Beachwoods Resort Timeshare

Having heard that this was a newer, renovated “resort”, we were excited to choose Beachwoods Resort as our annual vacation destination this year. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed. Much of what we found pleasurable was simply in the aesthetics.

The Lodge and Welcome centers clearly demonstrated that little expenses were spared in their design and decor. These buildings were simply beautiful, clean, new and welcoming! Sadly, this is not very functional for a family on vacation and celebrating a child’s birthday. For months, our children were anticipating activities and excitement, and ironically, upon arrival, the check-in staff greeted our youngest with, “Are you ready for a ton of fun?”.

We eagerly viewed the activity schedules and realized that perhaps she was speaking of a different month; not the July 4th week we attended. A schedule of repeated courses in learning how to use fitness equipment, yoga in the early morning, mermaid swimming lessons and a scavenger hunt with ambiguous details might not have been what our 7- year old birthday boy had in mind.

The only class of interest was the ceramic painting, in which we painted a figurine given we paid the fee. We were the only 2 in the room with the staff and although extremely vibrant and friendly, the staff was really of minimal assistance. We were told the figures would be sprayed a coating to preserve them instead of sending to a kiln as they are designed.

Upon picking them up 2 days later, they were in fact, exactly where we left them when the employee who was facilitating had to leave, to work the desk. Unfortunately, they did not appear to be “sprayed” at all and the evening desk employee had no idea what I was referencing. He offered to call this employee and thereafter confirmed that she had “sprayed them with modge podge”, which is ridiculous in itself.

Nonetheless, he allowed me to wrap them up myself in the paper towels I spotted behind the desk and bag them in a trash bag he found. After spending over $2,000.00 for just 3 nights stay, I began to wonder why I was even being charged a fee for the ceramics since an outside vendor was not involved in any capacity. I then asked if I could cash in all the unused tokens to the arcade since of the 8 or 9 games, our son could only play a few, and the one pool table and air hockey table had special instructions as to how to insert the tokens properly because they were old and jammed. To no surprise, I was told “no, I can’t do that”.

We then attempted to use the photo booth but did not have exact change and the desk employee was unable to assist with that either. To that end, the only other activity that was of interest was the “cookout” on July 4th at lunchtime. But, of course it was another fee, $10.00/plate for a hot dog and a hamburger with chips and only 60 people could attend. Fortunately, Wendy’s was a block away.

While we were anticipating a fun time using the indoor and outdoor pools and paddleboats, we found the excitement to be anti-climactic.

The indoor pool was fun for our 7 year-old but the small size, noise and lack of things to do, quickly deflated our teens. To that end, the outdoor pool consisted of well….water (and pool noodles left behind by guests). The life size checker board and pool table were fun and fortunately available since there were only one of each and very few people frequented this uneventful pool area as were the 4 paddleboats.

Perhaps the addition of slides, water spouts or splash zones would aid in making it more welcoming and resort-like. On another note, our family did appreciate the beach access area for this resort and found our entertainment to be mostly that, even though we live next to a beach.

In addition to more activities for children and teens, my husband and I would have loved some adult time on the grounds, outside the condo. We looked for live music and the perhaps even the bar to be open in the evening, but neither was ever an option. The building with the bar and tables was never open for that matter, and the hot tub was part of the loud, indoor children’s’ area, which didn’t matter, because it too was closed, as indicated by being taped off with no explanation.

In short, Beachwoods Resort was a place with pretty grounds and a beautiful check-in building and a Lodge for entertaining (on your own or with an additional expense) . We had hoped to add this as a time-share option for our family each year, but after determining that its lack of conveniences, entertainment activities and staff involvement, much money can be saved going to a hotel on or near the beach, freeing guests up to spend monies on alternative options. What a bust. :(