TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Nude Resorts, Beaches and Cruises Club O Alternative?

OK, we know there is no other place on the planet like Club O. But since it will probably be a year or two before anyone can return, what would be everyone's second choice--either in the States or in the Caribbean?

At Cathyg's and Go Classy Tours' recommendation, we're going to give Couples San Souci in Jamaica a try in February. We've been going to Club O since 1991 and plan to return in 2019 if they're ready.

We aren't scheduled till July. We have fingers crossed that Club O (or at least the beach) is somewhat functional. If not, we might look in Europe.

You will like San Souci.

Lots of steps but very nice resort.

We love Club O because it is clothing optional, easing the introduction to nudism for reluctant "significant others"; because the people who go there are among the friendliest and most welcoming to newbies in the world, and because of the relaxing attitude that permiates the resort.

We have found three resorts in the US with similar ambiances: Cypress Cove near Orlando Fl, Avalon Resort near Paw Paw WV, and Whitetail Resort near Ivor VA.

Each is different, but all three are just as welcoming and laid back.

Hope this helps...

I am not sure but I believe there is one in New Jersey somewhere. Don't know the name but Peconic (remember him?) used to go there.

There is a nude area at the Sandy Hook beach in northern New Jersey... Could that be it?

No, it was somewhere in the middle of Jersey, like a real wooded area. Tell you what, tomorrow I will try to research to see if I can locate it.

It is Rock Lodge Naturist Resort in Stockholm, NJ. It's in Northern Jersey. They have a web site. Never been there, not into naturism.

There are many alternatives all over the place that have really distinct differences, advantages, and disadvantages. No, they are not Club Orient. There's no resort I know of with a beach anywhere near as nice as Club O. But, there are certainly resorts with nicer rooms and better service.

Of course, there is Hidden Beach in Mexico. We went once. It was nice, but not as nice as we expected given the price. There's a big difference in an all inclusive. We happen to really like all inclusives, so we tend to favor them. I was not that impressed with the one pool and the beach is not really much of a beach, but the rooms are far nicer than Club O and the food was really great.

Also in Mexico is Intima. Not an AI. Really just a hotel with a small restaurant and not on the beach. We really liked Intima and will be back (though not until they lift the travel advisory). At the price it's a bargain. It's walking distance into Tulum where there is lots of great food and the pool really is great. Get a swim-up suit!

We've been to Paya Bay in Roatan twice. First trip was fantastic other than the problem that we caught a stomach bug. The beaches (two) are great, the property is sprawling and very nice, and the rooms where comparable to Club O. But, our second trip sucked. We got eaten alive by bugs and I really thought the resort treated us like second-class guests. Activities got routinely cancelled and there were lots of local day visitors on the property who were not nudists at all. But, some of the best snorkeling we have ever done.

Looking at the new Grand Lido. It's been pricey, but rates are coming down on it. It looks nice, but still incomplete.

In the US, there are lots of resorts that are RV and camping oriented. We go several times a year to Turtle Lake Resort in Michigan and always have a great time. They have some rooms which are nice, but these resorts all are more of a rustic trip than something like Club O which I consider a more vacation trip. St. Martin is certainly a destination we would travel thousands of miles to. Union City, Michigan? Not so much. We've not been the the Florida resorts, some of which are in a class unto themselves.

We had a wonderful time at Terra Cotta Inn once and look forward to visiting the new version. There are several resorts in Palm Springs that are really nice hotel resorts. We're considering that for spring break next year.

We've been to Hedonism II 4 times now. Understand that if you are not big on partying and content to ignore what you may see (and you may see just about anything), a nudist can have a great time there. Since 3/4 of the resort migrates to the nude beach and pool, sometimes stuffing it to the brim, you end up with a large amount of resort that's pretty empty including the other beach which is actually nicer. We spend hours reading in the day-bed by the waterfall splash pool, swim a lot in the huge main pool and the swim-up bar pool, and just had a great time. Nude snorkeling!!!!

Then there's Europe. Like all good nudists, we will someday make the pilgrimage to Cap D'agde. But, that's a darned expensive vacation for us and more complex to plan.

Brian (Peconic) McMahon was a member of Sky Farm in Bernards, NJ. Peconic passed away earlier this year.

Glad someone mentioned Hedonism. Although its reputation precedes it, there are plenty of quiet areas during the day and even some in the evening if you don't like the party. The downside is that the beach is not near as nice as Orient (or what it was until recently)<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

John

Which alternative Club O is best for singles?

Chazo, do you or anyone else know anything about Calinte Caribe, or any other place similar in the Dominican Republic?

