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Glamping on the Rise: Travel + Leisure Lists 20 Glamping Properties Among 70 Best New Hotels in the World

It’s official: glamping has arrived, landing on the 2014 Travel + Leisure “It List” in no small fashion. With only the “coolest new hotels that are changing the travel landscape” making the list, glamping makes its mark with 20 properties (nearly 30%) that feature glamping as their primary accommodation, nestled among urban trendsetters, scene makers, and Next-Gen business hotels. The best glamping spots easily keep pace with the “hip,” “swank,” and “luxurious” newcomers, bringing with them “experiential travel” to round out a list that prides itself on recognizing the most exciting changes in the travel landscape.

1000-7_000 Mahali Mzuri

From jungle to savanna, and snow-topped mountains to tropical islands, choices are what is cool about glamping. Glamping accommodations that made the T+L list were safari lodges, beach resorts, and “remote outposts.”  It List safari lodge choices range from the traditional, such as Chinzombo in Zambia that offers “stylish austerity and unforgettable wildlife encounters”  to Richard Branson’s Mahali Mzuri in Kenya that T+L refers to as a “futuristic riff on the classic East African lodge,” with tents resembling  “spaceships.”

022_Villa Three At Night_original Chinzombo Camp

Beach resorts on the list span the globe from great escapes in the Caribbean like Eden Roc in Dominican Republic and The Cove Eleuthera Resort and Spa to sublime island resorts like Australia’s Bedarra Island Resort, Hawaii’s modern, renovated Andaz Maui Villas, and the decadent Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives.

Not surprisingly, several “remote outposts” are listed, such as Cresto Ranch and Outlook Lodge, both in Colorado.  What may initially come as a surprise however is a property in the United Arab Emirates, Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort, until you learn that it is set amid “savanna-like grasslands of Sir Bani Yas Island’s famed Arabian Wildlife Park,” a welcome surprise indeed.

Bathhouse_at_duskDunton Hot Springs and Cresto Ranch

What may not come as a surprise are the price tags. To be the best in the world often means the most expensive, and glamping by Travel + Leisure standards can be pretty pricey, with 14 of their glamping choices (70%) costing guests $500 or more a night. Five properties in the more reasonable range of $350-500 were Ion Luxury Adventure Hotel, Selfoss, Iceland, the culturally rich Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort and Spa in China, and It List five time winner Hotel Escondido in Mexico. One bargain made the list Outlook Lodge of Colorado Springs, Colorado, costing less than $200 a night. Regardless of price however, a discerning traveler on the lookout for a new experience will find that it really is no surprise that glamping is on the rise.

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Glamping News – Treehouses for Adults

When’s the last time you spent time in a tree house?  Chances are, it was probably when you where in elementary school.  Well tree houses are not just for kids anymore.  Savvy hoteliers and entrepreneurs the world over are designing incredible structures for sophisticated travelers looking for a uniquely different experience and a deeper connection with nature.

A recent article in HiConsumption, a lifestyle magazine catering to men, covering the latest news in architecture, design, fashion, and art, compiled a list of some the greatest tree houses on the planet.  For those of us who never grew tired of tree houses, here’s an excerpt:

Treehouse Cabin in CO -hiconsumption

Rustic Treehouse Cabin in Colorado

This elevated cabin was designed by architect Missy Brown with adults in mind. The treehouse is located in the mountains of Vail, and includes an awesome rooftop patio – perfect for enjoying a summer time beer. The tiny getaway is anchored to a 90 foot spruce tree on the owner’s property, and features a sleeping quarters and a rooftop patio.

 

bobini at treehouse point

Treehouse Point in Washington

Located in Issaquah, Washington, Treehouse point is technically a treehouse hotel. There are several different accommodations scattered throughout the property and there are a variety of events that can be planned during your stay including concerts and treehouse building workshops.

tom's treehouse from theletteredcottage.net

Tom’s Treehouse in Wisconsin

Part of Wisconsin’s Wandawega resort, this three story cottage was designed for guests looking to experience the great outdoors.  The space is so warm and cozy with wood paneling, an upstairs sleeping and reading nook. There’s a chandelier crafted from antlers, and the textiles are native inspired. Beautiful!

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Finca Bellavista Sustainable Treehouse in Costa Rica

This sustainable community spans over 600 acres in Costa Rica. All 25 structures on the property are connected by a series of suspension bridges. Any stay at FBV will have amazing views, but the treehouse views are unparalleled. The “base camp” holds all of the other details you might be participating in– campfires, bath house, dining hall and even a wedding garden.

