Cottonwoods RV Park &amp; Campground

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2023

Disappointing Experience at Cottonwoods RV Resort: Deceptive and Rude

My recent encounter with Cottonwoods RV Resort has left me utterly disappointed and disgusted, as their service was marred by deceptive policies, unprofessional behavior and childish behavior

It is disheartening to witness a company that prioritizes playing games and leaning on diplomatic responses over addressing the reality of their actions. From the outset, their reservation process raised concerns with their non-industry standard policy of requiring a 10-day notice for cancellations.

This policy, as I soon discovered, served as a warning sign of their intentions to hold onto customers' money while offering limited options for resolution. It became evident that their primary objective was not to provide a fair and transparent service but rather to maximize their own gains at the expense of customer satisfaction.

Adding insult to injury, when my wife attempted to discuss our concerns with their staff, they not only exhibited unprofessional behavior but also acted defensively, as if they were being attacked. Despite my wife maintaining her composure(while slightly elevating the pitch of her voice, but never yelling or personally attacking the person on the phone), they manipulated the situation by leaning on diplomatic responses that failed to address the reality of their actions. This tactic of deflecting and avoiding accountability only further erodes trust and demonstrates a lack of integrity on their part. It's truly sad to see this behavior come from a"business".

When I personally reached out to express my frustration(and also notify that I will post my factual experiences online), the"manager" absurdly claimed that my communication was threatening merely because I suggested the possibility of visiting their premises to discuss the matter in person. This response showcased a lack of professionalism and an unwillingness to engage in mature dialogue.

The"manager's" attempts to justify their cancellation policy under the guise of protecting customers are nothing more than smoke and mirrors. By allowing customers to reschedule their reservations while vehemently refusing any possibility of cancellation, they revealed their true motive: to retain customers' funds while offering a hollow option for rebooking. This self-serving approach contradicts their claims of protecting customers' interests and exposes their disregard for providing a genuinely satisfactory experience.

What troubles me even more is the realization that my experience is not an isolated incident. Other reviewers have expressed similar encounters, outlining the same deceptive policies, unprofessional behavior, and manipulative tactics employed by Cottonwoods RV Resort

It is disheartening to see a pattern of behavior that consistently prioritizes the company's interests over the well-being and satisfaction of their customers. In their attempts to deflect accountability, the company may try to argue that we were rude or difficult to deal with. However, it is essential to clarify that we were hung up on before any reasonable customer service was provided. When my wife, understandably exasperated, questioned whether an exception could be made in the event of a death in the family, their response was shockingly callous. It became evident that the company's priorities lay solely in financial matters, as they confirmed their lack of concern for any circumstances beyond securing their own profits. I fully anticipate their rebuttal to my reviews to show how holy they are, but again, a diplomatic response to smooth over their reviews and make them always look right.

What a terrible way to do business. If you look at the reviews left below, all are refuted to make the campsite look perfect while neglecting to remember they are in the customer service business.

In conclusion, our unfortunate experience with Cottonwoods RV Resort was tainted by their deceptive policies, unprofessional and childish behavior. Their inclination to play games, lean on diplomatic responses, and avoid taking responsibility for their actions only served to exacerbate my disappointment. I strongly advise prospective customers to carefully consider the consistent feedback provided by other reviewers and approach this establishment with caution. It is regrettable that a company entrusted with providing enjoyable experiences would prioritize such practices, leaving customers feeling frustrated and undervalued.

Here's a list of reviews you should take into consideration:- https://www.yelp.com/biz/cottonwoods-rv-park-columbia?hrid=VEyZyAFwGWP1jVoM1e8Ecw- Terri G- Kicked out for using a generator because of an issue with their power cord- https://www.yelp.com/biz/cottonwoods-rv-park-columbia?hrid=KQVPvdggSdgW16By2HS\_4g- Examples of lying to customers, kicking them out when there is room- https://www.yelp.com/biz/cottonwoods-rv-park-columbia?hrid=KN7D9ews6MEGzIdaT2fWnA- Bad experience- https://www.yelp.com/biz/cottonwoods-rv-park-columbia?hrid=\_NeYWolU-KZYvJQqbSM7eg- Indicating a good experience unitl they get mad with you then they call the police and get defensive- what a great place to stay!- https://www.roverpass.com/c/cottonwoods-rv-park-columbia-mo/- Trying to kick out people who are on Cancer treatments, again they reply to everything thats negative with a rebuttal that frames them as perfect-"Surprised they didn't charge us for breathing..."

