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Margaritaville is opening RV resorts as it diversifies see what it's like to stay at the newest location in Florida with tiny homes

Margaritaville is opening RV resorts as it diversifies — see what it's like to stay at the newest location in Florida with tiny homes
Brittany Chang/Insider
  • In January, Margaritaville opened its latest RV resort in Auburndale, Florida.
  • The hospitality empire wants to open up to 50 RV resorts over the next five years.

Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville empire is growing and diversifying faster than the time it takes to find your lost shaker of salt.

Jimmy Buffett
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The brand inspired by simple Jimmy Buffett lyrics now has a portfolio that includes nearly every aspect of the hospitality industry, from resorts to cruise lines to retirement communities.

The brand inspired by simple Jimmy Buffett lyrics now has a portfolio that includes nearly every aspect of the hospitality industry, from resorts to cruise lines to retirement communities.
Margaritaville Resort Times Square.      Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings, has said the company may be the "fastest-growing hotel brand" in the US.

John Cohlan, CEO of Margaritaville Holdings, has said the company may be the "fastest-growing hotel brand" in the US.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

But there's one particular Margaritaville segment that seems to be expanding its footprint faster than the rest: its "casual luxury" RV resorts.

But there
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

The hospitality empire currently has three RV resorts: one in Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.

The hospitality empire currently has three RV resorts: one in Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The first resort in Lake Lanier, Georgia opened in spring 2019.

The first resort in Lake Lanier, Georgia opened in spring 2019.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Shortly after, the US saw a COVID-19 pandemic-induced road travel boom.

Shortly after, the US saw a COVID-19 pandemic-induced road travel boom.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Since then, Camp Margaritaville has seen "off the chart" receptions and reviews stronger than the company initially predicted, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in 2021 …

Since then, Camp Margaritaville has seen "off the chart" receptions and reviews stronger than the company initially predicted, Jim Wiseman, the president of development at Camp Margaritaville, told Insider in 2021 …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… "which is why [Margaritaville] is trying to get in the business so fast."

… "which is why [Margaritaville] is trying to get in the business so fast."
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

In January, it launched its third location in Auburndale, Florida about an hour southwest of Orlando.

In January, it launched its third location in Auburndale, Florida about an hour southwest of Orlando.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The recent opening is just one of five locations Margaritaville plans to launch this year as it aims to open 30 to 50 more RV parks over the next five years.

The recent opening is just one of five locations Margaritaville plans to launch this year as it aims to open 30 to 50 more RV parks over the next five years.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

But the hospitality company isn't in the business of constructing new RV resorts.

But the hospitality company isn
Brittany Chang/Insider

Instead, it updates existing RV camps to fit its own recognizable branding and programs.

Instead, it updates existing RV camps to fit its own recognizable branding and programs.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Before the 66-acre Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale became a hub of Margaritaville and RVing enthusiasts, the site was known as Cabana Club.

Before the 66-acre Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale became a hub of Margaritaville and RVing enthusiasts, the site was known as Cabana Club.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Conveniently for Margaritaville, Cabana Club already had plenty of amenities like a large pool, tropical bar, mini-golf course, and famed water slide, according to YouTube video tours of the site.

Conveniently for Margaritaville, Cabana Club already had plenty of amenities like a large pool, tropical bar, mini-golf course, and famed water slide, according to YouTube video tours of the site.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: YouTube

When Margaritaville stepped in, the most obvious aesthetic change was in the branding, which has all been replaced with Margaritaville's bright and kitschy logos.

When Margaritaville stepped in, the most obvious aesthetic change was in the branding, which has all been replaced with Margaritaville
Brittany Chang/Insider

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale has 183 RV sites, including 11 "Super Premium" RV suites, that all bask under direct Florida sun.

Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Cabana Cabins Auburndale has 183 RV sites, including 11 "Super Premium" RV suites, that all bask under direct Florida sun.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The basic RV site can accommodate all vehicle sizes and includes a grill, hookups, and a picnic table …

The basic RV site can accommodate all vehicle sizes and includes a grill, hookups, and a picnic table …
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… while the premium sites have all of the above plus a "tiki hut," an outdoor television, lounge chairs, and a hammock.

… while the premium sites have all of the above plus a "tiki hut," an outdoor television, lounge chairs, and a hammock.
Brittany Chang/Insider

But if you didn't come with or in a RV, you can always stay at one of the 60 cabana cabins complete with a kitchen, living room …

But if you didn
Brittany Chang/Insider

… bedroom, and bathroom.

… bedroom, and bathroom.
Brittany Chang/Insider

These tiny homes can sleep up to six people and have the luxury of air conditioning, televisions, and a connected back deck. Think of it as an Airbnb on an RV resort.

These tiny homes can sleep up to six people and have the luxury of air conditioning, televisions, and a connected back deck. Think of it as an Airbnb on an RV resort.
Brittany Chang/Insider

A night at the basic RV sites ranges from around $70 to $200 …

A night at the basic RV sites ranges from around $70 to $200 …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… while the cabins and premium RV sites start at almost $200 nightly.

… while the cabins and premium RV sites start at almost $200 nightly.
Brittany Chang/Insider

This price includes WiFi for remote workers who need to get some work done while lounging by one of the two pools …

This price includes WiFi for remote workers who need to get some work done while lounging by one of the two pools …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… as well as access to all the on-site amenities.

… as well as access to all the on-site amenities.
Brittany Chang/Insider

These include the gym, laundry room, bathhouse, and all the on-site leisure activities.

These include the gym, laundry room, bathhouse, and all the on-site leisure activities.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Trust me, there's plenty of them. It's hard to feel bored at Camp Margaritaville Auburndale.

Trust me, there
Brittany Chang/Insider

There are several lounge chairs for basking in the warm sun. But if you're looking for more active activities, the site is filled with hidden treasures that can appease any fussy children.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The site is so large, guests can rent golf carts to get around.

The site is so large, guests can rent golf carts to get around.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The main activity area right by the park's entrance includes most of the site's leisure amenities.

The main activity area right by the park
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Here, you'll find a pool with a water slide …

Here, you
Brittany Chang/Insider

… a dog park …

… a dog park …
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… corn hole …

… corn hole …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… plenty of lounge seating near the bar …

… plenty of lounge seating near the bar …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and a mini golf course.

… and a mini golf course.
Brittany Chang/Insider

The family-friendly site also has an indoor arcade …

The family-friendly site also has an indoor arcade …
Brittany Chang/Insider

… an outdoor children's playground …

… an outdoor children
Brittany Chang/Insider

… and a shallow children's water play area.

… and a shallow children
Brittany Chang/Insider

But you might need your golf cart to access the basketball court and second pool, which are separate from this main leisure area.

But you might need your golf cart to access the basketball court and second pool, which are separate from this main leisure area.
Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

There are also plenty of programs throughout the day, from happy hour to live music to limbo and bingo.

There are also plenty of programs throughout the day, from happy hour to live music to limbo and bingo.
Brittany Chang/Insider

And it wouldn't be a Margaritaville without a bar or two: Both pools have al fresco bars for guests.

And it wouldn
Brittany Chang/Insider

If you're looking for a leisurely afternoon stroll under the sun, you can walk along the boardwalk over the lake.

If you
Brittany Chang/Insider

But if you'd rather have a peaceful afternoon, take a seat at a lounge chair and enjoy an obligatory afternoon margarita.

But if you
Brittany Chang/Insider

You are, after all, staying in the perfect place to waste away again.

You are, after all, staying in the perfect place to waste away again.
Brittany Chang/Insider

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