Cabana Bay RV Resort

Wonderful RV Resort. Doug Patton not only greeted us on arrival, he had a bag full of goodies, suggestions for local dining experiences and how to park the group of RVs I was doing a scouting expedition for. He was by far the most energetic and forward thinking person in any RV park we have ever stayed in from coast to coast. The RV Park itself is wonderful as well. If we were in the market to buy a lot, this is where we would purchase, but we are not.

As we were headed north from a 2 week stay in Key West, we were looking for a campground in the Venice/Sarasota/Tampa area for a few days. Cabana Bay popped up on RV Life as a 5-star looking resort with a Passport America 50% off rate for 3 nights. This was the deal of the century! Some smart person at the resort (Miya) signed the resort up with Passport America to draw people in to experience this new resort. The resort is brand new and not on everyone’s radar just yet, so putting it on Passport America was a great marketing approach. Not only did we enjoy the first 3 nights at half price, but we were happy to extend for an additional 4 nights at full price. Win/win for us and the resort owners.

The resort is going to be stunning once all of the landscaping grows in. The resort was clearly developed by an architectural team who knew what design/layout/materials needed to go into a 5-star resort. I love the huge paver pads on each site and gravel strips between the pad and the plantings that divide each site. It will provide clear access without fighting the bushes that divide the sites and will also not turn into a muddy mess all too common around the connections points. Truly well thought out and executed.

The amenities are very good. The clubhouse is STUNNING. There is a large banquet space which has an attached huge kitchen. We attended a Super Bowl potluck which and a “paint & sip” event that included the opportunity to paint an ocean sunset scene on an 8 1/2 x 11 canvas. I was happy to sip on the provided wine while my wife painted an amazing picture. We enjoyed the natural grass small dog park each day (BTW, stocked with balls.. nice touch). While we did not have the opportunity to swim in the pool, enjoy the hot tub, or play pickle ball, these facilities were top rate. We did enjoy the visiting food truck one morning and the rails-to-trails type path that connects to the Publix about 3 miles away.

Lastly, the best part of the stay, were the daily interactions with the staff. Here is a smattering of interactions/observations:

Dee handled the front desk and managed some activites. She was the one who answered the phone and helped us make our initial reservation. She met us at our coach as we pulled in with a large swag bag of park information, brochures, and 2 beverage koozies.
Lacey was a peer of Dee’s who fielded numerous questions that we had during our stay. Both Dee and Lacey played a role in hosting the sip & paint as well as the Super Bowl party and provided a wealth of local knowledge on beaches, restaurants and attractions. Both made us feel welcome and made our stay enjoyable.

Miya, the manager, does an excellent job at running the park. Her years of RVing experience are evident and visible in the daily park operations. Had she not signed the park up for Passport America, we would have missed this gem of a place. I’m guessing there are other things like the food trucks, balls in the dog park, and activities there because of her experience.

Brian was one of the most capable and enjoyable team members that we interacted with during our stay. Dee turned us over to him to escort us to our site and he helped us get backed in and hooked up. He pointed out that there are hookups on both sides of the site allowing positioning to be nose-in or nose-out. His attention to detail and focus on the park appearance was outstanding. His warm and easy-going personality had me looking forward to every next conversation. He would stop to chat if he saw us outside to ensure all of our needs were being met and he would often offer suggestions of places and things to do outside of the park. If ever a person was born to work in an RV Resort, Brian is that guy.

In closing, whoever has been making the design/development and hiring decisions, you have been hitting it out of the park! All of the staff are keepers and the park is among the best we have seen in over 30 years of RVing.

We look forward to seeing you next winter, as we have a 1-month reservation in 2027.

Such a beautiful resort. Very well planned layout. Not a bad site in the bunch. Great amenities with pool and pickleball courts The club house is gorgeous with full kitchen and lovely area to relax with multiple TVs and gaming areas. The gym is well appointed. What makes this resort so amazing is its location. You have Boca Grand and Little Gasparilla Island in bicycle range. Wonderful bike paths to get you there safely and quickly. I can’t say enough about this resort.

Very disappointing and shocking experience

This is a brand-new RV park, and unfortunately that is the only positive thing I can say.

We first learned about this place during a Tampa RV show, where we won one free night. After that stay, we were actually satisfied and asked in advance what price would be offered if we decided to stay longer. When we arrived at Cabana Bay RV Resort , we were shocked to hear the price: $244 per night. Absolutely unbelievable.

The campground is almost empty — maybe 10 RV’s total, and most of them appear to be RV’s or trailers placed by people from the office, not real guests. That alone says a lot.

Right behind the fence, extremely close to the campground, there is a large landfill. We had read reviews mentioning bad smells, and unfortunately they were true. Near the landfill the odor is very strong, sometimes smelling like something is burning. On top of that, there are many turkey vultures flying very low, which is unsettling, especially knowing they feed on carrion.

Another issue: RV sites are not level, which is unacceptable for a resort claiming to be premium.

The bathroom and shower floors are made from what appears to be an expensive, high-end material, but it is extremely impractical. The floors become very slippery when wet — like walking on ice. You have to be extremely careful to avoid slipping, which is unacceptable for a public facility.

My honest opinion: if this resort continues charging prices like $244 per night, this is unfortunately the first step toward bankruptcy. The price is completely disconnected from reality, the location, and the actual experience.

I would not recommend this place at all, especially at these prices.

While I haven’t personally stayed at this RV resort yet, I have toured the property and, based on my experience visiting other “luxury” RV resorts, this one truly stands out. It raises the bar for what luxe RV living should be.

What was once an open field has been thoughtfully transformed into a beautifully planned resort with exceptionally roomy sites, a stunning pool, and an enclosed pavilion complete with a kitchen, bathrooms, showers, lockers, and more. Every detail feels intentional and well designed.

As a brand-new park, the landscaping is still maturing, which is to be expected—but the layout and vision are clearly there, and it’s already impressive. Add in the convenient location near beaches, sports complexes, shopping, and endless local adventures, and this resort is absolutely worth checking out. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a true luxury RV experience!