If the idea of vacation conjures up plush linens and running water, you may be better suited to “glamping” than camping. Here are eight glamping destinations where you can enjoy the outdoors, without leaving the comforts of home behind.
Longitude 131, Uluru, Australia
Famous for hosting celebrities such as Oprah and Prince William, Longitude 131 is one of the most luxurious glamping destinations in Australia and possibly the world. Located in the red dunes of the desert overlooking Uluru, Longitude 131 has sixteen tented pavilions available. Although the walls and roof are tent-like, the wooden floor, king-size bed, climate-control system, and luxurious bathroom are more reminiscent of a five-star hotel. The crowning touch on the tents, however, is the fourth wall that’s made entirely out of a special one-way glass that allows guests to gaze out at the amazing Uluru views, without anyone being able to see in.
White Desert’s Whichaway Camp, Antarctica
You don’t have to be a scientist to spend a night in Antarctica—you just have to be really, really rich. Then you can book a tour with White Desert that includes a stay at their Whichaway Camp, open from November through January each year. You’ll stay in a cozy pod that’s heated and powered by solar energy, and even has an en-suite shower. To get to the world’s most remote glamping destination, you’ll take a five and a half hour flight from Cape Town which lands on a runway made of ice in Antarctica’s interior, before being escorted to your camp on a rugged 4×4 vehicles.
Sandy Pines Campground, Kennebunkport, Maine
With interiors outfitted by local designers and luxury amenities, you won’t feel like you’re roughing it at Sandy Pines Campground. The property offers everything from spacious, 430 square foot family glamp tents and wooden camp cottages to smaller a-frames for a solo traveler or a cozy couples getaway and retrofitted Conestoga wagons. Most accommodations come with a queen- or king-sized bed, AC, fire pits, and a private outdoor space. It’s just about one mile from Kennebunkport’s less crowded beach, Goose Rocks, and when you feel like heading into town for some local beer and oysters, you’re only 10-minutes away.
West Stow Pods, Suffolk, England
This family-run glamping spot has a variety of unique accommodations to choose from. If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, book Pod Hollow, a “halfling-inspired subterranean dwelling” that’s built into the side of a grassy hill. Or, for something a little smaller, you can book a MegaPod, which is similar to a tiny-house and can sleep up to four people.
Inn Town Campground, Nevada City, California
Inn Town Campground offers 20 glamp tents from $85 per night, each with a unique design and feel. All campers have access to the The Commons, which includes their camp store, bathrooms with showers, a kitchen, WiFi, a communal barbecue area, and a pool. Keep kids entertained with outdoor movie nights and the campground’s Saturday craft hour or take the whole family for an educational trek with the Folk Trails Hiking Club. If you’re looking for a more traditional camping experience or want to travel in your own RV to truly feel at home, standard camping sites are available starting from $40 a night and RV sites with hookups are available starting at $50 a night.
Afrika Ecco Camp, Botswana
The best part of camping is being able to wake up in a new location every day, but that usually means carrying all your supplies on your back while you hike. Not at Afrika Ecco Safaris, which is designed to be a completely mobile glamping destination so that the camp can follow wildlife as needed. Every night, you’ll return home to one of six canvas safari tents (complete with an ensuite bathroom) which will have already been set up for you. The only thing you have to do is relax.
Buubble Lodge, Iceland
If you’re traveling a long way to see the Northern Lights, you don’t want to waste a minute of viewing time underneath a roof—but you also don’t want to freeze to death, which is where the Buubble Lodge comes in. The clear bubbles come equipped with comfortable beds, blankets, and eye masks (in case you want to sleep in). They are also located in a secret location to preserve guests’ privacy. A nearby service house has toilets, showers, and a self-service kitchen.
White Pod, Valais, Switzerland
The White Pod’s eco-friendly pods and suites-chalets are nestled in the Swiss Alps, and in the winter, the resort runs its own private ski lifts exclusively for guests. In the summer, you’ll have miles of hiking trails that begin at your doorstep. You’ll have a large king-size bed, a wood-burning stove, and a bathroom with running water. Splurge a little more and you can get breakfast delivered into your pod, satellite TV, Wifi, or an in-pod massage.
Caroline Morse Teel wants to visit all of these glamping destinations. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from around the world.
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