Month of VisitJune

We understand that cancellation policies can sometimes be inconvenient, but it is crucial for us to maintain fairness and uphold the integrity of our reservation system.

We would like to kindly remind you that when you made your online reservation, you agreed to our cancellation policy, which clearly outlines the terms and conditions for canceling as well as any associated fees. As a gesture of goodwill, we provided you with the option to reschedule your stay in order to avoid the cancellation fee.

We stand by our policies, which are designed to ensure fairness and consistency for all our guests. They were clearly communicated and agreed upon when you made your reservation. While we appreciate feedback, using threats to coerce us into changing our policies is not an approach we will entertain.

It’s unfortunate that you have chosen to express your dissatisfaction by leaving multiple negative reviews on multiple social media platforms, despite having agreed to and signed the policy that you now disagree with. We understand the importance of allowing guests to leave reviews, and we respect your right to do so.

However, we believe in treating all guests equally and upholding our policies consistently, without making exceptions based on individual preferences or circumstances. We encourage constructive feedback and open dialogue, but we will not deviate from our policies to accommodate specific demands.

Thank you and we wish you well in your future travels.

Bobby M.

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2022

Stereotypical

It was overall a great experience. There was however an issue with the property manager which introduced himself as the Owner of the property as he rudely entered our campsite and commenced to explain how "my kind" wasn't welcome at Cottonwoods because I didn't own a vehicle. Little did he know, my family and I own 6 of them. To end this short, my family and I wanted to enjoy the outdoors by letting go of today's lifestyle for just a little bit to get a grip on things but even payment wasn't enough to accept "my kind" onto his property.

SiteT1

Month of VisitJuly

We appreciate you sharing your feedback, but we must clarify some inaccuracies in your review. Firstly, our property manager never referred to anyone as your "kind" or made any discriminatory remarks. We strive to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our guests.

It is important to note that during the reservation process, you provided false addresses on multiple occasions. Our policies require accurate information for the safety and security of all guests. Additionally, we have a maximum stay duration of three days for tent sites to accommodate all visitors fairly. As a campground, we are unable to provide long-term tent accommodations for individuals seeking shelter.

We regret any inconvenience you may have experienced, but we must enforce our policies to ensure a positive experience for all guests. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.

Jim M.

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2022

Cottonwood RV

Great place to stay. Nice pool clean bathrooms and a really nice laundry. Conveniently located to I-70, Sam’s club, HyVee Walmart Bass Pro and lots of restaurants. All with in 5 miles.

Site37

Month of VisitJune

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a great stay with us. It's fantastic that you enjoyed our pool, clean bathrooms, and well-maintained laundry facilities. We take pride in providing a convenient location near major attractions, shopping centers, and dining options. Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back for another enjoyable stay in the future!

Matthew H.

Reviewed Jun. 10, 2022

Best campground in Columbia

The staff is friendly and the campground looks like someone spend hours manicuring the park. Sites we a little small but the quality of short grass and nicely graveled sites make up for it. Plus GOODSAMS discount and amazing campground store better than camping world.

Site32

Month of VisitJune

Thank you for your kind review! We're thrilled that you had a positive experience at our campground. Our friendly staff takes pride in maintaining the park's appearance, and we're glad you noticed the effort put into manicuring the grounds. While our sites may be on the smaller side, we strive to provide well-maintained spaces with short grass and nicely graveled areas. It's also great to hear that you enjoyed the convenience of our campground store, which offers a variety of goods. We appreciate your mention of the Good Sam's discount as well. We hope to have the pleasure of hosting you again on your next camping adventure!

Brittany W.

Reviewed Oct. 7, 2021

Very Nice Place

Great playground. Several large rigs in our row, we still fit. Decorated wonderfully for Halloween. Kids are happy!

