“This was our second time at Fox River. Our first time was in the villas, which are outdated and in need of a major overhaul. This time we were in the Presidential units, which are really nice. A few Pros and Cons Pros: Staff is really good. Pleasant, cooperative and responsive. Location is generally good. Starved Rock and other states parks are about 30 minutes away. Ottawa is about 15 minutes or so away. Not much there, but accessible to stores, etc. Onsite rec areas are generally nice. Pools are large. Indoor pool area needs some TLC. The Par 3 golf course is surprisingly nice. Some holes need some work, but overall, it’s a challenging little course with outstanding greens. Cons Furnishings: Old and tired. They need upgrading. One of the sofas in our unit was ripped across the top. This is also true of the patio/balcony furniture. Our table was so wobbly we thought it was going to collapse. Location: Yes, it can be a con if you’re looking for a variety of dining or kids’ activities. But it’s not a major drawback. Interior Housekeeping: Attention to detail is needed here. While the units are generally clean, it’s a bit unsettling to find trash behind and under furniture. Nothing major, but something the staff should be more vigilant about. Exterior Housekeeping: Biggest area for improvement. Cobwebs, leaves and other debris are common. Not a lot of effort to sweep the exterior areas on a weekly basis. Clearly, they’re not checked as spilled ice cream on a railing near our unit went unnoticed for days, which attracted ants. Communications: It would be nice if they let guests, especially those whose units have a patio, when they’re doing landscape maintenance. We were sitting on our patio having wine late one afternoon. Before long, a guy with a power fertilizing unit came by which resulted in fertilizer being tossed all over the patio. Other tips: Avoid the visit to the preview center. If you are a member, the cost of upgrades is obscene and the “one-hour” presentation turns into 90 minutes, if not longer. If you’re not a member, it may be worth looking into as the program can work out well. Be aware, however, that a lot of what they show is not available at Fox River or many other resorts. The Vacation Club can become a cash cow.”

“My grandsons had a wonderful time. They kept saying "I love you Grandma!"”