New checkin procedures at Silverleaf Oak n Spruce - WORST EVER!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I do love it up here in the Berkshires. Oak n Spruce has its issues, but I always end up coming back. The latest - it took close to a half hour to check in - three people at front desk, and after all the hemming and hawing about flights of stairs and location, etc, they now won't give people their keys without first sending out a sales person to pitch the "update" or "tour," with the usual perq/gift/whatever. So while the checkin line is getting longer, the front desk is tied up with NOT-checkin business. Of course they're booking a lot of "tours" and "updates," after waiting on line for so long, people say "yes" just to get their room keys. I let them know I wanted my key and no bs, so the young man checking me in had to write a big "NO" on a card and call his manager up to show him he'd tried. Really outrageous. I gather this is not unique to OnS, has anyone encountered it at other Silverleaf resorts?

The Presidential 3 bedroom was nice and big, though not in the buildings with the separate pools - those are two bedrooms and near as I can tell reserved only for Silverleaf owners in prime season. The 3 bedrooms are in Building 30, at the top of the hill where the ADA elevator building is.

They have got to get Wifi, the rec center is overrun with kids and sales and noise, impossible and unpleasant to do anything there. No excuse for lack of Wifi in the units - how do you call something "Presidential" with no wifi?

Lots of complaints in the lobby - stairs and noise, mostly. Still, it's well located and clean, and relatively new depending on the building. We're currently at Ponds at Foxhollow - in dire need of renovation.

Can't wait to come back next year

[rapmarks Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close rapmarks]

when we were there last september, I don't remember being asked to attend a presentation at all.

[Larry Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Larry]

when we were there last september, I don't remember being asked to attend a presentation at all.

Same here!!! This must be something new and would certainly not be something I would want to deal with.

[Remy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Remy]

Ugh.

We just got an AC for the first week in October and are only planning to stay for the weekend. We most certainly are not going on a sales tour.

I wonder if refusal will affect the unit we are assigned. I know that some of the units are still not refurbished. Also, would appreciate tips on what location to ask for. Our II confirmation initally showed a unit in the 300's (2 br 2 ba) but there is no unit on the actual certificate.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Ugh.

We just got an AC for the first week in October and are only planning to stay for the weekend. We most certainly are not going on a sales tour.

I wonder if refusal will affect the unit we are assigned. I know that some of the units are still not refurbished. Also, would appreciate tips on what location to ask for. Our II confirmation initally showed a unit in the 300's (2 br 2 ba) but there is no unit on the actual certificate.

It won't affect the unit you're assigned, they wait until just before they're about to give you the key to send in the "update promoter." You can just let them know you aren't interested and would like your key.

If you ask for a "Lodge" unit, those should all be about the same and perfectly fine. Most units on the property are Lodge units as far as I know. If you care about stairs, you should let them know that when you first get there - the third floor is six flights up. First floor units exceed demand, but they will try to accommodate you if they are able. If you aren't happy with the room they check you into, just call right away. If it's important to be close to the rec center, let them know that, too. Some buildings are a bit of a hike. The only thing we ever need it for is wifi so I just drive over if I have to. Please be sure to complain about the lack of wifi in the units
YOu'll have a great time - it should be beautiful up there in early October.

[Laurie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

They have got to get Wifi, the rec center is overrun with kids and sales and noise, impossible and unpleasant to do anything there. No excuse for lack of Wifi in the units - how do you call something "Presidential" with no wifi?
...
Some buildings are a bit of a hike. The only thing we ever need it for is wifi so I just drive over if I have to. Please be sure to complain about the lack of wifi in the units

Life is *really* different with a 4G Droid and PDANet ...

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Life is *really* different with a 4G Droid and PDANet ...

I've successfully tethered from there in years past, but I cannot do it for my current job - too much on the phone while at the computer, and I need to view documents. I also had computer problems after using the tethering software. I only get a Workberry, no Droid...

[Laurie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Laurie]

I've successfully tethered from there in years past, but I cannot do it for my current job - too much on the phone while at the computer, and I need to view documents. I also had computer problems after using the tethering software. I only get a Workberry, no Droid...

Yeah, not being able to talk on the phone at the same time is a downside, I'm hoping they'll correct that sometime. But I was so pleased with the 4G speed. Recently at Chicago Hyatt we had 2 computers, and had both in-room wifi and tethering, so could compare. The tethering speed was way faster and a more stable connection. These days I worry a little about using those unsecured networks too.

For so long, lack of wifi was automatic disqualification for resort choice for us, due to work commitments, so I empathize. Sorry to hear your computer had problems w/the software.

[Remy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Remy]

Thanks for all the info.
We have gone to the Berkshires a few summers but we stayed at the Ponds. This will be a new experience for both season and resort.

[swilshire Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close swilshire]

I had AT&T service the last time I stayed there and my tethered Blackberry internet was AWFUL! I had to sit outside on the balcony with the phone in just the right place to get any service at all and it would still drop out every time I got in the middle of something. Now I have Sprint, which seems to be worse in most places. I'm not sure I'd try Oak 'n' Spruce again.

Sheial

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I had AT&T service the last time I stayed there and my tethered Blackberry internet was AWFUL! I had to sit outside on the balcony with the phone in just the right place to get any service at all and it would still drop out every time I got in the middle of something. Now I have Sprint, which seems to be worse in most places. I'm not sure I'd try Oak 'n' Spruce again.

Sheial

It's hard to believe that an ambitious multi-property timeshare group doesn't get that in-room Wifi is a basic service/necessity these days. They could easily charge enough to recoup the investment. Write-in campaign, anyone?