In college a friend asked me if I wanted to go camping with him in upstate New York. Appalled, my first question was, "Is there a Hilton nearby?" After he finished laughing at me, his reponse was, "No, dear, that's why they call it camping." Well, that's why camping has never appealed to me I guess. I can't imagine being in the middle of nowhere and not having every amenity I might need at my fingertips. Glamping or glamorous camping would have been right up my alley then and is now a perfect solution for my like-minded soul sisters (and brothers).
Our Hotels page features the Rockwater Secret Cove Resort (above), a quintessential, eco-friendly glamour camping getaway. Read an interview with owner, Kevin Toth below. And visit this page to learn more about the new glamping phenomenon in the travel industry and why this type of accomodation appeals to more than your typical earthy crunchy, Birkenstock-wearing traveler.
Glamp This: Glamorous Camping makes roughing it a thing of the past
It’s an idea that probably started years ago with the revved up African safaris developed by luxury travel companies like Abercrombie & Kent: Uber-luxe tents and cottages on the edges of grasslands and game reserves with the finest service (butlers and maids) and accommodations that come with the highest thread count sheets, marble bathrooms and loads of upmarket amenities. Although just recently coined as a modern-day term, “glamping,” the amusing combination of glamorous and camping has been old school, for those in the know and who can afford it, for quite a while.
While many of today’s glamping sites may not be as extravagant and sumptuous as Abercrombie & Kent’s offerings, there are says Garri Rayner, founder of www.goglamping.net, dozens, approaching hundreds, of glamping sites all over the world particularly in North America (Rockwater Resort , e.g.) and Europe. Celebrity stays – Kate Moss bunking in a decked out yurt, for instance – have upped the profile of these often lavishly, sometimes just moderately, appointed tents, teepees, campers and yurts.
“The concept of glamping tempts people who wouldn't ordinarily be into traditional camping to try it without having to invest in all the equipment,” notes Rayner. “It allows them the chance to enjoy an eco-conscious back-to-nature holiday with the comforts often associated with hotels. Some of the more glamorous campsites are, you could say, like al fresco boutique hotels.” And we say Amen. Camping has never been our thing but glamping is certainly worth a try.
Today, there seems to be a complete assortment of glamping lodging with a variety of pricing options from pay what you can up to $500/night. One of our favorites: The Das Park Hotel in Linz, Austria offers temporary short-term stays in concrete sewer pipes in the middle of a public park. All you need to bring is your own sleeping bag. The price for this rather unique way to spend a night? Well, it’s pay as you wish, whatever you think this, er, fragrant holiday is worth.
Below, Garri Rayner lists some of his top favorite glamping sites around the world. Click on a link to find out more and think about making a glamping holiday part of your future travel plans.
Garri's Top Ten Fave, Glam Camp Sites:
upscale, upmarket and beyond the budget of most normal people!)
custom-built campervans that can be removed from their flat-bed
vehicle and independently sited.Sorta like a cabin on wheels)
setting in Andalucia)
scenery and adventures as part of the deal)
concrete sewer pipes on a 'pay as you wish' basis. Bring your own
sleeping bag)
furnished safari tents in a fabulous setting)
dwelling in the desert)
shores of a lake. Offering adventures such as moose safaris)
lodges in Yorkshire, with showers inside!)
tents on raised wooden platforms in the Alps)
