Visited in summer time. We arrived on a Saturday morning about 11am. Was greeted by Pat at their front building. I told him that my wife and I were looking to camp in a rustic site for the night. He looked at me and said, "You do know this is a nudist campground?" "Yes, that's why we are here." was my response.
I filled out the paperwork. Pat saw my address and said, "Why are you coming here? Why didn't you go to a place closer to home?" Shocked as to why it was any of his business, or why he was questioning our decision to check out his facilities, and give him business??? I politely stated that we were checking out the grounds, and really liked northern Michigan, and wanted to try his resort and see if we liked it. He actually shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, its a long way here from there."
Here is the important part.... BEFORE paying the fee, I expressed to him that since checkout time would be 11am on Sunday, my wife and I wished to extend that time, and make it 3 or 4pm. I offered to pay extra, and he stated we could stay up to 3:00pm...The pricing was a bit more than one day, but not the price of two. I honestly can't remember how much it was, but we were eager to check out the facilities and get some sun.
Facilities:
VERY clean, up to date, and well kept. The pool is an outdoor pool, it has comfortable loungers, and tables, and the water was clean, and very suitable for families of all ages.
Members: Very welcoming, nice, and included us in many water volleyball games. We really liked the members.
Fees: Ok. Kinda steep, but doable.
Recommendation: Maybe for a visit here and there, but we will never go back.
Now for the rest of the story:
Sunday came along, and it was a beautiful day. We were chatting with members and we really felt welcome. Then, about 2:30 or 3pm, as my wife and I were beginning to pack things up, I saw the owner Pat chatting with one of the other senior members. They were looking at us and chatting, but I just ignored thinking it was strange, but none of my business. Then, this member came over to us and told us that our check-out time was 11am, and we didn't pay for the day on Sunday. I told him that it was none of his business, as it was an arrangement between Pat and us upon check in. He looked at me and said, "Um, I don't think so." This was done in front of about 12-15 people around the pool within ear-shot as if to embarrass us. I immediately spoke up, and stated that arrangements were made upon check in, and I didn't appreciate being portrayed as a criminal....I immediately approached Pat, in private, since he was afraid or unwilling to approach me directly, and reminded him of our desire to have a late check out and spend an extra half day, and I reminded him of the extra $ we paid. He was a complete jerk about it, and said he didn't remember doing or agreeing to such an arrangement. I was dumbfounded. I pulled out my wallet, and offered him more money to "Make it right", and stated that if this was about money, he can have it, and assured him that we would be more than happy to pay more money if he felt cheated. He denied the money and just asked us to leave. I couldn't believe it.
So, I am making it a point to share with everybody, our experience with everyone. The members are nice, but the owners are very rude, not customer friendly, and apparently don't want any new members.. Pat was rude, didn't appear to want our business, and ruined what could have been a great weekend, and a possible new club/campground we would have visited multiple times each year.
Now, we visit Turtle Lake Resort, and Forest Hills during the summer months, and we are treated kindly, and we feel welcomed and appreciated when we visit.
We will NEVER go back to Spruce Hollow. read more