While some businesses are downsizing during the rough economic times, one Cocoa Beach motel is going nude.
Fawlty Towers Motel located in Cocoa Beach will open as a naturist resort beginning May 1.
“It is purely financial,” owner Paul Hodge told NBC 6. “So many hotels sprung up before the recession and we were swamped. We can’t compete anymore.”
Hodge, who believes there isn’t another nude resort within 100 miles, said he dreamed up the idea years ago while he was looking for a niche in the market.
The hotel, which already features a pool, tiki bar, barbeque and courtyard, had to undergo few renovations. Hodge said he added screening in the front and along the balconies for privacy purposes.
Hodge said that he was warned by an attorney he hired that there may be possible opposition, but he said there haven't been any problems so far.
“I haven’t had one negative comment,” he said. “I started advertising two months ago and people are popping out from everywhere now. We’re keeping it family-oriented. The children are the next generation of nudists.”
Hodge said his employees didn't have issues with the change either.
“They were very comfortable,” Hodge said. “None left.”
Guests can rent a double-bed room for $79 per night, or they can pay $25 for a “day use” pass that allows them access to the bar and pool without renting a room. And because the motel doesn’t serve food, the Sand Bar restaurant down the street has agreed to deliver to the motel to save guests the hassle of putting their clothes on to chow down.
