Review Time
We are owners and booked our apartment over a year ago. Whenever we stay at Westgate we always stay in a room from the first floor up, never on the ground floor. On arriving we were told that there were only ground floor apartments left so had no choice but to accept one.The apartment we were given wasn't in the block on our deed, which was bad enough, but it was also right by the elevator so we had to put up with residents coming and going at all times of the day and night making noise, the constant ding of the elevator arriving and the noise of it going up and down. We were woken up constantly through the night from the noise.There was also no television remote in one of the bedrooms making the TV unusable as you needed the remote to turn it on.Finally, on the second day of our stay we had food items (including a large bottle of wine) stolen from our apartment. We reported it to Westgate thinking that we would at least receive some kind of compensation or an update as to what was discovered by security. Neither of these things happened and we left not knowing whether the thief, who had to be a member of staff using a master key, had been caught. We have been staying at Westgate for many years and have noticed that over the last few years that standards have slipped. There used to be a coach that would take you to and from the theme parks. As owners we used to get a free breakfast twice a week, which no longer happens, and the cleaners used to attend more than once a week (during this 2 week stay they only turned up once).Our stay at Westgate was very disappointing.
Our timeshare contract with Westgate Resorts was initiated in Las Vegas in October 2023. I have had several serious concerns that have arisen since then. The sales process was strategically orchestrated for manipulation and coercion. When we initially declined, they made breakfast available but deliberately prevented my husband and me from going through the breakfast line together. Upon returning to our table, we found a new sales representative who began an intensive questioning session about our vacation habits, including details about our children, travel party size, and typical vacation spending. The sales representative overwhelmed us with vacation possibilities, rapidly comparing hotel costs to their various timeshare resorts. Each time we declined their offers, the pressure intensified. The salesperson would leave to consult with others, returning with supposedly lower costs and reduced monthly fees. This pattern continued with the introduction of a higher-ranking representative who maintained the same high-pressure tactics with additional price reductions. The presentation environment was deliberately disruptive, with a crowded, noisy room filled with loud voices and background music, while the sales representative spoke very quickly. After approximately five hours, which far exceeded the promised 45-minute period, we were taken on a tour of different rooms to show various upgrades. The final deed completion process was rushed through on an iPad, presented as a convenient way to view available timeshare resorts. We have never used the timeshare since purchasing it. Their claims about the ability to sell or rent out the timeshare have proved not only unrealistic but actively misleading, and the combination of monthly interest payments, undisclosed fees, and the probability of increasing maintenance fees has created a significant financial burden.
Avoid Westgate at all cost!!!!! We were offered a cash gift to attend a 90-minute tour of a Westgate property. We were assured that the tour would include a free breakfast and would be hassle-free. That was a complete understatement. The whole process was a high pressure sales ploy designed to trap us in a contract. Through emotional manipulation, deceptive sales tactics, and misleading information, the sales representatives managed to coerce us into buying a useless timeshare. Westgate sales reps assured us that the timeshare's value would appreciate and could be deeded to our children, rented, and even sold for profit. Those were all lies! In March of 2021, we revisited with our children, anticipating a 90-minute tour and breakfast, intending to discuss the same information presented in 2018 and make a decision about ownership. However, the reality differed. Instead, we were informed that the program no longer existed, claiming we should have received notice of its discontinuation, but we never did. A stern gentleman joined the conversation, asking if we would commit to buying if they honored the vacation club program price, to which we agreed. In November 2022 we attended another mandatory owners update. After a heated back-and-forth, we were presented with a price tag of approximately $30,000, including fees, taxes, and other charges. The down payments were substantial, ranging from $3,000 to $3,500. They informed us that our credit had been pulled, and we were approved for Westgate credit cards to cover the down payment. This was done without our explicit consent. In the high-pressure atmosphere, we reluctantly agreed. On our drive home we decided to inquire about canceling the upgrade. When we finally contacted someone, we reiterated our desire to cancel, only to be informed that we were beyond the 10-day cancellation window stipulated in the contract – it was now day 12. Unaware of the limited timeframe, we explained that we had called on day 5, facing disconnections, and left a message on Monday (day 8 or 9). Despite our efforts, they insisted that nothing could be done. Seeking further assistance, we requested to speak to a supervisor, who reiterated that we were outside the cancellation window. Westgate is a scam organization!
I was there with my friends at our graduation party. They took good care of us. Also it was a moment of happiness for us so they made a discount for us. Love the team who celebrated with us. The villa was gorgeous. I am craving to go again.
A total scam. The promises were false. The so called deeded week cannot even be given away. They refused to carry over our week when we couldn't travel because the US Government restricted travel during covid, yet were happy to insist on the $1100 maintenance fee. We attended using a later week, complained and were laughed at by a rep who said that if we were to try and sell it, they might give us $1. It can't be sold to a third party because resales are worthless due to penalty fees being applied. If a week is not bought direct from Westgate then it is severely restricted and extra costs are applied. We have written to them numerous times to advise that we would not be returning and to stop contacting us - but no they just ignore that and keep sending the standard harassing emails. ANYONE that has bought a Westgate week is trapped - despite their promises it can't be resold because they have changed the charges to make sure nobody buys it. Despite warning Westgate that they would not be getting another cent from me - they have continued to send demand letters. The so called maintenance and legal fees exceed $7000 - I know they have continued to let the property out on booking.com and other channels - basically conning investors.
Claim your business profile now and gain access to all features and respond to customer reviews.
