 

[dioxide45]

In this order: make sure that the A/C, Fridge/ice maker, and TV are working well. Balcony glass door functioning properly.
Wife checks the other stuff....dishwasher working, supplies, etc.

Yeah, checking the AC is super important. We've been burnt, literal, in an 85 degree room after we unpacked everything.

As for myself, my priorities are a little different. No one else would have to do this. I go in, turn on all the lights, make sure all the drawers and cupboards are closed and open the curtains to let in more light. Then I film the room. If something is broken, we call to get it fixed after I've done all that. We've had to move to a different room after I filmed everything. So the room in my videos isn't always the one we stayed in the whole time.

 

[silentg]

Used to fill out the inventory sheet, not lately, I check the bathroom toilets and faucets, make sure air conditioning or heat is working depended on where I am.

 

[SteveinHNL]

What are horrid paper towels?

 

[dioxide45]

What are horrid paper towels?

These. They’re terrible.

 

[pedro47]

In this order: make sure that the A/C, Fridge/ice maker, and TV are working well. Balcony glass door functioning properly.
Wife checks the other stuff....dishwasher working, supplies, etc.

I also follow jme suggestions. Plus, I also unplug the unit telephone.

 

[melissy123]

First thing I check: size/view from the balcony and trying to judge if balcony will be in sun/shade in the morning when I have my coffee. Second: coffee maker setup and size of coffee cups. DH teases me I should travel with my own preferred large sized coffee cup.

 

[Dean]

First thing I check: size/view from the balcony and trying to judge if balcony will be in sun/shade in the morning when I have my coffee.

Why? I'd hope no one would push for a room change for this situation.

I tend to check the unit in general, expected supplies, around bed for bed bugs, AC/heat depending on specifics, is the fridge working, make sure the ice maker is turned on and for evidence of water leaks.

 

[dioxide45]

Why? I'd hope no one would push for a room change for this situation.

I tend to check the unit in general, expected supplies, around bed for bed bugs, AC/heat depending on specifics, is the fridge working, make sure the ice maker is turned on and for evidence of water leaks.

I wouldn't usually check the fridge. That is an easy swap out if I learn it isn't working. Now the AC, that is a different situation. If that is broke, it could be a miserable several hours or even days. AC would require a room change if it isn't working and can't be fixed quickly.

 

[marmite]

I look for a kettle and (especially if in Hawaii) a rice-cooker. Usually housekeeping will bring these items if they're not in the suite. I also check the condition of the non-stick frying pan and ask for another if it looks like the surface is deteriorating. I check to see if the ice maker is on.

I need to start looking in the showers to see if the big bottles of shampoo/conditioner/body wash are there as my last Westin timeshare did not have these. Not sure if people are starting to take them home or if housekeeping forgot to replenish. Anyhow, a very short list but maybe I should do the bed bug check. Ewww.

 

[slip]

I really don't do any checks. We unpack right away. As we are putting stuff away and making ourselves ready for our stay we may notice some thing but we're not really checking anything. In all our years using our timeshares we haven't really had any issues at all.

 

[davidvel]

These. They’re terrible.
View attachment 99404

They work great on wood and steel prior to painting.

As for W/D, they never dry anything.

 

[zentraveler]

I really don't do any checks. We unpack right away. As we are putting stuff away and making ourselves ready for our stay we may notice some thing but we're not really checking anything. In all our years using our timeshares we haven't really had any issues at all.

We must have been lucky too. No yucky washer/dryer or any of what has been mentioned.

 

[mauitraveler]

In addition to the great suggestions already, I am reminded of posts from years ago about wiping down light switches, door knobs, the TV remote, the phones, faucets, etc. (anything that someone else may have touched...) with sanitizing wipes. Washing dishes and utensils before use is a good precaution, as well. As Dean and Marmite do, we always check for bedbugs before we do any unpacking on the beds. Someone even suggested that instead of placing your luggage on the floor, place them in the tub if you don't plan on using the tub. Safe and Happy travels to all!

 

[Pompey Family]

Why? I'd hope no one would push for a room change for this situation.

I tend to check the unit in general, expected supplies, around bed for bed bugs, AC/heat depending on specifics, is the fridge working, make sure the ice maker is turned on and for evidence of water leaks.

I have done. In February this year I popped over to Spain for a couple of weeks for a bit of sun and the first room I was given the balcony was in shade throughout the whole day due to the layout of the buildings and the position of the winter sun. I certainly changed rooms on that occasion to one with a south facing balcony.

 

[pedro47]

We still place our luggage in the bath tub and we still use sanitize wipes. LOL

 

[Dean]

I have done. In February this year I popped over to Spain for a couple of weeks for a bit of sun and the first room I was given the balcony was in shade throughout the whole day due to the layout of the buildings and the position of the winter sun. I certainly changed rooms on that occasion to one with a south facing balcony.

As with most room assignments I think it's OK to ask but not to demand and in this situation, not to insist.

 

[Steve A]

Light switches. There doesn’t always seem to be a relationship between the location of the lights and the placement of the switches.