Alton s Oyu
map-marker Saint Augustine, Florida

Recent visit to ocean gate resort, St Augustine,FL was unable to sleep because of extreme and unabated loud noise from faulty a/c system

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Faulty , noisy a/c system with no one to help a really bad time after charging us repairs to properties they said were damaged during recent storms above and beyond the maintainance charge that increases every two years this reservation number was 260****
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Preferred solution: Maintain the property building #G

User's recommendation: Stay away from this

Timothy A Wqu

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Incompetent billing section.

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We received a paper from a collection agency stating we hadn't paid an invoice. We never received an invoice by mail or email.

I save any correspondence from any company such as Festiva. So now we owe 320.21 instead of of 230.00. Supposedly they sent us 4 notices prior to collection notice. There is NO WAY we missed 4 invoices, none ( 0 ) were ever delivered.

When called they refused to give us any information or who we could talk other than the collection agency. We find it strange the collection agency could find us but Festiva COULD NOT.

This sounds like a SCAM by Festiva to take advantage and gouge their members. Be carefull , be very careful when dealing with Festiva.

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Loss:
$90
Pros:
  • Ease of booking vacations
Cons:
  • If problem they fein ignorance

Preferred solution: Removal of all additions to special assessment fee. WE have no problem paying the invoice of $230.00. We were waiting for the special invoice of which we never received. We were wating so as to know where to send the payment.

User's recommendation: There are other time shares out there- be careful and check their complaints from members BEFORE joining.

Anonymous
map-marker Charlotte, North Carolina

Change email

My email is the same as festiva's. I still cannot access my portal. It keeps telling me that membership cannot be found.
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Andrew M Paa
map-marker Branson, Missouri

Lack of Availability

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They talk the talk but very seldom deliver. The same old few destinations are the only ones are available regardless of the time of year you are looking for.
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User's recommendation: Seriously consider becoming a member.

Anonymous
map-marker New Orleans, Louisiana

Poor Customer service and the rooms never available to make reservations, if you are a member.

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Do not become a member of this vacation club. You are just throwing your money without any vacation or use of the memberships. It is hard to reach customer service to make a reservation. Their website is designed only to show you owe over $1000 a year a maintenance fee and collect that. I was only able to make the reservation 2x in 10 years. It is not good to make a reservation. All the resorts are listed, but none are ever available when you want to make a reservation.
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User's recommendation: Do not waste your money to buy this club membership

Janie A Nlh
map-marker Auburn, Maine

I'm feed up with not having availability at places I want to go.

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Since 2016, I have tried to make reservations at Festiva properties that I want to reserve and EVERY TIME have been told there that there were none to be had. I want out. I am in process of contacting Maine Attorney Generals' office and may soon contact personal lawyer.
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Loss:
$12000

Preferred solution: out of contract

User's recommendation: Don't get sucked into this horrible company

Quintessa Ryz

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Do not do It

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We have been owners for about 8-10 years now. We have used them four times and only if we were fortunate to find anything available in the off season.

Otherwise, there are no reservations available anywhere for any dates. Don't try to plan a few days away or even your vacation week. There is always nothing available. Even if you have points saved for this express purpose, you won't find anything.

If you are willing to pay and not use your points, suddenly there is availability at the places you wish to go. Doesn't matter that you pay maintenance fees or even possibly a monthly mortgage on it. You won't have any luck. You won't be able to use what you are PAYING for.

If we are owners we should be able to use it when we want, including summer or any other days or holidays. We should have priority availability. That's why we are owners. But if I call anonymously, I can pay and get rooms anytime, anywhere.

We bought this, so we wouldn't have to do that. That was the beauty of it. Now that beauty is glaringly ugly defeat at them sucking our money for so many years with nothing to show for it in return. No investment or other opportunity here.

If you are considering it, I would advise against it. We can't wait to get out of this ridiculous waste of money.

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Pros:
  • No pros
Cons:
  • Nothing available ever

User's recommendation: Don't do it!!!!