I think that Caliente Caribe has only been available to large group bookings in recent years. I went a few times when you could just book a room, but then they started letting the whole resort to swinger/gay/fetish groups.

Well that's definitely out then. Thanks for the insight!

Any experiences with Hidden Beach Resort in Mexico?

It's too bad. We went there once, a long time ago. The location was stunning..

We like it although it is overpriced.

There is practically no beach so most activity centers around the pool.

The food is very good and they always a nice (friendly) clientele.

Yes i did see that it was extremely expensive! Curacao seems to be leading our list right now, but not sure of the beach situations there yet.

The Natural in Curacao has also managed to move up to the front of our list. We're probably going next summer. The room rates are very reasonable and they have meal options so we don't feel we have to drive to every meal. They offer a nude snorkeling trip once a week and we're also considering the boat charter which is not a bad deal. Beaches I'm not so sure about. There apparently are a lot of isolated beaches you can just chance it on and I've heard there a lot of people going nude. Might also contact the resort and see if they have beach suggestions.

As you say no real comparison anywhere.

Other good enough places are either too expensive for us, dont allow bringing in food/alcohol, non sandy beaches, different clientele or visitors.

We'll go on a BN cruise and/or Cypress Cove until we can cruise/fly to st martin and we probably wont go to st martin until the yellow umbrellas are up.

Eden Beach at Hawksbill in Antigua, is a possibility. Haven't been so if anyone has any info, that would be helpful.

We were at Hawksbill many years ago on a day pass. The resort itself was very nice - a very British clientele - nice property. Eden Beach (one of four beaches at Hawksbill) was nothing like the Club O beach but for the fact that it was a nice beach on the water. The male gawkers - rather creepy generally - outnumbered the very few beachgoers when we were there. At least on the day we were there, the clear majority of guests seemed to regard Eden Beach as a strange place with which they had very little interest. Others (some who post here) have had similar experiences.

We visited there for a day, a LONG time ago. They have a nude beach, but it is not a nudist resort. And, as of then, there were no rooms on that beach and no facilities at all. There were a few chairs there, but I don't remember there even being umbrellas, and there was no food or drink there. I don't know if that has changed or not. Just looked at some reviews on Trip Advisor. There is a/c but no TVs in the rooms. No shade on the nude beach, according to a recent review--no palapas, no umbrellas, etc. That would be a deal breaker for me, now, unless I could find an umbrella to buy somewhere on island I guess.

There were not any gawkers when we were there. In fact, I think we were the only people on the 4th beach. The entrance to the water seemed pretty rocky to me.

Just to be technical, I think it was treated as C/O beach not nude beach - not sure how it was advertised. They do have at least some units with air conditioning now. I think we were there after you were, and they had some air conditioned units then - but not all. The water was pretty rocky but we did not have much trouble getting into water.

Yes, you are probably right, that it is considered a c/o beach, not nude. It was a long time ago we were there. If I were to guess, I would say, maybe pre 2000.

We are probably going to head to Desire Pearl in Mexico - you do have to dress for meals, which is fine with us - even when we stay at Club O, we usually get dressed & head out to Grand Case, Simpson Bay, etc. for dinner anyway, so we have no issue with having to put clothes on for meals at Desire Pearl - this will be our 6th visit to Desire.

http://www.chm-montalivet.com/

If you don't mind going to Europe, this place looks ideal for families, or couples who don't want to deal with the Hedo environment. This place is a city, with shops of all kinds. It can swell to 15,000 persons during the peak season.

Appears to be in France. Not a real good alternative to Club O in the winter!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" />

We are also looking for July. Stayed last year for the first time at club o and it was crazy how quickly we got used to the norm of swimming, walking, dining, shopping and even dancing in the nude.
We also stayed at Paya Bay and enjoyed our first dip into clothing optional but like others were turned off by the day trip, non-nudist visitors. Especially since we were just getting comfortable with it at the time. We just got naked and a family showed up for the day. It's too bad because we enjoyed it.
We are now looking for an alternative since we would have returned to club o if we could. Desire Pearl? Hidden Beach? Cape D' Agde - maybe someday.

There also is Club Fantasia (sp) in St Martin. We have never stayed there but have met plenty of people on the beach that have. You can walk to orient and also other areas that have nude options such as cupecoy or even happy Bay. St Martin is my heaven on earth.

It's Club Fantastico.

Club F not an easy walk back at the end of a beach day. There's not a lot of AN/CO place like Club O. We have migrated to San Souci in Jamaica. AN pool and beach but not on the entire resort. Check out the Jamaica forum for details.

