Westgate Branson Woods Resort — Hotel in Branson

First we have stayed at many Westgates over the years. This one seems more relaxing ig maybe because of crowd size. It was not fast pace like the others we have been to. It was nice! As for rooms they are good size and well equipped with supplies in kitchen. We had two room deluxe room. Our room we stayed in which slept 4 had 2 towels, 3 wash cloths, two hand towels and one floor towel. Kinda odd numbers so we had to call for more after arriving. The bathroom door from the bedroom did not lock. No big seeming we were all family but still like having a lock in bathroom doors so no one mistakenly walks in! The couch mattress in both rooms might as well toss it. Was more comfortable sleeping on tile floor. We called an asked for new mattress. After placing two on each couch bed on top of each other it was do able. But our biggest complaint would be noise. You could hear the people above talking running banging all day and night. We felt the first two days by the third we had to call an complain. Security came out and talked with people. They stated having a family reunion had 10 kids between three rooms running all about. Needless to say it was a rough week. Westgate did nothing more to help with noise and people had no respect. Their kids threw rocks at our door and windows. Security said same family came last year an threw rocks at cars from balconies. He said they are a hard group. But yet they are allowed to return. Because of this an issue he fact Westgate did nothing to make our stay more comfortable I will not return to this location. Now house keepers, security guards, pool staff all very nice and respectful. They did anything in Their limits to help out. They do have a skunk problem lol so watch your moves at night! We had one at the door under our car just at every turn at night!!! We seen a wild otter it was cool they have great creeks to view and walking trails. Location is good your in short driving distance to everything. But it’s allot of driving from place to place.

I would like to add update 45min after checking out I realized I had left my charger. Ugh not something I wanted to leave behind. I call and speak with a lady and tell her she tells me no problem I have to put you through to security they handle left items. Great thank you well security did not answer so I left a message explaining I left an item and my name an number. I still have not been called back. I call later an am told I can fill out a left item report. I do this and still nothing. I get a big place lots to do but I did not call back days later I called 45 min later. I’m going to chalk it up as a 60.00 loss and buy a new charger. I did not want to add this to my review until I gave a fair time an chance for west gate Branson to get back to me over this item. As they still have not reached out I find it bad customer service. So double check your items and make sure you have every little thing because if not it’s a long shot you will get it back.

Now last thing an I’ll be done with wastage Branson. In the coffee shop I did not get her name but there is a very rude worker. Please check that they have what you want before paying. As we waited in line a grandma and her grandkids were ordering ice cream. She ordered paid the lady and went to the other lady who was very kind to get her ice cream made. She went to scoop the grandmas ice cream an the other lady mean one says that’s not butter pecan that’s pralines and cream. The nice worker says oh where is butter pecan rude workers says we don’t have it. Ummmm hello why did you sell the lady the ice cream if you dont have the flavor. I heard her order it you took her money. She was just rude to this lady. My daughter turns to me an says I want to leave I don’t want to order anything from here. I say are you sure and she says yea any customer service who treats there elders like that does not deserve our business. A lady standing beside us says I agree and we left with out purchase. Do better westgate. Your Orlando location is busy and we have way better service Branson west...

TL;DR: Avoid this resort at all costs. As someone who has visited Branson annually for 15 years, and this location multiple times, I assure you there are better resorts or even hotels for a comparable price. The first time you stay they will put you in the nicest rooms, hoping you'll buy. Read below for more details.

My in-laws are owners of multiple timeshares via Bluegreen, RCI, and Westgate, so my wife and I travel relatively often, 2-3 times a year. We visit Branson annually because I have family up here. This stay has been one of the worst stays of any place we have ever experienced, anywhere.

We usually stay at The Falls because their studio has a pullout couch, a true kitchenette, and washer and dryer, just better rooms really. We booked late this year and already had family staying there, so we ended up here. We arrived on 12/27/24 and were set to stay until 1/3/25 but we'll be leaving 2 days early because of the experience, and I would like a decent night's sleep.

Upon arriving we were not given any activity schedule. Every resort (except this one it seems) has an activity schedule of things that kids and adults can do that are often free and hosted by the resort. As far as I'm aware, there was no effort to do these, or no effort to inform residents. Arriving at our studio lockout, I was really surprised how "cheap" all the furniture, and the room in general, looked. It became even more obvious how cheap it was when those who got the other side of the lockout arrived.

