One of the ways bi and gay men are able to meet their need for social interaction with other gay and bisexual men is by visiting clothing optional gay men’s resorts . This gives an opportunity to immerse oneself in the same gender part of their identity for a few days. Men in mixed-orientation marriages are often looking for ways to simply be bisexual or gay while limiting the disruption to their marriages and I find non sexual social nudity at clothing optional men's resorts, campgrounds and social groups to be an ideal solution for this need .
Why socialize nude?
Social nudity is a vastly underrated opportunity to create an ideal environment for total strangers to become friends sharing their life stories within minutes after meeting. There is just something about being nude that makes people more friendly and open. I have enjoyed non-sexual social nudity since my days at Huntington Gorge in the 70's.. I also enjoy traditional mixed gender nude resorts but that feeling like we belong and acceptance of our sexual orientation and sexuality is especially strong at the men's resorts.
A benefit of clothing optional resorts to those new to social nudity is optional really does mean optional in that one can be nude or not as they are comfortable with. Some visitors decide they are not comfortable strolling around the pool without a bathing suit in broad daylight but are happy to be nude in a hot tub at 2 in the morning. Many nudists start with a dark night soak in the hot tub and become more comfortable as time goes on. In any case virtually everyone is made to feel comfortable nude or clothed. Everyone has too much or too little of something and a side benefit of hanging out nude with others is it really helps in self-acceptance of our bodies. The most important aspect of these men’s resorts is the social atmosphere that is created at clothing optional guest houses.
The staff at the resorts I visit are friendly and genuinely seem to appreciate their customers and it shows. Upon arrival the staff will usually give you a tour and orientation of the facilities. This is not at all like checking into a big hotel as these guest houses range in size from 5 rooms to 70 rooms and they are all designed for a fun men’s social getaway. While it is the guests who make the social experience of each visit unique the owners want to create a welcoming place for you to feel comfortable.
After the tour and I get settled in my room it’s time to find the social center of the moment. I spend a few minutes just checking out the scene. If there is a swimming pool that’s a good place to start otherwise the hot tub is usually a friendly gathering space. In spite of the open way I write about my journey I am actually extremely shy around people I don’t know. I sometimes travel with a friend which makes it much easier to be social around strangers but I also travel alone and still always have a great time so for those who are saying to themselves “I am way to shy, I could never visit by myself” let me say if I can, you can. To break the ice and start to meet fellow guests I find a conversation that’s interesting and join in, its usually not long before introductions are made, if there is no conversation going on the classic remark about the weather I left behind or hi my name is Mark or where is everyone from?. Like everything else practice makes perfect and you quickly discover how social and friendly these clothing optional resorts are. They attract a certain type of guy that’s usually there to socialize with other men. Not long after you get to know a few of the other guests you will find that sharing our stories is a natural and then the “Me toos” and”I understands follow” While most of the fellow guests are not married to woman many were in the past and that creates an opportunity to build a bridge to common aspects of our stories.
What about sex? – Social nudity is not about sex, it is about being comfortable with who we really are. Men's clothing optional resorts, campgrounds and social groups are a little more varied about their attitudes about sexuality then the coed nude resorts.. Men will be men so depending upon the resort and the mix of guests there is sometimes some sexual playfulness in the public areas but for the most part guests honor the resorts policies that sexual behavior belongs behind closed doors or in a designated sexual play area. There are exceptions and the degree of sexual playfulness depends upon the makeup of any particular guest population., I find male nude resorts don’t necessarily deny our sexuality but so long as one has self-control it is easy to simply enjoy the social aspects of my visit. It is really no different than a clothed socia gathering, opportunities do sometimes present themselves and each of us has to look at the boundaries of our relationships, self control, and choose to behave appropriately.
Virtually all the guest houses provide breakfast even if it is just juice, coffee, packaged muffins and cereal others like Frog Meadow Farm provide a full country breakfast. The social aspects of breakfast is another opportunity to meet and greet other guests. Dinner varies, some pick up sandwiches or a pizza and eat at the resorts others take advantage of local restaurants. You may also be invited to join other guests for dinner out. Don’t assume that just because another couple is there as a couple that they wouldn’t welcome some social time with other guests at dinner.. The camp grounds usually do not provide meals but will often have a community pot luck supper on a Saturday night.
I love all the interesting people I have met over the years, we have shared a lot of laughs as well as some serious life changing conversations. In every case I have come away with so much gratitude at being able to simply be me with other guys who know what it means to be sexually attracted to men.
