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airdreamers · 03-01-2023, 12:09 PM

I think that with all the negative inputs we hear, its about time we give praise where praise is due. I will tell you that I have a pleasant experience with Harvest Host. Regarding a cancellation. From the website to giving a follow up call directly by phone. Kudos!!!

Dennis C · 03-01-2023, 06:18 PM

My experience with Harvest Hosts has been very positive. I have no complaints.

**Hans627** · 03-01-2023, 06:51 PM

We like HH and use them as often as is feasible. No complaints either.

MMCMRET · 03-01-2023, 11:12 PM

I have never had an issue with any HH we have stayed at. Our expectation is a relatively flat spot to park The Toaster on. Anything after that is a bonus.

369goose · 03-02-2023, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airdreamers

I think that with all the negative inputs we hear, its about time we give praise where praise is due. I will tell you that I have a pleasant experience with Harvest Host. Regarding a cancellation. From the website to giving a follow up call directly by phone. Kudos!!!

Great to hear. Wouldn’t our world be so much more pleasant if we’d post the positives and not so much of the negatives. Not just here but everywhere.

banderabob · 03-02-2023, 04:11 PM

They are great, and many interesting hosts as well.

So I’ll ask…..what is the most unique HH location where you have stayed? For us, Harv’s Harley Davidson in NY.

tommyglen · 03-02-2023, 08:30 PM

We love the HH program and use the hosts whenever possible.

Especially with the new Boondockers option.

Only once had a so-so visit, and that was because of the weather and not the Host!

Mollysdad · 03-03-2023, 08:19 AM

May I ask a question?
I've been a HH member for years and never used one. This year will be different. I understand you're 'sort of' expected to buy something.
I also understand the HH rates YOU. How many of you always buy something? Be it wine, a round of golf, a farm sausage?
I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but how much pressure is there to buy? (I probably wouldn't buy a bottle of wine, not being a wine drinker.)

AgBullet · 03-03-2023, 09:14 AM

In our experience, there has been zero pressure from the hosts for us to buy something. Most visits, there is something obvious to purchase (farm eggs, cheese, museum admission). If staying at a vineyard and you don't drink wine, definitely don't buy it...there may be other offerings. HH is a great program; once you stay at one, you'll be back shortly.

BigSxyWhtGuy · 03-03-2023, 09:47 AM

The buying component is why we have never used it. I’m all for supporting local but I tell my wife, “how much honey do we need?” For example. There may be a ton of people making honey — the simple answer is then don’t stay there but you’re paying for the overnight convenience option and now I need to bypass the easy option because I don’t need more honey?

So we sadly pass on it. May sign up if we find ourselves traveling with a group with it so we can see how they utilize it though. Sounds like a great option in general.

Dennis C · 03-03-2023, 10:35 AM

We’ve only stayed at wineries so far. We always go into the shop and buy a bottle of wine to enjoy. Many wineries have a patio where you can enjoy a glass or two of wine with some nice appetizers or snacks. We find it to be a nice way to unwind after a day on the road. I haven’t stayed at a HH winery that offered wine that I would add to my cellar, but it has been fine for a glass after a day on the road.

Acheron2010 · 03-03-2023, 10:47 AM

Love Harvest Host. Most unusual (so far) was the Potato Museum in Blackfoot, Idaho. Huge flat parking lot, fun tour in the morning. Best so far has been Pivot Distillery in Saskatchewan province in Canada. Great tasting room, friendly hosts, huge field to park. Honorable mention is the Air Museum in Minot, North Dakota. What a great way to camp and see and experience the road less traveled.
Oh, and the other "best " one. The Tallahassee Auto Museum. Wonderful parking, huge museum, a must see.

Dodie · 03-03-2023, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

May I ask a question?
I've been a HH member for years and never used one. This year will be different. I understand you're 'sort of' expected to buy something.
I also understand the HH rates YOU. How many of you always buy something? Be it wine, a round of golf, a farm sausage?
I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but how much pressure is there to buy? (I probably wouldn't buy a bottle of wine, not being a wine drinker.)

We use HH when practical and we've not experienced any pressure to buy anything. We do spend a little money and/or donate to the host's charity (there is place we stay that suggests a donation to a local food bank).

MMCMRET · 03-04-2023, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

May I ask a question?
I've been a HH member for years and never used one. This year will be different. I understand you're 'sort of' expected to buy something.
I also understand the HH rates YOU. How many of you always buy something? Be it wine, a round of golf, a farm sausage?
I'm not saying it's not a good idea, but how much pressure is there to buy? (I probably wouldn't buy a bottle of wine, not being a wine drinker.)

You need to spend $20.00. If there is not anything we like, we just give them a $20.00 bill. Usually goes right into the owners pocket. I have never felt any pressure because I take care of the payment right up front. There are many alcohol free HH options. Most of these places are so small the owner meets you, as you are pulling in.

GettinAway · 03-04-2023, 06:56 AM

Two HH stays on our last trip. Both were very nice. We bought a dozen eggs at the first one ($5) and a bottle of wine and a pizza at the second one. Both were good. We are going to eat and buy a bottle of wine anyway.
I’d much rather be parked in a nice quiet place, than in a Walmart lot, or a crowded RV lot.

