A Glamping Accommodation Guide For The Experiential Traveler

glamping tent in oman with canvas club

In this ever-changing world we must try to keep up with what’s modern, popular and safe for our environment. Many of us want to experience a vacation getaway worth the time and money, something new and social media worthy. But with so many glamping options out there, how do you choose? Well, the best way is to identify the type of accommodation that best suits your needs after picking a destination. Here I will go over the many glamping accommodation options available to you, structures that may be somewhat familiar, unique and quirky, comfortable, eco-friendly or just mindbogglingly luxurious. Prepare to be amazed at what you may find!

Tipis/Teepees and Tents

Glamping Tent and Tipi - image from Holmen Husky Lodge in Norway left, Kohima Camp in India right

Let me first take you back to medieval times, when kings stayed in mobile tented camps while traveling. And long before that, when Native Americans still lived in tipis, also know as tepee or teepee. These luxury abodes are among the most popular options for glamorous camping. During cooler seasons the tents are heated by a wood-burning stove. The canvas homes are now built in different shapes and sizes, the most common shapes being Safari Tents which are large enough to fit a bed, bath, kitchen and living room and Bell Tents being the smaller, yet still spacious option. Tents and tipis are not permanent structures and some companies put them away during winter, while others pop them up on demand and for special events. Depending on the size your host offers, they can sleep 1-2 or 4-6 people.

Treehouses

Glamping Blog Treehouse accommodation at La Piantata in Italy

Treehouses are the most romantic and whimsical lodging option you can find. Choose from a tiny house or uniquely shaped structure built on or among the trees. Afraid of heights? Just take a look through your options, you’ll want to face your fears soon if it means staying in one of these!

Yurts and Domes

Glamping Blog - Cosy Under Canvas left, Savage River Lodge right

Yurts are canvas homes, still used in countries such as Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkey among other destinations. Spacious and unique in shape, these units have no corners and are as large as a room or studio… same as domes, built out of canvas with panoramic windows or out of wood. Domes are made with a window-like opening in the middle of the ceiling, perfect for stargazing from your bed.

Lodges and Eco Lodges

Glamping Blog Lodge Accommodation in Chile at Tierra Patagonia

Lodges are considered a large house or hotel. Building methods for eco lodges are completed with sustainability and the surrounding environment in mind. Fully furnished rooms are rented separately and are located inside a large building where you may find a communal kitchen or restaurant on the main floor. Rooms may offer en-suite bathrooms and are meant to sleep 2-4 guests. Most smaller lodges can be completely rented out for exclusive use, so don’t be afraid to ask when planning out that special event.

Wagons and Shepherd’s Huts

Glamping Accommodations Conestoga Ranch wagon left and Withywood Shepherd's Hut right

If this does not take you back in time, I don’t know what else will. Wagons were pulled around by horses or oxen and were the only means of transportation in earlier days, carrying just about anything that could fit inside. Shepherd’s Huts or Shepherd’s Wagons were also used back in the 15th century, mostly in the UK and France. Now, wagons and shepherd huts are transformed into luxurious accommodations for the curious traveler. These fun and compact size rooms have wheels, though are not for you to take around town as you would a trailer. These units can fit up to a Queen bed, perfect for 2 with enough space to move around. With less furniture and amenities, some can sleep up to a family of 3-6.

Cabins

Glamping Blog cabin accommodation at Windsock Acres in Colorado

When I think of winter, I imagine sitting in a cabin on a plush couch, staring at the flickering flames inside the fireplace while sipping on a warm cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. These wooden structures resemble a cozy home away from home, often times built in a romantic setting near a river, lake, pond, or in the woods. For those of you who are not quite ready to go glamping under canvas, a cabin might just be for you.

Unique and Unusual

Glamping Blog accommodations Museum Hotel cave room in Turkey and Esjan bus in Iceland

The title is vague because of the vast variety of unique and unusual lodging options available nowadays. A stay in a cave room, shipping container, converted bus or jet wouldn’t have crossed your mind, not even through your travel agent’s mind unless they’ve done some research. These sometimes isolated accommodations are not easy to find on your own, they are private and uncommon. Thanks to the creative minds of the owners and architects, now you have something worth telling your friends about and publishing on your social media accounts.

Huts and Cottages

Glamping Blog cottage accommodation at Neeleshwar Heritage in India

Huts and Cottages are small and simple dwellings. Huts are structures of crude construction found just about anywhere, including on the beach and overwater. They are common in Mexico and throughout the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa. Huts can be made out of mud, stone or other material and are often roofed with bamboo, straw, palm leaves or branches. A cottage may be an upgrade in some countries, but glamping has turned both rustic accommodations into a comfortable lodging option.

Airstreams and Trailers

Glamping blog accommodations at Camping Miramar vintage trailer and Otway Escapes airstream in Australia

A home on wheels, Airstreams and Trailers are at times mobile, but usually sit on a lovely property for you to enjoy. Perfect for two, but considering the convertible dining room options, there’s room for a family of 3-5 in some units. Who doesn’t mind having a bathroom and kitchen just steps from your bed? If air conditioning is a must, check to see if this is an available option in your unit.

Villas and Bungalows

Glamping Blog villa accommodation in Maldives at Centara Grand Island Resort

Either way you go, you can’t go wrong with these two glamping accommodations. Who doesn’t dream of waking up in one of those popular overwater bungalows published often in travel magazines. They resemble a villa, which is a large luxurious residence on land. Roof options for both can vary between shingles, tiles, and thatches. Take a peek at the different destinations and see where it takes you!

