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7 Places to Go Glamping – Upscale and Luxury Camping

By Lois Friedland, About.com Guide

 

“Glamping” is an increasingly popular way to set yourself up in exotic or unusual destinations. The word is a mix of “glamorous” and “camping” and includes a wide range of accommodations from basic tents and yurts with comfortable beds, to luxurious two-room tents with king beds, handmade furniture, heated bathroom floors and butler service.

Here are seven choices, ranging from posh to simply comfortable, plus Web sites where you can find many more places to go glamping. Prices vary wildly, from about $60 a night to more than $1,000 a night. Many of the more expensive glamping choices include activities ranging from day safaris in Africa to hiking and kayaking in Canada’s wilderness.

The Resort at Paws Up, Montana
The Resort at Paws Up, a ranch resort in Montana, has a couple of glamping options. The two-bedroom tents in Cliffside Camp, which opens in summer, 2013, are located atop a soaring cliff that overlooks the confluence of the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek. These tents have climate-control cooling fans and heaters, and luxurious bathrooms with jetted tubs.(The honeymoon tent has a copper tub.)

In the Moonlight Camp, there are one-bedroom tents and two-bedroom tents, that even have heated slate floors and double sinks in the bathrooms. This camp is located less than 1,000 yards from a great fly-fishing spot on the ranch’s 10-mile stretch of the Blackfoot River. Guests dine in a central pavilion in each of the camps.

Sanctuary Swala, Tanzania
Sanctuary Swala sits in a private section of Tarangire National Park in Tanzania. Stay in one of 12 canvas pavilions shaded by acacia trees and within view of a waterhole, where lions, leopards and bull elephants come to drink. Don’t let the word “canvas” mislead you. Inside these pavilions there are king or twin beds, sofas and bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers. Personal attendants address each guest’s needs.

Ketchup’s Bank Glamping, Australia
Ketchup’s Bank Glamping is a luxury bush retreat in a secluded setting in the Scenic Rim, a 90-minute drive south-west of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The eco-tents are a far cry from classic Aussie bush camping. Lie in bed or sit on the deck and enjoy a view of the eucalyptus trees and the mountains in the distance. Evenings, toast marshmallows on your campfire.

Safari West, California
Stay right here in the U.S. at Safari West and you may find yourself eye-level with inquisitive giraffes. Designed like an Africa tent camp, these tents are on platforms set in a section of the 400-acre wildlife preserve. Lodging is not luxurious, but the chance to see exotic animals is outstanding because Safari West is the home of zebras, giraffes, cheetahs and other exotic creatures. (And the wildlife preserve is in the middle of California’s wine country!)

Yurt Camp in Patagonia
People travel to Patagonia for adventures in a wild, rugged landscape. Why not stay in one of 18 yurts set in a beech-tree forest facing Lake Torro and the Paine Massif. These yurts are decorated in woven fabrics and locally handcrafted furniture. They are heated, have king or twin beds and private terraces.

Clayquot Wilderness Resort, Canada
Clayquot Wilderness Resort, near Tofino on Vancouver Island in Canada, has roomy prospector-style quarters set on raised platforms. The deluxe tents, connected by boardwalks and set in a rainforest, have thermostat controlled propane wood stoves and Adirondak-style beds. Private Composting Environmental toilets are located just outside of each tent and a private shower in the nearby shower house is dedicated for each Deluxe Tent’s personal use. The newest tents have ensuite bathrooms with in-floor heating, flush toilets and indoor/outdoor showers with double showerheads.

Staying here, you’ll get a chance to experience adventures in the wilderness, from wildlife viewing and learning how to surf on pristine beaches, to hiking in forests and kayaking on a mountain-fed river or horsback riding.

A Roundhouse in England
An Iron Age Roundhouse isn’t a tent or a yurt, but it’s an entertaining choice for an overnight if you’re visiting Cornwall, England. You’ll find one at Bodrifty Farm. Unlike ones built in the distant past, this roundhouse has a a handmade four-poster bed with flowers woven into the willow headboard, Egyptian cotton sheets and a duck-down comforter.
Geodesic Domes in Patagonia
You can stay in a geodesic dome at EcoCamp, which is set at the foot of Las Torres in the Patagonia wilderness. Choices even include a dome suite with a loft!