Here are my current favorite places to simply be bi/gay for a few days while enjoying hanging out nude with friends. . I also recommend reading some of the Tripadvisor reviews to give you a feel for what to expect. I sometimes get asked if there are similar places for our bisexual and lesbian woman friends and at the moment I do not know of any in New England or the Fort Lauderdale area.
Ft Lauderdale Florida Guest Houses
Fort Lauderdale has a long history of offering gay travelers a place to call their own. Sadly the gay guest houses have slowly been replaced by larger more mainstream facilities but a few gems remain.
Worthington Guest House , Alcazar, and Villa Venice Ft Lauderdale – http://www.theworthington.com/
The owners of The Worthington Guest House also own Alcazar and Villa Venice creating a consortium of three interconnected guest houses with a total of around 70 rooms .This gives guests access to three pools and two hot tubs and a variety of guest experiences . Breakfast is free and and The Worthington property is only a couple of blocks from Ft Lauderdale Beach and walking distance to several restaurants. The guests cover a wide age range and tend to be friendly and enjoy socializing especially in the hot tubs. Due to the wonderful guest experience this resort is very popular and weekends fill up early. Villa Venice and Worthington tend to be the more social of the three guest houses while Alcazar which has a pool but no hot tub tends to be a spot for the quieter crowd. I get the sense that the Worthington, Alcazar, and Villa Venice collection of guest houses probably provides the most social opportunities for those traveling alone. They offer a Saturday night social for another opportunity to meet other guests.
Nudity is permitted on the ground level and one must remain covered on stairs and exposed upper level decks and walkways as they can be seen from the street. One other clothing optional consideration is there are several hi-rise buildings in the area and depending upon where you are on the property you become visible, while this is not an issue or concern to the owners we each have our own comfort level with this. Pineapple Point and Frog meadow are more private and this is less of an issue at those resorts.
Pineapple Point – http://www.pineapplepoint.com/
This is a 26 room resort with a pool, two hot tubs and lap pool that has a reputation for over the top guest service. They are in the upscale Victoria Park residential neighborhood of Ft Lauderdale so access to the beach and restaurants is not as convenient as the Worthington Guest House over near the beaches. That said I always meet really interesting guests there and it remains one of my favorite resorts if they are mostly full. The social hub here during the day tends to be the main pool area, They also have a beer, wine and cheese social hour every evening making a great time to meet fellow guests. During the winter peak season there is a Saturday afternoon barbecue which is always a lot of fun. Pineapple Point is the most expensive of the properties with peak season winter rates starting at over $300 a night but it is also has the best service and attracts a really interesting group of men from all over the world. In addition to well appointed traditional guest rooms they also have some amazinfg suites including The Grand Villa Suite with a large living room, Viking kitchen, its own private small swimming pool and hot tub with Tiki bar. That room is outside my budget but I can always dream.
Key West Florida
Island House Key West Florida .
No matter what clothing optional gay resort hot tub I find myself in it does not take long for the conversation to turn to “Have you been to the Island House? Well here I am poolside at the Island House and it is time for me to add my review. . The Island House in Key west easily earns a positive review. As is common with these guest houses upon arrival I was greeted warmly and enthusiastically , as if my having a great time was their number one priority. New guests get a thorough introductory tour. The social center of the island house is a delightful warm pool with a bar and cafe right there at the pool deck. The cafe and bar are open 24 hours a day with a surprisingly diverse menu. Everything from meals you expect with fine dining to club sandwiches and flat bread pizza. . Coffee is free for guests. While the weather during my visit was spectacular the resort is nicely setup to enjoy it no matter what the weather . Lots of awnings and in addition to the outdoor hot tub there is an indoor hot tub, steam room and small sauna . Also popular is a video lounge with your typical adult educational videos.
The layout of the resort is a little maze like; but in a good way. The rooms are connected by a series of walkways , with plenty of stairs. Towns like Provincetown and Key West by their very nature have really cute architecture but that also presents limitations with room layouts and size. Island house has a wide variety of rooms from roughly 9x12 with a queen bed and a dresser with shared bath down the walkway around the corner down the hall to larger rooms with private baths and sitting areas. . A number of the rooms have shared baths but I want to emphasize I really dont think this is an issue. The bath I shared for example was keyed so only three rooms had access to it. In addition there are several easily accesible additional options for guest bathrooms.
