Fountaingrove Lodge

Reviews and listings

What families and listing sites say.

Reviews

• A Place for Mom2/5

  Not all that it seems

  I am a resident at Fountaingrove Lodge. My greatest disappointment, by far, is the "Fine Dining" experience. The FGL website claimed that the food was prepared by the "finest culinary professionals" trained in the field. Employees received the famous Oakmont training. The reality is that the food is dull and repetitive (the menu only changes every three months - we were promised menu changes every six weeks). The whole food point system is a sham and obviously a money maker for Oakmont. DO NOT base your decision on the food served at marketing events. Also, do your homework on the annual rent increases. The majority of current residents were promised, by Marketing, annual rent increases of "around 3 1/2 %" In reality, the raises are much higher. And remember, the percentage rent increase compounds each year. And do not trust Oakmont Management. Get everything in writing, and go over the marketing efforts and the contracts carefully.

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  Resident

  Nov 27, 2019

• A Place for Mom4/5

  Fountaingrove Lodge was a beautiful community. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. We chose another community that had an opening for us.

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  Visitor

  Aug 14, 2017

  Verified
• A Place for Mom4.5/5

  A residents viewpoint

  Unlike the 2 reviews listed, I actually live here. Yes the "rules" covering dining change... no progress without change. The wait staff are young people ( the pay scale has just been raised to the highest in the area for a retirement community) and they are certainly not grumpy! Since we moved in July 2016, residents asked us to join them for diner, invited us to join them for breakfast. Everyone has been cordial and and inviting but respect your privacy. We looked at 6 places in the San Diego area and gave up until we found FGL on the internet. Made the 10 hour drive and fell in love with the place. A golf course behind and Thomas Lake Harris Open Space in front of the building. Ok, the wild turkeys aren't that beautiful but the deer are.

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  Resident

  Dec 2, 2016

• A Place for Mom4/5

  On of my parents has lived here since early this year. I've visited her for a week at a time on three occasions, and usually stay in one of the guest quarters (furnished apartments that have not been leased), which are very nice and convenient. The place is beautifully appointed, concierge staff, housekeeping and grounds maintenance and health care technicians are extremely helpful, knowledgable and accommodating. Things are always quite clean and in order. The residents all look out for one another, and the vast majority are friendly and personable. I sleep better at night knowing that my parent is being cared for here. Everything about the place is top notch. There could be a bit more creativity behind the planned activities - though there is always something to do or participate in at the lodge (arts, film, fitness, games, outings, etc.). I would like for there to be more interactive activities, helping residents get to know one another, but that's just me. It's very easy for people to feel comfortable here, but more could be done to assist people who are a bit introverted. Problem area: the dining room administration. The chef and wait staff are great, so when one actually takes time to sit through a meal, the food is wonderful. Residents pay a monthly fee for use of meal "points" in the dining room. My parent has never used all of the points charged to the account each month, and when they're not used there is no refund or roll-over for use the next month. I don't think there is an option to purchase fewer points per month, so that is a bit of a scam. What keeps us from using the dining room? 1. There is no such thing as a "quick" meal in this place. You must make a reservation. Wait to be seated, wait for your order to be taken, wait for food prep, It's perfect if you're in the mood for a fine dining experience, but not a quick lunch. 2. The rules about dining frequently changing. I have yet to find out where they are posted, and my parent's memory is not so great. Each time I visit there has been a different "rule" that we have not followed which makes the dining hall staff grumpy and reluctant to seat us. I don't want to be served food by someone who is grumpy with me, so we eat leftovers, or go out and pay for a meal rather eating here (where the meal has already been paid for). You have to make a reservation for diner. This has to be done by 4:30 PM. If you aren't precisely on time for your reservation - grumpy staff, possibly no seating for you (or you'll have to wait). The phone message when you call the dining hall to make reservations doesn't tell you that reservations must be made by 4:30, and says that the last seating is at 7:45 (it's actually 7:15 PM). When I asked where I could learn the new rules each time I visit, the staff told me that they had instructed my parent on this "a number of times." One would think that in a retirement community they would be more understanding of people with memory problems, and less likely to condescend to them or shame them in front of their grown children. If Fountaingrove Lodge ever gets the dining hall running smoothly (from the residents' and guests' perspective), it will really be an exceptional place for those who need assisted living without nursing care.

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  Family member

  Oct 3, 2015

• Caring.com5/5

  I liked Fountaingrove Lodge. The person who gave us the tour was the marketing guy, and he was extremely knowledgeable. He answered all our questions.

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  Visitor

  Jul 3, 2015

• A Place for Mom3/5

  The deposit Is way Too High and then Monthly rent is more than I pay now Plus it is way up in Santa Rosa - I Like where I Live-

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  Visitor

  Sep 23, 2013

  Verified