 

birds nest from treehotel.se

The Bird’s Nest Treehouse in Sweden

As the name would suggest, this treehouse looks like a giant bird’s nest. While the outside may look primitive, the interior has been decked out with modern conveniences, and one would never know they were sleeping in an oversized bird’s nest. It’s part of the Treehotel, and was designed by Indrednin Gspruppen. Inside it’s a high standard room with modern design. A coachwork panel decorates the inner wall. There is space and beds for a family with two children. The bedroom is a separate room with sliding doors. You access the nest by a retractable staircase.

the minister treehouse from impactlab.net

The Minister’s Tree House in Tennessee

Perhaps the most famous treehouse on the list, this structure is absolutely mind boggling. The 5-story treehouse measures in at 100 feet tall, and includes 80 rooms. The building process began back in 1993, when Minister Horace Burgess says he was inspired by God to build it. It’s got everything from a basketball court to a full-fledged church. This tourist attraction is said to be the tallest treehouse in the world.

ufo treehotel.se

 

UFO Treehouse in Sweden

Another one of the rooms in the Harads, Sweden based Treehotel, this UFO inspired treehouse is nothing short of amazing. With the fog effect on, this thing looks like it’s descending from the sky, getting ready to make contact with planet Earth. It will set you back about $600 to book a room here. There are currently 24 rooms planned, with six now available for booking.

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Mirrorcube Treehouse in Sweden

Sweden’s Treehotel is absolutely amazing, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that 3 of its suites made our list of the best treehouses. This particular one was designed by Tham & Videgard architects, and is crafted from a lightweight aluminum that has been draped in reflective glass. This design makes the treehouse look like it’s part of its natural surroundings. In case you were wondering about birds flying into it, this thing has been equipped with infrared film that’s only visible to birds, so that rarely happens. Prices range from $400 to $600 per night.

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Lion Sands Game Reserve Treehouse in South Africa

The best way to experience everything South Africa has to offer, Lion Sands includes 3 treehouses that place you right in the heart of the action. The reserve is home to lions, hippos, leopards, birds, and much more – so expect everything to come to life after dark.

pine tree shaped houses

 

Sustainable Pine Tree-Shaped Treehouse

Certainly a lot more modern and futuristic than the other homes on the list, these concept treehouses are amazing. They were designed by architect Konrad Wojcik, and are completely sustainable. Each home features 4 floors, solar panels, and even a bio-digester to recycle human waste. We’re sure with enough support we could someday see this concept come to life.

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Festival Glamping

Now that winter has officially ended, many of us are already ‘springing’ ahead with an eye towards summer.

Over the past several years, festivals have become all the rage with music lovers. Despite their growth in popularity, there’s a growing number of music fans who don’t want to deal with some of the hassles and discomforts associated with these large outdoor gatherings.

A recent Festicket survey found that a large percentage of festival goers were not only willing to travel long distances to events, they wanted to do so in comfort.  While only 8% of people stayed in a luxury hotel when attending festivals in 2013, a whopping 80% are planning to travel in style and stay in a luxury hotel this year.

To cater to this growing market, more and more event organizers are offering “glamping” as an alternative for their more discerning ticket holders.  Here are some examples:

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Wakarusa Music Festival– June 5-8th at Mulburry Mountian in Ozark, Arkansas:

The rapidly growing global trend of glamping has made it’s way to the Ozarks.  This is the classy and elegant way to experience the festival at its fullest.  So whether you’re going General Admission or VIP, specially designated glamping tents will give you the opportunity to rest up in luxuery (and privacy) in-between acts like The Flamping Lips, Michael Franti Spearhead, and String Cheese Incident.

Firefly Music Festival – June 19 – 22 in Dover, Delaware:

For 2014, Firefly camping will provide concert goers with unique and exciting amenities outside the festival gates including a farmer’s market, yoga, food trucks and even more live entertainment.  For $699, you can buy a Glamping Package that includes:

4 nights/5 days camping for up to 2 people

Private air-conditioned tent (12’ x 9.5’)

Minimum 20’ x 45’ site with space for a standard car or SUV

2 cots with pillows and blankets

Preferred check-in location

Power source for personal electronics

Glamping Lounge access

Complimentary shower fast passes

Private restroom facilities

Access to “The Post” for cell phone charging stations, ice sales, and water refills

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Alt Fest – August 15-17, 2014 in Northamptonshire, England:

If you’re into bands like The Cult and Marilyn Manson and want to survive The Alt in style, the organizers have you covered.  Compared to other festivals whose camping rates are based on a per-person charge, Alt Fest offers an inclusive flat rate to keep things simple.  Each of their glamping options comes with a variety of perks, such as memory foam mattresses, solar powered lighting, rugs, scatter cushion, and more.

The legendary US punk band, the Dead Kennedy’s once said, “Give me convenience or give me death.”  Thanks to glamping, attendees don’t have to lug all their camping gear back and forth and there will be no precarious tent-based construction to deal with.  Best of all, when the concert is over, you can simply walk away knowing that the Alt Fest “glamping gophers” will take care of everything.

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The Indianapolis 500  – May 22-26th in Indiana:

Not all large gatherings revolve around music.  Although the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been used for a lot of things in its long and storied history, storied history, but never for anything quite like this.

For the first time, Indy 500 fans will be able to go glamping during race weekend.  The Speedway is offering packages ranging from $650 to $1,100 that include an assortment of luxuries, such as a tent with tarp floor and windows, queen-sized beds, a private shower area, electronic hookups and access to a glamping lounge.

All packages include four nights and five days.  Tickets for Coors Light Carb Day on May 23, Legends Day on May 24, and the race on May 25 are required and must be purchased separately.