Rancho Bernardo Inn

San Diego, California’s Rancho Bernardo Inn is easily a 5 star spa hotel. Conde Nast named it #1 in the U.S. in 2008. Normally, you’d pay a minimum of $250/night to stay in one of their “regular” rooms, which is of course very large and beautiful. But, like many of us, the economy has taken its toll on the hotel business as well, and Rancho Bernardo Inn is once again unrolling its “Survivor Package” to entice guests to the grounds. The maximum you’ll pay for this package is $219/night, but you can customize it any way you want to save money.

For example: for only $19/night (yep, you heard me right!), you get a room with a tent. No lights, no toilet paper, no bed sheets or towels. Just you and a tent on the floor, camping in a luxury hotel room. The best part? You still get to use all the facilities at the hotel such as the three amazing, relaxing pools, the tennis courts three restaurants and the spa! And, you never have to worry about bears. No campfires, please.

Personally, I have never seen a promotion like this before. It runs from August 16-August 31, and reservations are being taken now. If I were in San Diego, I’d totally do this. When else would I have the opportunity to stay at this classy and very expensive hotel?

Happy camping!

Photo Credit: Rancho Bernardo Inn website

A funny story over at TravelPost.com about Germany’s first all nude hotel got me thinking — we must have a bunch of naked hotels right here in the U.S. of A. It just seems so … American … in a weird reality-show loving kind of way. And of course I was right. The clothing-optional crowd has all sorts of choices when it comes to spending their vacation dollars.

There are some common denominators for nudist resorts:

• the pool is where you find the action
• campgrounds are surprisingly common
• people really do come in all shapes and sizes, many of them startling

If you’re a practiced nudist, or just what I like to call “sunburn-curious”, here are a few spots to consider for your summer vacation.

Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa

If your attitude is, “Hey, I should get a massage, since I’m already naked!” you’ll enjoy the Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa in Kissamee, Florida.

An RV and a picnic table = bliss

Guests have a choice of staying at “villa” hotel rooms and apartments, or going for a more rustic visit to the campground and RV park.

A second honeymoon in the sun!

This is a couples and family type of place, and it’s located just 30 minutes away from Disney, Sea World and other vacation attractions.

Gotta get in the cardio!

On-site amenities include spa services, a gym, pool, and plenty of bars and restaurants for relaxing!

The Desert Sun Resort

A special occasion with extra sunshine!

If you want some luxury with your nudity, this Palms Springs, California, clothing-optional spot — formerly called the Desert Shadows Resort — will push all the right buttons for you. For a relaxing vacation or special event, this property has everything you could need!

Work on those tan lines!

This deluxe Mediterranean style resort offers naked volleyball in one pool,  another pool for quiet reading and relaxing, and a salt-water pool for fancy spa time. That’s three pools in the middle of the desert!

Who's keeping score?

They also have two heated Whirlpool spas, tennis courts with lights for night time games, a basketball hoop and several BBQ pits, although hot coals sound a bit risky with all of your stuff exposed like that!

Forest Hills Family Nudist Club and Campground

Everyone in the pool!

If you’re a nice family, looking for other nice families who enjoy camping in the nude in the Michigan area, Forest Hills is the clothing optional campground for you. They believe in the benefits of social nudity, and ask that you put a towel on that chair before you sit down.

Most folks travel there and stay in an RV, but they also have a couple of cabins if you’d like “slightly more civilized accommodations.” While at the campground, you can enjoy water sports, with a big pool and a hot tub you can use any time, a club house, and snack at the Honey Buns Cafe.

The real common denominator at all of these places is a sense of acceptance, mixed in with a little bit of adventurousness. Which is also a pretty good a description of the best aspects of America. God bless American nudist vacations!