Site79

Month of VisitOctober

Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed our great playground and that even with several large rigs in your row, you still found a suitable spot. We take pride in creating a festive atmosphere, and we're thrilled that our Halloween decorations added to your experience. Most importantly, we're glad the kids were happy! We hope to welcome you back for more family fun in the future!

Corey E.

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2021

Great Overnight Stay

This campground is very clean with mostly pull-through sites. The showers and laundry were in great condition. There isn’t much of anything to do for young kids, but a very nice place.

Site51

Month of VisitAugust

Hi Corey!

Thank you for your positive feedback about our clean campground, well-maintained showers, and laundry facilities. We appreciate your visit and your valuable input. We're excited to share that we have recently added new playground equipment to provide more options for young kids to enjoy during their stay. Additionally, our pool is now open from late May through early September, weather permitting, offering a refreshing and fun activity for families. We hope these additions enhance the experience for you and future guests with young children. We look forward to welcoming you back to our very nice place in the future!

Melissa G.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2021

Rude and unprofessional

I have called and left messages for over 3 weeks trying to inquire about a spot for our camper. I never received a call back. Today I drove there and walked in to inquire. Shay didn’t make eye contact or acknowledge me for several minutes after previous guest left. I waiting for her to acknowledge me before interrupting her. When she asked how she could help me I explained my situation of need a place for our 43’ camper. She responded to me like I was inconveniencing her and said what kind. I gave her the make and model she said she didn’t care what make and model but is it a class A,B, C. I told her and then mentioned I hadn’t been able to reach anyone - she said she is the only one working and her two bosses had COVID and they were very busy. I explained I understood that but was confused as to why no one was contacting me back after so long. I explained we needed a place for our camper for as long as possible because my husband is working in the area she asked me if “I” had an attitude. I said no but maybe me explained my experience was giving her that impression. I also explained that I had to drive all the way over here (2 hours) she said well I didn’t get any emails from you or voicemails so I needed to take it up with someone else. So I asked for the managers names and hers. She then told me 4 others were on a wait list ahead of me and asked me the dates I needed, Again I said as soon as possible for as long as possible. She said she needed a DATE. She said I don’t know your life I don’t know your needs. I explained that I have have told her a few times now and wasn’t sure what date to provide her. I said tomorrow’s date and she made an disgruntled noise. I walked out knowing she wasn’t putting me on the list…..so I started this review at which time Mark came up to my car window knocking hard and told me to get of his property. I said that I would as soon as I finished the message I was typing. He pointed his finger in my face shook it and told me to get off his property right now I told him I would as soon as I was finished and if he didn’t leave me alone I would call the cops. I ended up calling and explaining the situation but I was ok and about the leave after I got myself together from the Adrenalin. As I was leaving a sheriff pulled up - I tried explained what had happened but Mark interrupted a couple times and the sherif kindly asked him to let him speak with me and then he would speak with him. I explained the situation and that I would be back. I am not sure if Shay is new but the voicemail is full and the other recent reviews online I have seen don’t show her in a positive light either so I am guessing this is a new problem they will need to get under control. The park itself looked nice but we will not be staying there due to the disrespect and unprofessionalism of Shay.

Month of VisitAugust

Hi Melissa,

We would like to extend our heartfelt apologies for the distressing experience you encountered during your visit to our campground. We deeply regret that both my husband and I were unable to be present due to severe illness caused by COVID, which prevented us from promptly addressing the issue with Shay and her mistreatment of you and any other guests.

Please accept our sincerest apologies for this oversight on our part. We fully understand that as the owners, it is our responsibility to ensure a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone who visits our campground. We deeply regret that this incident occurred while we were incapacitated and unable to intervene.

We are grateful to you for bringing this matter to our attention through your review. It is through feedback like yours that we are made aware of any shortcomings in our operations and can take immediate steps to rectify them. Shay is no longer with our team, and we have since hired two new staff members who are committed to providing exceptional service to all our guests. We assure you that we have implemented measures to prevent any such incidents from happening again in the future.

Once again, we apologize for any inconvenience or discomfort you experienced. We genuinely hope that you will consider giving us another opportunity to provide you with the exceptional camping experience we strive for. We are confident that the changes we have made and the exceptional service provided by our new staff member will ensure a more positive and enjoyable stay for our valued guests.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this challenging time for us. Should you have any further concerns or if there is anything else we can do to address your needs, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

We look forward to the possibility of welcoming you back to our campground in the future.

