First visit – won’t be the last

My wife and I just returned from a week stay at Fairfield Harbour (May 4 -10 2014). It was our first visit there; it will not be our last. The convenience of the location is perfect. It’s close enough to downtown New Bern, NC so getting to the historic area is a snap.(11 miles from our unit to the city; 14 minutes travel time). We stayed in unit 8112 of the, “Windjammer Villas II” on a timeshare exchange. The unit was very comfortable and clean. These particular units have just had a complete external remodeling. The staff informed us internal updates are in the near future. You may see a floor plan of the units at www.ncrmg.com which should answer any questions concerning space and layout. On Monday morning they have a, “Welcome breakfast” that another review encouraged attending. It is definitely a worthwhile event. The staff explains the activities and facilities available to guests along with touristy information that includes area attractions and directions to them. There are also local business owners and tour operators there who address the attendees with what they offer, associated costs and some discount information. The resort itself is self contained and offers a recreation complex that includes: swimming pools, tennis courts, miniature golf, basketball court and arcade games. In addition fishing is permitted in three of the on site lakes. There is an 18 hole golf course with driving range nearby that offers discounted greens fees to resort guests. There is a marina adjacent to the resort property that has a pretty good restaurant and bar. The Neuse river is absolutely gorgeous. The sunset sailboat cruise should not be missed. You can spend your time at the resort participating in it’s activities or you can go sightseeing in your own car to the many beautiful locations most within a 30 to 45 minute drive. Other reviews have mentioned the restaurants in New Bern, we went to several and all of them were pleasant with good food. Finally, the staff is one of the best we have encountered in our timeshare stays. We had one request pertaining to furniture arrangement that was immediately responded to and resolved. Our thanks again to Ellie and Jennifer, their focus is definitely on customer satisfaction. Stayed May 2014, traveled as a couple.

John H – from TripAdvisor

Relax and Enjoy the History and Beauty of NC

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this resort, for which we used a timeshare exchange. Our 2 bedroom villa was clean and well appointed. While the furnishings we a little dated, we loved our screened in porch and lakeside view, with local wildlife in full view. The full onsite restaurant and lounge came in very handy, as the resort is about 15 minutes from downtown New Bern. The New Bern / Crystal Coast area has much to do, historically and otherwise, with many fine restaurants. We visited in April and the area was uncrowded. We will definitely return here! Stayed April 2014, traveled with family.

LIFAN12 – from TripAdvisor

Friendly and comfortable stay

The staff was very friendly in the rec center and check in. The area is a ways from town! About a 15 minute drive. It is probably nicer in the summer, in the fall there was not much to do. We were in what appeared to be an older section across the road from the rec center and marina. We had a one bedroom with a little kitchenette. The kitchen and living room area ere together and quite small. Nice neighborhood with newer homes around us. Stayed November 2013, traveled as a couple.

cathyS920 – from TripAdvisor

Fairfield Harbour

We have owned a timeshare here for several years. We have always enjoyed our time spent here and the New Bern area. Lovely restaurants to choose from and quaint locally owned stores. Atlantic Beach an easy drive. Stayed November 2013, traveled with family.

Connie S – from TripAdvisor

Really loved our stay!!

We have been going there for many years and are really pleased with all the remodeling!! Our unit was beautiful! Had a wonderful time over Thanksgiving, playing golf, shopping at the Marina Gift Shoppe, played ping pong and went swimming at the Recreation Center. Historic New Bern is a short drive away. Had a great meal at the Sanitary Fish Market in Morehead City. Beaufort is a great place on the water with shops and places to eat! A great place to stay and a short drive to great restaurants! We will go again next year! Stayed November 2013, traveled with family

Room Tip: The Fairways Villas are on the golf course and very private!

Deborah G – from TripAdvisor

Enjoyed our stay

This resort is a little step back in time. The condos need a little updating, but are overall pretty nice. We stayed in a 2 bedroom plus room and it was pretty nice. Needed a few touch-ups but was ok. We didn’t really do alot on this trip but hang around the resort and use the pool. It is very quiet here, so if you’re looking for a nice place to relax, this is the place to go. Stayed September 2013, traveled with family

TonyBrown27203 – from TripAdvisor

Loved it here

This was one of the most beautiful places my husband and I have ever stayed. A friend of mine let us use her timeshare to stay two nights here and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The staff was friendly, the room was more than enough for us and gorgeous and we were decently close to all the places we needed without being in the middle of the city like we’re used to on vacation. The view out on your personal patio is lovely as well, wish we would have spent more time out there. (Originally stayed October 2011)