Juan v Ngt

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Miami, Florida

Its very hard to book a vacation and poor service

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it's very hard to book a vacation most of the time they are not available even offseason but went you call to book and pretend not to be an owner they have rooms available to rent with money but not with points it's awful and went you find a room you have to go most of the time thru a place call RTX club that finds a place that you have to pay taxes and cleaning of the room daily that is paid before you check out it's very disappointing don't buy there or waste your money trust me, owner, since 207 considering getting out.
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User's recommendation: i will never recommend this company.

1 comment
Guest

Agree 100 %. We always have the same problem booking.

You can call the resort and get a reservation but can't use your points you paid for.

They should be held accountable for all the promises they make then don't keep. Totally fraudulent!

Anonymous
map-marker Charlotte, North Carolina

Cant EVER use my points

I was manipulated into purchasing a timeshare with them. they made me think it was an investment that I would love. they sold me a 3000 pt odd year package. the minimum to book is 4000 points. then they sent me an assessment this year to pay. I hate that I ever went to the presentation.
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User's recommendation: NOPE

1 comment
Guest

We are also owners since 1992. Same problem.

So difficult to book a vacation. Also, maintenance fees keep going up and this year we had to pay extra for hurricane damage but still can't get anything booked.

Anonymous
map-marker Miami, Florida

Very poor services

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These people are good to sell you in Spanish but went you call and need assistance in Spanish they tell you that they don't have anybody to speak Spanish this is poor service.
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User's recommendation: Never

Lorraine P Fcm

No availability in locations I want to visit. When I stay somewhere the units are poorly maintained and many items do not work properly.

Poor service and accommodations. I wanted to stay but no availability. I was able to call and rent the unit but not use it through my ownership. This is a very poor practice.stay away from Festiva Adventure Club.
View full review
Loss:
$15000
Cons:
  • What they offered were lies
  • Old worn out properties

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

User's recommendation: Do not purchase or you will have regrets.

2 comments
Guest

We have been owners for several years now, and have encountered this every time we try to use it. In the end I pay for an actual hotel & never use Festiva.

Its not worth it. We've been trying to get out of it with no success.

We fell lied to and cheated. I'm sure it may work for some but I have yet to meet them.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1890217

How do I quit Festiva? Can I just ignore and not pay?

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Christa L Ilq
map-marker Collinsville, Texas

No availability- EVER

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Tried time and again to book a vacation anywhere. Our desired dates are never available. We've lost time and thousands of points. Went on to the website and- surprise! the only available rooms are listed under the cash option. Why in the *** do I have to pay for something if I've already got points and have paid the ridiculous maintenance fees?! F U Festiva! It's cheaper to book an all inclusive vacation literally anywhere than it is to deal with your company. We're dumping this steaming pile of crap as soon as possible.
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Verena S

Time share nightmare

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I have bought a membership in 2010 at Ellington Wachesaw in Murrels inlet SC in 2010. I have been paying the maintenance fee for the past 10 years.

I have a bi-annual plan, the fee started off $614.00 and is up to $ 880.00 now. Festiva will not take the contract back and is very difficult to deal with.

I don't want to sell it. I will give it away if someone wants to take over the maintenance fee

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Reason of review:
unable to cancel membership

Preferred solution: I want to be released from my contract and want to return the ownership

3 comments
Festiva

Providing our members with an exceptional membership experience is something we strive to do each and every day, so we are upset to hear that you are dissatisfied with your Festiva Adventure Club membership. Unfortunately, maintenance fees do sometimes have to increase as the cost of operating the resort also goes up but we try to limit such increases as much as possible.

If the maintenance fees are becoming an issue for you, we suggest, perhaps, setting yourself up on a pre-payment plan so you can start tackling the bill before it even arrives. Just call 1-888-881-8082 and a representative would be happy to assist you in getting that set up.