Agreed, I personally wouldn't walk to Club O beach from Fantastico, as it is all uphill. We drove to the beach from there, but I think sometimes they will drive you there from CF, if you don't have a car. The whole interior of the place is c/o and the pool area is very nice.

That's interesting and opens up some possibilities. Can anyone from Club F confirm if this is a routinely available service?

Suggest you contact them directly and ask.

There is a new resort in the Orient Beach area called Jardin d'O. It is owned by a very nice french couple and they have 5 rental units that are complete with kitchens and some even have an outdoor hot tub. There is a very nice pool. You can drive from Jardin d'O to Club O in a matter of minutes. Club O beach is open with chair and umbrella rentals. The perch lite bar is open as well.

http://www.nude-clothing-optional-caribbean.com/
is the english language website for Jardin d'O

http://www.jardin-do.com/ is the french language website.

Have you been there, chief? The website looks nice.

We're trying out Natural Curacao in October before our 2 timeshare weeks on the island. Should be a fun new experience! Ya gotta love the folks who vigorously claim there's no place like SXM....so have they been EVERYWHERE else?! So silly. I have favorites, but flexibility is a good thing!

Interesting enough an individual that “owns/owned” or still has some interest in the caliente carib asked the owner/ board member on the BN cruise if club orient had thought about looking into the D R property.

He indicated The propoertynwiuld be a ready made place either as a replacement club o or an additional club o.

Ive never been there. I like sxm, i love club o. I suppopose incould learn to love a Club O DR.

I guess im thinking club o’s success is location, mgmt and culture. It s ems the dr property has changed owners and names a few times meaning something is making it harder to succeed.

Caliente Caribe is a beautiful property, however there is no real beach so it's nothing like Club O.

Club O has enough of their own problems, especially now, to think about trying to acquire any more property. We were there at what I think they called Eden Bay, at one time. It's a spectacularly beautiful spot, or it was then. I have no idea what the condition of the property is now. A good part of their problem is the government really is not nude friendly at all. And then there was the whole scandal involving the owner. I can't remember exactly what happened, I think he injured (or killed???) a local person.

Caliente Caribe has a stunning location, but virtually no beach. It's not a Club O replacement in beach terms; life revolves around the swimming pools and hot tubs. Been there a few times, and thoroughly enjoyed the resort, although it has the largest spiders I've ever seen!

Caribe was developed as a condo project (Eden Bay), and is in multiple ownership, as far as I know. A previous manager (I think) was involved in a tragic traffic accident in which a local child was killed, and he was spirited off the island in a speedboat to avoid lynch mob action, so the story goes.

The resort has a private villa on the cliff overlooking it, this was allegedly given to the local politician or military guy who arranged permission for Caribe to be built - the Dominican Republic is a third-world country and corruption is rife. It's one of the few places I'd never rent a car! On our last visit, my wife & I were in a taxi on the way back to the airport when we were stopped on a rural road in the middle of nowhere by a ragged bunch of soldiers and police, all armed. The taxi driver was less alarmed than we were, some money changed hands, and we got to the airport. But we'd never go there again!

In recent years, Caribe started operating as a group destination for block bookings, and was targeting swingers, gays and fetish groups.

The private villa was being rented out by the resort when we were last there, but they had some resort events there also.

Jardin d'O, I have visited and taken a tour but I have not stayed there. It looks very nice and would like to give it a try.

We are at Couples San Souci this week. The are maybe 30 people on the textile beach. There are about 200 on the nude beach. I would say 1/3 are repeat, long time customers of San Souci. At least 2/3 are displaced Club O vets. San Souci is definitely reaping the benefits at Club O expense. If Club O reopens I don’t see this being competition although it is a good nude vacation option I would recommend.

Would appreciate a more detailed review upon your return.

Had a great winter at Cypress Cove in Florida and met many Club O refugees there, seemed like they thought it was a good alternative. Even has a beach ;-).

We are back at Cypress Cove for the winter, again meeting Club O refugees having fun. Weather has been great and the facilities are really looking excellent, especially the renovated beach area! 50's dance tonight, hmmm, what to wear? (or not!)

Chuck--I guess you feel like you're in SXM with the weather so far this 'winter'. Temps have been way above average for this time of year..

Carol- yep, truly Caribbean-like warmth! Headed down to the 70s next week but we Northerners like that! Been almost too hot!

Yeah, I have said that it's too hot for this time of year, but of course come the middle of next week, I'm sure I'll be wearing a coat and whining that it's too cold!! Enjoy!!

Why not give Mexico a try? They have both alternative naturist places at the Pacific coast as nice resorts at the Maya Riviera... https://www.nakedwanderings.com/naturism-in-mexico-the-ultimate-guide-2019/