Peppertree Atlantic Beach

If we could give this resort a lower rating we would.

While the staff was friendly they truly made no effort to accommodate our requests. They gave us friendly answers to our requests and concerns but basically said that is the way it is, deal with it. The maintenance staff took days to respond. Housekeeping showed up either hours later (if we were lucky) or not until the next day.

We had a bulb burned out over the dining table and it took two days for them to show up to replace it. The window screens were broken and laying on the ground outside the windows. Maintenance never came to fix them or put them back into the windows.

There was NO one on duty after 6 pm. If anything was needed from the resort you were just out of luck. That included the so called resort security. They didn’t even return a message; that is of course, if the number even had an answering machine. The only number that did have an answering machine was housekeeping. The other numbers just never answered.

Prior to arriving to the resort we called to confirm the type of room and the location. We requested an upper floor near the beach and told them we have someone in the party that was very allergic to the chemicals in cigarettes. We were told we were on the beach and only a few yards away but they weren’t sure about the level and that they would be sure to use an ozonator to clean the room.

They also never mentioned that the resort was under construction repair. That was going on all around the resort.

None of what the resort staff told us prior to arrival was true. The resort itself was across the street from the beach and our room was at least 1/4 mile away if not further. This was horrible to carry chairs, umbrellas, towels, toys, boogie boards and coolers!

We even ended up with a ground floor unit. It was almost as far away from the beach as we could get. The resort even admitted there was only one other room that was further away. That was the one they put my sister in. They couldn’t have made a room assignment further from what we had requested.

They didn’t even bother to put us next to a pool. Well that isn’t quite true. They put us next to the indoor pool. Humm let’s see, July in North Carolina; yeah that is what anyone wants to do; sit inside a greenhouse when it is 95 degrees and sunny.

The rooms were not clean and smelled terrible. We had to continuously use a room disinfectant to get rid of the allergens in the room from people smoking in it previously. The furniture was comfortable but very worn. My sister even found a USED band aid under one of the chairs.

There were no laundry facilities in the rooms. This made things difficult with bathing suits and towels that were wet from the beach.

We unit we were in was a handicap room. Everything was setup to accommodate someone that needed that. We didn’t.

Because of the type of room we were in, there was no main kitchen counter. There wasn’t even all the cabinets and the counters that were in the room (bathroom and one in the kitchen) were at about 2/3 the normal height. This would have been great if we had needed it.

There weren't enough kitchen inventory (dishes, glasses, silverware), chairs or even a table large enough to fit our party. The room was stocked and furnished for 4 people. We had 5 people in our party in this room. The room was supposed to accommodate up to 6 people, (it was a 2 bedroom unit) this was a joke.

Our beds were rock hard and sleeping on them gave even the kids back aches.

Internet access was free. It should be because it rarely worked. We went to the resort office and they provided a booster. This is hard to believe but it actually made things worse. The stove was very old. Our best guess is that it was made sometime in the 1970's. It worked as long as you held the electric elements down. Even the ice maker in the refrigerator was woefully inadequate. It didn’t even produce the equivalent of one tray a day. Of course if you wanted ice the resort would sell you some.

Because we were on the ground floor we had to keep our curtains closed a great deal of the time. People were constantly walking in front of the windows. There were grills located right outside of our patio door. So, almost every night there was someone outside of the window/patio grilling. Frequently these people would even sit on our patio while they cooked!!

There was nothing to do at the resort or even close to the resort. The resort didn’t offer activities to do either on property or off. The only good thing was that there was a very nice grocery store about a block away.

All this sounds like we are a bunch of prima-donnas. But we aren't. We spend one week a year as an extended family in our timeshare. The other times we vacation we camp (in tents and a pop up trailer). We just expect it to be nice and what we are told it is supposed to be like.

It probably isn’t necessary to say this, but, we will never return to this resort, nor will we ever recommend it to anyone.

I used to rate this complex as 5 stars but the maintenance fees keep climbing and Festiva has recently taken over and are trying to get owners to convert to their point system. I think they will tell you anything to get you to convert. I do like the complex itself...the 2 bedroom units are very roomy. The checkin staff can be very rude if you show up before 4:00PM.

We owned three weeks at Peppertree; April, May, and September. Why three? It is a beautiful setting, it's peaceful, has a great beach, 2 outside pools and one inside, great activities for the kids and adults, good fishing, and great resaurants nearby. NEW are elevators. No more climbing stairs. What a blessing. Has a nice game room. Adding workout equipment soon. Everyone is friendly - a great atmosphere. NOTE: This Resort has been taken over by Festiva. We have exchanged our units for points (10/2007). These points can be used at former Peppertree locations as well as locations already part of the Festiva group. We are going to Charleston, SC in April 08 in lieu of returning to Atlantic Beach.

I have been coming to this resort (first phase through third phase) for over 18 years. I am from Beaufort, NC, and have always loved being near the beach and the several pool options. This resort is one of the best resorts as compared with ones in Florida and Hawaii.

we traded thru rci into a 3 bedroom unit which is one of the older units. everything was fine, spacious and a good view. we were on the top floor which i recommend except for the stair climing. carpet needed cleaning or replaced, but had tvs in every room, comfortable beds and overall was a pleasant place to stay, close to shopping and beach