Smuggler's Notch

[babylisa4]

Has anyone been here in the summer? My niece is considering going here because of the children's programming. She has a 6 year old, 3 year old and 1 yr. old. Can anyone give me any of their experiences? Thanks

 

[Snowgod]

I grew up there. It is still one of my favorite places to go. If you follow route 108 south through the Notch it brings you into Stowe Village. to the East 20 miles, you can go to Morrisville, Home of a Steam Railroad Musem. to the west is the Lake Champlain valley. And to the Northeast about two hours is Motreal. It is on the north side of the Mountains and is always a little more comfortable in the summer.

 

[babylisa4]

Can you tell me anything about the resort itself?

 

[Snowgod]

http://www.smuggs.com/:smooth:

 

[Dean]

RCI page for Smuggler's Notch
Here's some review information from Timeshare Users Group (TUG) but if you want to full review, you'll need to go join TUG and if you do, tell them I sent you. It's about $15 for one year with a free 3 month add, well worth the investment. The resort is rated 8.19 but the reviews are more positive than than.

11/6/00 - Date of Visit: 9/24/00
The resort was large and clean and would be full of activities for the kids if you go during the winter or summer. Not much to do at the resort in the fall. But plenty to do in the area.

My main complaint about the resort was we did not ask for and were not offered a non-smoking room. The entire building we stayed in stunk. The bedding and furniture reeked of stale cigarettes. The extra pillows and blankets were so bad we could not use them. So make sure that if you are non-smokers you request a non-smoking room. 
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10/23/00 - Date of Visit: 9/30/00
We stayed at Smuggler's Notch with great hopes of a wonderful vacation. It fulfilled that hope in all but one area. We stayed in Willows 10, a top floor unit. The decor was nice, updated and comfortable (we like oak and country styling) Our accomodations were terrific, a two bedroom condo, with the living room and kitchen in the middle and a bedroom on either end.

The main bedroom had a king size bed (too soft, but at least large enough!) and a bathroom with both a whirlpool tub and stand up shower. The "2nd" bathroom had a tub/shower and a stackable washer dryer (which was terrifc, because we packed cold weather clothes, and it was warmer than expected, so we all wore 2 outfits over and over...!) The 2nd bedroom had a double bed and a bunkbed. I liked the bunk beds and double bed in the second bedroom, although our two year old slept in a pack 'n play. We found the unit spotlessly clean. We were amused that we counted FOUR televisions in the 2 bedroom unit!

Vermont is gorgeous, and had the right mix of activities and restaurants for a toddler and her parents. The service at most places was at a more leisurely pace than I am used to, but the food made up for that. I ate all the chocolate (fudge to die for ...), cheese, apple cider and pancakes with maple syrup I could!

We did the usual tourist stuff (Ben & Jerry's factory tour, Cabot cheese and green mountain chocolate place etc.) We went to a maple sugaring house, and on a horse drawn wagon ride, and spent at least an hour one day in a toy store in Stowe. We visited a working farm/children's farm outside Burlington VT, which we all loved. We also just swam in the pool and wandered around the resort.

The disappointment: the daycare facility. Would not have left my dog there. Specifially the two wailing children (with no adult around attempting to soothe them), the big blaring teletubbies tv, the broken toys, the lack of security, the lackluster caregivers. Not impressed.

We did have a great time even without being able to go off by ourselves at all. I feel Smuggler's deserves it's high rating, it is a topnotch resort with a great location. 

 

[beccab]

Here's an idea of the facilities listed in the pamphlet. Unlimited use of 8 pools & 3 waterslides including a giant rapid river ride, unlimited hot tubbing & miniture golf, afternoon & evening organized games & entertainment for families. They also write about the child care facilities but after reading the other post ,I would be cautious as I am sure your niece will be too.

Thier website is www.smuggs.com/offer. This offer gives 30% discount for booking b4 may 25.

Although I have never been to Smugglers notch, I have been to Stowe. It is a very nice restful area. If you want to place to relax, this area is very nice. They have a great bike trail (i think 11miles long). For my family 5nts would have been perfect. We actually stayed 7nts & were ready to go home by the 7th day. .

 

[sueg]

About 8 years ago, we went to Smuggler's Notch in the summer, on a promotional offer, prior to becoming DVC members. DS, then about 5, enjoyed the day camp. We enjoyed the nearby Shelbourne Museum, which took at least a full day to cover fully. However, it is alot of outdoor walking and in the summer, it was VERY HOT! Our accomodations were just so-so, there were much newer, nicer units that I would expect/demand for a DVC trade. Also, the cleanliness standards were not up to WDW. For example, the outdoor hot tubs all had a bad colored foam and I wouldn't let anyone in our family use them. All and all, a nice vacation. It started DH & I thinking about timeshares and we bought DVC shortly thereafter.

 

[treloarf]

Prior to buying into DVC, I always received brochures from Smuggler's & thought it would be somewhere I would like to take the kids. But didn't know it was part of a trade you could make with DVC. Where exactly is it listed under in the guidebook?

 

[Dean]

treloarf, it's not a direct DVC exchange. Be aware that there are many ways to exchange without going through the II-DVC link. You can do direct exchanges, exchanges with another II or RCI members and also use other independent exchange companies.