Luxury RV Parks

[andyherman]

Interesting article concerning "luxury" RV Parks -

https://www.bisnow.com/national/news...m_medium=email

[Spartanfam]

Good, maybe it’ll clear up the State/National Parks and Forest Campgrounds…

[ChaseTrout]

Although the article indicates "we haven't reached the bottom yet" of Equity/Captipal investing in high-end RV resorts I believe they will reach it faster than they anticipate. We recently stayed at a Sun Outdoors resort over the summer and although it was very nice the nightly rate starts around $93.00 and that's a number a lot of RVer's are going to balk at. We treated oursleves and enjoyed it however the remainder of the season was spent at state parks or private campgrounds which cost considerably less. Given the cost of fuel, monthly RV payments, TV payments, entertainment cost, etc. the high price of these resorts will likely catch up to themselves quickly. Should the economy begin to waver (looking at you 2024) hopefully those rates will come down some as everything is market driven. Just hope the "buying up" of private parks slows down to keep a balance of availability and affordability..
Thanks for sharing.
Merry Christmas and Safe travels

[Gibson3798]

When a room at a Best Western/La Qunita Inn style hotel is approaching $150 night, I see no problem with paying $93-$110 per night at an upscale RV Resort when on vacation, for a special treat.

I think it will be a long time before demand for this level of RVing experience will be harmed, since the price isn't out the range of most people who own an RV.

[richard5933]

My guess is that many of the mom & pop campgrounds sold to investment firms or corporate owners during the recent years will prove not to be worth the investment, and unfortunately when sold to recoup the investment will go to a developer rather than to another mom & pop to run as a campground. The value in these places is the land, which is usually worth much more for development than for use as a campground. Once they're in the hands of an investment person or company, it's unlikely that use as a campground will prove the more profitable for them unless the campground is located near a major attraction and can consistently attract the high-dollar campers.

The owners of mom & pop campgrounds we've spoken to usually have a similar story - they bought the campground cheap decades ago, enjoyed running it through their working years, and now have no one in the family interested in taking it over. They are selling to fund their retirement, and the selling price is often so high that it's impossible for the new owners to continue offering the same service at the same price. The new owners see the value of the land as a backstop for their investment and are willing to give it a go.

Then my guess is after the sale camping fees jump up, service goes down, and people don't come as often as they used to resulting in the new owners putting the place up for sale to developers to get them money back out, if they can.

[GettinAway]

My experience with luxury RV parks is limited to one place, Blue Water Key in the Florida Keys. We went once, and I said to my lovely wife, this is a one time deal. Too much $$ for us. Then we went, we are going back this year.
It’s just really nice. Maybe the best part is we can’t see our neighbors. If you set up a luxury RV park, and it looks like you are in a parking lot, I would think that would reduce chances for success.

[akarakos]

Try looking up Anchor Down RV Resort in Dandridge TN. It's one of my favorites and we stop there whenever we pass through the area. There are also 55 plus locations that are nice and that criteria limits work from RV owners that have kids (home schooling) with them on the road. Advance planning for the road trip also fends off some difficulty finding suitable camping locations.

[BessieB]

My DIL and grand daughter stayed at a Jelly Stone in Colorado. We rented a cabin, but saw the sites for trailers. I would consider it for a night or 2. Some high end sites with fire pits and picnic tables.