Westgate Resort in Smoky Mountains

[caralyn817]

Has anyone used their points and stayed at the Westgate Resort in Gatlinburg? If so, how did you like it? Also, does anyone have any pictures of their stay there?

 

[kendo911]

Westgate Smokey Mtns is a nice place. It sits right between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge on the side of a mountain. We prefer the cabins to the hotel high rise buildings. They are currently doing construction and are adding more up the mountain. Recently, they openend an indoor waterpark on property. I will try to find some pics. PM me with any questions. We are going back in April

Ken

 

[JudyS]

This is supposed to be a very nice resort. However, using your points to stay there isn't a cost-effective use of your points at all. You could rent a unit at Westgate Smokey Mountains for far less than the value of the points that II would require for a trade.

If you think you may want to stay on a regular or semi-regular basis for resorts other than Disney, you may want to consider buying an inexpensive timeshare for trading, or even just so you can get access to a full II membership and rent their "Getaways" (discounted rentals.) You can email me if you want details on any of this.

I definitely suggest that whatever else you do, you don't actually buy at this resort, especially not directly from the developer. Westgate has low satisfaction rates among owners. (The resorts themselves are nice, but a lot of owners feel cheated by the management.)

There should be reviews (and maybe photos) of this resort on www.tug2.net although it costs $15 to become a member and access them. www.tripadvisor.com will probably have some reviews for free.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I had wondered about the "value" of using II points for Gatlinburg.

As for Westgate, I'm pretty sure that is one of the timeshare companies that used to all but forces people to purchase timeshares from them after they have tricked them into taking the presentation.

And of course, that is why BOTH of my sisters think I have completely lost my marbles for purchasing DVC.

OR ACTUALLY, "I thought she was smarter than that." Hmmm.

 

[Dean]

I had wondered about the "value" of using II points for Gatlinburg.

As for Westgate, I'm pretty sure that is one of the timeshare companies that used to all but forces people to purchase timeshares from them after they have tricked them into taking the presentation.

And of course, that is why BOTH of my sisters think I have completely lost my marbles for purchasing DVC.

OR ACTUALLY, "I thought she was smarter than that." Hmmm.

Westgate does have quite a reputation but this is a nice resort, likely the nicest overall in the area. Gatlinburg is pretty easy to get other than the first 3 weeks of Oct. One can rent a unit easier and more cheaply as noted above. The resorts I'd put on my A list for the area include Mountainloft, Westgate, Bent Creek, Wyndham, Crown Park, Tree Tops and possibly Gatlinburg Town Square. CP and GTS are in town, and Wyndham is a bit far out from the mountains near the outlets in Sevierville. Depending on the time of the year one should be able to rent a 2 BR at any of these for under $1500, often much under.

 

[Lisa P.]

Agree with JudyS and Dean. Rent out your points and rent a timeshare week from an owner there and you'll make out ahead. Or do a direct exchange with a Westgate owner - you may save by doing a 5-night DVC for a 7-night Westgate exchange (and no exchange fee) or trade a 1BR DVC for a 2BR Westgate. Just a couple thoughts. We trade much less expensive timeshare weeks (than DVC points) into resorts like Westgate.

As for the high-pressure sales, simply don't attend. There's no requirement for attendance at a sales tour when you're staying on a timeshare exchange or as the guest of an owner. Those are only needed if you accept a promo rental deal from the developer, normally 2-3 nights, or in exchange for "gift" incentive park passes, show tickets or dinner certs. No sales tour with an exchange = no pressure.