I stayed at the newest RV resort in Florida.
I had a great time at the family-friendly property despite not owning an RV.
30 to 50 RV parks are planned by Jimmy Buffet's company.
I hopped in a rental car and drove an hour from the airport to the new RV resort in Florida tucked away between some homes and a lake.
I was not greeted with a drunken crowd like the brand suggests.
I found a place that was family-friendly and peaceful.
I didn't know what to expect when I went to an RV park for the first time.
Let's go back to where we came from. I don't own a motor home.
If you're confused about why I went to an RV park without an RV, I understand. Let me tell you why.
Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" song and the expanding chain of restaurants and resorts that have arisen from it are familiar to you.
One of the fastest growing segments of the empire is not bars or all-inclusive resorts.
The promise of tropical relaxation and booze to life on the road is brought to life by a chain of RV resorts.
There are RV resorts in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
It's not going to stop there.
The resort I visited in Florida is one of the 30 to 50 RV parks that will be launched by Margaritaville.
The source is Insider.
The president of development at Camp Margaritaville told Insider that the brand's previous RV parks have seen "off the chart" reception and reviews.
The source is Insider.
If current locations are any indication of how future markets will perform, Camp Margaritaville's growing chain could become a staple for both RV owners and general travelers.
The source is Insider.
I wanted to know what the big deal was for me.
I didn't know what to expect.
I completely understand the hype after spending a day and night alone at the camp.
It's not just a place to park your RV while you visit nearby attractions.
It is a theme park like destination.
I was surprised to find an amusement center with activities for the whole family.
The RV park felt like a small utopian community because of the blue skies, slow golf carts, and families who waved hello.
I had a great time wandering around, enjoying the sun, and lounging by the pool.
I had to stay in a cabin.
The cabins start at almost $195 a night and are similar to the premium RV site.
A basic RV site includes a grill, hookups, and a picnic table.
The more expensive premium version has the same amenities as the cheaper one, including an outdoor television and lounge seating.
When you have a small home, you don't need an RV at an RV park.
I was only on-site for a short time, but my cabin had everything I needed for a longer stay.
There was a kitchen and bedroom.
The living room is outdoors.
It turned out to be more space than I need.
The internet was good, my deck chairs were comfortable, and my coffee maker worked well. What more do I need?
The resort's shared amenities made my cabin the perfect place to retreat.
I had to use a golf cart to get to these.
The property is large enough to fit 183 RV sites and 60 cabins, but not many of them were occupied.
It cut back on my commute time between the pool and my cabin since I used a golf cart.
Outside of the RV sites and cabins, there are a number of leisure activities, including a basketball court, pool, and boardwalk.
The main entertainment area is near the entrance.
Most of the guests at the site were playing mini-golf.
There is a bar outdoors.
The water slide has a person going down it.
There is a playground and shallow water play area.
Under the sun, just relaxing. It was a perfect location for the RV resort.
The corn hole, dog park, and arcade were all empty.
The guests who weren't in the main leisure area were relaxing at the second pool.
Lounge seating on the boardwalk.
The lounge is a bit confusing.
And a bar.
I sat on a pool chair under the sun and spent my afternoon.
The other guests had left the pool by this time.
I was the only one who felt comfortable in my seat.
After a long day of travel, it was my first chance to relax.
As I lay alone in the sun, I was able to take a break from the busy main area.
These moments were not deterred by the loud music above my head.
When I was a solo traveler, I found the RV park to be relaxing and peaceful.
The RV resort was the perfect place for me to take a break from New York City.
It had a pool, a quiet place to relax, and a large outdoor space that was fun to explore, but it definitely would've been more fun with friends or family.
It would probably be better for a family to go to Camp Margaritaville, regardless of whether they owned a RV or not.
Young visitors will love the waterslide, outdoor space, and children's play areas.
It's easy to get to bars and lounge chairs.
There was one feature that stood out to me the most, and that was the lack of Margaritaville branding.
The RV parks are not built from the ground up.
The RV parks are refreshed to fit the lifestyle of the brand.
Video tours of the site show that many of the amenities were already present at the RV park.
This is the source of the video.
The new logo and branding are as bright and kitschy as you might expect.
The resort does not scream "Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville."
There isn't a life size cutout of Jimmy Buffet, lyrics are painted on the walls, or employees are handing out drinks.
The new cruise ship had a lack of cohesive branding.
The source is Insider.
The RV resort's tropical and laid back spirit, palm trees, thatched huts, and hammocks subtly fit the paradisaical lifestyles of the brand. It didn't have to have signs to feel like it.
I may have been alone and without an RV, but I still enjoyed my time at the RV park.
If I ever came back to the area again, I would love to visit the new hidden gem.
Business Insider has an article on it.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
