We recently returned from a week at Caliente. Here's our story!
We had been to the nude beaches at St. Martin, but never to a Nude Resort, so this was a new experience.
The facilities are as nice as described in other posts. We were really impressed. Everything was new which helped too. While we were there a big storm came through and blew over some trees. Within minutes, the staff was out clearing things up. I think they made it a point to hire friendly and helpful people. At any rate they did. We saw lots of the help using the facilities on their days off, so you got to know them too.
Accommodations: Based on the recommendation of a member here, we rented a Casita. It's really a mobile home semi-permanently mounted. For not much more than the cost of a motel room, you get two rooms and a full kitchen. They are a few minutes walk from the activities area, but if you call the desk they will send a cart to pick you up if you wish. We went for a long walk every morning before breakfast in our tennis shoes (only). When it was time to head for the activities center, we usually drove. The 3 bedroom 3 bath villas are really nice, but I'm not sure if any are available to rent. One and two bedroom Condos are also available. Other than the motel rooms, everything is privately owned. All properties have been sold, except for a few Casitas.
Food: We had breakfast in our Casita each morning. There are a couple of supermarkets about 6 miles away. We usually split a lunch at the pool. Most ran about $8-9 plus tip. Everyone we had was good. Probably some of the best cole slaw and hottest fries that I have ever had – delivered to our chairs at the pool.
The dinner menu Monday thru Thursday included two specials each night for $10. Other items ran from $13 into the $20s. I can say that we enjoyed every meal. House wine ran about $5 a glass. If you eat at the sports bar you can get the lunch type menu items anytime.
As stated in other posts, you cannot bring food or beverages into the activities area. But ice water is available free and happy hour Monday thru Thursday is 4 pm to 7 pm.
The Simple Life: A few months ago they shot an episode of the show starring Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton at Caliente. We were there the night it aired on Fox and there was a big party. The Tampa Fox TV station sent out a reporter to do a story on it. He was there much of the afternoon and evening taping and shooting some live scenes. These live takes were very risky, since most people there were nude. One almost swam into the picture during a live broadcast. He begged the ladies in the pool to stay down in the water when the live broadcast started. Many of the people who were in the TV episode were at the party. It was great publicity for Caliente and the party was a blast. One of the locals said I was shown in the pool from a distance on the Fox news broadcast. I guess if you are going to be on TV in the nude it makes sense that it would be on Fox.
Activities: Hanging around the huge pool and talking to others was about it for us. There is even a non-smoking area on the pool deck. If you get there early, you can get a chair that you can move into the shade as needed. Others played water volleyball. The weekends were pretty lively, but midweek was slow. Other than kids or special situations, you must be nude in the activities area; at least weather permitting. The only exceptions were the employees; although some were nude or partially clothed.
We took a short drive every day or so looking at area housing developments. There isn’t too much else around the immediate area, however Paradise Lakes (another nude resort) is only about 5 miles away. We are saving that for the next trip.
Environment: This was definitely a family environment in the activities area during the day. We saw a few families with young children and people of all other ages. We aren't into the late night action in the bar, so I can't comment on that. After 9 pm, only persons over 21 are allowed in the activities area. It’s a diverse group, but overall very friendly and considerate.
Summary: We can’t wait to return. A really first class place.
