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Help with Florida destination choice #24111
12/20/2013 03:23 PM
12/20/2013 03:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2011
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banude Offline OP
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Fellow TTOLers, I come to you and request access to your vast knowledge.

My wife and I often like to get away in the winter to somewhere warm, and our destination of choice, Palm Springs, isn't warm enough. Last year we tried N Resort in Jamaica, and won't make that trek again.

Since we have a companion pass on Southwest Airlines, seems smart to head to Florida and give that a try, while not paying full airfare.

Where do you recommend we visit? We like a nice room, nice grounds, easy access to pool and restaurant. We're not drinkers, dancers or overly social on our vacations. Wife likes a good workout room, I enjoy some sort of activities other than just laying by the pool or beach. We likely would not leave the property during our visit, time in the sun is too valuable to dress and go sightseeing. We're probably looking at February or March, and I see that average highs are either side of 80 degrees those months.

I've done a search and looked at a few places that came up in the results, but if you don't mind I'd rather get some opinions on where to start based on what we're looking for.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas.

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Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24112
12/20/2013 04:26 PM
12/20/2013 04:26 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,628
Southern Maryland suburbs of D...
Bill_S Offline
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We have visited Cypress Cove and really enjoyed it! I lived about 60 miles east in Cocoa Beach for three years way back when I was fresh out of college. The first of march is approximately when the cold fronts start stalling out in Alabama and Georgia and thus Florida stays reliably warm, so mid march would provide what you are looking for.


Bill
Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: Bill_S] #24113
12/20/2013 05:20 PM
12/20/2013 05:20 PM

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I think Cypress Cove would be perfect for you. It's laid-back, no party scene at all, and staff and residents are mighty nice. Facilities are relatively modern, not run down or "rustic" but it's not snooty or way upscale.
Go in March; most of February is way too cold.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24114
12/20/2013 07:39 PM
12/20/2013 07:39 PM

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Cypress Cove - the closest thing to Club this side of the Mississippi. All you asked for.

Heading there next week.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice #24115
12/20/2013 10:13 PM
12/20/2013 10:13 PM
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banude Offline OP
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Thank you for the replies, any and all input is appreciated.

I was leaning towards Paradise Lakes, due to their excellent website, but luckily I looked at Tripadvisor.... yikes. On the other hand, the Cypress Cove site is a little dated, but clearly the frontrunner on this thread as the place I'm looking for. I also read on the CC Tripadvisor site that management is installing some king size beds, this is a must for us, and good news.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24116
12/20/2013 11:56 PM
12/20/2013 11:56 PM

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they are and that is a good thing, but those rooms won't be ready next week for us

Re: Help with Florida destination choice #24117
12/21/2013 01:00 AM
12/21/2013 01:00 AM
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bitone Offline
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We have stayed at Cypress Cove, Paradise Lakes and Caliente. We now always go back to Cypress Cove (spent 3 weeks there one winter, not snowbirds and not retired).

The rooms at Cypress Cove are not luxury, but they are always clean and quiet. The beds could use updating for more comfort. However, the rest of the resort is top class.

We have also stayed four times at the Aventura Residence Inn to do day trips to Haulover Beach. Nicest Residence Inn I have seen, and I am a Marriott Gold member. I use all my points for that place. Haulover is the best beach in the continental USA that I have been too, bar none. But driving there each day definitely isn't as pleasant as walking naked to the pool at Cypress. Plus, at Cypress, when it rains you can always go to Disney World about 40 minutes away.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: bitone] #24118
12/21/2013 07:44 AM
12/21/2013 07:44 AM
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You mentioned that your wife likes a workout, Cypress has a nice exercise room with lots of machines. I use it in the winter. Also the restaurant is good although not open mid-week for dinner (every day ok for breakfast) and Cheeks pool bar has good sandwiches every day.


Chuck and Joni
Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: ChuckG] #24119
12/21/2013 03:22 PM
12/21/2013 03:22 PM
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DenitaLC Offline
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BANude: Cypress Cove

smile

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: DenitaLC] #24120
12/22/2013 12:18 AM
12/22/2013 12:18 AM
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banude Offline OP
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Thanks DenitaLC, sounds like Cypress Cove is the place to be.

I appreciate the input, thanks TTOLers.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24121
12/22/2013 08:11 AM
12/22/2013 08:11 AM
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Although we now snowbird to Paradise Pines Nudist RV Park in Lutz, FL for your requirements I also concur with the others: Cypress Cove sounds perfect for you.

