My wife and I recently spent a week at Caliente Tampa, arriving on a Friday and departing on a Friday. This was our fifth visit since 2006 to this upscale, clothing optional resort but our first since their departure from AANR.

We had an early morning, uneventful, direct flight via Southwest and were at Caliente’s front desk by 11:00 a.m. Our room was not yet available, so we went to the store for some “staples” and got a call from the front desk within about ten minutes that our room was ready. By 12:30 we were all moved in and sipping cocktails by the pool. The weather all week was very conducive to this relaxing “activity” --- sunny with temps in the 80’s -- our best overall week weather-wise that we ever had in Florida. This was our first visit where we could spend time in the large pool. It was used by many of the guests and was much more refreshing than the conversation pool by the pool bar. The upper conversation pool & hot tub were comfortable during the evening and at night.

The food at the Sports Bar and Pool Bar was tolerable, although somewhat “heavy”. The food prices are reasonable. We tried to have dinner in the main dining room on a week night and found out it was not open. One night they did have a buffet there which was very good. We ate dinner there the last night of our stay and we were both very impressed with the entire meal. Food was above par, service very friendly. Breakfast was also very good and reasonably priced. They even allowed splitting the meal without an additional charge (which they alloweda in the sports bar also).

A few observations:

- Motel rooms could use some sprucing up, if not an entire upgrade
- Water pressure is lousy
- The majority of the employees appear to work very hard and are genuinely friendly
however we were a little disappointed with housekeeping (room could have been a little cleaner each day and one day the room had not been made up by 4:30 and we had to call the front desk)
- PDA’s were not an issue for us. Not at all noticeable during the day. A few on the weekend in the early evening in the upper conversation pool & hot tub, more later at night. Nothing we found offensive but someone must have as one night security suddenly appeared.
- Danced one night at the disco. Some sensual dancing but, again, nothing we found offensive.
- I would guess that the median age during our stay was 40’s - 50’s
- Naked people are always so open and friendly. We find it very enjoyable to talk with people from all over the country (and the world!).
- Our initial reservations about no longer being affiliated with AANR turned out to be a non-issue. You can still enjoy the naturist lifestyle without being a part of “the Lifestyle”.
- We observed quite a few tours being given for the vacation club. We were not approached (even though a number of residents asked if we had been approached yet) but we did overhear one salesperson claim that the club was “clothing optional and lifestyle friendly”.
- The same salesperson claimed that shovels would be in the ground within 30 days for the new building being built for members only.

Our trip home on Southwest was not as smooth as the trip down. When we got to the airport in plenty of time for our 7:50 flight, we were told that the flight was delayed until 9:30. They never did give a good explanation, although there was some mumbling about weather. We think, although not confirmed, that they just consolidated a few flights because none were full. When we left at 9:30, the plane was not even half full.

We will not hesitate to visit Caliente Tampa again. It’s an easy trip for us via Southwest and is a resort similar to Caribbean resorts without the hassle of customs and immigration.