Escape_Plan · 03-08-2023, 10:14 AM

HH is a great concept. However we did not renew our membership this year. When the HH overnight is integral to your travel plans, and the host cancels at the last minute, you're left scrambling to find an alternative overnight which means greater cost than was budgeted for or a longer travel day that wasn't planned for. Of our five HH reservations last year, this happened at three of them. Two of the cancellations happened the day before we were scheduled to arrive and the third happened while actually en route to the rural location. None of them resulted in a phone call, just an email notification of the cancellation. The other two where we stayed were brew pubs. The first one advertised itself as, "a small local brewery situated in a rural location with plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy the night sky." We arrived and had to park in the street since it was "B*tches and Bikes Night" and the parking lot was filled with bikes and the pub was slammed with leather clad bikers trying to out drink each other. After closing time at 1:00am, we were lulled to blissful sleep to the sound of straight-piped V-twins racing up and down the road for the next hour or so. The second location, also a pub advertised room for one trailer and absolutely no arrivals before 4:00pm since the parking lot is shared with other small businesses. No problem. I arrived at 4:00pm on the dot and there was already a triple-axle toy hauler in the spot. Slides out, awning deployed, camp chair set up and a slightly inebriated driver. I asked him when he arrived and he said he got there around noon and the pub owner said, "no problem, go ahead park it." I went in to talk to the pub owner and he said, "yea, I'm only technically allowed to have one camper overnight due to city ordinance, but I know all the cops so you'll be fine, just squeeze in there beside him." So I had that going for me. I "squeezed in" best I could to give the other guy some room, but sure enough, at 0400 the toy hauler wanted to leave and couldn't make the turn out of the parking lot without me moving. What a cluster****.

Granted, of the thousands of HH locations, my decision to not renew was based on these five instances. Should I give them another chance, I mean it's only a hundred bucks or so, right? The three cancellations alone resulted in us spending far more in last minute one-night stays at RV parks than the annual HH membership fee. So no, I'm not renewing because I'm not in the habit of throwing money away for something I already paid for and, besides, we prefer something a little more reliable

But I am glad people are using them and having a good time and restful, inexpensive, sleep at interesting locations. Like I said at the outset, it is a good concept, but everyone that agrees to be a Host has to understand what they are signing up for and its not just to sell one additional bottle of wine. The Hosts are representatives of the HH brand, if they (and by 'they', I mean the Hosts we interacted with) acted like brand ambassadors or independent franchisee's of HH, the concept would be more professional and less shady.

kscherzi · 03-08-2023, 02:26 PM

Wow, Escape Plan, it sounds like you had a run of bad luck. Definitely post reviews on the Harvest Host website detailing your troubles with the various hosts to warn others.

We've maybe stayed at around a dozen HH places and all were as expected or better. Wineries tend to have the prettiest parking locations.

rastapoodle · 03-08-2023, 02:27 PM

We joined probably 8 years ago and purchased a ‘lifetime’ membership after our 1st stay. Unfortunately, w/all the added perks, the lifetime is no longer offered but we were grandfathered in.
We’ve stayed at really great locations, from rural, to suburban to cities. We’ve never had a cancellation but have needed to cancel stays because of change of route/plans/emergency. I really like being able to book most online now w/o having to call the owners or wait for their response.
We did loose a couple of years due to Covid. We’ve stayed at wineries, breweries, farms, museums, an RV parts store, great locations, all. We’ve met up w/full timers, single travelers, families (occasionally), dog friendly rv’ers, had great meals, seen museums where we would not have otherwise.
It’s been nothing but a great experience for us.

dznf0g · 03-08-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rastapoodle

We joined probably 8 years ago and purchased a ‘lifetime’ membership after our 1st stay. Unfortunately, w/all the added perks, the lifetime is no longer offered but we were grandfathered in.
We’ve stayed at really great locations, from rural, to suburban to cities. We’ve never had a cancellation but have needed to cancel stays because of change of route/plans/emergency. I really like being able to book most online now w/o having to call the owners or wait for their response.
We did loose a couple of years due to Covid. We’ve stayed at wineries, breweries, farms, museums, an RV parts store, great locations, all. We’ve met up w/full timers, single travelers, families (occasionally), dog friendly rv’ers, had great meals, seen museums where we would not have otherwise.
It’s been nothing but a great experience for us.

Us too.

Escape_Plan · 03-08-2023, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kscherzi

Wow, Escape Plan, it sounds like you had a run of bad luck. Definitely post reviews on the Harvest Host website detailing your troubles with the various hosts to warn others.

We've maybe stayed at around a dozen HH places and all were as expected or better. Wineries tend to have the prettiest parking locations.

I know, most people probably will never have this string of frustrating events so close together. Like I said, I believe their business model is sound, and it works out for thousands of people each year ( each day technically). I'm not mad, just frustrated that we had such a string of issues right out of the gate. Our experience is probably not the norm, but it did leave an indelible imprint. Also, I did capture all this in an email sent to HH naming the locations that kinda left us out to dry. The response was less than what I thought would be appropriate, so I decided to vote with. my wallet and not renew.