Worst timeshare resort you've stayed in?

[CaliDave]

Wow. You must have just picked the wrong week to be there. That many people, under those circumstances, could make any resort stay less than desirable. Our week there was great.

Yeah, it was Labor day weekend. Some day I might try again.
I'm waiting for the New Tahiti Village to open. That should be a good family Vegas resort.

I know of another Tugger that stayed at the Monarch in Palm Springs and he said , he noticed the same clientelle at that resort for the weekend.

 

[CaliDave]

Let me help all of you who want to make a list. Don't wait for this thread to end! Just go to the directories of RCI and II and copy down all of the resorts. Then your list will be complete. I am sure every resort has had some guests that think their stay there was a disaster. If this thread goes on long enough, we will hear from them all and have listed all the resorts. Having said that, the thread is an interesting set of antecdotes but a list...???

I agree with Diane. I look at this list.
If someone's biggest complaint is a small kitchen and that didn't matter to my family. I won't cross it off my exchange list. I know some tuggers that have the same tastes in resorts as I do. So I put more weight into the reviews they give.

 

[pittle]

The worst we ever stayed in was Las Torres Gemelas in Acapulco. The rooms were old and musty smelling. The furniture was really old and uncomfortable. All vinyl furniture - some was torn. We asked to change rooms and they did this on the 2nd day, but it was no better. On the 3rd day, we went for a timeshare tour at the Mayan Palace. I think we bought because they told us we could move right in!!! We had the taxi driver wait for us we packed, checked out, and were at the MP within an hour!

Now, I will not book a vacation in a resort that has no room photos in the listing unless it is a Gold Crown or I can find reviews.

 

[shagnut]

Gaile, a friend of mine went there also Atalaya Towers and said it was awful . Filthy and there was blood on the mattress!! shaggy

 

[Hoc]

The solution for most of these resorts would be professional decorating and attention to detail.

And that actually reinforces my point from a couple of months ago in this thread. The mere fact that the resort is not decorated nicely enough does not qualify for me to call it "the worst" resort in which I've stayed. For me, the attitude of the staff, the comfort of the room and furnishings, the quality of the facilities, the service you get and the fact that you are not nickeled and dimed is much more important.

That's why my definition of "the worst resort" is different from others'.

 

[boyblue]

For some reason I lost track of this thread. The list with abbreviated reasons is great.

I want to encourage everyone to check the list and if you had a different experience at a place on the list let us know.

I saw Château Canmore on the list and I must say that I was surprised. We stayed there last November and our unit was very nice. Anyone else stayed there recently?

Can we get a footnote on resorts where folks report an opposing view?

 

[Patri]

What is the worst timeshare I've stayed in? I've only been to a handful, and had a great time at each, but if I had to rate them, I suppose I could find one that was worse than the other. Especially if I rated it a 9 instead of a 10.

 

[rapmarks]

Gee Someone else had the same experience.

We had a very nice stay at the Worldmark, Bass Lake and thought that it was nice. Also exchanged for a week there another year that we donated to our school auction and the people who won it said that it was one of their best family vacations ever. So opinions do differ...

Here's our worst: the Sheraton Vistana in Orlando. Even though we tried to request ahead of time, we ended up in a GROSS unit in an old section of the resort. It was filthy beyond cleaning and, even though we asked to be moved or at least have some of the filth removed, we were not even able to get a housekeeper to our unit. The good news is that we had a blast in Orlando and were too busy to spend much time indoors.

We had mold growing up the wall, 3 feet high. it took forever to get it cleaned, and the smell still lingered in the carpets and drapes. Nothing could get housekeeping over.
Also agree with the older models at Orange Lake are nothing to brag about.
But the worst was at the Chalet Resort in Bayse Virginia. Checked in at 5:30 to a horrible stench. The oven was being cleaned and would not go off until eight I was told. The room was so hot because of it, and I opened the slider to find the screen totally ripped out. Water stains down the walls. The bedroom was downstairs and that area was damp and mildewy. The silverware was filthy so I washed it at which time the faucet would not shut off. It was flowing heavily and I was told it could not be fixed for three days, just put up with it. They also forgot to put any townels in our unit. Nasty answers every time I asked for anything, so a call to RCI got us moved out. When i checked out, I was told 'We would have given you a different unit"

 

[Diane]

rapmarks -- were the moldy walls you mention at Worldmark Bass Lake? Don't want to put your comment in the wrong place.

BoyBlue--good idea about footnoting those resorts where a positive experience was reported.

Thanks,

Diane

 

[spatenfloot]

Summer Bay LV (listed as Ramada) has been renovating all the rooms, about 300 total by the end of the year. You might want to note that on the list since it says the reason was outdated furnishings.

