Grand Timber Lodge — Hotel in Breckenridge

Grand Timber Lodge is nice. If you've never been, it is a bit of a maze with minimal directional signage. It is also a bit dated, having been constructed in the early 2000s. It has nice amenities, including a shuttle that takes you around town. If you ski or snowboard, it is conveniently located near lifts—ski-in/ski-out. The TV in our room didn't work, and we were located next to a mechanical shed that emitted a moderately loud ongoing humming noise, which took away from the desired nature sounds we were seeking in a getaway to the mountains.

WARNING For those staying via an invitation of 2 nights for $99 in exchange for attending a 90 min "low pressure" tour/presentation *

My husband and I received an invitation offering a $99 stay in exchange for attending a 90 min "low pressure" tour/presentation after signing up for a free 4-day/4-night Grand Lodge vacation sweepstakes drawing. Individuals signing up for a free vacation are likely not the demographic that has financial access to enjoy one or more luxury vacations a year. With that said, we decided two days would still be a fun getaway, and we were happy to see what the tour was all about.

The 90 min tour ended up being almost 3 hours. The saleswoman who gave us the tour was friendly and excellent at her job. Had we not recently purchased a house and had a better grasp of our finances with the new mortgage and a first baby on the way, we might have been persuaded by the opportunity. Having a tight budget however, we are not afforded the freedom to drop thousands of dollars at the drop of a hat. Even if we had wanted to think about it, by design, they don't allow time to research or evaluate the purchase. Attempting to negotiate a more affordable package, the saleswoman consulted her manager, who then injected himself into the conversation. This man introduced himself as a pastor (I assume to imply he is trustworthy and has Christian values? ). He tried to sweeten the deal for us, which was nice, however it simply was not the right time for us to make this kind of purchase. We mentioned that we might be interested in six months or so when we are financially settled from our recent home purchase and move. He immediately went from being a friendly pastor guy to informing us this was a now-or-never opportunity, and if we did not buy now, we would not be invited back. He sited how much money they spent to bring us up there for the weekend (hinting that we were freeloaders). He spoke condescendingly to my husband, asking if it would be a good business model to allow us to come back without buying a timeshare. We had not indicated an interest in coming back; we only stated that we might consider something like this in the future when we have more financial flexibility. He then suggested we spread the cost out on credit cards since we didn't have the cash on hand. He was rude and borderline desperate to sell us something that allegedly "sells itself". When I explained that we like to be thoughtful about big financial decisions and budget things out, he insisted that all the calculations we needed were right there before us. He encouraged us to make an un-informed, impulsive decision using high-pressure tactics. This strategy is unethical, and his willingness to make us feel very uncomfortable and unwelcome in order to make a sale did not inspire trust that what they are selling is anything more than a scam.

My advice is to take or leave the cheap stay - but the company seems sketchy, and we do not support unethical businesses. Plus, housing for people that live and work in Summit County is scarce, and these slimy investors and developers buy up all the real estate and reserve it at luxury prices for tourists pricing out everyone. just doesn't feel...

Arrival is frustrating as there are no signs while you're driving/entering the property that advise where to go... Or park.

Service is subpar, lacked any level of personal service outside of calling me several times to validate we will be coming. Once you check in then they shift to sending texts that keep welcoming you and asking you to reach out if you need anything, I assume that's an attempt to be "helpful"

Overall the place was entirely too crowded.

The rooms don't have any noise control; you can hear above you and the attached room is clear as day. I heard a kid get yelled at so clearly, I felt like I was being yelled at. Night 1 our above neighbors kept us up with stomping and random bangs.

Parking is incredibly frustrating as spaces get taken up very quickly, causing people to need to park in buildings which they are not staying in just to get a spot. Upon arrival, it is very, very confusing to find what lot you're "supposed" to park in. The property map they provide is also not scaled to size which caused even more confusion. We found out about being able to park in a nearby building only after parking spaces ran out, via a "helpful text" interaction.

I was advised there was room service here on phone when offered to "upgrade our stay", there is NOT any room service outside of cleaning. The food options on site are also pretty...well bad.

The location is nice if you enjoy snow sports/activities as there are shuttles and rentals all around the lodge area.

Locals come off as angry/short tempered/bad drivers, local stores and restaurants near by have small parking spaces which are all very tight and require payment

Directions in town are nearly non-existent; best of luck finding parking as that is a total nightmare

There are so many kids here at the lodge... It should be labeled as a kids resort. Pools, hot tubs, and nearly everything else is full of kids whose parents are not watching or "parenting" their offspring. We went to enjoy one of the heated pools or hottubs, only to find multiple unaccompanied children in each. We went back to our room, I needed peace, just peace. A peaceful room to sit in but our neighbors above had other plans, plans that were excessively loud and caused the walls to rattle. I replied to that "helpful text" chain and a supervisor replied, essentially saying if this happens after 10 pm they'll address it. It's 4pm, not looking forward to another 6 hours of inconsiderate behavior.

Got another text the day before leaving, this one was advising of when checkout is and that we will be charged if we take the room robes. We couldn't even use those, one had hair on it the other had what seemed to be grease or water stains. What a sour experience

Will not return. Would not recommend; I'd rather rent a house, cabin or even camp(and I am NOT the...

I have been a yearly owner of a time share for numerous years. I normally do not have a problem but lately service has deteriorated drastically. Last year with COVID there was no warning that the Grand Timber. I called 4 days prior to me reservation and was told they were closed but I would still be charged for my stay or any expense to change the reservation. I didn’t close it! So the association made probably millions on no staff needed, no maintenance performed and all that money spent by owners to change reservations. This year I stayed in room 226S, which I love and have stayed there numerous times. My stay was for a week. No longer do they do upgrade tours, as I was told during check-in. Later found out they do, when I checked out and was advised I could stay another day at my expense if I wanted to do that. The room was freezing, 62 degrees. I had the heat set at 85 and it wasn’t working. A check of the baseboard found it cold due to the valves being half way closed. The ceiling fan was rotating to cool the room. I called the front desk and they sent a technician up. The windows were not in the locked position, I guess I have to check that from now on, the technician said heat was coming out of the baseboard, I told him I opened the valves that were closed, he said the fan was rotating the right way, I told him I switched the rotation mode and he told me his boss would not allow temperatures in the buildings to be raised due to energy conservation. He said he would send a space heater up and left. I went to the desk to complain and ask for blankets. I got sheets. The on duty manager said he would come up to see for himself. He looked around and said it was fine. What!!!! I am a totally disabled vet with more metal in my body than 90% of people and are therefore susceptible to cold. I explained that but I am sure he could have cared less. The amenities must be on conservation too. I had two coffee packs, three tea bags and three sweet and low, for a week stay. I went to the desk to ask for more, received some coffee and was told someone would bring the rest up during the evening. Why do I pay for rebooking when I am not even told it is closed? Why do the yearly fees keep going up and room supplies and amenities go down? Why does an owner have to suffer with room problems due to energy conservation to allow more money to be paid to the board members and CEO/COO?

Sounds like the grand timber is falling in to shambles. No longer is there a budget proposal showing last year versus the present, just the present. Take a look some time, it is open records. They are making a fortune. I am sorry. For the price I pay yearly, after purchasing the week, we’ll, someone is lining their pockets. And hey, get some people that care and want to work there, not just there...