Anna T.

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Perfect

Clean, great amenities, family friendly. Loved this rv park

Month of VisitJuly

Hi Anna!

Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience at our RV park. We greatly appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you found our facilities clean, with great amenities, and family-friendly.

Providing a welcoming and enjoyable experience for our guests is our top priority, and we are thrilled that we were able to meet your expectations. Your feedback encourages us to continue striving for excellence in all aspects of our campground.

We sincerely hope that you will visit us again in the future. It would be our pleasure to welcome you back and provide you with another exceptional stay.

Once again, thank you for your review and for choosing our RV park!

David E.

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2021

Very nice RV Park

The only negative thing I would say is the spaces were very close to each other. Our slide nearly went over the patio of the next site over. But it was our family staying in that lot so it was ok. The office is very nice with very friendly staff. They sell lots of camping stuff and other miscellaneous items. The pool was small but nice. We had a lot of rain while we were there but the water drained pretty well. Our pull-through site was nice and level. Only had to level front to back. We’re going back this fall to stay during Mizzou football games.

Site41

Month of VisitJune

Hi David!

We appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback on your recent stay at our campground. We are pleased to hear that you found our office to be welcoming and our staff to be friendly. We also noticed the delicious-looking photo of the toast you posted!

We understand your concern about the spacing between the RV sites. Our campground was built 29 years ago, and the proximity of the sites is a result of the original design. Making changes to the underground infrastructure, including electric, water, sewer, and internet connections, would require a significant overhaul and result in a substantial increase in costs. We are committed to providing affordable rates for our guests and strive to keep any rate increases as reasonable as possible.

However, we do believe that the close proximity of the sites encourages a friendly and neighborly atmosphere, where families and friends can enjoy their time together. We are glad that it worked well for your family during your stay.

Once again, thank you for your feedback. Your input is valuable to us as we continuously seek ways to enhance our guests' experience. If there is anything else we can do to improve your future visits, please do not hesitate to let us know.

We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back to our campground in the future!

Hailey W.

Reviewed Jun. 6, 2021

Friendly staff

We got here later in the day and the staff was very helpful and got us settled right away. The campground was near full and most, if not all, the sites are pull through. A lot of long Coach RVs. I saw an area for tents and there is a bathhouse with showers. Also a pool. $50 for the night for electric and water and additional costs for fire wood and portable fire pit.

Site63

Month of VisitJune

Hi Hailey!

Thank you for sharing your experience at our campground. We greatly appreciate your feedback and are pleased to hear that our staff was helpful in getting you settled quickly upon your late arrival.

We take pride in offering a variety of site options, including pull-through sites suitable for longer Coach RVs. Additionally, we understand the importance of providing amenities such as a bathhouse with showers and a pool to enhance our guests' comfort during their stay.

Once again, we appreciate your feedback and thank you for choosing our campground for your stay. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in the future for another enjoyable camping experience!

Debbie S.

Reviewed May. 14, 2021

Very well maintained park with lots of amenities

Unfortunately, this was just a one night stay during another of our cross country trips to Cincinnati. This place had it all and is quite lovely with well maintained sites. I’m The owners obviously take pride in keeping things looking neat, clean and welcoming. Good spaces between lots, and plenty of room to spread out. Laundry had many machines and it was clean, as were the rest rooms. The store was very nice and had a nice variety of items. We would definitely incorporate this into our next cross country.

Site47

Month of VisitApril

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Hi Debbie!

Thank you for sharing your positive experience at our park. We appreciate your kind words and are delighted to hear that you found our park well-maintained with a range of amenities.

Maintaining a neat, clean, and welcoming environment is a top priority for us, and we take pride in providing spacious and well-maintained sites for our guests. We are glad to know that you enjoyed the ample space and felt comfortable spreading out.

It's also great to hear that you found our laundry facilities clean and well-equipped, and that our store offered a nice variety of items. We strive to provide our guests with convenience and a pleasant camping experience.

We would be honored to welcome you back during your next cross-country trip to Cincinnati. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if there is anything we can do to make your future stay even more enjoyable.

