Our Vacation Plans Are Falling through...looking for Another Alternative

Updated on October 11, 2008
G.A. asks from Azle, TX
4 answers

My husband and I had made reservations for the week of Thanksgiving at a cabin in a canyon at a wilderness park in Lampe, MO. These cabins are owned by another resort that is 17 miles away. We'd been there before and loved it. They called earlier this week to let us know that 75% of the activities in the canyon would not be available during our stay because of damage the canyon sustained during hurricane Ike. They offered a 10% discount (the cabin will still be available - and we've already paid for our stay in full), or the opportunity to cancel without penalty. Today, they called to let us know that they would be closing the entire wilderness park on November 2 for repairs, but still offered the same options - 10% off or the ability to cancel.

I called the main resort (17 miles away) and asked if they could offer us comparable accomodations at their site, since we would basically be paying for a place to sleep in the canyon, as no other activities would be available. They said they had availability of something comparable for an extra $75 or so per night. It's not that it's a money deal for us, it's more the principle. We'd already paid for our stay and scheduled an entire vacation, and they're not delivering and not offering, what we feel, are adequate options (10% discount wouldn't cover the gas that we'd spend going to and from the main resort for activities). When I expressed my thoughts, they said that the rates were firm because it was the holiday. Needless to same, I'm outraged. I've sent them an e-mail, but if they're adamant that they're not going to make it right, I'd like some other options...

We're looking for cabin-type accomodations, with opportunities for fishing, hiking, etc. I'd prefer something kind of secluded and quiet, and within a day's drive (8 - 10 hours) of Fort Worth. Mountains are good (this place was in the Ozarks). Scenery is a must. What I liked about the place we're at odds with right now is that you had your space and privacy in a cabin, but there was also a main resort/lodge with opportunities for swimming, going to the spa, dining, etc. What are some places you've been and loved? Thanks for any advice/info.

Edited to add: See, I feel when we paid to stay at the original place, we paid for the entire experience. I, too, drive around a lot every day to school, errands, etc., which is exactly why I don't want to spend my entire vacation driving to and from activities (it's more than just gas, it's the time spent driving, too). With the canyon we're staying at closing, along with all the activities becoming unavailable, the cabin we've rented becomes nothing more than a glorified hotel room, literally in the middle of nowhere. We planned this trip in July, because we knew Thanksgiving week may be a busy travel week. I don't want a refund, I want the vacation I already paid for - or something similar.

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H.H.

answers from Dallas on

Also in the Ozarks is Wilderness Lodge. I stayed there in August and absolutely loved it. I can get you more info if needed.

Hope you can get this settled,
H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hey G.. I understand the Vacation thing. Want to adopt me? LOL...ok umm Lake Palestine...look into that. Its in Palestine and I went there as a child. I have been there as an adult and it is beautiful. www.lakepalestine.net I found that and hope that is the right link....they have log cabins and many other accomidations. Hope you have a very enjoyable vacation whereever you go. God Bless.

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K.F.

answers from Dallas on

I don't understand your post. If there are opportunities at the resort you are exaggerating the driving thing. I spend about $10 a day on gas and two round trips to my daughter's school is 32 miles, which does not include the trips to the middle school and a few other odds and ends daily, all of which is city driving. I cannot imagine that the discount doesn't cover gas and if it doesn't, let them know that you can only keep the reservation if the discount covers the gas to the parent resort. They had no control over a hurricane and are taking responsibility by offering free cancellation or discount. If you look at what you wrote, you anticipated making the drive to the resort with the spa, dining anyway. If they have hiking and fishing at the resort, the only thing you are really losing is the driving time which is short enough to enjoy without being a pain; and your piece of mind, and that is a choice.

Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and even Tennessee (Memphis is approximately 500 miles from Fort Worth) all have travel information online. The closest I have stayed is Memphis and Santa Rosa NM, which by the way has tons to do for outdoorsy people but it is also probably cold there in November which it probably is in the Ozarks so I would make sure to look for indoor pools. Bull Scholls Arkansas is also in the Ozarks but I'm not sure how far away as it is north of Little Rock.

Something else to consider, while it was the right thing to do, the hurricane has to have really hurt business and some establishments would not have felt a moral responsibility to report the situaion, instead believing that it is the customer's job to engage in due diligence about whether any natural events have affected the resort or canyon area.

Edit: Then cancel and lose that stress. Even though it is the holiday, so many peope are with their families you should be able to find something. Lake Palestine is lovely, my stepson and his mother live there. You could also check Tyler. Also Carlsbad Caverns and the state parks.

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C.S.

answers from St. Louis on

I'm not sure where you were planning on staying, but I had a friend that used to go to a place called Big Cedar. She really enjoyed it. I think it's in Branson MO. I don't know any details, but it may be worth a google search? Good luck!

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