We received this letter from Lance and Pattie and, like them, we are curious to hear your thoughts.
Should campgrounds have a reduced rate for sites if certain amenities are unavailable (broken, malfunctioning, etc.)? And why are things such as laundry, Wi-Fi, pools, etc., closed or broken so often? Don’t they make enough money to fix them or invest in higher-quality services/products? Is this a problem unique to campgrounds and RV parks? Why?
Read their letter below and please leave a comment with your thoughts. Thank you!
Hello. My wife and I have been subscribing to your weekend version for the past couple of years. We find many of the articles appropriate to our experiences and she loves the animal photos.
We are currently one month into a three-month spring/summer trip to Alaska. At the moment, we are travelling through an extended area of northern B.C. that does not have cell coverage. Our preference for camping is to use private and public campgrounds. We will boondock on occasion.
During our travels, a pet peeve of ours is arriving at the campground and discovering that some of their amenities are not available. “I’m sorry, but our pool is closed” or “The laundry isn’t available” or a common one… “Our Wi-Fi doesn’t work well.”
We aren’t computer geeks, we are retired and don’t need to keep up on work issues. But we do like to stream movies and to keep friends and family informed on our travels. We also like to plan our upcoming legs of the trip.
I guess we have two complaints. One, in any other industry, if a service wasn’t available there would be a reduced rate to reflect the lack of service. Secondly, I don’t understand why campgrounds can’t invest in more expansive and reliable Wi-Fi networks. Surely the cost of the upgrades can easily be cost recovered by the number of “guests” they see each season?
I would be interested to hear what your readers or campground owners/hosts have to say.
Thank you,
Lance and Pattie
##RVT1115
If a campground has a good reputation, one can safely assume that the owners would like to have everything in working order. A run-down campground is another matter. Things break frequently and repairs are costly, and sometimes it’s difficult to correct problems quickly. I wouldn’t expect a reduced rate because of it. I think it is fair to ask, though. When systems go down, there are often related expenses, utilities, etc. that continue for the campground.
If the facilities are not available customers should be notified and receive a reduced price or the option to go elsewhere.
If we have the grandkids with us, we will only make reservations at campgrounds with a pool. If the pool is not working I think they need to let the campers know and give the campers the option of cancelling. The laundry and wi-fi can be worked around. The pool cannot. I ususlly call ahead to make sure the pool is open.
I’m not sure this is unique to campgrounds. We’ve noticed a similar trend in hotels, esp. since CoVid lockdown: pool closed, fitness center closed, breakfast promised but not delivered, etc. we’ve received a number of reasons/excuses but never a reduced rate. It happens so frequently that it’s our new normal. If an amenity is really important to us, I’ll call a few days leading up to our stay and confirm that the amenity is, indeed, available.
Campgrounds are plagued with a labor shortage. Lifeguards are one.. a few that could not open their water slide, due to staffing shortage of lifeguards. This is a nationwide issue. Should the campground be penalized for that? I have seen the hot tub out of commission due to leaking, witnessed the campground try for months to fix it. one leak fixed, another happens.. 3 times.. only thing now is to close the pool, dig up the concrete to repair.. so, would campers want the pool closed to repair a hot tub, while the temperatures are over 90 degrees? Campers are fully aware at booking, about those issues They book, then complain that this and that are not working.Wanting discounts after arrival.
If you travel the Alaska highway, it’s unrealistic to expect WiFi or even cell phone service. We’ve made that trip twice. Much of it is still wilderness, which is part of its charm. Although I sympathize with the closed amenities issue, I’ve never been to a hotel, motel, or RV Park that adjusted the bill except when it came to my specific hotel room (toilet broken, for example). It seems unfair yet that’s the typical practice in the hospitality industry.