If, however, you are interested in transferring your membership out of your name you can call 1-866-933-7848 or email memberservices@festiva.com and someone should be able to explain that process and the various steps required to complete it. We hope you find this information helpful.

Artemio Foh
reply icon Replying to comment of Festiva

A nicer response from Festiva would be: sorry for your hardship. We are a reputable company and will cancel your contract.

HAVE YOU EVER DONE THAT FESTIVA? After spending over $10,000 dollars on the Adventure Club and now 1800 a year for maintenance fees, I would love to have you say, we will take it back. BEWARE!!!!!!

Don't sign these contracts with Festiva! The properties certainly don't use everyone's money to upgrade.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Artemio Foh

Everyone understands that maintenance fees must increase a LITTLE over time. The problem is they keep going up a lot and we can never get reservations!

So obvious that Festiva only cares about getting those contracts signed and getting the maintenance fees. Worst decision ever to buy with them!

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John T Kea

Money for nothing and tricked for fee.

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The nightmare began in April 2014. We purchased our initial membership for 9680.00.

This included 4000 points used biannually. We went the following year to Banner Elk in Boone NC. Original maintenance fees were around 600.00. Then in 2016, my wife were invited for a "free weekend" in Murell's Inlet, SC.

After another high pressure sales pitch, we bought another 4600 points for 9505.00. We decided to use our hard bought points to go to Rangley in Maine. Since it wasn't our year I had to pay maintenance fees (now 1000.00) in advance. Needless to say Rangeley wasn't available.

So we paid out of pocket. The following year we decided to take our grandkids to Disney World. Again, nothing available for our week. So we paid out of pocket again.

Maintenance fees for this year have tripled to 1854.80.

Mind you, this is only for a chance every two years to try and go somewhere you like in a limited time frame. All I'm paying for is a service, but their service is not worth the thousands of dollars I've paid or the thousands I still owe.

View full review
Loss:
$10000
Cons:
  • Maintenance fees going higher
  • What they offered were lies
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: I know I'm not getting any money back, just cancel my membership please.

2 comments
Festiva

We are sorry to hear that you have had such a frustrating experience with your Festiva Adventure Club membership. It is our mission to make sure that all of our members receive an exceptional vacation experience when using our product.

With that being said, we would like to try to address some of the grievances you have. As far as usage, we would love to accommodate all of our owners and get them the weeks they want each time they wish to vacation, however, we only have a certain number of units at each resort and they are first come first serve. To ensure you get the week you want, we encourage you to try and book as early as possible. We would also recommend calling your member service department to speak with a representative about points usage.

Someone there will be able to discuss the best strategies for getting the weeks you want and the ways to get the most out of your points. In terms of maintenance fees, you mention that they have nearly tripled since you initially purchased. Part of this would have been due to the upgrade where you more than doubled your points. The remaining increases would be due to an increase in operating costs over the past five years.

Festiva makes no money from maintenance fees. All monies received from them goes toward keeping the resorts operational and in the best possible condition for our members. If you would like to see exactly how the funds are allocated, a budget breakdown is included with the first maintenance fee invoice we send to each owner. If you have not received this invoice or would like an additional copy you may call your member service department at 1-866-933-7848.

They will be able to provide a copy. We hope this information is helpful and has helped address some of the issues you mentioned in your post. We want each and every member to be pleased with their Festiva Adventure Club experience so if there is ever anything we can do for you, you can always reach out to us at inquires@festiva.com or call your member service department at 1-866-933-7848. Happy Travels!

We are sorry to hear that you have had such a frustrating experience with your Festiva Adventure Club membership. It is our mission to make sure that all of our members receive an exceptional vacation experience when using our product. With that being said, we would like to try to address some of the grievances you have. As far as usage, we would love to accommodate all of our owners and get them the weeks they want each time they wish to vacation, however, we only have a certain number of units at each resort and they are first come first serve.

