Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Water Park

Me and my husband reserved a room with a discount if we attended a 90 minute presentation for timeshare properties. When we arrived the outside of the resort looked great the staff was pleasant, we were assigned building 5000 room 44E. When we opened the door OMG. The room was very dated and nasty. The couch was old and uncomfortable. The stove didn't work and there was a small 2&1 washer under the sink in the restroom that didnt worked. I always take the sheets off and wash them when we stay in cabins. When I took the sheets off the mattress had blood stains on it. I tried to use the phone that was there to call the office but it didn't work. I used my cell phone and made a complaint, they sent two men and one of them reeped of alcohol they just looked at it and said they would replace the mattress if they had a king size mattress but they didnt have one so there was nothing they could do. We were too done. We put towels over the stains and then the sheet . As I was trying to cover up the towels with the shhet I noticed that the sheets had brown stains, so we slept on top of the comforter. The TVs were so dated we couldn't even watch Netflix or cable. We ended up using our phones to watch our shows. The next day at 930 we went to the presentation which was suppose to be 90 minutes. They were very persistent and would not take no for an answer. 90 minutes turned into 4 hours. They initially promised two $100 visa cards, we left with 2 Waterpark half off tickets. We told them about our room and he said if yall buy this timeshare you'll have a great room before you leave and my staff will move all of your stuff to the new room. My husband told him that purchase or not the room should be livable and sanitary. Finally after 4 hours he said let me introduce you to my manager, the so called manager came and tried again to convince us to buy the timeshare we declined over and over pointing out that the owner whos cabin we rented should be ashamed to rent such a unsanitary cabin and he just brushed it off as something that was accidentally overlooked and said if it had been one of his properties this wouldn't have happened. Me and my husband looked in amazement and disbelief. We did not enjoy our stay at all. We originally booked 4 days but left a day early. This place reminded me of scammers. On day 2 we requested some towels. After a while we were wondering why it was taking so long. I look out the door and someone had left a bog of towels in front of our door. The towels were hard and didnt smell clean at all. Leaving was our only option. I will go back to Gatlinburg but never Westgate again.

I was interested in this resort for my family due to the special they were running (3 nights for $99 if you agreed to a preview of the timeshare program). I should have listened to previous reviews (and common sense) and stopped right there. PROS - LOCATION: The ONLY thing this resort has going for it is the view, it is a great location with beautiful views. CONS - UNSAFE: The cleaning staff walked right into our room without even knocking. When I contacted the front desk to opt out of cleaning service, they said they had no idea who this could have been and asked for a description of the person. Do you not keep track of your cleaning crews or who has access to your rooms? They sent security to “fix” our lock but this shouldn’t have even happened in the first place. There were also several occasions (including late at night) that a male resort employee was parked outside of our cabin alone. It made me feel very uncomfortable traveling with two small children. - DIRTY/IN NEED OF REPAIRS: Our room was filthy and in need of repairs. See pictures. - CROWDED: The water park was pretty outdated and very crowded. Traffic was a nightmare as there is only one entrance. There are employees everywhere driving around in golf carts and a shuttle that runs constantly so driving around the resort is difficult. - UNORGANIZED: We added two day water park passes to our package while booking our trip. Apparently the resort has since stopped offering this promotion and the woman at the tickets desk tried to tell us that because of this our package was no longer valid. After speaking to multiple different employees they were finally able to figure it out, but we shouldn’t have had to spend time away from our vacation getting something that we already paid for. - PREVIEW: Unfortunately my husband wasn’t able to join us on vacation, so I was disqualified for going on the resort preview and charged an additional $300 even though I did attempt to go. It is not the 1950s, even though I am married doesn’t mean I am incapable of making financial decisions for my family. This was our first and definitely last time visiting a Westgate Resort property. There are lots of properties in Gatlinburg to choose from - pick somewhere else!

Upon arrival, my son, husband and I were enjoying a moment on the balcony of our 2nd floor room in building 60. My 1.5 year old leaned on the railing, and the railing popped out, creating a toddler size hole. My husband was able to reach out for him so he didn't fall to his death. We were moved to a second room in building 66, which also was on the 2nd floor and also had a loose railing. Upon making a complaint stating it scared me due to the safety concern of my baby, Cameron at the front desk said maybe I should watch my child better so he doesn't die. He then shared he's a christian man and is going to have security escort me out because i asked if he was under the influence to make such a horrendous comment. Horrible place, horrible people.

