I've been thinking about taking a vacation for a few weeks now and I've finally narrowed my choices down to a resort on a tropical island. Now I need to figure out the destination and which type of resort to stay at.I decided to find out which types of resorts are most popular among our users. All-inclusive resorts made the most searched list, but I have mixed feelings about them. The upside is that you don't have to worry about a thing. All your drinks, meals, activities and entertainment are included in your stay. The downside is that you tend to spend all of your time at the resort instead of exploring your surroundings. So if you like to venture out while staying at a resort, an all-inclusive one might not be for you.
I was really surprised to see nudist resorts so high on our list. Other resorts that are popular are luxury resorts, couples resorts and family resorts. An exclusive resort or a 5-star beach resort would be absolutely sublime, especially if I could get a luxury villa right on the beach.
Resorts make vacationing so easy because they usually have restaurants, shops, spas and anything else you need right on site. Once I make myself at home in my resort's vacation villa I know I will be tempted to ask for an extended stay. I'll have to fight the urge to get too comfy or else my new home might be a Bali resort, Bahamas resort, Caribbean resort or wherever I choose to stay.
Do you know of any types of resorts that did not show up on the list? If so, please tell us about them. To check out more resorts, go to AOL Travel. Also search for resort destinations on AOL Search.
Top Searched Resorts on AOL Search:
1. Luxury resorts
2. All-inclusive resorts
3. Nudist resorts
4. Ski resorts
5. Exclusive resorts
6. Beach resorts
7. Family resorts
8. Couples resorts
9. Gay resorts
10. 5-star beach resorts
See sponsored links for: all-inclusive resorts, luxury resorts, family resorts
posted by Brittney
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26
comments
COMMENTS
You shouldn't be surprised that nudist resorts are the 3rd most popular type of resort that is searched.
Nudist resorts are no longer like the nudist colonies of old. Many now rival boutique resorts with all the nice amenities.
One particular nudist resort, The Terra Cotta Inn clothing optional resort and spa is affordably luxurious. AOL.com picked them as one of the 10 best clothing optional resorts in the world. And Los Angeles magazine picked them as one of their 4 favorite vacation resorts for couples.
They are the most mainstream nudist resort in America and are perfect for couples nude sunbathing for the first time.
Their site is http://sunnyfun.com
To learn more about Palm Springs, the sunniest city in America, visit http://sunnyfun.com
You don't have to be a nudist to go there as they cater to first timers.
Their blog is http://theterracottainn.blogspot.com
By Tom Mulhall on Dec 30th 2008 at 11:22PM
How about listing the top ten destinations? Here are my votes:
Namibia
Nepal
Nevada, USA
Botswana
Bolivia
Tonga
Australian Outback
Portugal
Brazil
Spitsbergen
By Deanna S on Jan 2nd 2009 at 8:25PM
Alex Papas is getting ready to bring you the first Green Island in the world, called Star Island. Papas and his partners are developing a paradise within a paradise, for the rich and famous. This luxurious 5-diamond private island community is nestled at the northern end of the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. Just a 55 min flight away from Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale or Miami and only a 10 min boat ride to the island and Harbour Island is also only a 10 min boat ride away, yet light years away in its unique culture and ambiance of unhurried ease.
Star Island will be self-sustaining, using solar,wind,hydropower,and bio-fuel energy resources. This 35-acre private island paradise will consist of 45 beachfront and dockage estate lots,waterfront Villa's and bungalows. The island will have every amenity possible including world renowned restaurants, cafes, boutiques, club house, grocery store, tennis courts, state of the art fitness center & high end spa, marina, helicopter pad, and a park. Thousands of palm trees will cover the island and its beautiful sandy beaches. The island has the best bone fishing in the world. The entire island will be managed as a 5 diamond hotel. Anyone can call at two or three in the morning to request a bottle of champagne and your favorite midnight snack. Opening in 2010, Star Island is expected to revolutionize green luxury in the Caribbean.
By alex on Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:47PM
Check out star island at www.starislandbahamas.com
By alex on Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:50PM
Many paople are alarmed by nudity or afraid of nudity. They should try it once, away from all other people. There is something addictive about having the sun on your bare skin and the wind blowing all over your body. Once they realize how wonderful it feels, it's easy to join other people who also enjoy it. After awhile they will forget that they are nude and wonder why they ever felt that way about nudity.
By hawgman00 on Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:51PM
Can real comments be used here or do I have to be advertising something?
By buster the dog on Jan 2nd 2009 at 9:58PM
Wow, here we are another year, great thing, another year to plan more vacations :) I already told the family that after this last xmas here we are traveling to Mexico over the holidays ! No Stress ! We love going to Cabo. WE tried Cancun Mexico this year and hated it, we loved cabo and may try mazatlan as well. I found a great site a few years ago, http://www.mexicoforvacations.info We ended up booking our first cabo vacation via Pueblo Bonito on there and had a blast. This last time we stayed at Grand Mayan and didnt like it in Cancun. So back To Cabo we go ! Costa Rica is in March for us and can't wait ! Happy New Year and Happy travels to us all :)
By Pam on Jan 3rd 2009 at 1:18PM
i want info on the viila on the beach in the picture
By shayla on Jan 2nd 2009 at 10:45PM
Hi Brittney,
Yes, you missed the Lifestyle Vacation. This should be at the top of the list, as this is an all adult world of hedonism. YOLO Cruises is the newest of Lifestyle Vacations and we have an entire ship chartered and dedicated for people in the Lifestyle. We have been featured in many newspapers and Blogs. Please review our website www.YOLOcruises.com
By Marlene on Jan 3rd 2009 at 12:36AM
I'd love to vacation at a place that looks like the picture shown above. Does anyone know where that picture was taken?