Just as an FYI: The "Pines" as the locals call it is an extremely nice nudist RV park with NO day/membership fees and you own your lot. Is is located next to Como and around the corner from Paradise Lakes and the park has recreational vehicles as well as park models.
Since we did our homework for two winters in a row checking out the various nudist places in the area as well as the costs involved, this is where we wound up as it suits our needs. We like to visit and enjoy the various clubs and not feel committed to just one. This offers the opportunity to do just that.
We feel VERY lucky to have found it!


spending my life au naturel :-) in New Jersey

Practice random acts of kindness and senseless beauty
Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24122
12/22/2013 10:19 AM
12/22/2013 10:19 AM

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Don't understand what you mean 'yikes' about tripadvisor. Most of the posts look favorable. Last year we stayed at Cypress for 4 days and Caliente for 3 days. Cypress was certainly layed back, comfortable, and above all consisted of nothing but wonderfully friendly people. We stayed at Caliente during the week so missed the larger crowd that is suppose to be there on the weekend. We will be at Caliente from January 24th through the 29th and at Paradise lakes from the 29th through February 3rd. We live is Wisconsin and as I'm writing this we are in the middle of a snow storm, expecting up to 7 inches and temps in the 20s, wind chill in the single digits......Looking forward to our trip!

Re: Help with Florida destination choice #24123
12/22/2013 02:27 PM
12/22/2013 02:27 PM
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banude Offline OP
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Cypress Cove= 151 excellent reviews/ 3 terrible

Paradise Lakes= 19 excellent reviews/ 13 terrible

I know that isn't the full picture of any resort, and I am able to weed through them and see those reviews that are suspect for whatever reason, but that's a concerning ratio for Paradise Lakes. I understand Tripadvisor isn't the gold standard for reviews (see Sea Mountain Inn in PS, nearly EVERY glowing review added by management. I've been there, it's an embarrassing dump with an excellent website), but when I see so many negative reviews I believe those more so than an excellent review. People are more apt to spend the time to complain about a resort than they are to gush about it, if their experience was negative. The old saying, you make someone happy and they tell 2 friends, piss them off and they tell 20.

This is why I posted on TTOL, I put the most value on the reports from people that have been there that I "know". Again, thank you.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24124
12/22/2013 07:50 PM
12/22/2013 07:50 PM

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in this case for sure tripadvisor is right on..........never been to paradise PINES, but I heard it was nice if you had a lot.

hopefully the economy will rise and lift all boats including paradise lakes, caliente, etc.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice #24125
12/24/2013 07:55 PM
12/24/2013 07:55 PM
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banude Offline OP
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Since many of you are familiar with Cypress Cove, where do you recommend we stay when we visit? If you have any tips on particular rooms, buildings or locations, we would greatly appreciate that information.

We're a bit spoiled, as our west coast resort of choice, Desert Sun, allows us to literally walk 10 steps out our door and into the pool. We'd like a pool view and proximity to the pools and activities.

Thanks again, I look forward to your recommendations.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24126
12/24/2013 08:09 PM
12/24/2013 08:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2005
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All of the rooms are close to the pool, albeit outside of the ten step range. A road is between the buildings and the pool area. I believe only one building faces the pools, but not sure of building number.

Last edited by rockhill; 12/24/2013 08:09 PM.
Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: banude] #24127
12/24/2013 09:20 PM
12/24/2013 09:20 PM

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we go in the dead of winter for new years........some nights are chili to walk to the bar. most days warm up to get a sunburn...worth it to us to escape the arctic. clearly feb to nov is probably always full 24 hour nude weather.

Re: Help with Florida destination choice #24128
12/25/2013 07:39 AM
12/25/2013 07:39 AM
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Hate to be a "cold blanket" but there are many (most?) days all winter in mid-FL when it is too cool at night to walk around nude. Days are usually warm enough if sunny. None of the buildings face the pools but none are far away. I would just ask for a room with new mattresses and bedsprings, some of the old ones squeeked to high heaven!


Chuck and Joni
Re: Help with Florida destination choice [Re: ChuckG] #24129
12/25/2013 09:46 AM
12/25/2013 09:46 AM
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Central Florida!
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Central Florida!
Chuck--agreed on that. I would suggest a nice fluffy bathrobe is a good addition to the suitcase for winter evenings in Florida.


Carol Hill

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