Holiday Inn Club Vacations Oak n' Spruce Resort

We have been timeshare owners of this resort for over twenty years and just love coming here from our home in sunny California. We love the location best of all. It is nestled in the Berkshires a few miles from the historic Red Lion Inn where we spend many evenings listening to music and chatting with the visitors from NYC, New England and around the globe.

Oak and Spruce is perfect for families with young children. Three pools, a jam packed game room, miniature golf, tennis courts, basketball courts... and more. Really tons of fun for kids. We have a roomy two bedroom that is great for family and friends to visit.

We enjoy the many museums in the area, hikes in the forest surrounding the timeshare property, music events, local theatre, and day trips to visit the quaint towns of Connecticut, NY and Massachusetts. There are also excellent restaurants nearby. Visiting all times of the year is beautiful with fall leaves, a babbling river on site, skiing nearby. We always look forward to our visits there.

The resort has really "spruced" itself up the last couple of years. There are new trees and flower beds, that add a really nice touch to the grounds. They also have altered their registration entrance dramatically - giving it a more modern, "spiffy", look. I actually liked the way it used to be - it was smaller and felt "comfy" to me. However the new, larger, entrance and registration area are definitely more modern, and there is considerably more space inside.

They also have been adding new "Presidential" Units. These are larger, brighter buildings than the newer buildings that they had been adding previously. The Presidential units are still 2 bedroom, with exactly the same floorplan as the "newer units" - but have more room and more closets. However, the units in the newer buildings that they were erecting before the presidentials, are quite different from the older units there. They are much more modern, with everything on 1 level, which is more convenient. They are brighter, with an open, flowing floorplan, and better use of space than the older units, which have a totally different design.

I own many time shares, not all Gold Crown. This is definitely a simple resort, but in a great area that I love to go to before school begins. The air is cool and clean at night and Tanglewood and the small theaters in the area are wonderful. How much time do I spend in the unit? Not much! Though I do enjoy the full kitchen for when I stop and shop at the organic and fresh markets, espeically Guido's!

So I was lucky to see one last year for sale on redweek.com for the week that I have been exchanging for--for more than ten years--when I can get it. I met and cultivated a friend there ten or more years ago when I ended up traveling single, when they had the restaurant on the premisis (it was a great place to meet people--but not used often enough, I guess for the expense.)

Two years ago, I took my Mom up for two weeks and we had a ball, too. They allow dogs now, so herl ittle bishon frissee could join us, too. Mom was happy staying in for the evenings as I ran to Tanglewood and plays and there were many antique stores, plays, and music during the day as well--as well as small towns to investigate with wonderful restaurants to have lunch. The local airports are close for friends who might fly in, and there is so much to do!

I have exchanged for two weeks this year, and now own one week at the same time, which I will have to place in RCI if I do not rent it out! Now, as an owner, I do not have to worry about not being able to enjoy the Berkshires in August.

Have stayed here several times and am now an owner. The resort is located in an exceptional are and during the summer there are so many things to do for all ages. The units are well equipt, in excellent condition and there are many amenities. We have found staff to be helpful and responsive (immediate replacement of a light bulb). We often have friends and family with us and they share our views of the resort.

Super Relaxing resort. Have gone twice and had a great time both visits. During the fall the foliage can not be beat, just driving around the rural streets is enjoyable. There is also apple picking, shopping, and hiking nearby.

My other visit was during the winter (Feb 05), it was very quiet during the week with only a few people using the indoor pool. There was construction going on but that just shows me they are continuing to update and improve. Did not effect my visit at all.

Plenty to do in the area and the Sweet Basil Grill is a Must go for excellent Italian in a quaint New England style house. The resort looked to have plenty to do during the summer for familys with onsite miniture golf, par 3 executive golf cource, playground and plenty of nature trails. The units themselves were fine, full kitchen, spacious rooms. There was not a VCR but we brought a portable DVD player with us. You can also rent one. Jacuzzi in the master bedroom is great.. You should try this resort if you want a nice peaceful getaway to the heart of New England country. A true vacation from life.

Returned for 2nd exchange end of October 2005. Big changes: indifferent staff, no longer any town folk to get tips from (see my Oct 2003 comments); resort is overbuilt and when they sell out all the weeks, it will not be relaxing. Very sparse unit amenities - resort seems to have put their $$$ into casino type games for the kids, instead of good internet service, blenders, radios, scrub & hot pads,etc. for the kitchens. No VCR in the unit - you must rent it!

If you have never been to this culture rich area, this resort is a convenient place to sleep. It is billed as a family resort, yet a large number of the sales tours had unisex couples. So I wonder about the future for Oak and Spruce.....?

I had deleted my Oct 2003 comments by mistake - the resort used to be open to local folk who came in early to swim & exercise. They were a wealth of info about the area. But now no one provides that kind of help!

Stayed for July 4th week. Loved it. Quiet, relaxing and very convenient. Kids friendly and clean. We would return.

Very nice resort, well kept. Good location for traveling through the Berkshires and skiing in the winter.