By Sue on Jan 18th 2009 at 11:02AM
I sell Vacation Club memberships and have thousands of resorts world wide including all the cruise ships and have been in this travel industry for over 35 years and there are some far out places that I have been to,there's also a nudist beach in maui on makena beach extreamly private and dont forget the dude ranches in Texas and wyoming,and what about this new twist "Trainshares" yep! right here in texas you can own your own car(old cars from the very past completly refurbished) amtrax pulls you around the country and you just sit back and don't forget The Dominican Republic Punta Cana look it up Extreamly awsom! well any one that wants to know more about some cool places to visit like Ruidoso,NM.,and a best kept secret place I found in the States look it up Timberon,NM.How about the Ruins of Copan in Honduras.CA.any way, Stay busy live longer!
By james on Jan 3rd 2009 at 6:44AM
That pictur above looks like my place in the Dominican Rep.I own a Timeshare and stay there! let me know if you want to rent it out or at least a place on planet earth like it or better---JJ Oh! What about the under water Resorts ck out the one in Dubia,let me know if you want to go!
By james on Jan 3rd 2009 at 6:50AM
What a great article you put together for the readers! I love that someone is trying to be as comprehensive about resort vacationing as I'm trying to with http://www-resorts.info
I'd love to know where golf resorts showed up. I know the research I did showed a significant number of the searches for vacation resorts were specifically for folks who want not only family vacations and spa vacations, but also golf vacations.
Maybe they're included in the luxury vacation searches?
I think it's timely to help people who want to find ways in this economy to have a great 5-star luxury vacation for less than other folks are spending. I'd love to know if the folks reading this have other questions they'd like answered in their web searches.
By Linda on Jan 4th 2009 at 11:44PM
Where is the Villa on the beach in the picture??? Email me with your answer. Thanks.
By Bill Henderson on Jan 9th 2009 at 11:08AM
James, How can I contact you regarding rental of your timeshare in DR? I am very interested in your property and would love to rent it for a couple of weeks this spring.
By Beth on Jan 9th 2009 at 11:56AM
The beautiful islands of the Philippines are 7,100 islands of splendor!!! There are thousands of beaches and you can find white, cream, brown, grey, black and pink sand beaches. Crystal clear azure and turquiose waters. The food, shopping, adventure and the people are fantastic!!! The Philippines is a former US colony and the people speak english. The dollar/peso exchange rate is pretty good for us Americans. One can do a myriad of things such as hiking, horseback riding, spelunking, scubadiving, parasailing, surfing, snorkling, hot-air ballooning, do casinos or shop at 3 of the top 10 largest shopping malls in the world in Manila. Two of there best island oasis are Boracay and Palawan Islands. Check out sights: Boracay.com, palawan-resort.com, elnidoresorts.com, pansukian.com, tourism.gov.ph, fhm.com.ph, sexy-pinay.blogspot.com, mabuhaybeauties.com, phstars.com, 100filipina.blogspot.com, pilipinasbeauties.com, sexy-pinoy.blogspot.com, filipinohunks.blogspot.com
By islandultra@aol.com on Jan 9th 2009 at 12:37PM
I wasn't particularly happy with the headline used in the AOL Welcome page. "No. 3 Hottest Resort Is Adults-Only" doesn't fit nudist resorts, IMHO. In fact, many nudist resorts across the US and the world welcome families.
By HeroOfTime8 on Jan 10th 2009 at 11:26PM
What financial crisis?
By Judy Johnson on Feb 19th 2009 at 2:20AM
I found this my mistake and have put it in my favorites. Everyone should try nudism one time. I snuck out of our cottage wrapped in a towel, slid out of my towel and in the hottub. We met some of the nicest people, all walks of life and without clothes, everyone seem the same. We stayed Friday thru Sunday, when it came time to leave the only thing I could say was "do we really have to leave now? WE find all the resorts are different, some a little fancier but all have great sunning areas, pools and clubhouses and most of all GREAT PEOPLE to
spend time with. All ages.
That was 10 years ago and we have visted clubs all over the states and intend on still visiting different clubs every chance we get I am a
69 year young Great,Great Grandma, at first all the kids thought I was nuts and not to say what my 101 year young mother had to say. Now they just are glad I am enjoying my life. Try it you might just like it.
Dolly
By dolly abram on Mar 2nd 2009 at 2:01PM
Nudist resorts are great fun. You meet the nicest people. Some wonderful ones are, Club Orient in St. Martin, right on the beach, Terra Cotta Inn , very friendly good for first timers, Cypress Cove, close to Disney World, and Caliente, very upscale and sexy. We have been to them all and many others.
By SteveS on Mar 6th 2009 at 1:45PM