Festiva Ellington at Wachesaw

The golf course setting was a plus. We used the driving range after buying clubs at the nearby Goodwill, and the free putt-putt course was there too, though it wasn't as well kept as most. There were indoor and outdoor pools, but we didn't use them. The room was a good distance from the parking lot, so we were glad it didn't rain; the elevator helped with unloading on the second floor. Our building room was also a good walk from the lot. During our weekend getaway, the small bedroom left little room to move around. A noise behind the TV woke us one morning. We worried it might fall, but it wasn't that, and we never worked out what caused it. It kept making the noise during our stay. I asked for late checkout, which my hotel status allows, but they said housekeeping staffing wouldn't permit it. The night before checkout, a text told us to put soiled towels in the tub and take the trash to the dumpster. I was shocked, since we booked through the hotel website, not as an Airbnb. I've never had a hotel ask me to take out my own trash.

The State Park access is lovely, with a nice beach, clean restrooms and plenty of safe parking. That's a bright spot in a place I've watched decline after coming for years. We used to book the spacious two-bedroom units, then switched to one bedroom once our children grew up; those units have much less room. Our room was clean when we arrived, but two bath towels had what looked like blood stains, so we returned them to the desk. The kitchen and bathroom tile felt sticky, and a paper towel wiped up black grime. Housekeeping came to address it, though the floor stayed a little sticky. The paper towels in the room also had what looked like food splatter, and the shower handle had dark-looking mold inside. The vent above the couch seemed ready to fall out of the ceiling. Midweek, housekeeping brought fresh towels, put two knives and a bowl in the dishwasher, then started it. When we returned about two hours later, it was stuck; we adjusted the knob to help it continue. We've heard remodeling has started, but other guests said several buildings are still VERY DATED.

The timeshare presentation was the one real frustration. I arrived just one minute late and they wouldn't let me in. Another person in my party had planned to attend and showed up instead; I ran over only to be turned away. They should make it clear when signing up that the room's named guest has to attend. The free Huntington Beach pass and private beach access were wonderful, and we enjoyed them. I was nervous after seeing mixed reviews, but our first-floor unit in building 10, apartment 10A1, was a pleasant surprise. The kitchen, bathroom and bedroom were fully stocked, and the flat-screen TVs were updated. I liked the place inside and out. The couch looked so dated and nasty that I covered it with a spare sheet, though we barely spent time in the room. I'd happily come back for a longer stay.

The kids had a good time with the pools and activities, and we liked the layout and screened porch in our older two-bedroom suite. The carpets and furniture showed some wear, but the place was very clean. We'd come back for sure.