We just got back from Paradise Lakes in Florida and really loved it. As we have been frequent visitors to Club Orient in St. Martin, I thought it would be interesting to compare our impressions of the two clubs.

After making about 25 trips to St. Martin (SXM) since 1985, mostly staying at Club Orient, a clothing optional resort on Orient Beach, my wife and I decided that it was getting too costly. Between high priced airfares, unjustified escalating prices for hotel costs and food, not to mention the currency exchange rates, we decided to look for a naturist resort, which was closer, and hopefully better.

We wanted a place that we could drive to in 1-1 ½ days. After searching through magazines and the internet, we decided on Paradise Lakes Resort (PL) in Lutz, Florida.

Rather than renting a hotel room or condo from the resort, we decided to rent a condo through Ed and Diane Moran (web address). They own and rent a number of condos at PL. Their rates are very reasonable and include the use of a golf cart during your stay. Several TTOLers recommended the Morans, and we also recommend them as well. We were lucky to rent from them as we scheduled our vacation at literally the last minute. We had spent most of the year taking care of two very ill relatives and then handling their estates, so we were unable to schedule much in advance.

The condo was a one bedroom second floor unit in one of the older areas of the resort and overlooked the Lakeside Fitness Center and the tennis courts. The bedroom was spacious with a king sized bed, two large closets two nightstands and a good size dresser and a large screen TV with cable. The kitchen was a shade smaller than might be desired, but it was certainly adequate with modern appliances including a microwave and plenty of pots and pans and dishes, etc. even paper towels. There was also a combination dining and living room. There was another TV in the living room along with a VCR. There was a comfortable couch, recliner and bar area. There was a telephone with free U.S. long distance. The balcony area was screened in. The air conditioner was wonderful. It kept the entire condo as cool as you would want. The bathroom had a hairdryer and curling iron. In summary, we were very pleased with the unit and the price. While it was in an older building, it had been remodeled and the neighborhood was quiet and peaceful. When we stay at Club O we try to get as far away from Le Restaurant as possible. For those liking to be closer to the main activity area, the Morans also have some rental units in that location as well.

At Club Orient, all units are rented through the resort and the price includes the use of beach chairs and umbrellas, tennis courts and access to all parts of the resort. At PL there is a separate grounds fee in addition to the rental costs. But the combination of rental fee and grounds fees is still only about half the price of a garden or beach chalet rental at Club O. You can buy a PL membership that reduces or eliminates the cost of the grounds fees. There is also a small fee for using the fitness equipment. However there is a lot more workout equipment at PL than Club O.

One big advantage to Club O is the magnificent beach. But that is about the only thing that we liked better than PL. There were many advantages to PL. At PL there are several swimming pools plus a volleyball pool. There are 2 hot tubs and a slightly cooler conversation pool. There are pool tables, giant screen TV in the Key West Bar, as well as shuffleboard and corn hole and a number of other activities. All of the swimming pools were immaculately clean.

PL is a membership club and as a result there are no gawkers like there are on Orient Beach. As a membership club there are also rules, quite a few, but all common sense. Most of the rules deal with reducing bad behaviors and although I saw two couples which I felt pushed the limits, the rules are overwhelmingly observed. For example, genital jewelry is forbidden, as is overt sexual activity or the appearance thereof. At Club O piercing is becoming very common to the point of being gross and we have been uncomfortable with some of the activities we have observed at Club O in recent years.

The restaurant at PL is P.L.Hemingways. It is nicely decorated. The food is very good and the menu is varied. There are daily specials. Prices are reasonable and the service is excellent to outstanding. The Manager always checked with us at least twice during every meal. You have a choice of booths or tables. Seating is comfortable. Compare that to the limited menu, high prices, so-so food and slow service at Club O’s Le Restaurant.

You can also get limited food service at the Key West Bar until midnight or so. Their onion rings were fabulous.

There is a nightclub at PL where some nights there is live entertainment. While we were at PL the live entertainment consisted of a couple of guys who looked like Bavarian Blues Brothers, but were good singers. Dress is optional in the nightclub and varied from fully nude to very fancy club wear.

AT PL there is a spa where you can get various massage therapies or manicure/pedicure or a new hairdo.

While Club O seems to have deteriorating relations between workers and management with a recent strike, we found all of the workers at PL to be pleasant and they seem to enjoy their work. Everyone employee at PL seemed to value the guests and look after their best interests. One employee asked how we were enjoying our visit. When we told her it was great. She replied “It wouldn’t be Paradise without you.”

PL is a “Clothing Optional” resort where you can be nude or dressed at any place at any time and not feel uncomfortable. This is also true for Club O. For the most part, PL guests are nude everywhere, but as many as ten percent choose to wear something even in the pools. Most restaurant and nightclub patrons wear some level of clothes.

As at Club O there are permanent residents at PL. In addition to condos and hotel rooms there are also single-family residences, an RV section where the units have been more or less permanently anchored and Paradise Pines, their RV park located just down the road.

It would appear that the guests and owners at Club O are a bit more upscale and cosmopolitan than those at PL. PL membership is more upper middle class and mostly American with some Canadians. Many of the people we met were locals who came as day users on the weekends. Everyone at PL was friendly. Guests at PL seemed less loud and better behaved than those at Club O. In particular, we didn’t observe any intoxicated guests at PL. Drinking has been out of hand the last few trips to Club O.

If one is interested in buying a little bit of paradise, there are a number of units for sale and which ranged from about $125,000 for a one bedroom condo to $225,000 for a two bedroom in one of the fancier areas. Some of the more massive single-family residences are no doubt $1million plus. Currently there is a new series of buildings under construction – the Terraces.

There are numerous restaurants varying from fast food to gourmet within easy driving of PL. The Tampa Bay area has numerous attractions such museums, aquariums, Big Cat Rescue, zoos, etc.

Overall we enjoyed the fact that the condo was so much nicer than any of the chalets at Club O. While we missed Orient Beach, it was nice to be able to swim in the pools and not end up coated with sand and salt.

Our conclusion was that we prefer Paradise Lakes to Club Orient. That is not to say we won’t continue to make trips to Club Orient. Obviously due to seasonal weather differences, Club Orient is a better destination during the harshest winter months. But we certainly felt that PL is a better value than at Club O. Plus you don’t need to purchase ridiculously expensive airline tickets (or make plans 345 days in advance for frequent flyer tickets).