FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Overlooking the New River in Fort Lauderdale, not removed from the million-dollar houses lining the waterway, sits a well-kept secret: a luxurious RV resort. It presents what many consider when visiting South Florida: attractive coastal views, lush greenery, and million-dollar yachts floating by, however with a twist.
As an alternative of residences or high-rise condo buildings, Yacht Haven Park and Marina options greater than 220 tons that company can lease to park their automobiles.
“I name it reasonably priced luxurious,” mentioned Christine Schaub, 33, who rents so much overlooking the New River together with her husband, Joel, 40.
Calling themselves “younger snowbirds,” the Chicago couple first bought their RV within the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing the RV as an choice that might allow them to escape the Chicago’s harsh winters and vacationing at a time when worldwide journey wasn’t actually an choice.
Virtually three years later, the couple has traveled coast to coast of their RV, visiting Arizona, New Orleans, Texas, the Florida Keys — and now Yacht Haven Park and Marina.
They started staying on the resort in November 2022, loving the waterfront views it supplied and the short proximity to downtown Fort Lauderdale life.
“We are able to work remotely now,” added Joel. “We personal a home in Chicago. We purchased the RV and we go to resorts like this the place you will get out and keep away from the snow.”
They are not the one ones selecting to depart a second house and get into an RV. One in 5 leisure vacationers have labored from an RV previously 24 months and one in 4 plan to take action within the subsequent yr, in keeping with knowledge from the RV Business Affiliation.
The rise in reputation of RVs
Leisure automobiles, or RVs, noticed a surge in reputation when the pandemic hit in 2020.
Whereas the marketplace for them was sturdy main as much as the pandemic, the COVID lockdowns introduced out a number of individuals in search of a technique to nonetheless have the ability to chill out whereas being socially distanced.
“The pandemic made it worse,” mentioned Monika Geraci, spokeswoman for the Leisure Automobile Business Affiliation.
In 2021, over 600,000 RVs have been constructed, a 20% improve from the earlier report in 2017, when over 500,000 RVs have been constructed.
And because the pandemic pale, RV reputation grew as extra folks started to prioritize the outside. It additionally grew to become a extra reasonably priced choice for folks seeking to escape rising housing prices and even discover a extra reasonably priced vacation house.
“When the housing market went completely loopy, some householders jumped on the bandwagon, bought their houses and acquired full-time RVs to attend for the market to choose up,” mentioned Gigi Stetler, founding father of Planet RV, an RV dealership. , in Denmark Seaside. .
A luxurious waterside RV resort
Yacht Haven Park and Marina has been in a position to capitalize on the rising reputation of RVs. It has been round for 30 years however has solely just lately been up to date right into a luxurious resort. They’re catering to all market segments: snowbirds from the Northeast and Canada, younger households who can work and research remotely, and journey nurses.
On a Thursday afternoon, the resort appeared like a trip spot, with palm timber lining the whole web site and RVs lined up simply ft aside. Visitors may be discovered lounging by the pool or taking part in with their canine within the canine park to benefit from the cooler climate. A number of {couples} sat exterior on their patios, having fun with glasses of white wine.
From time to time a yacht would cross by and the passengers on board would wave at any resort company they noticed.
A number of the extra luxurious RVs, which may price greater than one million {dollars}, have been like stepping right into a miniature luxurious house, full with leather-based reclining seats, stainless-steel home equipment, area closet and ample kitchen area.
Managing sponsor Gary Cioffi and associate Christopher Hein purchased the 20-acre web site final yr, investing about $26 million within the property to create an environment the place resort company can park their buses and benefit from the tranquility.
“Once we first purchased it, there was really a growth on the RV aspect and yachts have been promoting at report ranges,” Cioffi mentioned. “There’s actually excessive demand and low provide for locations like ours with the situation so near town centre.”
The park is positioned on West State Highway 84 in Fort Lauderdale, simply off the freeway and about 5 miles from the favored stretch of Las Olas Boulevard, downtown. One of many distinguishing options of Yacht Haven Park and Marina is the truth that not solely are there docks for folks to park their yachts and boats if wanted, but it surely’s additionally so near downtown.
Different luxurious campgrounds all through the area embrace Aztec RV Resort in Margate and Pelican Lake Motorcoach Resort in Naples.
Yacht Haven Park and Marina presents company six various kinds of tons for company to select from, equivalent to Royal Level Waterfront, Backyard View and Waterfront Premium. Every lot has artificial grass, new fairway areas and a patio the place company can chill out.
Each day charges range relying on the season, however sometimes begin at $105 per evening for the summer season season and $145 per evening for the winter season.
“Being close to the water and the boats is beautiful,” added Christine Schaub.
Facilities on the resort embrace a canine park, a playground for these with kids, a health heart, a pool, and laundry amenities and showers. They’re within the means of getting permits to construct a 6,000-square-foot clubhouse with a rooftop lounge, a health heart, a renovated pool and solar deck, together with pickleball and basketball courts.
“What we have seen throughout the board for campers is that folks need extra of a consolation interval,” Geraci mentioned. “We have seen campgrounds including the sort of facilities you’d discover at resorts.”
The resort welcomes buses of every kind, so long as they’re in good situation.
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