Desert Shadows Reviews...since new ownership

[Numb Teeth]

With all the speculation and interest that people showed in the "Desert Shadows SOLD" topic, I thought it would be appropriate to have a topic devoted only to reviews, or questions about those reviews, from people who have ACTUALLY been to the resort since the ownership change in March 2007. New ownership anywhere can drastically change a place, and so I will start.

First, the comments by DenitalLC and Richard Kenner in the other thread have been, as near as I can tell, very accurate. Also those posts from Doug the general manager and chgonude77, the gay male couple who stayed there are accurate.

We are not condo owners at DSI, but have been regular paying customers of the property for nearly a decade. We always stay in the condo units, preferring the better amenities in them.

First, the new owners, Dan and Laura, have made some huge improvements to the staff. The previous owners were amazingly unfriendly to all except a select few. Many on the staff were the same way. In all the years we've stayed there not once did anyone ever say thank you as we paid our bill. Bizarre. But enough about the past, because now everyone is friendly and appreciative. That alone is a HUGE improvement.

The previous owner's plans for new construction are cancelled. This means that anyone who was thinking this summer was not the time to go should reconsider.

The new owners have made some immediate capital improvements that are very welcome by all. They include large, adjustable umbrellas around the volleyball pool, (the most popular spot), and the cafe, and umbrellas at the condo pool where there previously was little shade. There are also about 100 new lounge chairs. The worst of the old chairs are gone and when we were there over Memorial weekend, probably the busiest weekend of the year, there were chairs to spare.

There are new pool towels, new towels in the rooms, new sheets, the spa has been redecorated. These were all terrific and very needed improvements.

The food in the cafe/restaurant was good for breakfast and lunch, and the dinner we had there was excellent!

Now, about some people's comments about the inability to bring coolers to the pool. Here's my opinion, based on staying at hotels and resorts all over the world:
It is now as it always should have been, but the previous owners never put any effort into running DSI like a resort. First, to the casual guest/visitor it is not obvious that DSI consists of two separate areas; the resort owns the hotel rooms, designated as "Chapparall and Courtyard" on the website, as well as the two pools closest to the office and cafe. The condo association owns the third pool. The resort does not permit coolers at their two pools. If one would like to have a cooler, go to the condo pool, which is actually nicer and generally less crowded. No problem. Can you imagine staying at a nice resort, say the Grand Wailea on Maui, and hauling a cooler full of beer out to poolside and sharing with all your friends? They wouldn't allow it. This is not a Motel 6. It's a resort and it is supported partly by sales of food and beverages. It's totally reasonable.

As near as we could tell from talking with the owners and manager, Doug, the plan is to continue with the existing facility, make steady improvements to the rooms, and get more people to come in with the improved attitudes.

Just two more thoughts, kids and evening clothing.

I agree with Richard Kenner that the resort should continue to allow kids. They were never a common sight there, but it is I believe a smokescreen to say it is a liability issue. This is an expensive resort, not a nudist park like the scores scattered around the country. Those local parks cater to children, this is a place that always catered to adults. That's not a bad thing and says nothing about their commitment to a nudist/naturist resort that does not cater to lifestylers or swingers. The occasional child there was never an issue. However, if they change the policy, keep in mind it affects only a tiny percentage of past customers. Hardly anyone brought kids there.

Clothing, specifically evening attire that some would call sexy or even "slut wear:" It has its place, in some places, but I agree with Richard Kenner, one of the condo owners, that it has little place during normal hours in a nudist resort that is striving to maintian a nudist and non-swinger client list. I'd love to see the owners of the resort be the ones to set the example. Pareos are fine, or other light clothing, but some items fall into the category of "clothing that some would associate with lifestylers" even if the people wearing it aren't. It's a fine line I know, and hard to define. I have no issue really with the sexy clothing at the dances, as that's a smaller venue and people like to "dress up" when they go out.

Overall, Dan and Laura are doing a fabulous job. Laura particularly, almost to a fault really, is running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to do everything and care for everybody. Sometimes it's a little too much, as she's trying to direct the bar staff from the middle of the volleyball pool. She needs to sit down with the Manager, Doug, and decide who is the Manager and who is hand's on customer schmoozer in the pool. She's trying to do it all. That doesn't work and is distracting and must be very confusing to the manager.

Also, they need to update the website with current news and views to dispel rumors and get good factual information out there.

Thumbs up, way up from the previous owners. It's a work in progress and
can't be everything to everyone.

[Numb Teeth]

With all the speculation and interest that people showed in the "Desert Shadows SOLD" topic, I thought it would be appropriate to have a topic devoted only to reviews, or questions about those reviews, from people who have ACTUALLY been to the resort since the ownership change in March 2007. New ownership anywhere can drastically change a place, and so I will start.