Booked my self into a campground using an online booking site in southwestern Colorado expecting to have a pool, laundry room, bath house, and WiFi. When I arrived I was informed that the pool, the laundry room, and bath house were closed. One look at each and it became obvious that these were not recent temporary situations. The WiFi worked only when actually inside the campground office. The campsite was ok and about what I expected but the lack of advertised amenities were a huge disappointment. This turned out to be an ok $35/day campground- but I had to pay $68! Wasn’t at all worth it. Asked for a discount but owners were not receptive. I left an honest review on their website.
My first and only time at a KOA was in N.C. The pool was full of algae and salamanders the weight room did not have a single piece of working equipment the store had almost nothing on the shelves and what little was there was stale dated. This was before the pandemic so that wasn’t a factor. I was so disappointed I have never again stayed at KOA In fact that is when I decided to learn how to boondock and forgo commercial campgrounds. Never regretted that and now boondock 99.99% of the time which is over 200 days a year.
What? Did you really expect them to spend some of their enormous profits on their business? As long as people keep spending their money for those conditions they’re not going to improve anything. Wake up people.
I hope your condemnation was not against all KOA’s. While some could use some work there are others that are superb. I just returned from a trip where I stayed at three KOA’s. One in Billings, MT. Wytheville, OH and one in Charlotte NC and they all deliver superb accommodations. I hope you contacted KOA headquarters because they will come down hard on campground that don’t meet their requirements.
That KOA in Billings was the original one from 1962. I stayed there two years ago when I was trying to boondock with my new solar setup outside of Billings but at 8pm the temp in the RV was 96 degrees. The solar and gen (when kept overheating) couldn’t keep the AC running to cool it down. I called and got a spot there. It was that or just get in the truck and drive. It was expensive electricity but well worth it for a nights rest.
We loved the KOA in Billings. That was their first one and the nicest we have ever seen. We also enjoyed the one in Wytheville but ours was in Wytheville, VA. Beautiful, peaceful and managed by wonderful folks.
I hate to see people paint an entire business when they complain. We stay at KOAs all across this country and throughly enjoyed each stay. When issues arose, we spoke to the owners to get things fixed.
Spending $$$ on repairs was not in the plan. As handymen disappear in this age of everything on the internet or just buy new, it will get worse.
First, improved, more expansive WiFi comes at a cost; streaming uses large amounts of broadband, slowing the system or unfairly locking out other campers who may just want to use the net. Are the initial “complainers” willing to pay an additional fee for a “special” WiFi network? I suggest “get a DVD player and bring DVD content.” As to pools being down, I rank swimming not a “necessity.” But I agree infrastructure for basic needs should be addressed. People need to wash their clothing. Toilets should flush. There should be an adequate supply of hot water to take a comfortable shower. And the campground’s electrical wiring should be adequate to prevent appliance damaging brownout conditions.
I find this complaint unrealistic. Hotels do not reduce rates when their pool, laundry, or other amenities are not working. Amusement parks do not reduce prices when some rides are out of service. Are we expected to whine and cry about every little thing we can?
Yes, we are the new Americans, we will whine and cry about anything, especially if something is given to us.
We booked a full hookup campsite in Jasper National Park for the end of May. Shortly before we got there, I got an email saying that water/sewer would only be available at the dump station. They refunded the difference between the full hookup rate and the electricity only rate. First time that ever happened to me.
We’ve received anywhere from partial- to full refunds at campgrounds and hotels where the amenities were not as advertised. A campground near the Flaming Gorge offered a 50% refund when their water supply failed, and they pointed us to a nearby commercial RV park where we filled our water at no charge (manager refused to accept payment). I’ve twice invoked Hilton Hotels’ satisfaction guarantee when the rooms or amenities were not as requested or advertised.
Sh*t happens, but I do appreciate it when a business “does the right thing”.
The rate reflects the services advertised. If the services advertised are not provided then the rate being charged should reflect the services actually provided.