At night, you’ll have a spectacular view of the stars. During the day guided treks will take you to riverbanks where guanacos roam, and views of icebergs floating on Grey lake.

Web Sites Listing Glamping Vacations
Another choice for interesting locations is Glamping.com.

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10 Unique Glamping Destinations

Roasting marshmallows around an open fire is all well and good. But these camping trips include eco-friendly treehouses and gourmet meals.

Martinez says this Montana resort is one of the most popular on GlampingHub. And for good reason — Paws Up lets guests live like the fanciest cowboy on Earth. The resort’s variety of tents (in addition to ranch-style homes) offer electricity, heated floors and butlers. Yes, butlers. When Jeeves isn’t catering to guests’ every need, they can go horseback riding, fly fishing and even cattle herding. After a hard day on the ranch, visitors can head to a spa tent for a massage. And for dinner, glampers can choose a gourmet restaurant, an outdoor chuck wagon grill, or even room (well, tent) service.

Up to $2,225 per night for a 2-bedroom suite; pawsup.com

Whitepod

Wintertime glamping doesn’t get more extraordinary than the Whitepod estate in the Swiss Alps. Fifteen dome-shaped tents provide views of the village of Les Cerniers, and include wood-burning stoves and private bathrooms, plus decorative antiques from the region. During the day, the resort offers skiing, snowboarding, and even dog-sledding — though less active guests can choose spa treatments. Guests gather for meals in a central chalet (where they can also get their wi-fi fix), or can arrange for dinner to be delivered straight to their tents.

Up to 590 Swiss francs ($617) per night, whitepod.com.

Longitude131

Longitude 131 calls the Australian Outback home — but it’s miles away from “roughing it.” The resort’s tents, each named after a different Australian pioneer, include personal iPads and Bose speakers, plus daily housekeeping and turn-down service and even dry-cleaning. Automatic blinds let guests choose to enjoy the view or enjoy some air-conditioned privacy. During their stay, guests can take walking tours, camel rides and helicopter trips around Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, or just relax at the on-site pool. They can finish the day at Table 131, which serves gourmet fare in an outdoor setting, with a perfect sunset view. And with a 24-hour bar on site, the revelry never has to stop.

Up to $2190 AUD ($2258 USD) per night, for a minimum of two nights, longitude131.com.au

Canopy and Stars

Not all glamping destinations need to have a high-tech, minimalist design. Why not live like Bilbo Baggins for a weekend in Cornwall, England? Your very own Hobbit House is a part of eco-friendly vacation site Plan-it Earth, and it’s designed with the environment in mind. The house features wood-burning showers and compost toilets, but don’t think it skimps on glam; the ornately designed house features plush furniture and a skylight roof. During the day, Plan-it Earth offers strolls around its vegetable garden, classes on the environment and rural skills, and an on-site sauna.

Up to 450 GBP ($715) for a 4-night stay, canopyandstars.co.uk

Nomad Tanzania

High-end camping is nothing new when it comes to African safaris. The Greystoke Mahale camp in Western Tanzania, for instance, was established in 1988. It combines the amenities of glamping with the isolation and connection with nature of a safari. There are no roads anywhere near the camp; the only way to reach the site is a several-hour journey involving small planes and boats. The resort was built with a spectacular view in mind: its luxurious wooden bandas, or huts, are tucked into the forest with stunning vistas of Lake Tanganyika. The only large structure on the campsite is the main dining hall, plus a bar by the edge of the beach. Besides the view, the main attraction is the chimpanzees that inhabit the area. (The Mahale Mountains are home to one of the biggest chimp populations in Africa.) Each morning, guests go on guided “chimp treks,” hiking through the bush to observe them as they go about their daily lives.

Starting at $4,583 per person for a 4-night stay, including airfare from Arusha, Tanzania; nomad-tanzania.com

Treehotel

Miss the days of playing in a backyard treehouse? Consider Treehotel a grown-up retreat into childhood, with a modern-design twist. The Swedish resort ultimately plans to build 24 separate, completely unique tree rooms. For now, there are five; one, the Mirrorcube, blends into the landscape with a mirrored exterior, while another, the UFO, resembles a flying saucer that didn’t quite make it to the ground. Guests check in and eat meals at a nearby restaurant about a five-minute walk away from their treehouses. During the winter, the resort offers dog-sledding and ice fishing, while summer guests can mountain bike or kayak.