I think if somewhat old furniture or a gaudy decor is the worst thing to complain about in your hotel room, you aren't doing too badly. Many timeshares are not 5 star resorts but that doesn't make them bad places to stay. Some timeshares have limited activities or amenities because the location or scenery are the main attraction. Often the region or country of the resort will affect things, since some places in the North or Europe do not always have air conditioning or other features you might have expected. People should not be surprised to see bugs in Florida, but I have seen reviews where the room was the worst ever because someone saw one.

I think people's expectations are sometimes out of whack with reality and this causes them to complain about things that really aren't so bad. Then again, sometimes the room is just bad.

Oh yeah, I have stayed at Orange Lake also in a clubhouse studio and thought it was fine. Room was clean and in good repair.

 

[jme]

Adventure Inn, Hilton Head, and....

We refer to it as the "Rear Inn". Happy to say I've NEVER stayed there, but it is the Adventure Inn of Hilton Head, "hands down"....and that would be..."hands down" on the toilet, throwing up from realizing you have 7 nights at this dump of a dump. And the second night would be worse. I walked thru one time visiting another Tugger......awfully filthy, beyond belief..... but fantastic location. ANY chain would pay a fortune for that location. WHY, WHY, WHY , having read all these posts, would someone spend a WEEK (which is a huge time investment) in a place about which they know so little? It's amazing......a very little bit of homework would do wonders, and the data is out there, thankfully. Even phonecalls! Sheesh. Glad we own only Marriotts, and a scant few of those are only mediocre, but I know about 'em. Sorry to read about all the wasted weeks! My Kleenex box is now empty. jme

 

[Laurie]

As one of the people who listed Adventure Inn on my worst list, I agree that this place came to my mind when boyblue wondered whether any TS resort could really be that bad. Some of us stayed there long ago, before there was much condemning evidence online.

As far as wasting time or $ there: at first I figured, having paid only $9 for our week and no banked week or exchange fee, at least it was only costing us a buck a night. But THEN one foggy rainy miserable night, trying to back our loaded longbed double-cab pickup with no rear visibility and a completely fogged up mirror, out of a small parking space in their narrow teeniny parking lot with almost no room to maneuver, I managed to scrape the fender of someone else's big shiny brand-new SUV parked in their little parking space, and that added about $500 to the total tab. So much for our free vacation. To console myself, I just focused on remembering the incredible meteor shower I saw at its beach one night.

(Diane- you can add 'inadequate parking' to my list of complaints for Adventure Inn.)

 

[rapmarks]

rapmarks -- were the moldy walls you mention at Worldmark Bass Lake? Don't want to put your comment in the wrong place.

BoyBlue--good idea about footnoting those resorts where a positive experience was reported.

Thanks,

Diane

No, they were at Sheraton Vistana Resort in orlando, realized aft4r I quoted that I should have used only the second paragraph. Also a lot of mildew int he showers, and kitchen was extremely beat up, counters and cabinets needed replacement.

 

[chellej]

THere are only 2, I would not go back to.

Inverness by the Sea in Galveston - run down, rusted appliances, noisy and poor attitude of the staff

Hotel de La Vive in New Orleans - it was an interesting arrangement but the two bedrooms and bath were built over the kitchen and suspended somehow from the ceiling. We kept thinking it could not possibly met building codes. On a positive note, you could walk to Mothers and it sort of fit the New Orleans character.

 

[boyblue]

After this thread I guess I'd better let this one pass

Was it really that bad guys?

 

[Darlene]

For us it was Sands of Kahana - hands down. I have stayed at resorts that were not 5* that are alot better. To me it's not just the resort, but the staff that can compensate for resort short-comings. They justed didn't care about exchangers.

 

[Iwant2gonow]

Here are a few of the places I've been inside, but would never stay in.

5) Ski Time Square in Steamboat - Grungy to the max, tired furnishings, great location, terrible hot tub. Yuch.