A pool, hot tub no working I wouldn’t use the bacterial bath anyway. But basic functions should be in clean working order. They should advise prior to your arrival if one or all of the basics are down and offer a percentage off or a choice to cancel. It’s just good business practice. WiFi is WiFi. If I get it I do if I don’t I don’t. My retired life doesn’t spin around it. It’s like you left home and the umbilical cord is still attached to mommy. Again it appears we are dealing with a few again of the entitled I’ll cry a tear for you when I hit my thumb with the hammer. Oh I haven’t hit my thumb with a hammer it some years.
We stayed at a Sun Resorts campground in Cape May NJ. We picked this campground because of the nice pictures and reviews showing the campground. When we arrived and went to our site, it was NOT anywhere near what the pictures showed.
We found dead trees on our site, very little gravel on the site and weeds growing through the gravel. The water spigot was only about 6 inches above the ground. Since the campground was full we really had no other choice.
To make matters worse, one of the bath houses was closed. The other one had toilets that were constantly plugged, lack of hot water in the showers. Two of the three clothes washers were broken. Complained to Sun Resorts and received a 70% discount.
Our camper is stored at a lot attached to a smallish private campground and we occasionally book a site there to winterise or de-winterise because it is very convenient. One time there was a sign on the door advising that the water system was unusable due to contamination. With arsenic. I asked if we would get a discount and was told ‘you can always go somewhere else.’ Sadly, the storage site is the only one in the area close to the highway, but we are looking around for alternatives.
In my area of Florida/Georgia we dont have cell phone services from any of the major carriers for miles. Complaints from ourselves and neighbors to verizons, Tmobile and at&t do no good, nor do complaints to govt officials. Not providing promised services seems to be the norm with companies across the spectrum. This week there was an article on this forum about parks adjusting fees based on demand. You would think they could do the same thing based on breakdown of promised amenities. While on an extensive trip in BC we checked into a family run campground and the laundry facilities were shut. The host was prepared with slips of paper for the nearest clean coin laundry.
So should someone be charged less for the primary services they receive in lieu of absent peripheral services? No, that’s just being pithy. “My spot wasn’t as good as spot 17 so discount me!”
Netflix goes down on movie night, do they owe ya a refund because you had to do something else? Walmart is out of Great Value peanuts (the whole reason you shop there), do they owe ya a discount on the Planter’s peanuts you chose instead? The milkshake machine is broken at McDonald’s, do they owe ya a discount on your Happy Meal? It’s cloudy for two weeks straight, does StarLink owe ya?
If little annoyances feel like a burden that merits financial relief, what in the world are they doing in an RV?
Totally agree. Lighten up everybody.
Thank you Vince for making sense. The business of an RV park is to give you a place to park your RV. That is why you are there and that is what you are paying for. If you are RVing to find a laundry, or a spa, then ditch the RV and go to a laundry or a spa. One year migratory ducks decided to adopt our swimming pool. There was absolutely nothing we could do and the ducks refused to refund anyone or pay us to dump and sanitize the pool after they left. .
If a campground is stating they have certain services as part of getting people to come to their business then those services should be available. Truth in advertising! Granted things happen and there are times when things break. But if you have 50 or more sites and one washer and dryer and you state you have a laundry room then to me you are misrepresenting. Some campgrounds state they have wifi in the lounge, fine, but others state they have at every site, if this is not the case then it’s false advertising. Just tell the truth and allow me to make my decision based on real info.
Getting a discount is unrealistic simply because this amenity or that one may not be available. As for WiFi, personally my thought is if you want to stream a movie or use a campground WiFi for anything else other than checking your email and/or doing simple things on the internet, you should purchase your own service and not take all the bandwidth of the existing campground WiFi.
I think most of us would not pay for a full gallon of gas if we only got 9/10. Or a gallon of milk that wasn’t full. When a business lures you into paying for their facility, they need to provide the services advertised. I’ve complained to many places and received a discount, and I appreciate those who leave honest reviews so I can make a decision on whether I wish to pay to use a business. Thanks to the good businesses who try to operate fairly and honestly. And thanks to the reviewer that prompted an owner’s response that clarified that the camper trashed their sunglass rack and verbally abused their employee, all caught on camera!
