I booked a week at the Scottsdale Links Resort through Interval World several months ago. We had never stayed there before but in checking the overall rating submitted by lnterval members, it had received 4 out of 5 stars, so I figured it must be okay, right?
For medical reasons (bad back plus recent ankle surgery that makes steps next to impossible), I requested a ground floor unit. I called the resort the day before we got there to make sure they knew a ground floor unit was critical. I was told they saw my request and that it shouldn't be a problem. But when we checked in the next day, we were told there were no ground floor units available until the middle of the week.
To try to make it up to us, they "upgraded" is to a 2nd floor unit overlooking the golf course. Unfortunately, this room was, at best, outdated and in desperate need of repair. It smelled like an old ashtray, there was a rip in the sofa and the two non-matching chairs were stained and threadbare. The dining room table was heavily marred and the legs looked like a dog had chewed on them. The kitchen cabinets were water damaged and peeling apart and the formica countertop had several places where the formica was missing, stained and cracked. The enamel was also peeling off the tub and plastic enclosure. We did indeed have a view of the golf course but discovered we were at the end of the airport runway and the unit virtually shook each time a jet took off.
I called the front desk to share my concerns and was advised this room was scheduled to be remodeled after the peak season. Hailey also assured me the room we were being moved to on Wednesday was in a remodeled unit so we decided to cover the sofa with a blanket and just grin and bear it.
The next morning I received a call from Devin at the front desk to let me know they had a ground floor unit in one of the remodeled buildings available. My husband packed up the car and off we went to the new room in Bldg. 18. Yes the room had been updated with new cabinets, granite countertops and tile floors, and did not smell musty like the first room, but imagine our surprise when we opened the door to find the same outdated furniture inside.
Well, we are on the ground floor so I didn't have to stay in the room for the whole week, and Hailey and Heather did their very best to a accommodate us so I do want to acknowledge them and thank them for being so helpful (as well as the nice boy from maintenance who carried our luggage upstairs for us and who tried to get the TV working).
I just think other 1st timers to this resort should know what it is and what it isn't before they get here as this development is more like an old apartment building that has been converted into a timeshare than a resort. Most rooms only have a view of the parking lot or other units. But if you're just looking for a place to sleep, it's okay--just not great.