First, the comments by DenitalLC and Richard Kenner in the other thread have been, as near as I can tell, very accurate. Also those posts from Doug the general manager and chgonude77, the gay male couple who stayed there are accurate.

We are not condo owners at DSI, but have been regular paying customers of the property for nearly a decade. We always stay in the condo units, preferring the better amenities in them.

First, the new owners, Dan and Laura, have made some huge improvements to the staff. The previous owners were amazingly unfriendly to all except a select few. Many on the staff were the same way. In all the years we've stayed there not once did anyone ever say thank you as we paid our bill. Bizarre. But enough about the past, because now everyone is friendly and appreciative. That alone is a HUGE improvement.

The previous owner's plans for new construction are cancelled. This means that anyone who was thinking this summer was not the time to go should reconsider.

The new owners have made some immediate capital improvements that are very welcome by all. They include large, adjustable umbrellas around the volleyball pool, (the most popular spot), and the cafe, and umbrellas at the condo pool where there previously was little shade. There are also about 100 new lounge chairs. The worst of the old chairs are gone and when we were there over Memorial weekend, probably the busiest weekend of the year, there were chairs to spare.

There are new pool towels, new towels in the rooms, new sheets, the spa has been redecorated. These were all terrific and very needed improvements.

The food in the cafe/restaurant was good for breakfast and lunch, and the dinner we had there was excellent!

Now, about some people's comments about the inability to bring coolers to the pool. Here's my opinion, based on staying at hotels and resorts all over the world:
It is now as it always should have been, but the previous owners never put any effort into running DSI like a resort. First, to the casual guest/visitor it is not obvious that DSI consists of two separate areas; the resort owns the hotel rooms, designated as "Chapparall and Courtyard" on the website, as well as the two pools closest to the office and cafe. The condo association owns the third pool. The resort does not permit coolers at their two pools. If one would like to have a cooler, go to the condo pool, which is actually nicer and generally less crowded. No problem. Can you imagine staying at a nice resort, say the Grand Wailea on Maui, and hauling a cooler full of beer out to poolside and sharing with all your friends? They wouldn't allow it. This is not a Motel 6. It's a resort and it is supported partly by sales of food and beverages. It's totally reasonable.

As near as we could tell from talking with the owners and manager, Doug, the plan is to continue with the existing facility, make steady improvements to the rooms, and get more people to come in with the improved attitudes.

Just two more thoughts, kids and evening clothing.

I agree with Richard Kenner that the resort should continue to allow kids. They were never a common sight there, but it is I believe a smokescreen to say it is a liability issue. This is an expensive resort, not a nudist park like the scores scattered around the country. Those local parks cater to children, this is a place that always catered to adults. That's not a bad thing and says nothing about their commitment to a nudist/naturist resort that does not cater to lifestylers or swingers. The occasional child there was never an issue. However, if they change the policy, keep in mind it affects only a tiny percentage of past customers. Hardly anyone brought kids there.

Clothing, specifically evening attire that some would call sexy or even "slut wear:" It has its place, in some places, but I agree with Richard Kenner, one of the condo owners, that it has little place during normal hours in a nudist resort that is striving to maintian a nudist and non-swinger client list. I'd love to see the owners of the resort be the ones to set the example. Pareos are fine, or other light clothing, but some items fall into the category of "clothing that some would associate with lifestylers" even if the people wearing it aren't. It's a fine line I know, and hard to define. I have no issue really with the sexy clothing at the dances, as that's a smaller venue and people like to "dress up" when they go out.

Overall, Dan and Laura are doing a fabulous job. Laura particularly, almost to a fault really, is running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to do everything and care for everybody. Sometimes it's a little too much, as she's trying to direct the bar staff from the middle of the volleyball pool. She needs to sit down with the Manager, Doug, and decide who is the Manager and who is hand's on customer schmoozer in the pool. She's trying to do it all. That doesn't work and is distracting and must be very confusing to the manager.

Also, they need to update the website with current news and views to dispel rumors and get good factual information out there.

Thumbs up, way up from the previous owners. It's a work in progress and
can't be everything to everyone.

[NakedGary]

I think starting another topic thread on Desert shadows is duplication and confusing. The previous topic thread in the same forum "Desert Shadows SOLD has 13 pages of posts, 7,339 Views, and 247 Replies or posts on the same subject, changes, policies, improvements, service, etc. etc. since the resort property changed ownership, and management.

DSI is being operated as a hotel through brokers as a place to get naked. The reviews are a game of who can write the best and worst reviews. Check the links on the other thread.

