No, this isn’t the timeshare. This is the breakfast serving area at the hotel where we stayed for four nights for very little money.
All paid for (mostly) by Bluegreen Vacations.
Let me backtrack. In May, 2016, I was in Bass Pro Shop (The Pyramid) in Memphis. A man at a counter called out to me, offering a free cruise. Curious but skeptical, I let him talk me into paying $199 for which I would receive a $75 gift card to Bass Pro plus four nights in a destination of my choice (from the list provided), and a free cruise. And what did I have to pay in addition to the $199? Nothing except the hotel taxes and be willing to listen to a presentation about a timeshare.
But we had so much going on, we didn’t schedule our presentation and almost-free lodging until this past summer. Our destination was Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, an area we know well and love.
Our hotel? Country Cascades, sitting up the hill within walking distance of the parkway between traffic lights 3 and 4.
We wanted to go to the Smokies, but we dreaded the timeshare presentation and meeting with a representative. We had heard horror stories about high pressure and lengthy tie-ups with sales reps.
But, in this case, the naysayers were wrong. Bluegreen Vacations reps were courteous, friendly, and not high pressure at all. The presentation was entertaining (the main speaker, really funny) and our sales rep was a friendly young man from California who chose to make the Smokies his permanent home.
True to their promise, we were there just over two hours. We didn’t buy anything, although I admit I was tempted. Their plan doesn’t work like most timeshares. And their resorts — wow! If I traveled to very nice places two or three times every year, it would be well worth the money. But we don’t, so we didn’t.
“We’re on the Dave Ramsy train,” I told him.
And he smiled and said he understood. Poor guy, I feel bad he didn’t make any money off us. He was so nice.
And Country Cascades? A great place to stay. I have no idea what their regular prices are, but breakfast is included. Every morning they had eggs, sausage links, gravy, biscuits, yogurt, fruit, make-your-own waffles, hash browns, cereal, pastries, and beverages. They have a huge waterpark type slide for the kids in the summer, an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, and a playground.
If hotels are your thing instead of condos or cabins, you might want to check it out.
Our cost? The $124 ($199 minus the $75 Bass Pro gift card) plus $37 in taxes. Not bad for four nights in a very nice hotel.
Great stay and good experience.
Life As I know it 