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Glamping in Cabins and Tents in Hotel Rooms

In June 2013, The Baltimore Sun Travel discussed glamping and highlighted locations in Maryland. Title image Savage River Lodge.

“For those who want the outdoor experience without sacrificing the comforts of high-end living, there is glamorous camping, or ‘glamping.'” Read the full article.

Glamping is a trend that is not likely to fade as our lives become more fast-paced and connected through technology. The glamping ideology tells us to get away from stress but not sacrifice comfort.

The Sun highlights two glamping experiences. The first is Savage River Lodge with comfortable cabins and tents. Savage River Lodge is located within Western Maryland’s Savage River State Forest, and is a tranquil getaway from a hectic world. And because of high demand, Savage River Lodge will be adding eight yurts to its 18 luxury cabins. The glamping yurts, permanent tent-like structures, are 30 feet in diameter, can sleep two adults and are outfitted with a bathroom, deck, wet bar, and fireplace. “We have been so busy the past few years we decided we needed more units,” said Emily Newman-Edwards, Marketing Manager and Operations Director for Savage River Lodge.

The second is the Four Seasons Hotel with an in-room tent experience for younger guests. “During the summer especially, we welcome a lot of families to the hotel, and we wanted to offer children a unique and memorable experience during their stay,” said Audrey Slade, Four Seasons Baltimore’s Director of Public Relations. “It’s definitely a ‘wow’ when they walk into the room and see the camp amenity.”

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Photo: Four Seasons Baltimore

It’s interesting to note that bigger hotels are taking notice of the glamping trend. If in-room camping works out well for this one, you can bet you will start seeing it at more and more hotels. Ultimately the hotels are only responding to what its guests want. It may not be so surprising if hotels start offering in-room camping for adults too, just a thought.

The two cited glamping examples are just the tip of the iceberg; there are ample glamping destinations worldwide. The important thing to remember is that you don’t have to go on safari in Africa (although you could) to experience glamping, there is likely to be a place close to where you live already.

People who glamp can step out of their tent, yurt, tree house, or hobbit hole and experience the raw and relaxing simplicity of nature. Not everyone wants to sleep on the hard ground. Besides, what is so authentic and great about sleeping with a rock in your back?  You can enjoy the outdoors without ditching the king-size bed. And isn’t that the point–enjoying nature?

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Spotlight: Centara Grand Maldives Island Resort & Spa

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives delivers an exclusive five-star resort experience. Centara represents the apex of barefoot luxury and adventure travel. The stunning blue ocean water and exotic islands of the South Ari Atoll in the republic of Maldives set the backdrop for this amazing resort. Centara will unquestionably be a glamping experience you talk about for the rest of your life.

The resort provides a premium all-inclusive vacation experience, along with a perfect white sand beach and crystal clear water of the Indian Ocean. The resort features 112 suites and villas that are beach front or over water. Guest rooms are complete with a furnished living room area, bathroom with bathtub, or personal Jacuzzi Spa and heavenly rain shower, individually controlled air-conditioning, comfortably furnished terrace, flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi, and tea and coffee making facilities.

Whitewashed timber villas with thatched roofs are perched in the lagoon and linked to the island by wooden walkways, evoking the image of a tropical island community. Water Villas are set above the reef in the lagoon with a private stairway leading down to the water. Beach suites are tucked into the fragrant gardens. A white-sand beach rings the island. A suite can comfortably accommodate up to three adults or two adults and two children.

Under the resort’s Ultimate All-Inclusive Plan, this is an paradise island where cash is not required. Guests enjoy champagne breakfasts, superb cuisines for lunch and dinner, an open bar all day up to midnight, mini bar replenished daily, a sundowner cocktail party every evening, generous daily spa credits at Spa Cenvaree, snorkeling water sports and off-island excursions.

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Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives offers more than simply daytime sun, sea and sand. The resort features a variety of dining options, pools, recreation activities, fitness facilities, bars and lounges with nightly entertainment, Spa Cenvaree, and a kids club.

