Holly Lake Ranch

I was fool enough to purchase property at Holly Lake Ranch, seemed nice until I found that it is ran like a «concentration camp». If you have never owned property in a HOA, I highly recommend getting on line and doing your homework concerning living in one of these“hell holes” before getting into something you will regret!

I recently stayed at the Silverlake (silver leaf?) condos at Holly Lake Ranch. I stayed in a 2 bedroom condo with my partner and our two toddlers, just across the activity center.
Our condo was very clean when we entered and we found it to be just fine for our stay. We had a few issues (needed sheets/​door locked by toddler) and found maintenance to be extremely accommodating!
The facilities, like the activity center and mini golf, were dated but functional, and we made use of most of them during our 5 day stay. The pools were very nice, unfortunately not well shaded, but very clean and entertaining for the kiddos. I will say that they do this ‘check’ every hour at the main pool and they force everyone out and check their pool passes. I thought this was really over the top, they check them at the gate already!
So we also checked out the ‘movie theater’ which is just a room with a big TV, the walking trails, and the lake with boats. These were all relatively entertaining and okay for toddlers.
Overall I would say this place is okay for a getaway at a low price, but keep in mind that it is not ideal for toddlers or anyone with limited mobility.
Also, there is NO CELL RECEPTION and wifi is not in cabins, just the activity center.

Large lake, ok condos, nothing too special, huge jacuzzi tub in the master bedroom, the beds are comfortable, and clean. We didn’t go at a good time of year it was raining our whole stay but the pool was nice looking with 2 hot tubs and a mini golf course, small activity center but over all a good place to take kids for a couple days. I probably won’t go back to this location but it’s pretty nice not luxurious or anything but good to getaway.

We were told to check in at member services. Member services told us to check-​in at Registration ok fine. We get our Condo number and walk in. The room smells like must and smoke. There is only 1 TV. The condo looks very outdated, but I guess thats a woodsy feel? Spiders were found in my daughter’s pack n play (brand new just opened the box when we got there) and tiny bugs in the condo. It was cleaned 5 days before according to note left. Wife and I proceeded to take a bath in the whirlpool… But it spits out dirt. Not allowed to use your own firewood, you must purchase at Mercantile back at registration. The activity center is the smallest in Silverleaf, others are double this size.
So we decide to check out the 19^th hole restaurant on site. Followed the map to golf drive. The map says its down this road, but its no where to be found. We would call to see where it is, but no cell reception.
Staff are friendly. Beds are comfortable.
Unfortunately it rained our entire stay, but lake looked nice.

We are fortunate to have friends who own a very special lakehouse in Holly Lake Ranch, a gated community on 3000 acres in Wood County, Texas. When we visit them, we do not spend much time on the lake because we like to stare at it while sitting in their big swing sipping Prosecco.
There are cranes, feral hogs, deer, unique birds and other wildlife in this part of Texas. Should I mention we heard banjos playing in the pines??? The «Ranch» development offers a golf course, restaurant, tennis courts, miniature golf and boating. Lush dogwoods were in bloom when we were there recently, along with beautiful wildflowers and tall pines.
I think when I die, heaven will look like Holly Lake Ranch.

Overall a nice place although some things could be better. We exchanged here through an RCI timeshare exchange. We came here in late August 2010. The weather in this area was still hot and humid, but the tall trees definitely helped keep it cool. I hear say late September and early October are perfect to come to this area. I believe it. Everything in the unit we were in (#18) worked. It had a small full kitchen, microwave, two TVs, two bedrooms, two full baths and even a jacuzzi. Some of the problems with the unit was that, the main TV, a flat panel LCD, was mounted near the ceiling, above the fire place. Because the bracket was not adjustable, the image at seating level (eye level while sitting) was terrible. Also, the bathrooms can only be accessed though the bedrooms. There is no access from the hallway. That meant that, those sleeping in the sofa bed in the living room had to go through someone’s bedroom to use the bathroom. Also, the furniture had some SHARP EDGES and we could get hurt if we bumped into the corner. The resort has a café. The food there is marginal. At check-​in they hyped it up, but at least one cook there does not know how to make burgers! Too bad. It was really convenient. They advertise WIFI, BUT that is only available at the café and NOT in the units. Also, there is BAD wireless reception. My BlackBerry did not have data access. All in all it is a nice quite place to get away and disconnect. If you have watercraft, even better. If you are looking for tons of activities or for someone else to keep you occupied, you might want to look elsewhere.

I went here with some friends to get away for a bit and enjoy some slightly colder west texas winter weather. It’s a private community with some rental units available. Very picturesque with its tall trees, rolling hills, and placid lake. They area by the gate has a ton of activities such as putt putt, tennis, there’s archery range a bit down, a pool, and I think a rifle range somewhere. I think there’s a bar or at least clubhouse there but we were drinking Baileys, beer and wine at our place.
My friend’s place was on the golf course so we played a few in the golf cart/​ATV decked out in OU colors (boo). Deer were staring at me like what are you doing on my course instead of running off. There’s a nice 5 mile loop around the community if you want to go for a run.
I’d recommend it if you wanted a close-​by weekend getaway.