I’d like to know what everyone thinks the definition of a “resort” is. The only 2 things this RV RESORT had was a dirt pet pen and a playground that was closed! When we asked about the “ADDED” resort fees we were told that that’s from SUN corporate! No discount just a too bad that’s the way it is😔 We are full timers and it seems that in the past 5 years campground fees have risen without any added amenities!
Campgrounds have lots of ‘policies’, so do I. One of my personal policies is I don’t go to Sun or other chain ‘resorts’. It’s just a word, and a chain is just another layer of costs to me, not interested.
I just completed a one week stay at South Padre Island KOA. It was a combination business and vacation.
Upon arrival I was notified the WiFi was down due to a cable issue. So burned through a ton of my cell phone data plan for the entire week. Within minutes of setting up my MH I received an email from the office that construction debris had blown into the pool and as such the pool would be closed until further notice.
At $86.00 a night and so many amenities unavailable there should have been a reduction in price.
But since they know you have no other option other than cancel and loose your reservation money they have no incentive.
I would welcome anyone who could explain a solution.
Bad reviews are our only recourse. Take the time to sign up with one or more of the campground locator websites, and tell your story, factually and without using angry language. At least some people will go find another $86 (or cheaper) campground when they know this one has ‘gotcha’ policies.
I absolutely agree, if it does not work, do not charge for it !! Otherwise, there is no incentive to fix things.
One of our favorite local state parks installed electricity and water a few years ago. Price of camping went up $10. Not bad. However, over half of the upgraded sites have NO water. Somehow they are just not able to fix the problem. But of course, you’re charged the same as your neighbor who DOES have water. They have a second loop with dry camping only. I use that one exclusively because I get what I’m paying for.
Who gets to determine the value of the lost amenity?
In line with someone else’s comment, and maybe more analogous, if the lazy river at the waterpark is closed, does the water park owe you a partial refund? if so how much?
Its frustrating, I get it, especially if the campground and it’s amenities are the reason you went there. We rarely, if ever, choose the campground for it’s amenities, but for the destination. If they have something we like and use, great. But 99.9% of the time it’s the destination. I hesitate to say 100% because Im pretty sure one time I picked a KOA because of free waffles.
Mike
The only thing campers can do is ask for a partial refund and when they tell you no then go in and give them a low review explaining why. If enough campers do this then maybe they’ll change their way. This will also let other campers know whether they should patronize their campground.
There will ALWAYS be something broken, out of service, needs repair or does not meet with your unrealistic expectations at a Hotel, Motel, Campground or Wal Mart parking lot.
Get Over It!
That’s the reality of facilities management.
The home you just left for this trip is No Different! There is a lot of stuff broken there also that you just turn your nose up to and go about life.
There is always wrong somewhere. To think you always deserve a lower price because of that is foolish.
Major issue that effects more folks than you or everyone at the facility? Yes you should be financially compensated with a discount however a problem effecting everyone in a huge way is rare.
I strongly disagree. Decent facilities management anticipates problems through preventative maintenance and responds promptly to problems and outages. No, my house did not have anything broken that would interfere with use of any of the facilities when I left, and it is very rare that anything would be unusable for more than a day.
Yes, I have been in a lot of one-star hotels that had a lot of broken stuff and the price reflected that. Any business that want to maintain quality has to budget for proper maintenance. You get what you pay for, if you’re lucky.
I have to disagree. Everything in my house is in perfect working condition because I maintain it. When I ran my construction company I made sure every tool and machine worked and if something broke, it was immediately repaired. I guess I’m a better facilities manager than the ones you have encountered. It’s not foolish to expect a discount when you book a campground based on certain amenities and then they are not provided. Making people pay for something you promised but didn’t provide is thievery. I’m not going to “get over” being ripped off. You can make all the excuses for bad management skills that you want, but a competent campground owner will make sure everything is working.
