When it comes to travel, there’s always a choice.
There’s the authentic option, the one that requires you to embrace your natural hair texture (blow dryers not allowed) and kiss running water and electricity goodbye for a few days. You venture to a far-flung location, live like the locals, and see the world from a whole new vantage point – and no matter how far outside a person’s comfort zone that sort of vacation exists, there’s nothing more thrilling.
But then again, you could also go with the more luxurious choice. We’re talking impossibly high thread counts, gourmet meals, and first-class service. You know, the kind of pampering you deserve.
We say – why not have it all? Glamping, or ‘glamorous camping’ offers up the best of both worlds: the eye-opening adventure of an outdoorsy vacation with the sumptuous nature of a five-star stay.
While the idea of camping may conjure memories of youth, of family road trips to the small town a few hours from home, these camping standouts are unfamiliar, romantic, and downright exotic. Each option is situated in a different part of the world, but they have several things in common: they house their guests in cabins, but these are unlike anything you’ve seen at summer camp. They’re high-end, boasting unparalleled comfort and service.
So why not make your next big trip a dreamy camping excursion? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, glamping represents a perfect romantic getaway, the ideal way to snuggle under the stars without sacrificing that heavenly extravagance you crave.
Tree Hotel:
The Swedish getaway is prime camp territory – it was built because of Ecotourists’ interest in the land on which it lies. Inspiration for the hotel’s concept was drawn from the film The Tree Lover by Jonas Selberg Augusten, a story of three urbanites who experience something transformative when they build a tree house together.
The Tree Hotel, located in a forest in Sverige, Sweden, boasts several accommodation options. Like its moniker suggests, the property on which the hotel lies is scattered with trees. Guests can stay in one of five “treerooms”, all of which were built by top architects – The Bird’s Nest, The Blue Cone, The Mirrorcube, The Cabin, and The UFO.
One of the hotel’s most spectacular man-made gems is the Mirrorcube, a room that is square in structure and perfectly marries the beauty of nature with the tremendous capabilities of modern-day architecture.
The cube, made of aluminum, hangs high in the forest that surrounds the hotel. It was brought to life by Tham and Videgard Arkitekter, an architecture team– the inspiration for this structure was the relationship between man and nature. The cube is a model of perfect symmetry – it measures exactly four by four by four meters, and its reflective surface echoes whatever nature throws toward it, making it virtually undetectable by the eye, a perfectly camouflaged structure.
The Cabin offers the Tree Hotel’s most rustic experience. Guests who choose to stay in The Cabin experience the beauty of nature from the minute they check in – each time they enter the cabin, they walk among the tree tops. In order to enter the cabin, guests cross a horizontal bridge that is hung high in the forest, offering an unmatched eyeful of the Lule River Valley. Once guests enter the cabin, they have access to all the comforts they’d expect from a luxury hotel: a double bed and fully-functioning bathroom. The room also includes a terrace for guests who would like to step closer to nature.
Families will love The Bird’s Nest, another camouflaged room whose concept was inspired by – you guessed it – a bird’s nest. It’s a more spacious room, suitable for a family with two children, but the real draw is the way the space is utilized. Walls are composed of wood paneling with large windows that afford breathtaking views of the outdoors. The transparency of the windows showcases the surrounding trees, making this room’s occupants feel as though they are sleeping on top of the trees.
The Blue Cone is the one room that has a foundation in the ground. Like The Cabin, this room is accessed via a bridge. It’s one of the larger rooms on the property. With its four beds, sleeping loft, bathroom, and lounge, it can comfortably accommodate a larger group or family.
For a vacation that’s out of this world, request a stay in The UFO. With its spacecraft-like structure and high altitude, this room makes its guest feel as though they are soaring through outer space. The extraterrestrial-inspired architectural feat is composed entirely of durable, compostable materials. Its interior is just as sleek as its shiny outer shell. The most modern of all the property’s rooms, the thirty square meter lodging space can comfortably hold a four-person family.
The hotel gives its patrons the opportunity to become one with nature – to experience all the comforts they are used to while staying right in the center of nature. The rooms, suspended four to six meters off of the ground, will take you back to childhood days of climbing up to a tree house.
The Resort at Paws Up:
Craving a swanky yet earthy camping trip but unable to leave the country? Head to The Resort at Paws Up for the full camping experience, without setting foot outside of the US. Situated in Montana, the resort contains the rustic elements that will bring to mind memories of summer camp – a ranch, pony rides, and fly-fishing – as well as grown-up, high-end attractions, including a luxury spa, first-rate restaurants, and premium furniture and bedding in all the rooms.
Paws Up makes a great destination for families, complete with several child-friendly activities and attractions. It’s an equally viable option for couples looking to light get cozy.
There’s something undeniably intimate about escaping the bright lights of urban America and retreating to a haven of serenity. Paws Up may be a mere few hours away, but it can make its occupants feel like they’re in another world entirely. An after-dark meal at the resort’s award-winning restaurant Pomp puts you right in the middle of nature – the views from the restaurant’s deck are supreme and unlike anything you’ll see the city, all clean country air. Here, there are no jarring city lights to interrupt the perfection of the moon’s dim shadow.
Lie under the stars and let the music of the Blackfoot River sing you to sleep. Paws Up campers can choose from several camping experiences. Luxury homes hide under private tent tops at the River Camp, which gives guests the full camping experience – the only difference here is that there’s a bathroom on site.
For a camping experience that encapsulates a bit of historical context, try the Moonlight Camp. Six safari-like tents sit right on the foot of Lookout Point, the stomping grounds of famed explorers Lewis and Clark. If you’re more intent on charting your own path, try the Pinnacle Camp, a refuge located right on the bluff that overlooks the Blackfoot River and Elk Creek.
Paws Up offers several options for getaways, and they’re each packed to the brim with charm. But for a truly romantic escape, our pick is the Honeymoon Tent. Known as Tango Point, is the most secluded on the resort’s property – you can even dine without interruption from the outside world at a private outdoor table. The jewel in the Honeymoon Tent’s crown is the copper bathtub, made for two.
Scarabeo Camp:
For a trip that bears little resemblance to any domestic camping experience you may have had, explore Morocco’s Scarabeo Camp.
Florence Mottet and Vincent T’Sas conceived the idea for the camp. Both accustomed to travel, they debated various locations before deciding Morocco was the perfect place for their camping grounds. This lush resort represents the pinnacle of aesthetic planning – Vincent, a photographer and Florence, a graphic designer, have brought their visual expertise to Scarabeo Camp.
The resort hails itself as “an unusual encampment in an exceptional setting,” and the motto seems to fit. In addition to the exotica provided by Morocco itself, the resort spans a wide breadth of land, drawing inspiration from the land on which it rests.
The camp includes a dozen scattered tents – while they allow their guests to become one with nature, they also provide total comfort and ample space.
Campgrounds are close to Marrakech, arguably the most well-known part of Morocco. Guests can make quick and easy day trips to wander and explore Marrakech, or if they prefer, take part in the camp’s activities, which include board games, kites, and walking trails. More adventurous activities are offered as well, like hot-air ballooning, paragliding, and camel or donkey-back treks.
Scarabeo or “Stone Camp” comprises five private dwellings. Lanterns illuminate the tents, which include plush queen-sized beds, a sitting area made up of Morrocan cushions, and a desk. The tent is separated by the outside world by a think cotton screen, the perfect way to gaze out into nature without sacrificing comfort.
This camping option may not be for the faint of heart – after all, it is located in the desert, and water supply is scarce. However smaller tents do include shower and toilet facilities that are sure to make American tourists feel at home.