As with the other resorts I write about the guests on any particular stay set the tone but that said each resort tends to have a typical atmosphere based on the experience they have created. Perhaps its the 24 hour cafe and bar but the Island House has a really friendly happy vibe. Everyone is having fun here. . Guests can enjoy the clothing optional experience anywhere on the property except the gym. Like the other resorts I write about you will be comfortable no matter what your interest in taking advantage of social nudity. As I have mentioned the culture of each of these resorts and the guest mix sets the sexual undertone. Resorts with an adult video lounge immediately raise the bar a bit and I would say the sexual temperature and the playfulness at the Island House is on the warmer side. That said everyone is very respectful of boundaries and so long as you bring an extra dose of self control you will have an experience that meets your expectations.. Of course if you are looking for a vacation where you can play this is definitely a place where you should be able to make that happen.
The friendkiness and soial atmosphere is helped along by a cocktail party every night with each guest allowed up to 4 free drinks. The staff are really friendly and the staff to guest ratio seems exceedingly high. There are 39 rooms and at 11 AM there are four people working the bar and cafe not counting the people preparing meals in the kitchen Another feature unique to this size guest house is the desk is staffed 24 hours a day. In addition my room was made up for the day by 10, not bad on a day with expected high room turnover. When one compares prices at the various places I write about the rates at the Island House are indeed at the high end but I feel as though the extra money is going into guest services , in other words their is value even with the high rates.
I won't win any prizes from the Key West Chamber of commerce but Key West in my opinion is not an easy or inexpensive place to get to, at least compared with my trips to Ft Lauderdale. Many areas of the country will require a connecting flight. My experience with the flight to Key West from Ft Lauderdale was not a very good one. All this said the delightful experience during my stay wins out over the challenges of getting there so I think I will be keeping the Island House on my list of places I visit.
Clothing Optional Men's Campgrounds
Joe’s Hideaway - Washington New Hampshire
Joe’s Hideaway , a gay and bisexual men’s clothing optional campground located in the woods of Washington New Hampshire, is another gift to those of us seeking an accepting place where bisexual and gay men can be themselves with others like them. Located on over 50 wooded acres Joes Hideaway is a campground and camping by its very nature creates a different atmosphere from the Ft Lauderdale resorts and the retreat like feel of the Frog Meadow Farm B&B I wrote about previously. Joes Hideaway is a mix of seasonal RVs, weekend and short term RV’s , popup campers , and tent camping. Tents include everything from the small barely fit a one person pup tents of our youth to 10 by 10 by 6 ft tall instant cabins. Some of the tent sites have a cold water faucet and electricity and others called primitive sites are just a place for your tent.
The center of social activity at Joe’s is the large deck surrounding the above ground pool. At least on the times I have been there this is a very inclusive and friendly group and it is easy even for shy guys like me to join in friendly conversations with day pass visitors and overnight guests alike. Although the seasonal campers have the benefit of knowing each other, and they do have their little groups, I found them welcoming of the casual day pass and weekend visitor . The deck and pool really do offer the opportunity to get to know our fellow campers. Many weekends have a theme and that will often set the tone of the weekend. They have bear weekends, Halloween in September, Leather weekends etc. Saturdays usually include a pot luck dinner. A visit to Joe’s Hideaway website will give you an idea of events scheduled during your visit.
If you already enjoy camping then Joes Hideaway is definitely worth a try , if you haven’t camped since you were a kid it may still be worth a visit, as one person said it’s a means to an end, a chance to socialize nude with friendly and accepting gay and bi men. The owners, Joe and Rich, work incredibly hard to make this a community you will want to be part of again and again. I just finished my third season and I am already looking forward to next year.
Twin Ponds Lodge - Albion Maine
Twin Ponds Lodge a men's clothing optional resort and campground for naturist and nudist gay,straight and bisxual men. Twin Ponds Lodge is situated on 82 remote and private acres in Albion Maine about 35 minutes north of Augusta . The setting is a mix of open fields and woods with a focus on its namesake of twin ponds one of which is used as a swimming pond during the summer months. .
Twin Ponds , while remote is easy to get to . Upon entering drive between the two ponds and arrive at a wonderful 9000 square foot year round indoor recreational facility. When we enter the lodge we leave our shoes by the door , check in with the office to pay the appropriate fees and get a locker key and towel. This really is the kind of place you can leave all your clothes in the locker, grab a towel to sit on and enjoy a day and evening with all the benefits of hanging out nude with friends. Most people here take advantage of the option for clothing optional but for those not sure they are ready for that just keep the towel wrapped around your waist until you are , no one will care.