I see no reason to have two separate topic/threads on the same resort and subject since a change in ownership especially on the same forum.
.

[Sanslines]

I find it very interesting that brand new 'posters' are now coming out of the woodwork and are all basically saying the same thing. They continue to make excuses for banning children and continue to ignore discriminating against singles. They continue to portray DSI as only a salesperson with a sales pitch would.

Gary, you are right in that we don't need multiple threads on DSI. One thread is more then enough and enough has already been said about DSI. The facts will speak for themselves and most people will see through attempts to downplay the banning of children and ignore the discrimination against singles. Those who don't care about such things will visit DSI and those who do will not go. Rather then play salesperson like word games, it would be much better to be upfront and honest about policies and then let people decide for themselves if they wish to attend or not to attend. DSI is what DSI is and obfuscating with word 'puffing' to create an image that does not truly and entirely represent the real situation there is what only a salesperson could do.

I wonder how many more people are going to just magically appear out of nowhere to write glowing reports about DSI. It all sounds very fishy to me.

[1Ace]

Lets see...when did this reviewer join and how many posts do they have...hhhhmmmm

[Numb Teeth]

quote:

Originally posted by Sanslines:
I find it very interesting that brand new 'posters' are now coming out of the woodwork and are all basically saying the same thing. They continue to make excuses for banning children and continue to ignore discriminating against singles. They continue to portray DSI as only a salesperson with a sales pitch would.

Gary, you are right in that we don't need multiple threads on DSI. One thread is more then enough and enough has already been said about DSI. The facts will speak for themselves and most people will see through attempts to downplay the banning of children and ignore the discrimination against singles. Those who don't care about such things will visit DSI and those who do will not go. Rather then play salesperson like word games, it would be much better to be upfront and honest about policies and then let people decide for themselves if they wish to attend or not to attend. DSI is what DSI is and obfuscating with word 'puffing' to create an image that does not truly and entirely represent the real situation there is what only a salesperson could do.

I wonder how many more people are going to just magically appear out of nowhere to write glowing reports about DSI. It all sounds very fishy to me.

OK. Somewhat I'd expect if I were you. That is, a bit of skepticism since you don't know me and it's my first post. Fair enough. That's why I tried to give a bit of our DSI visit history. Quite simply, I'm new here because during our visit to DSI over Memorial weekend people were talking about the long and contentious and often speculative thread here. We read it and were surprised at all the speculation and jumping to unfounded conclusions. I'm so sorry, but this was my fisrt post because I've not used this site before.

There were some comments in the other thread that much of that people were getting off-topic. I know this often happens, and my attempt was to simply try to get a focused thread that was plain and simply a review thread. As such, I would love to see more reviews from people who have actually been there since the change of ownership. Instead, this is immediately becoming a "bash the reviewer" thread.

Naked Gary, as a moderator please feel free to remove my post if you "see no reason to have two separate topic/threads on the same resort. But, the other thread was far more about policy and speculation. Take this down if you like, or perhaps just move my comments to the last page of the other thread?

Sanslines clearly has an issue with anyplace that discriminates against singles, and I would point out that anyone who reads AANR's Bulletin can see from the letters to the editors that this is a common issue at many nudist parks throughout the country, not just DSI. I'm trying to keep this topic as a review only. That can be part of the review, and I know it's important to many people. It is not a total ban, as I understand it, but I really don't know the details of the policy to comment on it, so I won't comment unless I know more.

As a reviewer I will say again, we've been coming here for nearly a decade. We are not condo owners nor are we good friends with the DSI resort owners. We know them and that's about it. We have been going to DSI for years quite simply because we don't live on the east coast where we could have been going to Florida. On the west coast, DSI is the nicest resort. Let me be clear, the previous owners of DSI were the most remarkably unfriendly owners/management of any of the hundreds and hundreds of places we've stayed. It was only with reluctance that we continued to go there, but we did. It was awful dealing with them and the place was starting to badly deteriorate.

The staff and physical improvements that have been made under new management are a clear improvement. That's the essence of my review. I'm sure there are people who have NOT had a good time under new management and I'm hoping they also will write reviews.

Just like any review of anything, movies, cars restaurants, I want the reviewer to have actually been there. I have, and it's much better than it was before.

[Sanslines]

quote:

Sanslines clearly has an issue with anyplace that discriminates against singles, and I would point out that anyone who reads AANR's Bulletin can see from the letters to the editors that this is a common issue at many nudist parks throughout the country, not just DSI.

