Luxury Class A Resorts Are Plentiful, Why Not Many For Campers or 5th Wheels?

[Life of Luxury]

So I’m on the search. We can all agree we have a Grand Design for the quality and the appearance. In my opinion Grand Design lives up to its name “Grand Design”. Now that being said, why can’t we get more resorts that offer more quality than quantity. I’ve seen pictures of some RV resorts where you could pee a stream on you neighbors camper they are so close. You’ all know what I’m talking about, ranked like cord wood. We all have our needs or wants we have worked hard for our rigs and should be able to breathe when we are out camping. As we are all different and have different expectations on our trips. I see all the high end Class A resorts offer large lots and require size restrictions of rigs (which is not desirable). Has anyone seen these? or have you seen these for campers? Probably not! My question is why can’t campers have luxury resorts with all the great amenities? You know what I’m talking about the spa, golf, tiki bar, salon, etc... Don’t get me wrong! I understand the young children camping vacations that are affordable, trust you me we all have a budget. Maybe a campers only resort is in store for the future (No Class A or any drivable). One of my clients is building a campground in NC on 89 acres that just broke ground last week, wouldn’t it be nice if it could have some space, maybe campers only, or what the hell Grand Design only. Tell me if you found Luxury places for campers, besides the spot that is “Luxury” at the KOA.

[Stas2009]

They do have a luxury RV resort in Blairsville, GA. Crossing Creeks RV Resort and Spa. This resort has a golf course, spa, cabins that can be rented. A lot of outdoor amenities. My husband and I Have Not been there but we ordered a new Momentum 395 due to arrive next week and are hoping to get by there. The pictures look very nice but that’s all I can say at this time.

[zinman]

Try Mountain Valley RV Resort in Heber City Utah. Great resort. A family section with its own pool and play area separate from the adult only area with its own club house, pool, spa, fire pits, pickle ball court etc. Friday evenings is movie nite out on the lawn by the main resort building. They bring in food trucks for the event. My wife and have stayed there three separate weeks and were thoroughly satisfied. Its a short distance from Park City, Sundance and two large lakes nearby. It also has some great fly fishing on the Provo river (personal experience) and a great little restaurant in Midway (Midway Mercantile) about 5 miles away.

[[email protected]]

They are out there, you just have to find them.

I think another factor is that many of the Class A rigs go for hundreds of thousands of dollars and up. When they are spending that kind of money on something they might not live in full time, but only use for vacations, they may have expectations of vacationing that are a little different than folks that buy something towable.

Many of those Class A resorts offer deeded lot ownership options for all or some of the lots in their resort. Take a look at the price of lots in a place like Las Vegas Motorcoach Resort. They are expensive, and not just up front. Their HOA fees are high too, and they have lot owners paying to the improvements to the lots. They may or may not rent them out when they are not there. They have a great location. There is an RV resort not too far away called The Oasis, which looks pretty nice.

KOA's serve a purpose (often as a place to stop on the way to somewhere else) and offer a price point that's available to just about everyone. For that, you don't get much, but it works for what it is. Some of them are better than others, and you will note that they kind of differentiate between "destination" KOA's (We made it), and things like "journey" KOA's (I'm just passing through). The more lots you can pack into a given area, the more money you make - paying off the initial investment faster. Land isn't cheap, especially now.

Most towable resorts also don't offer things like deeded lot ownerships. The ones that do tend to have better amenities, sites that are a little larger or spaced out, clubhouses, etc. Again, you have lot owners paying for improvements to their lots, and they may or may not rent them out when they are not there. The ones that do also tend to be 55+ parks, at least in many areas.

[Houndbb]

So I’m on the search. We can all agree we have a Grand Design for the quality and the appearance. In my opinion Grand Design lives up to its name “Grand Design”. Now that being said, why can’t we get more resorts that offer more quality than quantity. I’ve seen pictures of some RV resorts where you could pee a stream on you neighbors camper they are so close. You’ all know what I’m talking about, ranked like cord wood. We all have our needs or wants we have worked hard for our rigs and should be able to breathe when we are out camping. As we are all different and have different expectations on our trips. I see all the high end Class A resorts offer large lots and require size restrictions of rigs (which is not desirable). Has anyone seen these? or have you seen these for campers? Probably not! My question is why can’t campers have luxury resorts with all the great amenities? You know what I’m talking about the spa, golf, tiki bar, salon, etc... Don’t get me wrong! I understand the young children camping vacations that are affordable, trust you me we all have a budget. Maybe a campers only resort is in store for the future (No Class A or any drivable). One of my clients is building a campground in NC on 89 acres that just broke ground last week, wouldn’t it be nice if it could have some space, maybe campers only, or what the hell Grand Design only. Tell me if you found Luxury places for campers, besides the spot that is “Luxury” at the KOA.

