I rent "clothing optional" pisos in one of my buildings in Barçelona exclusively to gay clients for one to three or more month contracts. Each floor was converted to multiple apartments at one time, but over the years I've learned that groups of Europeans and many Brits like to pool their money for long-term stays. Therefore, we've "un" converted the apartments and restored the floors back to their original foot prints to when the building was constructed in 1900.
Each piso is about 400 square meters (about the size of a small roller rink) with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, maid quarters, large designer kitchens with pantries, and the kitchens easily seat six, plus each opens into a formal dining room that can accommodate 12 people, each has a study which serves as the media room and can be used as a fifth bedroom, and then there is the a common living area where renters can meet and entertain guests.
The pisos are completely furnished with a gay housekeeping service that comes in twice a week. And they are not cheap. Despite the global economic calamity taking place there is still a solid niche market for expensive, luxurious rentals. The Squeeze and I live on the top floor six months each year. The roof, as have most roofs in Barçelona, has been turned into sunning terrace with a hot tub, sauna and outdoor shower. We've cordoned off a third of the roof terrace for ourselves installing a privacy barrier, second jacuzzi-style hot tub and our own sauna and shower. A gay rental agency manages the business for us that specializes in gay rentals.
There are a couple of reasons all of the pisos are booked year round at least 12 months in advance, but according to our rental agents the primary draws are: 1. The rooftop terrace is advertised as "clothing optional"; and 2. the location of the building is less than one block from La Metro, one of BCN's more notorious gay discos in the middle of the gai l'eixample neighborhood. During the day, it's just like any other neighborhood with lots of children and families plying the streets. After 12:00 midnight things change. But it is also one of the safest parts of the city and easily reached by walking from Plaça Catalunya.
Of course, in the winter months not many renters are interested in sitting around in cold, wet weather. But spring, summer, and into late autumn BCN is hot and frequently humid. So we meet and hang out with lots of guests who are as equally comfortable lolling about naked as we are. Unlike most large cities, the l'exiample is filled with buildings basically all the same height. So, if anyone it interested in playing "what can I see with my telescope?" the closest tall buildings are at least 1.5 kilometers away and it's hard for anyone to see anything if they try.
When it comes to being nude among our friends, we let our friends decide for themselves if they want to romp around without any clothing or not. There is no pressure. If friends come by to meet for drinks before we all go out to dinner and clubbing, no one has ever shown an inclination to strip down just to get dressed again before we go out. But when friends come home with us after a short evening it's not even mentioned or noticed that eventually everyone is naked and lounging comfortably. Barcelona is damn hot in the summer and we try to live without using the individual room air conditioners.
As for renters running into one another naked in the stairwell, it just doesn't happen. Each piso has it's own key that corresponds to a floor in the central elevator (an old metal cage style lift). And most clients seem to understand that at least a bathrobe and a towel are essential for accessing the community terrace, but once on the terrace all bets are off.
It's just a much more laid back world than the USA. Although, I've discovered a few clothing optional motel/hotels in Palm Springs that are almost as comfortable. But those venues tend to attract guys interested in cruising individually or in groups. Not exactly the same as being naked at home watching TV or reading.