Faith N – from TripAdvisor

Home away from Home

This is my 3rd time staying in this development. Enjoyed it every time. This is just like being at home. Nice development/resort. Condos are clean, quiet, well stocked and convenient. The recreation facility is fantastic and has a lot of activities for all ages. Spent every morning in the gym/pool. Check in a breeze and the staff very nice. Gym staff was very friendly too. I met so many residents and they made me feel right at home. I hated to leave. The road to the facility is long and windy – 7 miles off of the Highway but that was fine. Watch for deer in the evening. Hoping they can get the restaurant on site back open and I would never ave to leave. I cannot say enough positive words about Fairfield Harbour but you must go. Oh and New Bern is a nice little historic town so worth exploring. Captain Ratty’s, Morgan Tavern to eat. Mitchell’s Hardware, an old fashion general store. Tyron Palace. Stayed June 2013, traveled with family

Vernoica L – from TripAdvisor

Great place to stay in a great area!

We are Wyndham owners, and this was our first trip to this resort and this area. We fell in love with both. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we arranged for a second week while we were there, so we got to experience two differest condo units. Our first was in the Windjammer II units, attached four unit condos, old, but comfortable. 2 bedrooms and 2 baths, with full kitchen and both a screened-in porch and an open porch, with a stunning full-length view of the lake/pond. Only drawbacks here were the amount of light that shone into the front bedroom from a large glass panel near the ceiling that had no way to close off, and the noise that leaked through from adjoining units. If you’re assigned one of these units, ask for an end one. Our second week we moved to the Sandcastle II area, a multi-level unit (6 to a building) with EXCEPTIONAL sound proofing between condos. 2 bdrm, 2-1/2 baths, with an additional loft area with two beds and a play area–would be great for families. Also on a lake/pond, wwith a small patio including umbrella. The resort grounds were beautiful, the rec center had everything you need. On-site employees are terrific. Slight drawback was that you had to pay to do some of the things, like mini-golf, etc. There are tours available right from the resort in mini-buses or boats. Then there’s the New Bern area itself and the places you can get to in day-trips (Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Washington, Oriental etc) We’ll be back. Stayed May 2013, traveled as a couple.

Rich and Linda S – from TripAdvisor

Relaxing vacation

We enjoyed our visit here. We are owners with Wyndham Vacation Resorts We checked in about 7:30 Saturday evening and found unit 3104 with no problem. We were traveling with a friend and got all our stuff unloaded and realized it was very warm inside. The thermostat said it was 85, but was set for 72. We set it for 65 and headed out to the store. Came back in an hour and it was 84. Tried to call maintenance but the phone was dead. This was a problem most of the week. Called security on a cell phone to report the problem and a maintenance guy was there in about 20 minutes. He couldn’t get the compressor running and called his supervisor. He couldn’t get it going, either, and they had keys to unit 3101 and helped us move all our things down three doors. Luckily we hadn’t unpacked much yet. We had been upgraded from a two bedroom deluxe to a two bedroom plus so and tons of room. The new unit was better than the first as it was on the end. It had a screen on the slider which the first one didn’t. There were two extra windows on the end wall, on the landing and the dining area. The deck was more private as well. The best part was that we could see two ponds instead of one. We enjoyed the geese and the occasional duck. One morning a turtle laid her eggs about three feet from our deck. We stayed a few feet away and took tons of pictures. We only mad it to the pools once. We had no internet access in the condo and took our laptop a few times to the rec center to use it. They only have two computers there for guests to use and one was out of order after a few days. We enjoyed the area and all the history. The staff at the resort were all very nice and helpful. I would suggest this as a great place to stay. Having to change units wasn’t a big deal. Since we had cell phones no unit phone wasn’t a big deal. I would have liked to have internet in the unit, but again, it wasn’t a big issue. Stayed May 2013, traveled with friends.

mininutrsp – from TripAdvisor

Relaxing, casual location with simple amenities

Unit was Sand castle I. Very spacious large usable areas with most of the furniture in excellent condition. We have been here before and enjoy this unit style. This is a older resort with very significant re-hab completed and ongoing. appliances were fine,however, the almost mandatory knee knocker dish washer door did its usual thing (door springs are shot) so be prepared to have the door drop open too quickly. Linens were fine with towels very new, drapes and bedspreads good condition and colorful. Good supply of paper products, trash bags hand soap etc.

Water! Be prepared! This is coastal Carolina with all the usual problems with fresh water, with the smell,taste and clarity a bit strange. Don’t forget ice as well, the fridge ice maker worked great but you know the water source. More on water the resort could do a lot more to remove mineral deposits from tubs, sinks and toilets.