Thank you once again for your kind review, and we look forward to hosting you again in the future!

Miles H.

Reviewed Apr. 15, 2021

Great introduction to camping

Perfect place for us to learn the ins and outs as it had full hook-ups. Staff was really friendly, and had the cutest store!

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Hi Miles!

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our campground. We are thrilled to hear that we provided you with a great introduction to camping and that our full hook-ups were convenient for your needs.

Our staff takes pride in creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our guests, and we are delighted that you found them to be helpful and accommodating. We also appreciate your kind words about our store; we strive to offer a variety of items to enhance our guests' camping experience.

We hope that your positive experience with us encouraged you to continue exploring the joys of camping. Should you have any questions or if there is anything else we can assist you with, please feel free to reach out to us.

Thank you once again for your review, and we look forward to hosting you again in the future!

Never Sitting S.

Ranger

Reviewed Mar. 30, 2021

Nice Campground

Nice big rig friendly campground. One row of full timers while the majority of the park is for shorter stays. Large level gravel spots that can accommodate any size. Visited in March 2021, some pot holes in drive way, but manageable. Trees seemed to be trimmed back compared to other reviews. Nice facilities and great staff! Not a good spot on campground to walk larger dogs, but road next to campground leads to ballpark and fairgrounds, with plenty of walking room. Overall nice quiet stay.

Month of VisitMarch

Thank you for sharing your experience at our campground. We appreciate your kind words and are glad to hear that you found our campground to be nice and big rig friendly.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the few pot holes in the entry road during your visit. We want to assure you that we have plans to repair and upgrade our roads later this fall in 2023. Due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to postpone their repair for the past two years. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work towards improving this aspect of our campground.

Our team is dedicated to maintaining nice facilities and providing excellent service to our guests. We are glad that you had a quiet and enjoyable stay. If you have any further suggestions or feedback, please feel free to share them with us.

Thank you again for choosing our campground and for your thoughtful review. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back in the future and provide you with an even better experience.

Melissa C.

Reviewed Sep. 27, 2020

Perfect spot to cheer on the Tigers!

Great campground with a fun playground for kiddos, nice pool and lovely grounds. Super clean and large bathrooms, all sites have full hookups, friendly hosts. Sites are close together but friendly campers! Perfect place to stay and tailgate for Tiger games. MIZ!

Hi Melissa!

ZOU! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at our campground. We are thrilled to hear that you had a great stay and found our campground to be a perfect spot for cheering on the Missouri Tigers!

We are delighted that you and your family enjoyed the fun playground for kiddos, the nice pool, and the lovely grounds. It's also fantastic to hear that you found our bathrooms to be super clean and spacious. We take pride in providing full hookups at all of our sites to ensure our guests have a comfortable and convenient stay.

We appreciate your kind words about our friendly hosts and the camaraderie among campers. We strive to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere where everyone can enjoy their time together.

We're glad our campground served as the perfect place for you to stay and tailgate for Tiger games. It's always exciting to be part of the game-day experience!

Thank you once again for choosing our campground and for your positive review. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for more enjoyable stays in the future. Go Tigers! Go Mizzou!

Glenn F.

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2020

Perfectly Good

Convenient RV resort, safe and tight , level gravel spots. Good staff and nice mix of long term guests. Good public areas for families.

Hi Glenn!

Thank you for sharing your feedback about your recent stay at our campground. We appreciate your kind words and are pleased to hear that you had a good experience.

We strive to provide a convenient and safe environment for both our long-term and nightly guests, and we're glad to know that you felt secure during your stay. Our team works hard to maintain level gravel spots and ensure that they are well-maintained for our guests' comfort.

We value our staff and their dedication to providing excellent service. It's great to hear that they were helpful during your visit. We also take pride in fostering a friendly community atmosphere with a mix of monthly and nightly guests.

Creating public areas that are suitable for families is important to us, and we're glad that you found them to be enjoyable.

Thank you once again for choosing our campground and for your positive review. We truly appreciate your feedback. Should you have any suggestions or if there is anything else we can do to enhance your future stays, please let us know. We look forward to welcoming you back for another great experience!

Lance D.