The warm weather months are upon us and that means it’s time to take that road trip you’ve been dreaming of all year.
Many families – especially those who are retired and have some well-deserved time on their hands – choose the option of taking an RV for traveling long-distances.
But if your idea of an RV trip is plugging up to some concrete slab in the middle of the woods and sitting outside with a few lawn chairs, you’re not up to speed on all that the modern RV parks have to offer.
Not your grandparents RV park…
We have this idea of a cross-country RV trip – finding some campground to park for the night, maybe grill some hot dogs, put up the folding table, and possibly get to use a bathroom that’s more than 3 feet wide.
But RV parks have come a long way since our parents and grandparents have dragged us to one of them.
While you can still find those tried-and-true RV campgrounds to park for just a few bucks overnight, after being stuck in tight quarters for days on end, you might want to treat yourself to a little bit of luxury.
Today’s RV “resorts” have more than you ever dreamed in the way of amenities… but a word of warning: You’ll pay as much to park and enjoy these luxury getaways as you would to stay the night at a local chain hotel.
The Golden Years
So Bob’s dream for retirement was to travel all over the country in an RV. He’s the king of his castle – or so he thinks – and this lets him take his castle with him.
He loves the outdoors and loves a few hours away from his wife of 50 years—where he can talk to the other grumpy, retired husbands in the RV park over a beer. Everyone is hanging out at the picnic table, swatting mosquitos and playing cards.
But Edna’s worked hard her whole life too and she wants to be pampered a little bit. Bob scoffs at this, but as good, worn-down husbands do, he looks for a place where they can both do their thing.
A luxury RV resort is the perfect compromise. You can take a long trip, enjoy each other’s company, and still give yourself a night or two along the way to try something new – maybe even separately. Hey, who’s to say Edna isn’t just as sick of Bob?
Today’s RV resorts have everything you could possibly want – and more.
And because you’ve got your room for the night already, they’re not that much more costly than a night at the local Holiday Inn.
Not only do they offer full hookups for your RV, they allow you to escape from your confines for a while.
After all, you’ve been driving, eating and sleeping in the darn thing for days, enough already.
Yes, there are grills – really nice ones. But how about a luxury outdoor kitchen with café tables, umbrellas, music, and candlelight?
Or maybe you’re achy and grumpy from driving for ten hours and listening to the wife nag or the kids scream. How about a nice, long soak in the hot tub?
There are even spas for Edna. Bob can watch hundreds of cable channels in a leather recliner (complete with massage settings) while Edna gets a facial and a manicure. Ahhh, happily wedded bliss.
Most of these RV resorts also offer free Wi-Fi, luxurious bathrooms, restaurants, pools, and even small beaches.
There’s alcohol, fancy soaps, plush towels, hors d’oeuvres, and entertainment within a few short feet of your RV. Some will even give you fluffy bathrobes, chocolates, and magazines to take back for the night.
The Bella Terra of Gulf Shores in Alabama has large lots, and amenities include a clubhouse, spa, sauna, private movie theater, golf course, and pools.
Flying Flags RV Resort in California is just a stone’s throw away from several wineries. They offer private fire pits, an outdoor restaurant, and private poolside cabanas. They even have security patrol to keep your home on wheels and its occupants safe for the night.
Voyager RV Resort in Arizona has a spa and full-service hair salon, even a sewing and quilting room for Edna! There’s also a woodshop for Bob—a real man-cave where he can whittle away a few hours on his own.
And once you’ve taken in all the amenities on the property, swing by the gift shop and market and take a few treats back to the RV for the night.
Many of the luxury RV resorts in the U.S. offer lots for a night or two, but also for extended stays. You can even buy a lot and live there forever, free to take your “home” and travel somewhere else for a few days knowing you’ll return to a luxury hookup at journey’s end.
No RV? No worries.
Everything, everywhere has to be “inclusive” nowadays, right? And that includes RV resorts not discriminating against people who don’t have RVs.
If you don’t have an RV – gasps – have no fear!
You can drive to one of these resorts in your car and rent an RV on the property for the night. Some offer vintage Airstream trailers and luxury RVs, but also have cabins or fancy tents on site with all the extras.
Ok, here’s the catch…
Unless you’re driving or renting a luxury RV for a very special trip, you may not be welcome at these fancy RV resorts.
But wait, you’re thinking. Didn’t you just say they don’t discriminate whether you have an RV or not?
Well, if you’re on a budget and own an RV, it may be an older model, maybe vintage, well-loved and well-used.
Maybe it doesn’t look so good anymore – and here’s where you might want to do your research.
Many of these luxury resorts don’t want to spoil the “luxury-ness” with your beat-up clunker.
Looking online, nearly all of the top RV resorts are “Class A exclusive” – meaning the biggest, most expensive customized models you can get.
Some of these resorts will let you drive through the door with a Class B or Class C, but if you’ve got an old hand-me-down, a VW bus, or something you’ve rigged together and call an RV, you may be out of luck.
So much for inclusivity.
But if you’ve got that beautiful, polished RV of your dreams and a couple hundred dollars laying around, by all means, these RV resorts are a great place to spend a day or two.
And I think Bob and Edna would agree, it’s well worth it.
