For many, those two words are an oxymoron. However, for people who are not into becoming one with Mother Nature and braving the elements, “glamping” is an elegant alternative. Between down comforters on four-poster beds to hairdryers and heated bathrooms floors, people who want to get out and be part of nature can still have their comfort and luxury.
There is much truth to the saying that everything is bigger in Texas, and glamping is no exception. The Fossil Rim Wildlife Ranch in Glen Rose gives “glampers” the option of experiencing camping in a luxury tent overlooking Fossil Rim’s most popular wildlife watering holes. Each tent is equipped with two twin beds, fresh linens, ceiling fans, a private bath, and a central heating and cooling system. Beside each tent is a small patio and the social pavilion is located within walking distance of all of the tents. The only items the “glamper” will need to bring are themselves and a flashlight.
During spring and summer, a tent at Fossil Rim Wildlife Ranch is $125 per night Saturday through Thursday and $225 per night Friday and Saturday.
Texas also boasts of Sinya on Lone Man Creek in Wimberly. Couples looking for a romantic getaway can relax and enjoy pleasant weather in the Texan countryside. Each lodge has a canvas top and includes a king-size bed with goose-down pillows, fresh linens, a claw-foot bathtub, a kitchenette and a living room facing a wall of windows. During the spring and summer months, Lone Man Creek is full and offers a place to cool down and search for Native American artifacts. Sinya has a state-of-the art heating and cooling system and complementary wi-fi. The rental rate includes soft bathrobes, coffee, fresh flowers, s’more necessities, firewood, propane and a cleaning fee.
Rates to stay in Sinya are $245 a night Sunday through Thursday and $275 a night Friday and Saturday.
El Cosmico located in Marfa, Texas, gives a rustic view of desert life. “Glampers” will be more drawn to the trailers that El Cosmico offers, especially the largest trailer, known as the Imperial Mansion. It is 45 feet in length with a king bed in the bow and a twin bed in the back. The Imperial Mansion also has an indoor toilet and shower/tub, and a cedar deck attached. The Vagabond is 35 feet in length and features a queen bed. The Royal Mansion is also 35 feet long and has a full bed. The Kozy Coach is 27 feet in length and has a full bed. The smallest trailer, the Branstrator, is also 27 feet and has a full bed.
All trailers feature a stove, refrigerator, fans, floor heating and hot water. Fresh linens, pots, pans, cutlery and dishes are also included. El Cosmico has a communal bathhouse, wireless Internet in the campground lounge, a unique hammock grove that has hammocks hanging together and a shared outdoor kitchen with a grill. Rates are $110 to $130 per night December through February and $125 to $150 per night March through November.
Texas isn’t the only state with a taste for glamping. The glamping-oriented Martyn House in Ellijay, Ga., is an adult-only bed and breakfast. The gypsy-inspired tents are heated and equipped with fans, come with a full shower and toilet, and has a large covered front porch with chairs and a table overlooking the woods. The beds in these tents can be separated into twin beds or put together for a king bed.
All four tents can be rented by a large group, which also gives the group access to 18 acres of land, a pond and trails. A large breakfast is served every morning on the veranda and visitors have the opportunity to go kayaking, fly fishing, biking or white water rafting. Each tent is $180 Sunday through Thursday and is $220 Friday and Saturday.
The small town of Lula, Ga., located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is also home to the glamping campground with North Georgia Canopy Tours. Started in 2011, each tepee is brand new and has electricity, heating and air conditioning. The tepees has at least one queen bed and is painted with authentic Cherokee symbols. All campers share separate men and women’s bathhouses. Sunday through Thursday tents range from $90 to $179 and $110 to $199 on Friday and Saturday.
Pine Mountain, Ga., hosts a campground of yurts. A type of glamping, a yurt is a circular hut-like structure with wooden floors, windows, soft beds with fresh linens, and central air conditioning and heating. Visitors also experience a view of the night sky with a skylight in the peak of the roof of each yurt. Each yurt is rated on a two-person occupancy and additional people over 12 are $2 a night. Visitors need to bring their own bath towels while enjoying time in their yurt. Yurts rate from $57.95 to $74.95 a night.
North Carolina’s Chestnut Grove is nestled by the Moravian Falls in Wilkes County. The canvas tents are built on a wooden deck with screened-in windows and doors and have hand-crafted queen-sized beds and furniture. Each tent has fresh linens, towels and lighting. A complementary s’mores kit will be provided at each check-in. Guests will need to provide their own cook wear if they are planning on making food. Each tent comes with a gas grill, hammock and private fire pit. Tents range from $60 to $75 each night. While children under 18 are free, there is a $10 additional charge per adult.
Wildwater Chattooga is snuggled in Long Creek, S.C. Overlooking Academy Lake, 34 people can fit within five yurts. Each yurt has a heater, lamp and electricity and a few steps from the yurts is the Wildwater Chattooga Adventure Center, which has private showers, toilets and sinks. The building also has a full indoor kitchen that includes a refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, cooking utensils, pots, pans and silverware. The facilities do not have dishes or linens, so visitors will need to bring their own to enjoy their stay. The rates of the yurts are $48 to $120 a night and they are open from March to November.
Many people have always wanted to experience camping without the heat, bugs and lumpy ground. With glamorous camping, people can experience nature without the inconvenience it can cause. Style and luxury can now go hand-in-hand.
**Written for Southern Hospitality in March of 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment