OK- I am sure a few of you did the same and reserve a cabin for next eyar when you checked out?

Well I did and they could tell me the exact rates and I told them no worries I am sure it won't be much different from the past several years. The woman mentioned that it probably wouldn't be but not to be surprised if it went up a bit.

Well I tell you I got one hell of a shock when I looked at my credit card online and saw that I was charged the one night rate of $135.

Now don't get me wrong, I am not shy of paying the price for lodgings but Fontana ain't (sorry to use the southern I have learned over the past 19 years) no Park Hyatt or Four Seasons. Yes I realize that you can't really find a Four Seasons or Park Hyatt for that price (but I have stayed at a Ritz Carlton for $100 a night before and don't ask me how I managed that one)

Anyway, I digress. How on earth did the prices almost double from the last several years?

I got a 2 bedroom Azealea. Are these that much more expensive? I would like to hear what people payed this year or are paying next year if you are willing.

I payed for a 2 bedroom the year before last $69, this year I paid $79 for one of the new mobile homes (that's what I call them as they are prefab as they get) 1 bedroom.

anyway...

let me know what youthink or if I am off my rocker (in this instance as I know some of you smart@$$'s will say otherwise- you know who you are)

chris

 

You reserved one of the most expensive cabin types. Peak rate for Azaleas is $209/night.

The rates have not gone up significantly, but your choice in lodging type has.

The first year, you got one of the old Dogwoods cabins without air conditioning. This year you got a Willows, and now you have upgraded to an Azaleas. . .

Check rates here: http://fontanavillage.com/fontanavil...modations.html

What's a 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen going for at the Ritz these days?

 

We had a 3 bedroom Azalea this past MOTD and reserved the same for next year. I haven't heard about the registration coming through on credit card yet. We paid $140, after taxes, per night this year and suspect maybe a $20 increase for next year. It's not a bad price considering we had three couples splitting the price which put each couple at $140 for a three night stay.

 

Probably about $2-4K but that is one I would never know... I am all about the deal and now that I don't get to blow corporate money anymore..... well you get the point.

OK- I understand about the rate then. Oh and the cabin I had this year did have full A/C by the way. Hey I was only complaining to make sure I didn't get shafted like I did with the leaky cabin this year....

I did ask for something close to make things easier.... do you know how hard it is to drag around mini kegs of beer?

 

Who cares Not like it's gonna stop me from going.

As soon as I find out I will let you know how much the Magnolias are for next year. They were $169/night this year.

Steve

 

Our 2-bedroom Dogwood cabin was $210 total for three nights - for four people. I think this is actually obscenely low, so even if it goes up 50% for next year, it would hardly raise an eyebrow for me. Yeah, the carpet was kind of ratty and the bathroom wouldn't exactly be featured in Home & Garden magazine, but it was clean and comfortable, with a fabulous front porch and a serviceable kitchen.

Let's face it, the previous owners of Fontana Village seemed to be content to let it rot to pieces while charging cheap rates, which might have been OK for a few more years, but sooner or later, the place needs some upkeep and improvements. I just hope they keep things reasonable and realize that most people aren't expecting 4-star quality lodging, and they stay at Fontana for activity-based events, not to bask and luxuriate in their cabin.

 

ok, ok ... don't get me wrong I understand that the prices there are rediculously cheap I just was trying to understand the difference in price from what I had been paying to what I am paying now....

you are right it is well worth it and it would never stop me from going! just wanted to get the consensu on rates is all.

see you all next year!

 

Whew... I was getting worried there. Thats actually a good rate for 2 brs.

I think I'm going to reserve a Willow for next year... if my travel partner will let me know if he wants cabin or lodge for next year. Driving from Robbinsville and back got a little tedious... we want to stay and party!

(and not stay and fix a car next year.... drinking and rowdiness please, thanks)

We had such a good time this year, I want to be more in the middle of things next time.

 

Willows were all full when I reserved my Laurels cabin at check-out. ..

 

Grrrrrr... dammit... I need to make some phone calls.

Guess if we have to take a lodge room, I won't mind. Save a few $$... no big deal.

 

We just reserved a Laurel Cabin for next year and were told the rate was $119/night but she said with the discount(?) it would be $96/night. She did say that cabins are filling up pretty quick.

This will be our first MOTD, so I can't say anything about previous rates.

 

They are Peak Season 239.00 April 1st -Oct 31st they have eliminated the 'MID Season" $70 Increase that is daylight robbery

 

We reserved for next year at check-out and were told they didn't know next year's rate yet so the deposit amount we paid was the same as what we paid this year.

I did notice that the pet fee has gone up to $150 from $100.

 

Something else you need to consider is any discount you may receive comes off the final bill. You pay a full price 1 day deposit up front.

 

Just booked a Hemlock. Cost was $ 127.50. Only two left. Teresa said they are going fast.

 

I had called to get a cabin on Sunday, I was told all they had left were dogwoods. After reading this, I just called back and the lady told me they had others besides dogwoods. She switched me to a hemlock. They also had not put me down for mini coopers. Make sure they do that.

 

Working for hotels for as many years as I have, rate increases year over year are industry standard. Things never do seem to get cheaper, do they? (Our peak season published rate is hovering around $550 per night. Yep, I work for Four Seasons.)

Fontana has been making a lot of capital improvements to the property - internet connections will be finished in all areas next year, they are renovating the cabins and rooms, working on getting phones in them all etc.

If I remember correctly, the group rate they are offering us for next year are at least at 25% discount over their published rates.

 

I just switched my Laurels cabin to a Hemlock. . .. So one more Laurels is now available. . .

 

you know that prices are going to go up from what was dirt cheap. New owners, lots of physical improvements (which will take years to complete)....and I bet the new owners realise what a gold mine they have.
Meanwhile, I'm in NYC and paying $265/night for a 600 sq.ft. room...and that is considered very inexpensive. Granted, it's NYC and not the Fontana.
I paid 135 a night for a 2br/2 bath Azalea and was happy to do so. Not much, considering it was virtually an entire house..(sorry, I've already reserved it for next year).

 

Just called Fontana. Nothing left there for MOTD07, according to them.

 

Get yourself on a waitlist now and you won't have a problem getting lodging.

 

NOTHING?!?!! Not even lodge rooms... jeez... okay... we need to get something soon :(

 

I’ve found in the past they hold some rooms back so just keep trying. Another thing is get your name on the waiting list because there’s plenty of time between now an MOTD 07 and there’s bound to be people who can’t make it that have rooms right now.

 

I think I will form a corporation and book the whole place for 2008 on. Expect drastic price increases starting in 2008!

 

Wait a few hours or a few days and call back. They change their story constantly.