Membership in Twin Ponds Lodge is open to gay, bisexual and straight men over 18 who are comfortable with the nudist lifestyle. Membership is required and is a very affordable $30.00 year.. One end of the building contains a 20 by 40 foot heated indoor pool , a 14 person hot tub , wood fired sauna, 5 private massage rooms and a shower room . There are several seating areas throughout, all warm enough even on a December's day to enjoy socializing nude without being cold. We spent a good amount of our time here hopping in and out of the hot tub talking with interesting guys from around the state of Maine. Everyone was very welcoming and simply saying it was our first time visiting was enough to get an enthusiastic greeting from all we met. . I am not sure of the exact temperature of the pool but if I had to guess I would say low 80’s, in other words come on in the waters fine once you are in .
In addition to the pool, hot tub and sauna wing there is a large recreation/ gathering room on the other end of the lodge with TV, several sitting areas, ping pong, a pool table , several round tables and chairs for potluck suppers , a community fridge and commercial kitchen. The weekend we were there was relatively quiet with only 5-20 guys at any given time but I think that was because the weekend was sandwiched between two weekends with popular events as well as affected by the holidays. . Like some of the other places I have written about I think they are more fun if you can go with somebody but it was still a fun weekend and I would say only half the guys were there with someone. I was told a typical Saturday night potluck would have 20-40 guys. Some of the more popular events have as many as 80. There is plenty of room. I imagine the time of year has an effect on the number and mix of visitors as well.
The manager was delightful and in his four years there he has really made the place what it is today. Many of the regulars help out by volunteering their time. Twin ponds welcomes visitors for the day Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 2017 rates $20 per day Thursday,Friday and Sunday and $25.00 Saturday. For those wanting to stay overnight there are five cabins available to rent , three with a queen bed and futon and two with a queen bed and table and chairs.. The cabins also have a mini fridge and microwave and there is a bathroom with tub/shower located at the end of the row of 5 cabins. The cabins are insulated but very basic and one should manage their expectations, a cabin is not a hotel room but its not a tent either. The cabins are heated with just a portable electric heater but as the cabins are insulated the heat seemed more than adequate even on this cold December night. Staying over in a cabin was just $109 a night plus taxes so it’s an affordable trip away. . There are eighteen electric and water hookups for RV’s and travel trailers , 8 are seasonal RV campsites and 10 sites available for weekend RV’s. They also allow camping in tents along the woods . . The ponds, campsites, cabins, are all in open fields but there are also wooded hiking trails as well as the two ponds for outdoor recreation. .
Twin Ponds Lodge attracts both naturists and nudists in the traditional sense as well as those who more into the nude aspect of our sexuality. The distinction is subtle but for those who enjoy the scenery of our sexuality Twin Ponds tries to keep that type of thing separate by limiting sexual activity to the video lounge and private areas of the resort. .This seems to work as we did not see any overt sexual activity .. The public areas discourage sexual activity and you can be asked to leave, The theory is everyone should be able to enjoy themselves while having their boundaries respected and at Twin Ponds Lodge I found that to be the case. While there was an underlying sense that there was a good amount of cruising going on it was not imposed on anyone. In short I felt Twin Ponds did a great job balancing a safe fun place to enjoy social nudity while also providing a place where those looking for a hookup could easily do so. The best of both worlds kind of thing.
This is a big facility and members volunteering to contribute goods , time and services help make the place run. The property is listed as being for sale but I am hoping that it will continue to run as a clothing optional resort even if it changes hands. In short I am very glad I ventured up to Twin Ponds and I expect I will be visiting several times each year.
Nude Men's Social Gatherings
Clothing optional Social Groups and Nude House Parties
Another opportunity we have to enjoy socializing with other likeminded gay and bisexual men is men’s nude social groups and pot luck suppers. These gatherings range from clothing optional to nude. They typically focus on the social aspect of social nudity and while there may be playful joking around these groups are typically not sex parties.
