Holiday Inn Club Vacations Oak n' Spruce Resort Reviews & Ratings

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.

Lovely in the fall;beautiful Lennox very close nearby with Tanglewood in the summer and Jacob's Pillow and the Kripala Yoga center, and Canyon Ranch for world class services.

This is a laidback resort with nice amentities and convenient to first class culture and excellent shopping!

We stayed here in Sept. 2002 and LOVED it! We had a day or two of warm enough weather to go in the outdoor pool but who needed it, there are 2 indoor pools. We have a 4 year old daughter who had a blast. Did anyone mention the 24 person indoor theater that shows family movies approx. every 2 hours from 10 AM to 5 or 6PM? Free of charge, too. The staff was very accomodating- they even delivered an order of mozzarella sticks into the theater so we wouldn't miss any of the show. Complete outdoor playground, 18 hole mini-golf for free, a small lounge with Karaoke on certain nights. Activites for children all through the day: nature walks, tye-die t-shirt party, sidewalk chalk, shuffleboard, tennis, basketball. Every kind of board game imaginable. You can sign out 2 at a time at no charge. Beautiful round wooden checker/chess tables in the game room area to play on. Nice gift shop. We honestly would have been happy to stay right at the resort the whole time. Snack bar was open for all 3 meals. Order and go sit down (no waitpersons) Staff recommended terrific restaurants all nearby. Grocery store close by too. I can't rave enough (can you tell!) about the Oak n Spruce. We exchanged it through RCI and wished that our timeshare were there instead. We will definitely be back. Once again, the staff was tremendous offering suggestions of places to visit and giving directions. Only downfall is no full-service restaurant on site. Oh, health club was open at 6AM too.

Spectacular Resort with great amenities, beautiful setting. Great for families but my wife and I love staying there for anniversary celebrations.

I had hear about this place a very long time ago and has been our go to ever since. Easy to get to. Very clean and everyone is so friendly. This is our home away from home! Can't wait to go back next year!

Very nice resort. We stayed in a 2 bedroom and unit was very clean. Resort offered a lot for families. Mini golf, pools, shuffleboard and many kid friendly movies ran through out the day. We stayed behind the registration area and it was very quiet. The area across the street surrounding the outdoor pool was very family friendly but also fairly loud. Great if you are staying with kids. Would love to return in fall, the area would be beautiful.

I was vacationing in the area in June 2007 and decided to visit this resort to see what it was like.

This resort is still selling units. They are expanding and adding more units.

The resort is on both sides of a road with the offices and a few newer units on one side.

Some of the newer units on the "office side" are similar to units usually found in Florida and are quite fancy. We saw a 2-BR on this side of the road which was quite lovely.

Most of the units were on the other side of the road and were more of a "middle class" style. There was a recreation center and a pool with the units being tiered around it on a hillside. They were also building new units on this side of the road.

We saw a 1-BR and a 2-BR on this side. They were a reasonable size but not overly large. The units we visited were obviously the "Show Units" and the decorations were new and up- to-date. The 1-BR units were on one floor but the 2-BR units were on two floors. They all had small balconies.

The clubhouse was quite extensive and offered two indoor pools, but hadn't been updated recently and was looking a little worn.

Since the styles of the units varied greatly, it would be difficult knowing which style unit you were exchanging into. We were there in mid-June and there were children everywhere. The closer to the outdoor pool you were, the noisier it was.

If you are looking for solitude this probably isn't the resort to choose unless you go off- season. But, if you have children and want a place with a lot of activities, this resort would be appropriate.

I am giving it a 3-Star based on appearances only.

Stayed the week of Aug 5, 2005. Unit was small & strange set up in master bedroom with bathroom facilities not separated except fot toilet in a little closet??? We were in a newer unit & away from the construction.Pools, mini golf, schuffle board, rec area etc were within walking distance of our unit. Berkshire area beautiful with lots to do close by.

Beautifully maintained, gilded age summer home, "Naumkeag" with garden tour a must see! Norman Rockwell Museum, Lots of Antique stores..Check out Sheffield shops. Highly recommend the Salmon Run Fish House restaurant in Lee for their Prime Rib & Seafood.

We stayed in a 2-bedroom unit during the first week of August 2005. While the resort certain has potential, we were unimpressed. Construction is ongoing on the reception area of the main lodge, as well as new condos (very close to the freight train tracks). The check- in staff was not terribly friendly, and organized activities were scarce. The unit itself was somewhat worn, and not very clean. We noticed a large amount of dust on fixtures and flat services, and the mold collecting on the inside of one shower curtain was disturbing. I am not certain we'd recommend this resort or return to it.

All that being said, the area is wonderful for vacations full-year round. Tanglewood, Norman Rockwell Museum, Jacob's Pillow, canoeing, outlet shopping, etc. are all close by. During the wintertime, several ski resorts are within close distance as well.

We stayed at a 2Br for the memorial weekened. Unit was large, but quite run down. It also had very strong odor of smoke. Staff told us that they could not do anything about it. The resort is nice, but all in all in the "lower grade" side. The area is beautiful, with lots of lovely hikes and good resturants.

We stayed in unit 226 - an older unit on top of the hill, a little walk from the pool/entertainment area.

We were there during the winter (Feb), so we just had the indoor pools and outside playground to use, plus the gameroom.

There are 2 indoor pools, the bigger one much warmer.

Gameroom was adequete - video games, chance games to win tickets for cheap plastic toys that our little ones loved, pool talbes (50c per play), ping pong tables (free for guests), foozball (free for guests). They show about 4-5 movies per day in a neat little movie theater (free) - a DVD player with sourround sound, but nice theater seats.

Would probably be more fun in summer, with a beautiful forest nearby to walk in, etc.

They also have a mini golf course and outdoor pool which are also free to guests during summer time.

Our room was a bit run down, but again it is an older one and they are building what appears to be very nice new ones.

Some neat shops around in Great Barrington and Lenox, and close to Pittsfield, where the Berkshire museum is - a nice place to bring kids for about 2-4 hours.

The LEE outlets are about 5 minutes from the resort.

DON'T MISS VISITING ANGELINA'S SUB SHOP IN LEE IF YOU GO.

This resort has everything for a family to enjoy! There is an outdoor pool as well as an indoor pool. The indoor pool has a children's pool as well as an adult's pool. There is karaoke at night for the family as well as an adults only section. There is a new miniature golf course close to the outdoor pool and children's playground. There are trails for 4- wheeling or snowmobiling. A new restaurant is being added at this time. New units are being added and we found the rooms to be attractive and spacious. We found this resort to be very family oriented!

We stayed here in the Fall (Sept.) last year and had a very large 2 bedroom on the third floor of a 4 storey bldg. at the very top edge of the resort. The apt. was very rustic, with twig furniture in our place. The master bedroom was a reasonable size with a bathroom in suite with the sink and tub in one corner open to the bedroom. The closet was a bit small and not tall enough. We had a twig hat and coat stand in the bedroom as well. The kitchen was excellent, small but with everything one could want and great views. Overall it was adequate but not luxery. The complex is very large. There are a lot of apts. We did not use the common facilities which were not particularly attractive. The pool was an outdoor one and it was too cool to swim in it at that time. The location is great, within easy reach of excellent outlet shopping, Great Barrington, Lenox and only an hour from Williamstown's cultural facilities and the Mass MOCA.