Up to 4450 Swedish kronor ($662 USD) for a two-person stay in the Mirrorcube, treehotel.se

Wildretreat

Forget hiking: this glamping trip begins with a private plane ride. A 45-minute flight from Vancouver takes guests to Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, where staff members cater to your every whim. No need to make detailed plans before you arrive; employees work with visitors every day to help choose between activities like whale watching (and, since it’s Canada, bear watching), kayaking, archery and zip-lining. If travelers get bored of all the wilderness, two communal tents can occupy them; one has a wi-fi equipped library, and one houses games like pool. And executive chef Ryan Orr provides “modern natural cuisine” like prosciutto-wrapped halibut and oyster chowder at the on-site restaurant.

Up to $12,100 CAD ($12,284 USD) per person for an all-inclusive 7-day stay, wildretreat.com

Ecocamp

Glamping experiences don’t have to just include sipping Cabernet around a campfire. These eco-friendly geodesic domes in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park require more adventurous occupants. Booking a stay at EcoCamp Patagonia includes an expedition ranging from 4 to 9 days, complete with activities like hiking, cycling, skiing and safaris. EcoCamp’s highest-end trip includes three nights in the domes and four nights in four-star hotels. And the domes themselves aren’t too shabby; some are duplexes, featuring private bathrooms and gas heaters. Larger communal domes are set up for locally-sourced meals and late-night lounging.

Up to $4,345 person per trip, ecocamp.travel

Canopy and Stars

At Bodrifty Farms in Cornwall, southern England, the Roundhouse puts an historic twist on a coastal camping trip. After enjoying days of fishing, surfing, sailing and even dolphin-watching, visitors can spend the night in an Iron Age-style home. And forget opening a can of campfire beans — staying at the Roundhouse grants glampers exclusive use of the on-site garden for fresh veggies. Bonus for romantics and astronomy buffs: once the sun goes down, the lack of artificial light on the farm makes it perfect for stargazing.

Up to 275 GBP ($436) a night, canopyandstars.co.uk

Falling Waters Resort

Glamping certainly doesn’t have to break the bank. A stay at Falling Waters Resort, located in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, costs less than a typical hotel room. Guests sleep in circular yurts, which feature queen-sized beds and hotel-like features such as coffee makers and refrigerators. But visitors won’t be lounging in bed much; the resort offers zip-lining, whitewater rafting and mountain biking. It may not feature the five-star dining and ensuite baths of more upscale glamping sites, but it’s perfect for budget-minded nature lovers.

Around $84 per night, plus tax; fallingwatersresort.com

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The Perfect 10: British Glamping Getaways

Atlantic Surf Pods

You have to love the Atlantic Surf Pods just for resembling somewhere that the Teletubbies might go on holiday. A little cul-de-sac of lozenge-shaped wooden cabins, populate a rolling green glade in the heart of Bude in Cornwall; just a few minutes drive to a choice of five beaches. The front of each capsule opens out onto a private decking area, where you can lay back on some overstuffed bean bags, or cook al fresco on the BBQ. The Pods are off-grid, so any lighting is solar or LED-powered, making it a low-impact, eco-friendly option.

Bensfield Treehouse, Sussex

The Bensfield is a treehouse for grown-ups in the Sussex countryside, surrounded by acres of farmland and in rope-swinging distance to a number of local country pubs. Constructed around the trunk of a mature oak, guests access the den over a rope bridge (Indiana Jones-in-the-country- style) and can bed-down in a cosy, timber-lined, roundhouse, that comes with full kitchen facilities and en suite shower room.

