Maximus Comment

Review of Fern Resort

The resort seems like a place where very loyal fam...

The resort seems like a place where very loyal families have come for 30+ years, still do and are satisfied. The resort has it's amazing sides and our week stay was extremely relaxing for us, but it also has some disappointing that let you feel that it has been there for 125 years. I was there end of August 2020. $700 per night, 7 night, 2 adult 1 two-year old family trip; myself a very experienced traveller for business and leisure, and coming from a tourism industry family myself.

It's advertised as "all inclusive" but actually it's not what one is used to from all-inclusive in Europe or Caribbean. At Fern it refers to mainly 3 meals, and outside of meal times, at some places of the resort, like Mary Lou's, even non-alcoholic drinks and snacks have to be paid. (Paying for alcohol is fine)

The location is amazing, right on the lake shore with beach, sunset chairs and firepits. Huge property grounds with many outdoor activities and instructor programs on land (tennis, zumba, yoga, golf, axe throwing, archery, beach volley, etc.) and water (kayak, paddle boat, SUP, waterski for extra fee, etc.). Much for kids of all ages to do with entertainment hall with pool tables and video games and nightly entertainment, even for our 2 year old.
With Covid, and even in general, two professional grade large typical playground structures like at school or park playgrounds, one for 2-5 year olds and one for 5-10 year olds with slides and climbing and such, outside of the play village would have been nice to use together with our little one. I would highly recommend buying such. Play village access is prohibited for parents during Covid.

The top attraction is sure the great outdoor pool deck with two large pools, baby pool, with fantastic lake view and bar.

The sandy beach next to the pool is good, small, and unfortunately the lake is completely overgrown with very dense water plants everywhere, so it is uncomfortable to go for a swim in the lake.

You can feel the age of the resort and the last 30 years, or 125 years. For a $700 a night price, it needs to be renovated all over, and anyway, re-investing should save on taxes.;-). We stayed at the Hearthside building, and maybe other buildings or the cottages are a bit renovated, the one bedroom apartment was a very good size, but a bit dated. The furniture somewhat "traditional", however comfortable soft couches, good blackout curtains, only a Queen bed however it was comfortable and non-squeaky. Balcony and balcony furniture bit old and dirty. Disappointing was the bathroom. "American Standard" motel bathroom components from 30 years ago and past expiry. Any somewhat recent $60 Motel has luxury bathrooms compared.

Around the resort some of the many amenities are getting old, are not well maintained and show their age. The great pool deck is with a wooden deck and it has small holes here and there due to rotten wood not replaced. Then little things like not having enough umbrellas for all pairs of lounge chairs is annoying and they become a limited resource and people reserve the few ones available early.
The trampoline Pavilion has 3 trampolines, one is half ripped, and actually dangerous if a kid would not notice, and one, where the soft cushions around get lots of sun, the cushions are broken up and inner filling comes out all over.
The beach volley fields have stone hard sand and not soft beach volley sand.
The mini golf has seen better days, and even the child care center playground has some dated structures they built themselves from wood. Overall there is a bit of do-it-yourself wood construction around the resort.

The restaurant staff works fast, very friendly and the food is good, solid with a good selection, even for a 7 day stay. Steak is great.

I personally feel the price value of this resort was sure there 30, but today for such a price the value does not justify that necessarily, especially in comparison and competition with all-inclusive family resort in the Caribbean, Cuba and Europe. Of course, it's a market and as long as one pays it the price is right.