The doors between units are flimsy, so flimsy we could (and still can as I type this) hear every word, sound, and syllable from the other unit. I do not exaggerate in saying I can hear these folks breath. My wife usually gets to bed by 10pm, but this was made impossible by the noise. Now, these people aren't trying to be loud, it's the poor construction. Even the toilet flushes are incredibly loud! We had to buy earphones for her just so she could get to sleep. Meanwhile, I get woken up 6-8 times a night because we also happen to have a fire alarm routing system in our room that likes to randomly buzz loudly. I have NO idea why it is even in our room.

In addition to no activities and no sleep, the Internet has been almost non-existent. It randomly switches to no internet while connected until you disconnect and reconnect multiple times. This happens every 15 minutes, even with the strongest signal possible.

We did not just leave a bad review with no chance for the resort to address these issues. The noise from the neighboring unit was so loud on the 29th at 11:30pm, I tried to go by the "24 hour" desk, but there was no one there. I called the desk number and did get someone. I explained the issue and asked if someone could call in the morning to address it. I offered them to come by the room and see the noise, but they weren't interested. They said I would get a call at 8:30 am. I got no call.

I called again and got told the same, and I even used the text option and was told someone would reach out. The day passed, and the noise and internet did not improve.

So, on the 31st, we went by the desk. We were told they were aware of the internet problem, but hadn't got anyone to fix it yet. They said a manager would contact us about the noise. We are still waiting on that call back, which I don't expect.

Complaining is the last thing I like to do. I do not like confrontation. I have NEVER stayed somewhere that has treated guests like this. I can say as I write this, the other unit is preparing a bath, while the one person watches the NYE countdown. The gentleman just got a phone call from a friend who has been traveling all day. They need to get together soon. I only say this to again explain how little insulation there is

Shame on Westgate, not just for being cheap in their renovations, but for completely ignoring customers. As recent reviews show, this seems to be a trend. Do not trust the good reviews. I can almost guarantee they are from folks they are catering to hoping they'll buy...

UPDATE: 12/30/23 We had a rough week. We were placed in an accessible room as requested, but it was not all that accessible. The couches are old, and when you sat on them, you sank deep INTO them!! We were placed by the elevators where people came and went at all hours, and we could hear people honking their car horns by locking their vehicles with their key fobs. The pet policy changed so that those with emotional support animals still have to pay the $150 cleaning fee. The parents with children staying in the same area we were did not school their children in how to act and be courteous of others around them. The walls/ceilings are so thin that it sounded like a herd of elephants were walking and running above us and beside us. Guests were loud during quiet hours as well. There were no baking pans in the unit, but we called the front desk, and they were delivered quickly. Our smoke alarm started beeping because of a low battery at 4AM on Christmas morning. The decor is outdated. I told the "concierge" lady when I checked in that I did not want to attend a sales pitch meeting, but she proceeded to tell me that she would get "into deep sh*t if she did not at least go over my account with me." I do not curse, and I certainly do not appreciate it when those who are supposed to be doing their job do it. There were other things, but I do not have the space to put it all down. Again, we have owned here since 2005.

UPDATE: 12/24/22 are in progress. There are still some issues that need to be addressed, but things are looking a little better. The only problem was that the people in the room next to us left their puppy unattended for hours each evening. We had our pet with us and know that it is stated in the pet policy that pets are not to be left unattended. This happened two days in a row. The staff listened to our concerns about the situation. Hearing their pet whine and bark disturbed us and our pet those couple days. When they moved out, a family with small children moved in-not quite sure this was an upgrade. The children were young and whiney as well. The adults really didn't do much to handle that situation, so for the next couple days, we were awakened early in the morning by loud whining and crying from multiple children, which, again, upset our pet which in turn made us anxious. We had requested an accessible room and were accommodated, but the downside was that the room was next to the check-in lobby. The grounds crew and housekeeping were up early in the mornings as well, carrying out the day's work. We also had people staying above us who sounded like they were jumping on the furniture all night the first night. Each night was subsequently better. Next time, we might just have to request an accessible cabin. The newly constructed buildings are supposed to be better equipped to block sound, but we have yet to be put in a new building. There were still cigarette butts on the grounds, but there wasn't as much trash. Improvements are being made, but there is still a lot that needs to be addressed.

The buildings are poorly constructed. You can hear the people in the next room. The grounds are poorly kept. When we checked in after 9 p.m., there were housekeeping tubs and bags of trash outside the door, which remained there until the middle of the next day. The bed was not completely made, and I had to call for pillow cases. The grounds were NOT CLEAN. People/housekeeping are apparently allowed to smoke right outside the building and just throw cigarette butts on the ground and over the railings. There was other trash as well. The lock on the balcony door was missing, so it was open the whole time. Improvements are GREATLY needed!! I've been an owner here since 2005.Upgrades .. They keep wanting more money, yet the return is...