Brian G

Review of Woodloch

First the work staff in general are friendly, help...

First the work staff in general are friendly, helpful, and attentive. My review is about the management of Woodloch and the safety of guest. We arrived from Ohio on Monday settled into our room, and then partaked in all the activities that Woodloch is known for.
Tuesday afternoon around 330pm while my child and I were inside swimming the weather outside took a terrible turn. The lights inside the pool area began to flicker, and the life guards asked the swimmers to get out of the pool. I could see metal chairs blowing around outside. I got me and my child dressed quickly as possible. Some life guards and other guest were just standing around looking outside through the giant glass windows that enclosed the indoor pool. The main power went out, and after awhile an older maintenance worker showed up. He directed everyone to get away from the windows because of the high winds. That was enough for me. I took my child, and we went into an interior hallway. We walked inside until I found an exit by a Woodloch shuttle bus stop. As we waited outside another worker saw us, and tells us the busses where canceled because of a tornado warning. "A tornado warning we better get inside" I said to the worker. I didn't have my cell phone with me, and there is no emergency public address system in the buildings so I have no clue of what's going on. The shuttle bus eventually shows-up we go back outside and ride the bus back to our room. The bus driver tells us the power is out throughout the resort except for dining area because it has a back-up generator. He also says the roads are blocked because of a lot trees that have been blown down.
We are staying in Woodloch's "Classic Standard" room, and there is no emergency backup lighting there whatsoever. My wife tells me she thinks she heard a tornado siren going off while we where gone. During dinner an announcement was made about the power being out, roads being closed, and what activity that can be still done. The power is out the rest of the day Tuesday. We have no lights, heat or hot water in our room.
Wednesday during the meals updates on the power outage, and what activities can be done are giving. It's still raining all day Wednesday and the resort outside activities are pretty much canceled or moved inside. Obviously all game rooms, pool, soft play indoor climbing, bumper cars and many other areas are closed because power outage. We manage to do a few things, and we go back to our room. We have no electricity, heat or hot water in our room Wednesday.
Thursday morning the power finally is turned back on. During breakfast an announcements are made about electricity and the main road being open. Checking out Thursday I'm handed my bill for the stay which is for the full amount when I originally booked it. I tell the receptionists that he must be kidding, and that I was not paying the full amount because I didn't have electricity or use of the majority of the resort during my stay. I get the "I'll see what I can do" spiel from him. Yes after a wait, I did get discount. Was it enough, I'm not sure, but I had a ten hour drive ahead of me and I was anxious to leave.
Something's Woodloch could address are; emergency PA system within the buildings and outside areas, back-up lighting in the Classic Standard area, communication of emergency situations between staff and guest, and back-up generator in some of the resorts main features like the indoor pool.