Margaritavilleresorts Reviews 4

This is the worst company that I have dealt with, lied about everything.
We bought a travel certificate while in boarding on a cruise. The selling agent sweetened everything, made all the empty promises, and never mentioned this is basically a time share promotion. When trying to redeem the certificate, we found out nothing was as promised by selling agent board. The operator told us they can be responsible for what they do on cruise. They promised the certificate will good for 12 months, not true, 9 months; able to bring pet to resort, not true; not extra fees, not true. In addition, when we first called the operator for booking, we chose a location, was told that is the only location that pets are not allowed. We told them we would call back to pick another location. When we called back the next day, we were told no pets were allowed in any location! We asked why the other operator told us different things, was told they would not be responsible for the other’s answer. When asked for supervisor, was told no such thing! I have read the email they sent right after purchasing the certificate, none of these were mentioned. So we could not cancel and get the money back since it passed the refund time frame when we decide to book. This means, read the small print won’t help you! Don’t use this company for anything! Not sure what kind of company is this and how they can exist in the US! We will never is Margaritaville for any of our vacation needs. I will tell everyone I possible can reach to not to use them. Save your time and money and don’t do business with them.

This is about the Auburndale, FL location.

I'd like to give you the positives. Crisp, clean, manicured, food and bar pretty good, well-appointed amenities. We had a pretty good week, having found a quiet pool area. Saw a bald eagle and a swallow-tail kite. I’d like to tell you about that, but that’s not the review.

Here’s the review: if you book here, you will be checking into a bizarre combination of tropical paradise, tailgate party, spring break, and a middle school playground.

On St. Patrick's Day, we had been doing some sightseeing. We came back to our site, and the folks who had arrived behind us fired up their music. I don't have a problem with music or other noise prior to "quiet time," so long as it's not over the top. This was way over the top. Kim was on the phone with the nursing home about her 91-year old mother and she couldn't hear the other end of the call.

We called Security and asked for help, they came around and talked to the offenders. Whereupon the offenders started yelling around "who complained about our music?" And, they sent their preteen daughters on their bicycles going around and asking "did you complain?” Let's just say it was downhill from there. They jacked the volume even more, and started taunting us. Kim lost her temper and started yelling at them to quiet down. They responded by threatening her. She told me to call security, but since they hadn’t helped, and the on-duty rent-a-cop had no interest in helping, I called 911 (which the campground rules said to do in an emergency).

Apparently, that was a mistake. The rent-a-cop was pissed off that we called 911 when he was supposed to already be on top of it (which he wasn't). So there was a conclave of police cars, and the night manager, and the three large guys from the offending site, etc.

Bottom line: management demanded that WE leave, in half an hour, or be arrested. It’s 10:30 pm, and I told the rent-a-cop that I was in no shape to drive. “Figure it out,” he said, and walked away. So two 70-year olds had 30 minutes to get everything packed up and drive to some alternative place.

While we were striking the site, the kids at the offending site were chanting "we won, we won." And they started playing "Hit the Road You Jack" quite loud. And the adults were yelling "we're Republicans. We can do whatever we want." They noted our Maine license plates and told us to "go back to Canada where you belong."

We ended up in a wicked expensive hotel in the next town over, paying spring break prices ($340 a night!!). And we lost the cost of two nights at the campground.

So if you’re a party animal, this may be your kind of place. Just don’t complain about anything, or you will be asked to leave.

It’s interesting to note which rules are enforced and which aren’t. For instance, there’s a poolside bar, and lots of signs between the bar and the pool saying “no food or drink beyond this point.” Not only was there lots of food and drink around the pool, there were wait staff taking orders and delivering it.

In retrospect, the fact that they have a rent-a-cop cruising the premises every night should have been a red flag. I’ve never seen that before, but apparently they expect rowdiness. They just don’t want to deal with the negative repercussions.

I stayed at the Margaritaville Hotel San Diego through an Airbnb reservation. Since the stay was paid, I simply requested a proper invoice for accounting purposes.

Weeks later, I am still unable to obtain a valid invoice.

Airbnb states they are only a technological intermediary and do not issue invoices.
The hotel states they cannot issue an invoice because they did not receive the payment. but explicitly refuses to issue a proper invoice or provide the legal details of the entity that charged the payment.

As a result, all parties pass responsibility back and forth, while the customer is left without a valid fiscal document for a fully paid service.

This situation has caused a serious administrative and compliance problem for me.

I would strongly advise other business travelers to be cautious, as obtaining proper invoicing documentation may be impossible.

Update:
I originally had a very difficult time reaching this hotel when the National Weather Service warned of 'impossible' driving conditions for our stay dates. The automated AI system and front desk were hard to navigate.
However, after sharing my experience, Rooms Director Max Brown contacted me personally. He was professional and empathetic, acknowledging the safety concerns for my family and providing a 3-night credit for a future stay. It is rare to see a manager take this much personal accountability. I am now looking forward to our trip later this year and am grateful for the 'mountain hospitality' shown by the leadership team.

I booked a stay here to ski with my kids, but a major storm hit Tahoe with the National Weather Service warning that driving would be "impossible." For the safety of my family, I chose not to risk the drive.
While I understand the terms of a non-refundable booking, the way Margaritaville handled this "act of God" situation was appalling.
• Impossible to reach management: Their AI phone bot, "Eva," is designed to cut you off if you booked via a third party.
• Zero responsiveness: I was told a "special manager" handles these cases, but staff refused to provide a name, phone number, or email. I sent a formal email to the hotel over a week ago and have been completely ignored.
• Zero flexibility: In years of traveling to Tahoe, every other hotel has offered a credit or a date change when life-threatening weather occurs. Margaritaville took the money and went silent.
If you value customer service and safety, stay elsewhere. Once they have your money, you are on your own.