I did stay here and as dissapointed as I was about the dated shag carpeting, I can honestly say that I would exchange here again. The unit I stayed in was 2 bedroom and very spacious. A little plain but very clean. The best thing about it is the location to the mountain. Did not need the free bus system...just our feet to hit the slopes. Many restaurants were in walking distance and others were on the bus route. Is it Gold Crown Quality? No, but have stayed in another in Steamboat Gold Crown that was a hotel turned timeshare and was dark and stunk of smoke. We rented a car for that location. Ski Time Square brings back many happy family memories and we just laugh about the shag carpet! LOL

 

[EAM]

In response to request for different perspectives

Thanks, Laurie. Yours have been added and since a new page has been started here is the entire list:

Christie Lodge, Avon, CO-- tiny units in a large bldg, but clean and good location
*French Lick Springs Resort, IN--(1) not much to do but large unit (2) hiking, big indoor pool, good tours, casino going in, large units, esp. 2 BR
Orange Lake, Orlando--(1) in older unit, dirty (2) plain vanilla unit, expected more (3) agreed re older units
* denotes report of a positive experience at the resort

I agree that the 1 BR units at the Christie Lodge are small and not particularly well equipped, but we did have a nice balcony overlooking the street with a view of the mountains behind the town. I think it would be fine for a couple but a too small for a family.

I think I already mentioned my thoughts on French Lick Springs Villas

Orange Lake CC - large resort, lots to do, large pools, well maintained tennis courts, IMHO the only downsides were that the mini-golf was crowded, there were not sidewalks throughout the resort so one had to walk on the street or drive to get to some of the other areas (we are avid walkers/joggers so safety while doing so is important to us) and the screened porch in our ground floor unit (near the tennis courts) was always dark.

 

[karibkeith]

We were forced to spend a night and a day here when Divi Southwinds overbooked and had no unit left for us. It was like we stepped back in time, the furnishings were very 50's. The smells from the resort next door were awful.

Welcome to DIVI which I refer to as Dumps In Various Islands. You must have noticed that Heritage was not much worse than Southwinds. Got to the Divi Owners board and see complaints about other Divi properties. They only fix up a place where they are trying to sell something.

 

[Buzzmom]

Honestly, the worst timeshare resort in which I have ever stayed was the Maui Marriott. Horrible, painful beds, a pool that was not more than about 4 and a half feet deep anywhere, and lots of charges for lots of things that should not have cost extra, plus overpriced charges for things that should have cost extra.

Okay, since Hoc broke the ice with this, I'll add my $.02. I mean no offense to the Maui owners, but I have to agree -- the worst timeshare we've ever stayed in is the Maui Marriott. The rooms were awkward, furnishings looked dated, no full kitchen nor washer/dryer, the building itself looked like a prison, lots of oily smudges in the elevators which weren't cleaned for days, and no beach at all in front of the resort. The only good thing we found about the place was the beuatiful pool. We had heard so much about Maui and the Marriott there and were very excited about staying there. We found the place so disappointing my husband refuses to go back to Maui. Looks like we'll be at Ko'Olina every year, but I won't complain!

 

[Neesie]

Villas of Sedona in Sedona, Arizona

We went to the Villas of Sedona a couple of years ago, in January. It was okay but I resent that management did not take care of a leak directly next to the bed! It snowed our first night there and the next morning I got out of bed and stepped directly in a cold pool of water. (Leaked from roof). Management was not too concerned and they refused to move us. They didn't even come and look at it, I just threw down lots of towels to soak up the cold water. It didn't snow the rest of the time which is good because I think I would have been SOL.

They also featured an indoor pool. Minutes after I jumped in a group of women came to the pool and their "leader" told me I'd have to leave because they were going to have a water-aerobics class. Without any attitude I asked if it was okay if I joined in. Then she asked me if I was an owner of if I had exchanged. I told her I had exchanged and I was ordered out of the pool! This did not make me feel welcome; in fact it made me feel like second-class. What would it have hurt them to be friendly and let one other human being join their water aerobics class? Wasn't the pool part of the trade too?

I think in the hospitality business, sometimes they should just be hospitable. I don't like to go where I'm not wanted.

 

[ArthurN]

Pahio At Ka'eo Kai

Unfortunately, we were assigned a room that had a cockaroach infestation. Not so bad for me (grew up in the South), very bad for my wife.

 

[debkay_w]

We own a 3 bedroom at Orange Lake, right next to the pool in East Village, and love it. However, we stayed in a 2 bedroom unit before they were redone and HATED it. Does anyone know if all of the older 2 bedrooms have been redone?

 

[Dori]

My brother and his wife stayed in one of the older units last February, and it was not nice at all. After having stayed in the Tennis Villas the year before, when we visited them in their unit, I couldn't believe it was the same resort!

Dori

 

[timetraveler]

We own a 3 bedroom at Orange Lake, right next to the pool in East Village, and love it. However, we stayed in a 2 bedroom unit before they were redone and HATED it. Does anyone know if all of the older 2 bedrooms have been redone?

OL refurbishes the soft goods in all OL units every 6 years. That means the carpeting, drapes, bedding, furniture, etc. Then every 18 years we completely gut the entire unit, plumbing, fixtures, cabinets, everything.