You are darn right I do. I assume that since you don't say otherwise, you tolerate discrimination. I have seen far too many nice, decent, single men and women who have had to jump through hoops and always have to prove themselves against unfounded accusations and misbeliefs. Single men and women are NOT the problem at nudist clubs. MISBEHAVING single men and women AND misbehaving COUPLES are the problem. I have worked hard to encourage younger, college aged students to become interested in family social nudism. I strongly promote this. It is hard enough to encourage students to join in social nudism. We do not need the additional battle of having those young singles experience the 'special treatement' known as discrimination that certain places practice. How on earth do you think that we are going to get more young people to join in with social nudism? Do you think that they will put up with the discouraging limitations? Why even bother to recruit younger people if we don't take a strong stand against that which prohibits some from joining?

You have also not taken a stand against banning children from DSI. This is a very important issue and can not be ignored or swept under the rug.

This thread is not about unfounded accusations concerning DSI. This thread is about getting straight and upfront answers to some very specific questions concerning gate policies at DSI and then allowing people to make attendance decisions based upon those policies.

[Numb Teeth]

Richard, thank you for your thoughtful comments.

Sanslines, thank you too, though I'd point out that you're turning this into a thread about discrimination instead of a review of a certain facility, and yes, I'm smart enough to know that their policy towards singles and children is properly part of the review, but it's not the only issue. Perhaps that should be a separate topic, about all clubs,though I'm sure it is somewhere on this site.

This was just meant to be a review of the facility.

BTW, Richard is probably right when he says Laura is not an owner, nor were Steve and Linda the owners before. Technicalities.

[Sanslines]

quote:

No, but a very large imbalance between the number of men and the number of women that want to participate in naturist activities is a problem in naturism as a whole and I think a lot of people would take your postings more seriously if you'd acknowlege that fact.

That doesn't mean that it's an issue at every resort or that one must resort to "discrimination" to solve it, but it is a problem that every nudist resort owner or organizer of a naturist event must have some plan to deal with.

Just who are these 'people' who would take my claims so seriously if I supposedly acknowledged that gender balance is such an extreme problem?

If you have read my previous posts, you would know better then to make this statement. You would understand that discrimination is NOT the answer to this gender imbalance. There are better ways to resolve the huge imbalance, if and when it occurs. I have addressed this issue previously but you must have overlooked it.

What exactly is your solution to this 'gender imbalance' and what have you specifically done to correct this problem?

quote:

..but it is a problem that every nudist resort owner or organizer of a naturist event must have some plan to deal with.

This is simple NOT true. You obviously have NOT been upstate where everyone, including singles, is welcome. There is a majority of single males at these clubs. No one is offended by them and they offer the clubs badly needed income during a Summer season that is just too short to begin with. The single males are very respectful of everyone at these clubs and do not offend anyone. Everyone gets along quite well.

The fact is that single men out number single women by a large margin. The fact is that some single women are offended by too many single men (and the definition of 'too many' varies) and other single women are not offended. The fact is that some clubs have tried everything to encourage single women to join but have not been particularly successful. The fact is that some clubs have wonderful single men members and do not and will not place limits on those members for a problem that does not exist at those clubs. For those clubs that do have a problem with too many single men, there are much better ways to resolve the problem then arbitrary and openly discriminatory procedures.

If you advocate open discrimination, then that is your choice. You stated that DSI doesn't like singles and will therefore restrict their numbers by making it difficult for them to gain admission. This has absolutely nothing to do with creating a viable, sensible, and fair policy that places limits on all groups when the facility has reached capacity. There is a huge difference between singling out a specific group of individuals (due to a personal dislike of members of that group) and creating blanket policies that continuously and openly discriminates against them versus a policy that will not allow any more individuals from a group to enter then facility when the capacity for that group has been reached. This policy should extend to all groups and not exclusively for single males.

[Numb Teeth]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Numb Teeth:

This was just meant to be a review of the facility.
QUOTE]

Sanslines, obviously I'm not a moderator here, but can we please stay on topic? This is meant to be a review of DSI thread, and I'm hoping others will want to read reviews from people who have actually been there.

I have not drawn a line in the sand about banning children from DSI but that does not make me a person who approves of discrimination.

Can we keep this "review" thread on topic?

[NakedGary]

Desert Shadows Reviews...since new ownership Topic/Thread is a 2nd topic/thread on the same subject "Desert Shadows Sold" in the same Forum "United States Locations.

The previous 11 posts on this thread have been moved to the original Topic/Thread:

Clothesfree.com/ClothesFreeForums/Locations/United States Locations/Desert Shadows Sold

Re: URL/Address:

Link to Desert Shadows Sold Topic/Thread

This Topic/Thread is closed to further Posts..

Post Desert Shadows Reviews or new posts on reviews to the original topic/thread link above.
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