I missed this post in August. As the posters above said, they’re out there. One in Wells, ME, had jacketed valets greeting and directing campers at the gate. One of my favorite places to camp is The Villages at Turning Stone, in Vernon, NY, immediately off I-90. It isn’t expensive, the sites/grounds are beautifully landscaped and very nice. Free cable, WiFi, garbage pickup several times per day. You are given a code and phone number to call throughout your stay to summon a free shuttle that will fetch you to the front door of the casino (where you can spend a bundle on shows, spa, restaurants, boutique shops, Masters level golf course, driving range, golf clinics). The campground is 1/4 mile down the road from the resort and has a big pool, tiled jacuzzi, tennis courts, first-come pavilions with big fire pits, elaborate playgrounds, laundry, and game room. I guess I forgot to mention the whole gambling thing, because we’re just not interested in it!

Anyway, I’m sure others are out there all across the country. If you aren’t finding them, change your search parameters.
N

[weekend warrior]

I’ve looked at a couple of the “luxury” campgrounds out there that have size restrictions or other strict guidelines. Honestly I have no interest in going to those types of places. We have two young kids, and while we certainly try to be considerate neighbors, we are not “quiet”. We don’t keep a trashy site, but we do typically have some toys laying out, a few chairs, a camp chef griddle, and I bring my own grill. We like to relax and not impress anyone when we camp. Otherwise I’d join a country club. I have no patience for trying to fit in with a Class A dominated resort with staff or other “campers” taking the fun out of camping for me and my kids.

[Houndbb]

I’ve looked at a couple of the “luxury” campgrounds out there that have size restrictions or other strict guidelines. Honestly I have no interest in going to those types of places. We have two young kids, and while we certainly try to be considerate neighbors, we are not “quiet”. We don’t keep a trashy site, but we do typically have some toys laying out, a few chairs, a camp chef griddle, and I bring my own grill. We like to relax and not impress anyone when we camp. Otherwise I’d join a country club. I have no patience for trying to fit in with a Class A dominated resort with staff or other “campers” taking the fun out of camping for me and my kids.

I hear what you’re saying, and I’d want to avoid any place with too many restrictions. You can get a really accurate idea of how much any campground wants to micro-manage your behavior by looking at their “campground rules”. The CG I mentioned above has a very short list, mostly revolving around respecting the natural space they’ve carved out. They would not look askance at you, your kids, pets, furniture, or toys. Also, on the flip-side, there would be NO risk of rowdy disturbances as the Oneida Nation police and the resort’s security are right across the street.

We do several things when choosing a place. First, look at rules. If it’s close, or near somewhere we’re going for different purposes, we might stop in, take a look, chat. We also look the place over on Google Earth. It gives you a good idea of site spacing. Ives Run is nice, has decent spacing, some amenities, no size restrictions. Twin Grove has same, more amenities. Both are in central PA. Great places are out there!

[cookinwitdiesel]

I would settle for just being able to find a nice campground in the south that is not 55+ only.

[orbiker]

Some of the nice mom and pop rv parks are being bought up here in Oregon and are being converted to high end parks.

Sea Perch RV Resort is one of them. It was a small park; within a stone throw of the ocean. It was all leveled and cement pads were put in and all fancied up. The prices go from $80 to $125 a night. If you want fancy, this is that. I'll pass. KEN

[TheLexx]

Thanks for posting the link to Sea Perch! It looks wonderful. It's definitely going on our short list.

Some of the nice mom and pop rv parks are being bought up here in Oregon and are being converted to high end parks.

Sea Perch RV Resort is one of them. It was a small park; within a stone throw of the ocean. It was all leveled and cement pads were put in and all fancied up. The prices go from $80 to $125 a night. If you want fancy, this is that. I'll pass. KEN