Westgate Lakes Review

[tweetylori]

We just got back from a 3-night stay at Westgate Lakes on Turkey Lake Road. I booked a 3 1/2 star resort on Hotwire for $53 a night and it turned out to be Westgate Lakes. When I got the name of the place we'd be staying at I did research, and much to my horror heard nothing but bad reports from the internet. So I wrote to Hotwire and told them how disappointed I was in what we had gotten. They reassured me that the place was perfectly fine. So we went down hoping for the best.
I had gotten directions from the airport from mapquest. The directions were fine but the first entrance we came to for Westgate Lakes took us by some awful-looking rundown condos where even the grass wasn't cut. It looked like slums. We came upon a guard who informed us we needed to turn around, go out and turn in farther down the road. Thank God! If we'd had to stay in what we first saw we wouldn't have. Down the road we saw a much nicer looking entrance. We parked and went in the front door where we tried to get to the front dest, but were accosted by a woman who insisted she needed to see us first. Unfortunately for her, we weren't on her "list". Oh well...off to the front counter where we were told we weren't supposed to be there until the next day. Uh....no, I have the hotwire confirmation right here. Dug it out, handed it to the guy who disappeared into an office for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, we're already talking about how we're probably gonna have to look for another place. Finally he comes back out with no apology or explanation, just proceeds to check us in. Okay...then hands us some paperwork and tells us we need to go to that other desk over there for "directions to our room". Yeah, right. Like we're stupid idiots and don't know they're gonna try to con us into a timeshare breakfast. We walked up to him and I said "We're not interested in even hearing about timeshares"....and he said "timeshares? I don't know what you're talking about." Yeah, right. We are NOT STUPID. So, he starts with park tickets...um, we have FREE ones. Hmmmm...he can't beat that one so he goes to the spa...uh, we don't have time for a spa visit...hmmmmm, he's on to plan C...how does $70 cash sound? BAD WHEN IT INVOLVES A TIMESHARE MEETING. no no no! He was still denying the timeshare issue, by the way, insisting there was no cost or obligation....uh, there was the few hours of our time you were expecting, right? That's an OBLIGATION. And we're not biting! We booked a hotel room on hotwire and want to go to that room! Finally he gave us the "complicated" directions...right down the road, building 1600...(hey, you've got a good one, view of the lake and the pool)...oh boy! Free again! Off to the room. Parked with no problem. Didn't see an elevator, so we lugged our luggage up three flights of stairs to 1633B. Room was perfectly decent. Large bed. Covered patio with a table and two chairs overlooking the pool and the lake. Large bathroom with a jacuzzi, large shower, separate toilet room. Refrigerator, sink, microwave. The only critique I had for the room was that the bed had sheets and a comforter but no blanket. I want to ditch the comforter in a room normally, but couldn't do so without a blanket. Sheets were not soft, but pillows were plentiful.
We cannot attest to the pool, because we didn't have time to go to it or the lake, nor use any of the resort activities. The next day we came back to the room to THREE messages detailing activities that we had missed. Rather gladly, I might add. We did find an elevator which was quite icky and worn, but no big deal.
I think the place is perfect for large families or people looking for a place to hang out with a pool or activities. We probably would not stay there again, because we'd rather have a regular-type hotel. For the price, however, and the location it was fine. The location is very central and very good. I do wish Hotwire would set timeshares as a separate category because we don't want them. They're fine for some folks but it's just not OUR thing.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I guess I don't understand what you are so up in arms about. You had a decent room at a good rate. So what if they left msg. on the telephone. It sounds as though you went in looking for the negative, due to reviews, rather than looking for the positives. I hope you didn't let it ruin your vacation.

 

[AJKMOM]

I think OP wants to warn us this was not an easy trip. If you go and stay there, expect to be bothered by people trying to sell you something.

This is a mild review compared to some I've read here and other websites. At least the room was OK and the price was good.

At Silver Lake, we had to pay a $25 cash deposit we would lose if we didn't show up for the timeshare spiel.

 

[djkeenan]

Sounds a lot like our visit to Westgate Lakes. Nice location, lovely room, but hardly worth the hassle. We made the same mistake on the entrance, met the same incompetent people at the front desk, the side desk, the room behind the glass, etc. I could picture all you went through because we went through much the same.

Our deal included the "90 minute tour" which was followed by an additional 90 minute kidnapping.

The resort itself is very nice and we thought the accomodations were outstanding, but for us, the investment in a timeshare doesn't make sense.

Meanwhile... we love hotwire and priceline and have never been disappointed with either. I agree that there should be some indication that a timeshre is one of the choices. Hope the rest of your vacation went well.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Fair enough. I guess I have never experienced pushiness that upset my vacation. And we do timeshares often.

 

[tweetylori]

I'm sorry if it sounded like the place ruined my vacation or something. I didn't mean that at all. It was a perfectly decent place to stay in a very good location. The price was pretty good for what we got.
I've done many timeshare deals in the past, but it was when we went knowing that we were going to sit through something in return for something. This time I booked a hotel room on Hotwire because we needed a room for a quick trip. We didn't have extra time. And when we said no the first time, they should've just let it go, imo. We were lucky because we knew what they were up to...how about folks who think they're staying at a regular hotel?
As for the messages on our phone, it was a bit scary to find 3 messages...we always leave relatives and work the number where we'll be, and usually no one calls unless it's an emergency. I was afraid something was wrong. I was relieved that they were just commercials. They had already given us a list of activities when we checked in...the messages (commercials) seemed rather invasive.

 

[spiceycat]

Westgate finds someway around rules.

I have written negative reviews about Westgate and will continue too.

they are far and away the most agressive timeshare salepeople out there.

they will try anything (and I mean anything) to sell you a timeshare and when they can't - they go out of their way to make you feel guilty.

I have been to other timeshares pitches - the only ones I will avoid are Westgate and Fairfield - both are pretty bad not to mention down right mean.

I make the mistake years ago of joining Westgate - we went there first. you would take it they would treat their members better. Forget it. I got a call every morning at 7 AM about setting up a maintence meeting (read this as sales pitch) I say NO every time.

then we are leaving he calls again and tells us we can't check out without going to one. It was downright hassement for an half hour. but I got madder and madder - I think they decided to let me go early because I was about to start screaming. they made sales in one room - and I was about to tell everyone there the REAL westgate.

now, since I joined tug, I could have told them it was against the law to deny me the right to leave. and if they tried I was calling the police.

I don't know why Westgate gets lists everywhere - I guess if you pay enough people off - and Westgate is always happy to spend money - expect on their owners and resorts. then many times the back is turned when they do awful stuff.

don't let Westgate discourage you from trying other timeshares. It is the worst. Now go to one of the best DVC - Disney Vacation CLub or Marriott Vacation Club, or Hilton Grand Vacation Club. However if you like hotels I think you would like DVC. for $90 a night - renting from a DVC owner- standard view - you can get Disney's Broadwalk Villa in a studio.

has all the functions of a Disney hotel. It is a Disney hotel, just a DVC too.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I am so glad that your trip wasn't ruined!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

They call my husband all the time I think they must have gotten our name from the time we took the Liki Tiki tour otherwise I hve no idea why they bother us. My husband told them that he had heard so many bad reports about the place that he did NOT want them to call again. They have not as of yet but give them time.