This started as a disappointment as soon as we began the check-in process. After traveling 8+ hours to get here from Michigan, we were first met with a customer service representative who made us repeat multiple times that “no” no one in the family smokes or vapes. We are not smokers, we don’t smell like smoke, and either he was implying we were dishonest about smoking, or he was so busy listening to every other person checking in with other representatives, he was not listening to our response. Once we finally got our credit card on file, he would not give us our packet with our key cards. We had to wait for a concierge to bring us to our unit, about another 10 minute wait. Once we got to our unit, our disappointment continued. We are Westgate owners in Orlando at the Town Center in one of the high rises, with a 4 bedroom lock off unit. We have owned through Westgate for about 14 years. In that time, we have owned in the Villas in Orlando, exchanged to Branson, the Lakes (Orlando), Myrtle Beach, SC, Williamsburg, VA, Cocoa Beach, and most recently in Daytona Beach. Every time we have received a unit equivalent to what we would expect as owners of Westgate. Daytona Beach is a different situation, but we were still provided with a unit on the beach overlooking the ocean. We were treated as equal owners in every resort, regardless that our actual unit is in Orlando. That changed with Gatlinburg. We exchanged two of our bedrooms to this resort. The unit we received is a split two level, one bedroom downstairs and the other upstairs. There are minor cosmetic damages in the unit (e.g. knocked walls, nail polish on tables), but the interior is nice. If I were a guest at Westgate, the interior would impress me. The exterior is where the disappointment lies. The unit the placed us in is in the valley. The balconies do not face the naturally wooded environment of the Smokey Mountains, they face the unit directly across from you. The one in the upper unit additionally has a second set of barricades completely blocking any views other than the unit across. In the little bit of woods visible beyond the retaining wall, there is a lovely view of their drainage system and an old bag of garbage. Out to the front of the unit, again, views of drain pipes. Everywhere else throughout the resort, the balconies are off the back of the units. We were out in one of the few that has a balcony off the side, with only a view of the neighbor. When we asked about this, we were told it us because we are not really owners. Sure, we own in Orlando, but those units are essentially oversold and hold no value here. Owners in Gatlinburg should easily get an equivalent unit in Orlando, but no Orlando owner should expect the same in Gatlinburg. According to our concierge, via Interval International, Gatlinburg is a premium resort whereas Orlando is maybe elite. Also, what were we thinking to exchange within Westgate? Interval International is so much better. We requested a ch

Worst experience ever, staff terrible it’s like they thought they could hide their inefficiencies behind a bunch of Repolished cabins and tried to claim there new it was worst experience ever DO NOT GO you will regret every single minute and penny

Just pay regular price if you want to stay at this resort. The resort is beautiful and has every amenity you would want. To be honest you would not have to leave the place. DO NOT DO THE PRESENTATION FOR THE TIMESHARE. IT IS NOT 90 MINUTES. This is what they do not tell you. Upon arrival they provide you with the date and time of the presentation. It is the following morning at 9:30am. They do provide a lite breakfast prior to presentation which they do not tell you at the time of check in. This is where the salesman sits with you and tries to learn things about you. THE PRESENTATION DOES NOT START UNTIL AFTER BREAKFAST EVEN IF YOU DO NOT EAT. That takes 30 minutes. This is when the presentation starts. They speak to you in a large room individually with 50 to 60 other couples, the noise levels are loud and you can barely hear half of what they are saying, not to mention they talk so fast adding this and that in. They take you as a couple and show you the watermark, restaurant, arcade, gym, spa and so. You will be walking not on a golf-cart as told when booking. Finally they take you into the 3 level cabin. Which has 3 different living quarters that can be used separately if you did not need all the space. Just when you think it’s over they take you back to the large room and go over different pricing options starting at $1500.00 to the sum of over $3500.00 a month. Even if you say no their manager has to come over and tries even more to pressure you. After you are basically pissed off because the 90 minute presentation turned into over 2 hours not including the 30 minute breakfast. They are pissed and not only the manager has the attitude the salesman that wanted to get to know you treat you like crap. Even after getting ready to leave and you made it outside they are no longer the happy friendly people that you saw previously. They get you out the back door in not suck as a glamorous resort. I forgot to mention they hold the extras that you previously purchased until the absolutely very end. They “studio” room they were shocked we could even stay on sight prior presentation. This room is very very small and cramped 300 square feet

We enjoyed our stay at the resort. It was our first time at the resort as well as TN. The room was great and staff were friendly and helpful. We also liked the nearby attractions. We ended up purchasing a timeshare and will return sometime in the near future.

Horrible place for business. Walked into a building off the street of Gatlinburg, looking to purchase tickets to Anakeesta ( in which there was an advertisement to purchase tickets with them). Charges me 40.00 ask me to attend a presentation the next morning at 10:00. Get up early to attend the presentation at Westgate. Give attendant at Westgate a bunch of information. Get told was not eligible to attend the presentation. They give me 40.00. I leave. Get a phone call telling me they made a mistake and I can come back for the original deal. I explain I definitely want to get Anakeesta tickets. She tells me to give her a little bit and she'll call me back. I waited till 3:00 because we were hot, tired and was hoping to be headed back home by this time. I call her she tells me she's sorry and cannot do the presentation today. So I am headed home without getting to see Anakeesta. I was willing to pay for the tickets the first time and was given the run around. I was willing to pay for them the second time and was out of time to go by the time I had to leave for home. Very unprofessional company.

Our reservation was completely screwed up when we got there. They said they ‘couldn’t make it right’, even though I had my confirmation and all documentation of what we reserved. I’m a large adult and had to sleep on a sofa all week with my husband. Nothing like spending your vacation in awful back pain because of sleeping on a sofa each night. MISERABLE!!