Every service that cuts their services should reduce the price unless it’s very temporary
We’re staying at a camp in Maggie Valley NC now for two months. The decision was based on them having a hot tub to soothe my arthritis. Well you know where I’m going here, hot tub is broken (waiting for a part they say) and the laundry room all but one washer and dry are out of order (again waiting new units). The staff is nice but what an inconvenience.
We rarely book a place based on their “amenities” (pool, cable, etc), but when we do, I tell them when I am booking, that this is the reason I have chosen their “resort” and ask if it is in working order. This way, they know up front my priorities, and at least at the time of booking I know everything I am looking forward to is in working order. Now, if when I get there “something” happened, then it’s up to the resort and I to determine what to do about it (discount, excuse it, wait for repairs,etc). Communication is key!
Absolutely! I’ve always felt that campgrounds, especially KOA, should have a tiered pricing system; e.g. if you don’t have kids or dogs, you shouldn’t have to pay for those that do. And, if things are broken, you should get a discounted rate!
YES! Reduced fees for amenities not working. It happens all too often
We.mainly use Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds when available but when we use private campgrounds that advertise amenities but they don’t work/are in disrepair I usually complain to management AFTER the nights stay about the price. I have gotten some people to knock off $5 after insisting that there should be a discount for amenities that are unavailable and not indicated on the website or upon booking. If I don’t get satisfaction I leave a Google review indicating the problem. If we pay the prices they want (and many are really.jacking those prices up) and tolerate broken and non working amenities then we are part of the problem.
Years ago My wife and I stopped at a KOA RV Park for the night because they advertised a spa. We were tired after a hot grueling day of driving because of several miles of construction zones and 5 mph limit through them. We were tired and wanted to relax in the SPA as advertised. We checked in only to find out the spa was not working so I requested a refund and we left and went to a RV park that was $20 cheaper without a SPA. They did have a swiming pool. This is not the first time we have run into this. Spa closed, Swimming pool closed, and other amenities not working. I no longer stay in RV parks. I installed solar on my RV so we don’t pay for over priced RV Parks and broken amenities.
I think Campgrounds should adjust their rates to reflect the amenities they actually have that work. Websites are easy to change and they should list any amenities that are out of order for more than a week, then campers have the option of reserving or not at the posted price. Our 283 site coop provides highspeed internet to every site. We have invested mid 5 figures in equipment and it costs over $1,000/month to provide the fiber optic line that has the bandwidth to support this. Our membership have agreed to pay for this amenity. I cannot imagine a commercial campground putting in the effort and $$ we have for a transient crowd, many of whom carry their own internet access.
The worst time traveling or camping in an RV beats the best day working in the city. I have nothing to complain about if there is no “advertised” laundry, pool or WIFI. There is so much more to do, see, and new stuff in every new location or visiting old ones, I do not get wrapped around the axle over costs, or I would just stay home. Be prepared, make do, life is an adventure, enjoy it. The bank did not discount my RV loan payment because I got a flat tire.
Although it would be nice if campgrounds gave us a discount if something isn’t working, the reality is, they either can’t or don’t want to. There aren’t enough campgrounds as it is. Many campgrounds are short staff , repairs and maintenance gets postponed etc . No doubt some campgrounds are making lots of money, but many more are struggling to keep the lights on.
I prefer to focus on enjoying our trips rather than getting upset for things beyond my control.
Happy Trails.
I absolutely believe that campgrounds with broken or unusable amenities should have a discount. Otherwise their advertising is false and bait and switch. More often than not, the broken or unusable item has been defective for quite some time. A business is either able to offer services or not!
I agree, the previous postings demanding not to be charged for some amenities is ludicrous. Here is what the RV park has and here is the nightly rate. If you choose not to take advantage of the offerings, that is on YOU. If the advertised amenities are not not available, a reduction in the rack rate should be offered until said problem is remedied. WIFI is a whole different issue and no one should expect lightening fast speeds with a whole park consuming the band width, bring your own hotspot if you have a need of speed.
This from a camper who has never plugged in while camping…dry camping only.