Maintenance, some problems with sliding screen doors and light switches that NEVER should have happened. Such as screen door off the rails and sort of resting against the sliding glass door and light switches that turned off the clock radios and not the lights. The problems were mostly repaired with one of the light switches still goofy. U would have to see it to believe it. Also wrong spigot on jacuzzi tub. Maintenance tried once but still doesn’t get it. I’ll try again tomorrow. Problem is water flows directly on to the rim of the jacuzzi and the wall. Not all into the tub. I think there is a very simple cheap solution but getting that info to the appropriate staff member is a little tricky. OK, Now for fun! We love New Bern a lot of history, some great local restaurants that all seem to have great service and food. How a town of this size pulls this off is beyond me but it does. Historic area is exquisite with historic interpretation done very well by staff and period homes and small museum efforts. The people are the best part with ongoing efforts year round. Rivers are magnificent with sail and power boating some of the best anywhere. Good news and bad news, Atlantic beaches are 40 or so miles distant so sheltered dock space is plentiful but the beach experience will take some driving.

I would come back anytime. We have been here in all four seasons and have always been able to find something fun and entertaining. Stayed March 2013, traveled as a couple

Silvergoat – from TripAdvisor

Christmas in New Bern

We spent a quiet Christmas at Fairfield Harbour in New Bern, North Carolina. The weather was just great for running and biking along the ponds and river. A short walk away there was gym with weights and cardio. Our Unit was clean and fresh with nice bedding and cable TV. I even found time to soak in the spa tub overlooking the pond outside. (ran the hot water short for the next shower. :(ohno) If I knew that my unit would be as fresh and clean the next time I would return. The reception is professional and very helpful with the geography of the area regarding local haunts and events. Stayed December 2012, traveled with family

Room Tip: Near the gym, tennis, courts, marina, golf course??

Jaynep263 – from TripAdvisor

Great Week

We enjoyed our stay very much. Yes, the units need updating but I feel that the resort is working on that. The area is beautiful, peaceful but close enough to activities for a great combination. The unit was very spacious and the accommodations were great for the guests we had with us. The units are set around a small pond with a nice walkway around it. Would definitely consider staying again. The biggest surprise in the area was Oriental, NC. Beautiful drive along the water in that area. New Bern was a great town and we could sure tell the folks living there were very proud of their historical town! Definitely recommend the Tryon Palace tour and trolley tour of New Bern. We did not have a bit of trouble with internet connection the whole week. Stayed October 2012,traveled with family.

Anne S – from TripAdvisor

Been coming here 2 times a year for several years and have noticed constant upgrades since RMG took over the management of Fairfield! Since I “trade” my beach week to stay here I’ve stayed in a variety of units. Now there is vinyl siding on all the units and new water heaters, too. Nice to see that their budget is going to resident comfort rather than home décor. I’d recommend RMG to manage any property resort or residential rental. Solid staff making wise decisions!

Judy Harvey – Guest

Awesome place to stay. Very friendly staff and beautiful location.

Michael Day – Guest

As a condo owner at Fairfield Harbour for over 25 years and first term Board Director, I have observed major positive changes resulting from a change to our current management firm, Resort Management Group (RMG). Improvements have been and are continuously being made, beginning with the check-in process, to guest services, to unit interior and exterior upgrades, all the way through checkout.

Our new resort management team has an exemplary business knowledge and aptitude for our association’s growth, retention, services, activities, security, and safety for our owners and guests during their stay at Fairfield Harbour. The staff of RMG is truly professional, skillful, and personable.

Dennis ‘Ace’ Tillery – V.P. Windjammer Villas

My original purchase was two consecutive timeshare weeks in Windjammer II Villas, and for many years, I looked forward to the long vacation in March — away from the Rochester winter! It was marvelous and most relaxing to be there for my “first spring,” then to return home just as spring was coming in the North. I purchased an additional week in Sandcastle Village several years ago.

The Historic New Bern Area is growing rapidly and its location offers many opportunities for day trips to the Shoreand Outer Banks, lots of shopping and restaurants to satisfy the palate of all connoisseurs. Every time I visit, it’s a refreshed experience and the RMG Staff is welcoming, friendly with attention-to-detail talent. Visit the Harbour, explore New Bern and its surrounding area; you’ll want to go back again and again!

Jan Porter – Rochester, NY

I have been a member of Fairfield Harbour for many years now. Fairfield has seen its transition from a brand new resort to a location that requires a great deal of love and tender care. I am now on several boards in the community and have great faith that Fairfield is again on the right path to encouraging new members. We are developing enhanced programs, employing new committed management, repairing infrastructure, purchasing new bicycles, and possibly again taking control of the ownership of much of the original site and buildings. It is the vision of many of the boards to again make this a site where new members come to enjoy some good quality vacation time and just enjoy the southern hospitality.

I am sure that no matter what section of the site you purchased, your unit you will see some dramatic changes in the management, as well as the overall site. We are uniting in a way we never have in the past and it is very rewarding to see the great examples of cooperation produced by some long time members and a few very new friends.

George M. Lobman – Windjammer II and Fairfield Harbourside