There is a first time for everything so for those who have never been to a nude or clothing optional gathering it might be helpful to explain what a typical gathering is like. First these groups need a kind hearted soul willing to host a gathering of nude guys. A small apartment might have a limit of 6-10 guys while a larger home might host 40-60. Most of the gatherings I have attended range from 12-40. Typically a gathering is announced either by email or other social network platform and most require an RSVP. When one arrives pay particular attention to any special parking requirements and instructions as well as any preferred entrance. It is essential that guests to these types of events respect our host’s neighbors and neighborhood. We live in a wonderful society but most people still do not understand the difference between sex and non-sexual social nudity so we need to be on our best behavior so as not to attract unwanted attention to the gathering. The nature of the need to keep nude men out of sight of the clothed world means It is a best practice to arrive as close to on time , neither early of late as possible and it should be assumed that you should be on your way home at the designated end time unless the host specifically says it is OK to hang around later . Once inside you will be greeted and given guidance of where you can leave your clothes . Sometimes the host will provide a bagfor your things but I find it is helpful to bring my own tote bag even if it ends up in a host provided bag or box. Be sure to bring your own a towel as it is nudist etiquette to always sit on a towel. Also remember to bring it home you as you would be surprised that hosts of nudist parties accumulate quite a collection of towels. I prefer parties that have name tags as it helps remember who’s who and helps us make the new guys feel more comfortable. In any case a smile and a hello will always make the new guys feel right at home. We want everyone to feel included and to have a good time. As in my other articles it won’t be long before you are sharing laughter and stories with your nudist friends. I really enjoy these parties, they are a built in excuse to socialize with other like minded men. These gatherings really are a lot of fun and I hope this post isn’t too full of the obvious but I hope it helps properly frame expectations.
Socializing Nude at Home
True social nudists enjoy socializing nude just about anywhere that its permitted and where they can do so without offending anyone. A nude cup of coffee and conversation or a hot tub in the back yard at home can also be a fun social time no resort required. I mention this because not everyone can travel to a clothing optional resort or campground yet might want to enjoy the many benefits of socializing nude. I know guys who are happy to share a cup of coffee with a nude friend , others have taken it a step further and have small gatherings..
Additional considerations for men in mixed-orientation marriages.
Social nudism at mens resorts, campgrounds and social gatherings is not for everyone but it can be an excellent way for bisexual and gay men married to women to celebrate who they are in a compartmentalized way ofering them the best of all worlds , a happy home life with their wives who they love while also offering a chance to be part of a bisexual or gay community even if only for a few days. . Some common issues to be resolved are time, costs,communication and sexual/relationship boundaries. Many couples pool all their financial resources and to all of a sudden have trips to gay resorts show up in the budget can easily create additional relationship stressors. The way our family handled this is we set up an individual discretionary spending account for myself and my wife. We feed lump sums into these accounts from our budget when we can. We both get to spend this money as we see fit without worrying about getting the OK. This can be a thousands dollars for airfare and lodging at the more expensive resorts or it could be a few hundred dollars for a couple of camping trips. Everyone has their own level of financial resources the point is to take the financial emotions out of a gay get away weekend . A really complete camping gear setup can be put together for a few hundred dollars. My 8x9 instant tent cost me $99.00 and is in its third season. A typical weekend at a gay campground costs me $50.00 for two nights at a tent site, $30.00 for gas and $30.00 for food. Most people can afford that a few times a year. We all have our priorities mine is these gay get away weekends so I do have money saved for the mroe expensive trips to the Ft Lauderdale gay resorts.. the joy I get that I feed back into a happy marriage is something we cant put a price on.
The time away from home is another consideration. In our family we started off slow and I have frequent checkins to balance my needs with my wifes wishes and desires. Our wives should be having fun while we are away not fretting that their husbands are off at a gay nude resort. Communication is also important, I always call when I arrive and checkin in with a I love you phone call every morning and night, Each couple will find their own comminication needs but do discuss before you go. In most cases disappearing for the weekend without a call is not the way to go. Do be aware that nude men are often put in the most remote and out of the way places imaginagble so their may not be cell phone service. Skype and a wifii connection is one way around that.
When it comes to sexual opportunities it is important to respect any agreements about sexual boundaries. While I have mentioned many times that social nudity is not about sex there are of course opportunities to meet like minded men and like any social interaction with others we have clothed or not relationship and sexual opportunities may present themselves. It is best if how these situations are handled are well rehearsed and discussed before the trip. You cant undo something you didnt mean to do. Self awareness about your self control is vital and keep yourselves out of situations where your self control might be pushed to its limits
When one returns home it can take time to learn the best way to reconnect with your wife. The emotions one experiences being with other people like us can be quite intense and it can be natural to have some angst moving between the two worlds. It gets easier with expereince but just be aware some extra kindness and love will be needed both for you and your wife when you get home. One thing I remind my friends is everyone is on vacation at these resorts of course they are fun but these men return to their regular everyday lives too.
All this said a couple that works through these issues can add the clothing optional option to a successful mixed-orientation marriage.
Social nudism is healthy and fun and I am convinced it leads to improved friendliness and communication for just about anybody