I stayed at Esmeralda from 11/4 through 12/3. It was great! There were a few villa units still being repaired but that wasn't bothersome in the slightest. Many people staying elsewhere in the village, though, complained about the construction noise, and there are a lot of units where repairs haven't even started.

Overall, both Es and Plantation were essentially normal and far better than most of the village.

Regarding nude use of the pools, nothing has changed. Officially, the pools are not clothing optional. It's always been the practice, though, that one could skinnydip respectfully, with the consent of the villa neighbors and making sure that the usual appropriate discretion is practiced.