Community Forums

jonthebap · 10-07-2015, 02:48 PM

We recently booked a stay at Willow Oaks Park, in Hesperia, CA, based largely on their Good Sam listing (9.5, 9, and 7.5) and their website. We arrived on Thursday, October 1, and paid for four nights in advance ($148.00). Our experience was quite different than what was promised. Our site was basically a space on a gravel parking lot, with little space between rigs.

Their listing says cable access – but after you have paid you find that is only for monthly occupants.

Since we couldn’t have cable access, the site says, “The club house includes a big screen television and comfortable seating area. . .” Looking through the window of the locked door, we saw a television with two old, saggy couches next to it. When we tried to gain access, we were told you could only go in if paying to reserve the club house.

Because of health issues, a spa is one of the reasons for us to choose a campground. Their “indoor spa” was quite anemic, not all of the jets were operational, the spa did not appear to be properly maintained and was in an old, dirty, cell with bars on the window.

BBQs and picnic tables that are pictured on their website are not anywhere near where you are parked.

First thing in the morning, I went to the office to say we would not be staying, and explained our dissatisfaction. I was referred to the sign which claims, “No refunds are given for early departure for any reason.”

Doggy Daddy · 10-07-2015, 03:03 PM

Why not send Comment directly to Good Sam at
Contact Us - Contact Good Sam Club

Timberdog · 10-07-2015, 03:05 PM

That's too bad. Experiences like these make people quit camping.

BeachDude · 10-07-2015, 04:19 PM

Kinda convenient that Willow Oaks Estates Senior Community Mobile Home Park and Desert Willow RV Resort show the exact same pictures on their separate web pages.

There are better places to stay in the High Desert. I prefer Shady Oasis, (which used to be a KOA). However, I don't think that they have a spa.

traveler of california · 10-07-2015, 06:01 PM

That's why I use campgroundreviews.com as the reviews are by real campers, not someone on the payroll or selling ads. I checked their listing for Hesperia and didn't find a Willow Oaks but did find a Desert Willow and it was rated a 7.

cb1000rider · 10-07-2015, 06:20 PM

Did you review them on GoodSam? Part of the issue there is that darn near ALL of the their parks are rated with high marks and very few have user reviews.

jonthebap · 10-08-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy

Why not send Comment directly to Good Sam at
Contact Us - Contact Good Sam Club

I have contacted Good Sam and posted a review on the site.

jonthebap · 10-08-2015, 09:40 AM

The problem is they have two Parks, One for long term and a drive in for short stay RV.
The pictures used to advertise the RV Park are in fact shots of the Long Term Facility and are completely misleading. And Yes it is Dessert Willows although on the Credit Charge Card it shows Willow Oaks Park. My main problem was the fact that my wife was not informed of the No Refunds policy until we went over to complain. We were quite happy to pay for the time spent there but felt that we should be reimbursed for the other days due to the fact that the park did not match the claimed standards or facilities as advertised.

OLYLEN · 10-08-2015, 10:00 AM

File a claim with your CC for non-service as advertised. One little sheet of paper or maybe on line and back out the payment.

LEN

jonthebap · 10-08-2015, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

File a claim with your CC for non-service as advertised. One little sheet of paper or maybe on line and back out the payment.

LEN

Thank you that's what we are doing.

cb1000rider · 10-08-2015, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonthebap

I have contacted Good Sam and posted a review on the site.

Thank you. That helps others from repeating the mistake.

I agree, charge it back if not as advertised.

brucev · 10-08-2015, 01:07 PM

Sorry to hear about your stay but I also want to thank you for letting us all know. I sometimes question online reviews. Good Sam seems to be in everything for profit these days. Thanks again for the info.

biosensai · 10-09-2015, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeachDude

Kinda convenient that Willow Oaks Estates Senior Community Mobile Home Park and Desert Willow RV Resort show the exact same pictures on their separate web pages.

There are better places to stay in the High Desert. I prefer Shady Oasis, (which used to be a KOA). However, I don't think that they have a spa.

I'm glad you've had a good experience at Shady Oasis, but I would caution others about this park. My brother lives in Apple Valley. Lots of issues with homeless in the area of the park & in the park itself in the past. I've driven by Shady Oasis & we would not stay there. I have heard that past problems are being addressed.
We've stayed at Desert Willow a number of times & will continue to do so. It is not a destination park. It is an older, desert park. It is associated with an adjacent mobile home park. Both are separate & gated. The long term RV park residents are in a different part of the park than short term guests. Cable is not available for short term visitors, but there are lots of over the air channels as I remember. We use satellite TV. And we carry a selection of DVD's when a clear signal isn't available.
If this park isn't suitable and you must stay in the area, there is a private park in Adelanto & a county park at the Mojave Narrows that one might research on the various RV park review websites. I suspect an objective RV'er will determine that this isn't an area sought by most to recreate. Local facilities reflect that.