The Bivouac, Yorkshire

Inspired by the shepherd’s huts they stayed in during their honeymoon in New Zealand, Bivouac owners Sam and Beth Hardwick decided to build their Yorkshire equivalent in the grounds of the vast Swinton Estate. The site consists of a collection of six hand-crafted wood timber shacks, eight yurts, a converted barn, and a lovely cafe and shop. The shacks are decorated with a vintage, rustic feel, with swinging rocking chairs on the porch, paraffin lamps, vintage suitcases and a wood-burning stove. The Bivouac plays up to the hipster-glamping image, offering courses on wild-food foraging, bread-making and den-building, among the more conventional outdoor activities.
The Cwtch eco-pod, Pembrokeshire
Accessed by a private lane and set in two-acres of woodland, the two Cwtch eco-pods are as reassuringly twee and cosy as you might expect from a place named after the Welsh word for cuddle. The handcrafted timber pods are furnished with vintage touches, such as the old-fashioned radios, paraffin lamps, Welsh wool blankets and crochet throws. The Cwtch is another off-gridder, so candlelight and solar LED lamps add to the romantic atmosphere. Not forgetting the practicalities though, there’s a shared bathroom just a few steps away (artfully disguised in a fancy garden shed).
The Dome Garden, Forest of Dean
The Dome Garden is a cluster of ten geodesic forms resembling holiday homes of the future, populating a Gloucestershire forest floor. Eschewing the twee route, there’s not a bit of bunting in-sight; the domes are minimal, modern, bright and all the more refreshing for it. Owner Jonny Clothier, an ex-architect, had a vision to create his own mini-Eden project, and one of the domes is filled entirely with tropical plants. There is a communal fire-pit and big wood-burning burning stove too, where guests can take part in weekly pizza-making classes.
Ecopod Boutique Retreat, Argyll
The Ecopod Boutique Retreat somewhat resembles a plush James Bond baddie lair. The retro-futuristic geodesic dome, which overlooks Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker, is decorated with leather Eames chair, sheepskin throws, a roaring fire and cedar wood hot tub – there’s not a blow-up mattress in sight. Guests are welcomed with a luxury hamper of local produce, which includes hand-dived scallops and malt whisky. It’s not scabby, that’s for sure.
Manorafon Sea Camp, Ceredigion
The Manorafon Sea Camp consists of domes, ‘nomad’ tents and log cabins set in private spots, just 15 minutes from the coastline. Each dome is individually furnished, with custom-made furniture, cosy Welsh wool blankets, wood-burning stoves and sheepskin throws. While the domes have plenty of private space, there is a communal lodge area where breakfast can be served and guests can socialise and chill- out on sofas in front of the roaring fire. Thrills-seekers can book onto slightly more white-knuckle activities, including kayaking and coasteering, should they want to indulge in something a little less tranquil.
Lochness Glamping, Inverness
In Lochness, all is not what it seems. Peaking over the horizon, ever so slightly obscuring your view of Glen Urquhart are four strange apparitions, rising like the legendary monster out of the ground….These aptly-named Armadillas are larch-clad wooden cabins, that craftily house all your home comforts including under-floor heating. Inside the decor is clean, fresh and modern with a nod to Scandinavian summer cabins.
Mill Farm Glamping, Wiltshire
Glamping Mill Farm-style involves a nice, dry, safe, sturdy wooden lodge with the concession of a canvas roof canopy, just to appease the camping traditionalists. Inside, it’s all countryphile prettiness, with rustic knick-knacks and kids can sleep in the cosy, self-enclosed bunk barns. The lodges are located on Joe and Izzy Drake’s idyllic organic farm, where guests are encouraged to help themselves to fresh eggs from the chicken coop, stock-up on local produce at the Honesty Shop and join-in at feeding time on the farm.
Sunny Brow Farm, Lake District
Down on Sunny Brow Farm there are two yurts, both decorated in a pretty, rustic feel, with hand-crocheted blankets, paraffin lamps and log burning stoves. Outside, each yurt comes with its own BBQ and cosy fire pit, and guests may just see passing deer, as they stroll around the woodland collecting kindling. The emphasis on Sunny Brow is all about the low-impact and eco-friendly holiday; guests are encouraged to explore their environment and learn more about their natural surroundings. There is the option of signing-up for yoga sessions, and the sense of holistic wellbeing even extends to breakfast, when guests can indulge in a macrobiotic feast, made from Sunny Brow’s homegrown produce.