I don’t think discounts for non working amenities are coming anytime soon. We have observed a trend (and we are part of it) that RV’ers don’t use much of anything the RV parks offer. We don’t use the pool, the bathrooms or the laundry. We would only attempt to use the WiFi if cell service is not available.
What we do want is a level pull through, reliable 50 amp service, good water pressure and a sewer connection that is not uphill from the spot. A clean and well maintained dog park is next. Last would be a park office that is staffed during arrival hours and can advise us on getting into the spot. We do realize that others use the amenities. If parks advertise it, it should work.
I have run into situations where the WiFi is not very good… but the problem is not the campground owner. In some areas, the campground has subscribed to the fastest speed the WiFi provider has available. Then everyone at the campground is using the WiFi at the same time, lowering the bandwidth. And despite the campground rules of ‘No Streaming’, some campers ignore and start streaming movies/shows… now everyone suffers.
If you need streaming capabilities, use your own hotspot.
If I don’t use the amenities (pool, showers, restrooms, etc.) then why should I be charged for them!
I would agree with you if the same could be said for hotels. I don’t think we should think of rv parks differently than hotels.
Campgrounds should be rated with stars like hotels, to give us an ideia of what to expect.
People’s opinions don’t always match our expectations so they can’t always be trusted.
As for the cost, if Motel 6 can charge $100 per night on a weekday, and be the cheapest still in the area, with no events going on (in Meridian, ID), we can’t expect rv parks to not get what they ask for too.
In the end most of the time it is the lack of options that makes us choose some of these parks with non functional amenities.
At the state park in which we work, all but basic amenities are extra. Entrance fee is included with campground fee and hiking/biking trails open. However, concerts, pool, kayaks, etc. are extra.
Think about the inequity of the site itself: same $50 site fee for a pop up using a few amps of elec and perhaps no sewer (bathhouse instead), and the 50’/3 AC/with multiple appliance usage motorhome guy (who also has no problem ignoring the rule about water usage for washing vehicles! Bet the popup guy would like to pay pro rata usage fees, but that ain’t the way free enterprise works.
I agree with the posters. I like the idea of a tiered system for amenity use. This could easily be handled by giving wristbands to those who want to swim in a pool, use the tennis, basketball or pickle ball courts or playground. At the age of 70, all I would want to do is soak in a hot tub!!! Why pay for others’ entertainment?!
I think enforcement would be difficult if not impossible. With an entitlement philosophy rampant these days, what could one person do if they tell a hostile person “you have no wristband” & their response is “too bad so sad”? If you become more forceful, lots of people with no self control carry these days and I really don’t see campground staff needing to put themselves in harms way for the sake of an extra $15 for the waterpark.
I agree completely on this. Another point is campground workload. The paperwork, and the monitoring necessary for even the tiniest regulation is a big burden on campground staff. It would be almost impossible without a worker dedicated to checking and documenting this.
I have a slightly different take on the amenities.
1) If amenities are broken, a discount should be offered, for the days of usage was not available.
2) If the site has amenities I do not use, I’m still obligated to pay for them.
Why?
If I do not need them I can choose to stay at another campground or RV park that does not have that amenity. Just like I’d do with Hotel stays. Just because I do not use the exercise facility, does not mean that I do not have to pay. Same goes for satellite or cable TV.
Two years ago our group of ten rigs stayed at a campground we have visited for years. It was extremely hot and humid. They lost electricity for one and a half days. Never was an offer made to reduce our rates.
Better yet, I have no kids that are in or went to public school, why should I have to pay school taxes?
If you advertise an amenity and I arrive and they are broken or not available then a discount should be offered. doesn’t matter whether I use them or not. I agreed to stop here and pay the price no matter what I use, but if you offer it and I can’t use it that is on the campground. If I don’t use something that is available, that is on me.
With the advent of campgrounds using “real time” pricing, I see no reason that they should not give a discount when things aren’t available. These folks are quick to make a buck when they are in demand but slow to give moneys back when they aren’t providing all of the things they promise.