For the discerning leisure travelers, be sure to check out the Island Club. Guests who have booked Island Club Villas enjoy exclusive use of the Island Clubhouse, swimming pool, with a more expansive choice of beverages and popular spirits. Additionally, the club pool features cold towel service, tropical fruits, and refreshing sorbets served in the afternoon and a sun bed concierge service.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is located on South Ari Atoll (Alifu Atoll) in the republic of Maldives and relatively close to Male’ International Airport (MIA). Maldives is an island nation, a compulsory purchase of seaplane transfer service from/to Male’ International Airport is necessary and required for all reservations. Seaplane air transfer time is only 25 minutes to the island.

centara-3A visit to Maldives is incomplete without experiencing the wonders of the underwater world. If you thought the aerial view was breathtaking, exchange your sunglasses for a mask and take a glimpse underwater. This is where the real treasure of the Maldives is hidden. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will feel right at home with the house reef complete with sunken shipwreck. Other top dive spots in Maldives are within an easily reachable distance from the resort as well. Maldives is one of the best diving destinations in the world and offers ample opportunities for the beginner as well as for more experienced divers. You don’t have to be an experienced diver to enjoy the fascinating underwater world of the Maldives. A snorkel, mask and fin is your passport to enrich your holiday experience and to encounter many species of playful fish, turtles and other curious sea-creatures that may be residing in the house reef.

Centara Grand is a divine destination perfect for couples, honeymooners, families, groups, and adventurous travelers. Visit the website for more information and to book your next vacation.

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Glamping in Southern California at El Capitan Canyon

Canvas tents at El Capitan Canyon

El Capitan Canyon takes great pride in sharing the beauty of the California coast. Staying here is an experience that is in harmony with nature and the environment. There are fewer and fewer places on earth where you can go to get away from man-made and artificial structures. El Capitan Canyon provides the perfect balance of comfort and essentials. Encounters with nature are designed to send you home with a greater sense of peace and serenity.

El Capitan Canyon is a year-round resort with an average temperature of 70° F. The stunning natural environment welcomes visitors and travelers from all over the globe. “Camping at El Capitan Canyon is not like pitching a tent at your local park. It’s more like being invited to the country compound of some old-money family with impeccable taste,” Sunset Magazine, April 2004.

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Luxury campers will feel right at home. For your stay, choose between a lodge, canvas tent, and a yurt. All accommodations are furnished with willow beds, western-styled blankets, and casual furnishings. There are 108 cedar cabins of varying sizes and bedding arrangements. All cabins have front porches, peak ceilings, standard bathroom facilities, individual heating controls, and kitchenettes with microwave, mini-fridge, wet bar sink, and coffeemaker. The Canyon Market and Canyon Pool feature Wi-Fi access if you absolutely need to connect. As you would expect, cabins also have outdoor picnic tables, grills, and fire pits. Gather with your family and friends to grill dinner and toast marshmallows.

Canvas tents at El Capitan Canyon provide a more traditional camping experience. The tents are 12 feet by 14 feet and erected on permanent wooden decks. Private bathroom and shower facilities are conveniently located in a nearby building. A heated swimming pool is also located in close proximity. Staying in tents doesn’t mean you need to cook your own meals, the Canyon Market and Deli can do all that while you relax. If you prefer to do your own cooking, be sure to bring all the necessary kitchen supplies.

The Chumash tribe was the original inhabitant of El Capitan Canyon. They lived undisturbed for an estimated 8,000 years. Chumash legend explains that the land was created when the Great Spirit enlisted 7 giant sea turtles to carry the land and touched the land to make trees grow and rivers flow. In the 19th century, Spanish explorers and settlers claimed the land. However, in 1848 California became part of the United States. The modern-day El Capitan Canyon resort began as a rugged campground in 1970. In 2000, new local owners Chuck Blitz and Roger Himovitz transformed the campground in a refined rural retreat.

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The vision of El Capitan Canyon is to protect and share the beauty of the California coast while providing a relaxing Santa Barbara beach camping experience. Every season has something to delight your senses. Smell the wild sage, listen to the croaking frogs or rhythmic waves, and feel the ocean breeze. El Capitan Canyon is very nature friendly. It uses solar power for heating the pool, promotes native vegetation, employs water conservation techniques, and reduces the impact of human presence by not allowing cars in the canyon. Complimentary bicycles are provided for quick transportation.

Not surprisingly, a beautiful landscape like this does not lack opportunities for adventure or relaxation. Guests can hike the canyon, explore the beach and surrounding areas on trails and bike paths, or relax and just enjoy glamping on the Santa Barbara coast. There are many free activities along with a selection of others that our staff can arrange with tour and adventure partners. Hiking, biking, surfing, rock climbing, sea kayaking, wine country tours, golfing, whale watching, and many others are on the list of things available.

El Capitan Canyon is a fantastic choice for your next vacation. Visit El Capitan Canyon’s website to learn more.