Cubes and Pods

Glamping Blog pod and cube accommodations at Le Village de la Champagne in France

These dwellings are compact and accommodate a small number of people. The pods are built out of wood and remind me of hobbit holes with their unusual shape. Cubes are square or rectangle shaped dwellings and can range in size from a small to spacious box-like room.

Barns and Farmhouses

Glamping The Barn accommodation at Stonewall Ranch in California

Like the country or farm feel? These fully furnished homes are great for long vacations. Properties who do not have animals around may allow you to bring your dog with you!

Glamping with West Coast Expeditions Kayakers paddling on the outside of Spring Island are treated with crystal clear waters and rich kelp beds teaming with life in the Kyuquot Sound area.  Kyuquot Sound, Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

If the type of accommodation you stay in is not as important, but the adventure that comes along with it is, you should look into Tour and Excursion companies. These companies focus on offering guests fun activities and tours through popular attractions while staying the night in a lodge, cabin, or hut among other lodging options.


Image Credits: Canvas Club, Holmen Husky Lodge, Kohima Camp, La Piantata, Cosy Under Canvas, Savage River Lodge, Tierra Patagonia, Conestoga Ranch, Withywood Sherpherd’s Hut, Windsock Acres, Museum Hotel, Esjan, Neeleshwar Heritage, Camping Miramar, Otway Escapes, Centara Grand Island Resort, Le Village de la Champagne, The Barn at Stonewall Ranch, West Coast Expeditions.

A Hiker’s Dream Come True – Thank you, Mother Nature!

Speaking from experience, making reservations ahead of time is a must for these popular destinations. Don’t forget to do your homework… you’ll need a plan. Find a map online and notate what trails you want to visit and how much time they will take round-trip. Depending on the time of year you wish to visit will also determine the necessary equipment you’ll need to make your hiking adventure all that more pleasant. Comfortable hiking and water shoes, thermal waterproof knee-high socks, and a refillable water bottle should all be packed in your lightweight backpack. Now with these tips, you are one step closer to a successful hiking trip to the following top must-visit places.

Havasupai – A Hidden Gem
Supai, Arizona

havasupai8-by-campfirestyle-com

Found within the Havasupai Reservation, at the Southwest corner of the Grand Canyon National Park, this hike is not an easy one, but it is the most rewarding. The water flows through Havasu Creek and rocks full of minerals which create the dreamy blue green colored waters that flow down their many waterfalls. From Havasupai Hilltop Campground to Mooney Falls (the very last waterfall on the trail) will take an experienced hiker over a day, so plan for an overnight stay along the way, preferably 2-3 days to enjoy the experience and picture perfect views. Havasupai Lodge is the closest lodging available, only 1.2 miles from Lower Navajo Falls “Rock Falls” and 1.8 miles from Havasu Falls. Luckily, there is also a campground available between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. An affordable helicopter transportation service is available for those who lack the time or physical ability to hike one or both ways.

Zion National Park – Bring The Family With You!
Springdale, Utah

The Narrows at Zion by NPS

If you are into travel and nature, you must have heard of Zion National Park in Southern Utah. The top perks I appreciate from National Parks are that most offer shuttle buses through the park and free tours or programs to entertain and educate the little ones. The destination is popular for its trails leading to and through mountains, tunnels, waterfalls, and streams. Families and adventurers of all ages are welcome to go at their preferred pace thanks to trails offering easy, moderate, and experienced difficulty levels. Bring a swimsuit and safe-seal waterproof backpack during spring and fall, you may just need to go all in.

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Need a place to stay? Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort is a great option. The ranch offers fun glamping accommodations inside tents, wagons, and cabins.

Image Credits: GoogleMaps, Campfirestyle.com, NPS

Glamping Is Reaching A New Audience

It looks like television shows have caught on to the evergrowing trend of glamping. If you didn’t know, now you know, glamping is becoming increasingly popular and a couple of TV series are taking their stars on glamping retreats. Whether it is for the mere fun of it all or to generate inspiration, maybe we should all take the hint and give it a try ourselves.

new-girl-cece-schmidt-yurt
new-girl-fire-pit-song

The comedy show called New Girl recently aired Season 6, Episode 3 called “Single and Sufficient”, where most of the crew goes glamping. The group of friends stay in luxurious yurts, go horseback riding, and sing together around the fire pit. Those are only some of the many advantages of glamping, not having to pitch your own tent and getting straight to business… meaning having fun and taking in the stress-free peacefulness of nature.

project-runway-glamping-tents

Project Runway featured a glamping night on Season 12, an episode called “Let’s go Glamping” and took their designers out of their windowless studios and into the woods for some fresh air and inspiration. The crew enjoyed outdoor activities such as zip-lining and river rafting, then retreated to their glamping tents after a chef prepared dinner. With comments such as “It’s fabulous”, “I like glamping, it’s my favorite thing to do now”, and “I love it and I never want to leave”, viewers will be drawn to trying an experience alike for themselves.

project-runway-river

Both shows have at least 6 seasons under their belt and I can’t deny having watched both on planned occasions and while skipping through channels. The number of viewers who have just caught a glimpse of glamping for the first time through television has obviously increased the number of people who now have a better idea of what glamping is all about. We only hope the word keeps spreading, inspiring property owners to share their hidden natural gems and non-campers a way to experience the outdoors in comfort.