Here are 5 experiences that were somewhere between disappointing to intolerable.
1. Royal Regency, Paris - filthy grimy upholstery
I'm not picky about much, but I do expect basic cleanliness. Nothing extreme: I never wash dishes when I get to a TS, or worry too much about other people's germs. So when I noticed the hair on the bathroom sink at RR when we arrived, I just picked it up in a kleenex and tossed it in the trash. But the filthy upholstery on the sofas and dining room chairs were over the line for me - it looked dirtier than the metro. I just didn't like sitting there without putting a towel down first, and didn't even want to set my backpack on the sofa. The carpet was badly stained, as well, didn't want to walk on it without shoes.
There were other things about RR that were less than great, which wouldn't cause the resort to make my worst list. But I'll mention them: electrical plugs of lamps and appliances previously taped together, now coming apart and probably hazardous... broken dishwasher with old gunky soap in it... zero basic supplies: no dish-drainer, or sponge or dishrag for hand-washing dishes, no dish soap... 2 copies of the exact same print hanging on different walls in the LR and the same exact one in the BR (tacky)... ashtrays next to the No Smoking signs (humorous).
Of course we had a great time in Paris and didn't regret the trip or the exchange, since if we hadn't exchanged, we may not have gone at all. And fortunately didn't ever intend to spend a lot of time there. But we did cook in some evenings, after very long (and dirty) days out on the town, and wished for a clean environment in which to eat and relax after a shower. Commute distance into center city would be fine for a cleaner place to stay, but too far to travel for this low of a standard. Was glad we didn't have friends with us, would have felt embarrassed. To be fair, I'll mention staff was generally helpful, and we didn't ever ask to be moved- we were checked into unit on confirmation- maybe they would have moved us, maybe another unit would have been cleaner. This was a 2-BR unit. But for 2 people, a cleaner nicer more convenient modest/budget hotel room in center city would be a much better option for similar cost, until/unless they get the place cleaned up. For more than 2 people, I'd still investigate other options, even for more cost. "Royal" - not.
2 - Hatteras High, Outer Banks - dirty upholstery
OK, basic upholstery cleanliness, or lack of, must be my pet peeve. Another great location, great view, but living room upholstery was too dirty to sit on without putting a towel down. Did have friends with us, they also wanted a towel to sit on, I felt embarrassed about that.
3 - Adventure Inn, Hilton Head - terrible odor
Smelled like a combo of mold/mildew and urine. Cleaned and mopped the bathroom myself several times, odor didn't ever abate. This was one of those $9 online auction weeks many years ago, I guess we got what we paid for. The other person came down with a bad upper respiratory infection a day or 2 after check-in and could no longer smell it. I spent as much time as possible out on the beach on the sunny days, picking up RX'es and going on timeshare tours by myself on the rainy days.
4 - Pianeta Maratea, Italy - odor & unpleasant noise
Unit smelled musty/mildewy. It was cold at night, but turning on the heaters caused such a rank odor, we couldn't stand to turn them on and instead froze under all the quilts in the place. But the primary reason it makes my list was the loud "animation" - obnoxious announcements and music blasted on speakers not far from our unit, both afternoons and evenings. We checked out after 4 nites, which we hadn't planned to do. Other exchangers we met were doing the same.
5 - Residenza dei Cavalleggeri, Tuscany, Italy - intolerable noise
Again, loud "animation" at some huge volume of decibels every night til midnight. Our unit was next to speakers, windows and furniture vibrated. Asked/demanded to be moved, resort was full, checked out after 1 night (only because we couldn't find other accommodations the first night- we tried).
For perspective, to show where I am on the picky scale, I want to add that I have had acceptable to positive experiences at other resorts generally rated low or problematic by other TUGgers according to reviews, among them:
BIS-Duck, Outer Banks
Maritime Beach Club, Myrtle Beach
Traders Inn, Ormond Beach FL
1. Royal Regency, Paris - filthy grimy upholstery
I'm not picky about much, but I do expect basic cleanliness. Nothing extreme: I never wash dishes when I get to a TS, or worry too much about other people's germs. So when I noticed the hair on the bathroom sink at RR when we arrived, I just picked it up in a kleenex and tossed it in the trash. But the filthy upholstery on the sofas and dining room chairs were over the line for me - it looked dirtier than the metro. I just didn't like sitting there without putting a towel down first, and didn't even want to set my backpack on the sofa. The carpet was badly stained, as well, didn't want to walk on it without shoes.
There were other things about RR that were less than great, which wouldn't cause the resort to make my worst list. But I'll mention them: electrical plugs of lamps and appliances previously taped together, now coming apart and probably hazardous... broken dishwasher with old gunky soap in it... zero basic supplies: no dish-drainer, or sponge or dishrag for hand-washing dishes, no dish soap... 2 copies of the exact same print hanging on different walls in the LR and the same exact one in the BR (tacky)... ashtrays next to the No Smoking signs (humorous).
Of course we had a great time in Paris and didn't regret the trip or the exchange, since if we hadn't exchanged, we may not have gone at all. And fortunately didn't ever intend to spend a lot of time there. But we did cook in some evenings, after very long (and dirty) days out on the town, and wished for a clean environment in which to eat and relax after a shower. Commute distance into center city would be fine for a cleaner place to stay, but too far to travel for this low of a standard. Was glad we didn't have friends with us, would have felt embarrassed. To be fair, I'll mention staff was generally helpful, and we didn't ever ask to be moved- we were checked into unit on confirmation- maybe they would have moved us, maybe another unit would have been cleaner. This was a 2-BR unit. But for 2 people, a cleaner nicer more convenient modest/budget hotel room in center city would be a much better option for similar cost, until/unless they get the place cleaned up. For more than 2 people, I'd still investigate other options, even for more cost. "Royal" - not.
2 - Hatteras High, Outer Banks - dirty upholstery
OK, basic upholstery cleanliness, or lack of, must be my pet peeve. Another great location, great view, but living room upholstery was too dirty to sit on without putting a towel down. Did have friends with us, they also wanted a towel to sit on, I felt embarrassed about that.
3 - Adventure Inn, Hilton Head - terrible odor
Smelled like a combo of mold/mildew and urine. Cleaned and mopped the bathroom myself several times, odor didn't ever abate. This was one of those $9 online auction weeks many years ago, I guess we got what we paid for. The other person came down with a bad upper respiratory infection a day or 2 after check-in and could no longer smell it. I spent as much time as possible out on the beach on the sunny days, picking up RX'es and going on timeshare tours by myself on the rainy days.
4 - Pianeta Maratea, Italy - odor & unpleasant noise
Unit smelled musty/mildewy. It was cold at night, but turning on the heaters caused such a rank odor, we couldn't stand to turn them on and instead froze under all the quilts in the place. But the primary reason it makes my list was the loud "animation" - obnoxious announcements and music blasted on speakers not far from our unit, both afternoons and evenings. We checked out after 4 nites, which we hadn't planned to do. Other exchangers we met were doing the same.
5 - Residenza dei Cavalleggeri, Tuscany, Italy - intolerable noise
Again, loud "animation" at some huge volume of decibels every night til midnight. Our unit was next to speakers, windows and furniture vibrated. Asked/demanded to be moved, resort was full, checked out after 1 night (only because we couldn't find other accommodations the first night- we tried).
For perspective, to show where I am on the picky scale, I want to add that I have had acceptable to positive experiences at other resorts generally rated low or problematic by other TUGgers according to reviews, among them:
BIS-Duck, Outer Banks
Maritime Beach Club, Myrtle Beach
Traders Inn, Ormond Beach FL