To ensure you get the week you want, we encourage you to try and book as early as possible. We would also recommend calling your member service department to speak with a representative about points usage. Someone there will be able to discuss the best strategies for getting the weeks you want and the ways to get the most out of your points. In terms of maintenance fees, you mention that they have nearly tripled.

Part of this would have been due to the upgrade where you more than doubled your points. The remaining increases would be due to an increase in operating costs over the past five years. Festiva makes no money from maintenance fees. All monies received from them goes toward keeping the resorts operational and in the best possible condition for our members.

If you would like to see exactly how the funds are allocated, a budget breakdown is included with the first maintenance fee invoice we send to each owner. If you have not received this invoice or would like an additional copy you may call your member service department at 1-866-933-7848. They will be able to provide a copy. We hope this information is helpful and has helped address some of the issues you mentioned in your post.

We want each and every member to be pleased with their Festiva Adventure Club experience so if there is ever anything we can do for you can always reach out to us at inquires@festiva.com or call your member service department at 1-866-933-7848. Happy Travels!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Festiva

I've been a member since 2000. I bought into Celebration Resort for a unit blocked for the month of September every year.

I had a unit # then, now I'm told I don't have a unit until I book a resort stay and I have two weeks to deposit and I can't even deposit them until I have a reservation to stay at a resort. I own it free and clear for the past ten years. I've tried to book a place, any place but nope. They are all booked up till the end of this year.

Can't pick a place for next year in Sept 2022 because they want to make sure I pay the Assessment Fee that's is over $1600.00, not to mention the the over $800.00 in this month's maintenance fee. What the $%/#@$*!.

I'm 74 years old on a fixed income. Why can't I just have the comfort of depositing my weeks and look for something in late 2022 and pay this highway robbers in increments so that at least I can pay my electric bill etc and have food to eat for my husband and I.

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Anonymous
map-marker Cincinnati, Ohio

Not a member but saw this and found it interesting

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Festiva Adventure Club - Not a member but saw this and found it interesting

How are they still in business when each year they report net income of $0.00... I know someone who is a member and can never get a reservation constantly loses points and maintenance fees constantly go up..

total scam! stay away!

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3 comments
Guest

Good way to lose $$$. Just book straight with resorts. SOOO much easier and cheaper.

Guest

Even after you pay it off you still have to pay maintenance fees reservation fees that keeps rising as well as constantly changing rules as they go.. next to impossible to get a reservation. Honestly best thing to do is just pay someone to buy it from you and just get done with it instead of paying for all those things and never using it.

Paula. C

Going through the same thing, totally crooked people. This is a skam and we are stuck paying for this for 3 more years, have already paid for 2years.

I don't see how the employees can do this to people and sleep at night.

Have considered to stop paying but don't want to ruin credit. BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE, THIS HAPPENED AT THE BRANSON LOCATION.

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Ralph M Esf
map-marker Montreal, Quebec

RTX PROGRAM

I bought a membership with their RTX department which is supposed to be a 40 year membership then they cancelled it after two years because I didn't want to keep their Timeshare membership.

At the time when I bought into the RTX I was told that it was a separate program from the time share but now theY are saying that they are both linked together. I think that its very misleading and false advertisement and that's not right.

View full review
Loss:
$500
Cons:
  • What they offered were lies
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered

2 comments
Festiva

We apologize for any confusion you have experienced regarding your Festiva Adventure Club and RTX memberships. When members join the Festiva Adventure Club they automatically receive an RTX membership as well.

This is because RTX, which stands for Resort Travel, and Exchange, is first and foremost a timeshare exchange company. This means that those with timeshares or a Festiva Adventure Club membership are able to deposit their previously booked week and trade it for a comparable week at different location. Without owning a timeshare or being a member of the Festiva Adventure Club, you would not be able to utilize the RTX membership. We hope this helps clarify things for you.

If you have any questions you are more than welcome to email inquires@festiva.com or you can call RTX directly to speak with a representative. Their number is 1-888-988-4789.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Festiva

Do you mean I have to have booked a place before depositing it to TRX?

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