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Nudist Resort Residents Seek End To Outsider Parties

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By DAVID SOMMER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 22, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Homeowners at an upscale nudist resort are not happy about management's decision to allow outside groups to host monthly costume parties at the resort's nightclub.

The Master Association, which represents more than 350 homeowners at Caliente Resort & Spa, wants resort management to cut all ties with the Web-based swingers groups that it suspects are behind the parties, such as the one that was scheduled for Saturday night with guests costumed in an "Arabian Nights" theme.

In a June 10 letter from a Clearwater law firm that represents the homeowners' Master Association board of directors, attorney Anne M. Hathorn issued an ultimatum of sorts to Caliente Resorts LLC, the resort's management:

Adhere to a list of demands, including cutting any ties to swingers' groups, or face action "to whatever extent is necessary, including legal action."

Last month, the American Association for Nude Recreation temporarily suspended the resort's membership after months of rumors of sex parties advertised on Web sites with links to that of Caliente Resort.
Affiliated clubs are expected to "foster a wholesome, nurturing environment for members and their families," according to the group's Web site.

A spokeswoman for the Kissimmee-based nudist association said the suspension was temporary and will remain in place while complaints regarding Caliente's wholesomeness are investigated.

Spokeswoman Carolyn Hawkins said the suspension could be lifted, and Caliente could again benefit from the association's worldwide advertising, lobbying services and other perks, if the resort maintains its advertised family-friendly atmosphere.

In the June 10 letter, Hathorn repeatedly stressed the need for the resort's management to restore its membership in the American Association for Nude Recreation.

Homeowners bought their properties with the understanding that Caliente would always be a family-friendly resort, Hathorn wrote, and any link to swingers' groups not only threatens property values, but causes homeowners to distrust resort guests.

"There have been instances where groups sponsoring events at the resort have distributed sexually-oriented materials, at times in public areas of the resort. This is intolerable ... and completely at odds" with the resort's original marketing scheme to the homeowners, the letter states.

The letter also laments that, in addition to the suspension of Caliente's nudist resort credentials, the weekend parties have "created a stigma that the residents, by living in a community that is actively marketed to swingers, are likely to be swingers as well, thereby casting doubt on the residents' characters, and creating possible damage to their personal, familial, and employment relationships."

Caliente International Resorts spokeswoman Angye Fox, who previously stated that no swinging occurs in public areas during the parties, issued this two-paragraph written response to the homeowners' five-page letter:

"Caliente is a family-friendly clothing-optional resort with rules of conduct governing behavior in our common areas. These rules provide a safe environment for all guests and members and are enforced by Caliente security.

"Caliente has an aggressive marketing plan that targets outside the traditional nudist clientele. This has created dissatisfaction among a limited number of homeowners in the Caliente community. Caliente intends to move forward in expanding our brand to nontraditional nudists and people who want to enjoy occasional skinny-dipping in luxury both here and at our resort in the Dominican Republic."

Attempts to reach the Caliente homeowners association president and a representative of Saturday night's party sponsor Ahaz Party Lifestyle Group were unsuccessful Saturday.

Reporter David Sommer can be reached at (727) 815-1087 or dsommer@tampatrib.com.

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