The Ultimate Glamping Guide
Everything important you need to know about glamping
What is glamping?
If you’ve read about it, you already know that glamping is a trendy term to describe a glamorous camping experience. Luxury outdoor accommodation, luxurious camping, upscale camping, comfy camping… You will find those definitions on the web.
But, it may seem like camping and glamour don’t work out well together.
While camping is about simplicity, nature, harmony, and peace of mind, glamour is associated with luxury, exclusivity, diamonds, and bubbles…
Can these two opponents create something new together? According to the growing number of new glamping resorts, they can.
The difference between glamping and camping
Although glamping is a compound word that links “glamorous” and “camping,” there are not a lot of similarities between glamping and camping, as you can think at first.
We can say that glamping is a different kind of experience than camping.
On the one hand, camping culture focuses on escapism, on being back to nature. Consequently, campers want to spend their free time in a simple fashion without the frills of modern life.
On the other hand, glampers are mostly younger generations. They want to stay in a comfortable lifestyle and do not want to miss out on the latest technology. They strive to get the best from both sides. They would like to connect the modern way of living with nature simultaneously.
Camping is associated with the following:
- “Escape in nature” concept
- Simplicity
- Low-cost
- Self-made food
- Sleeping bags, camping mattress
- Portable shower
- Tents, campers…
- Need skills (to set up a tent, to make a campfire…)
Camping
Glamping
Glamping is associated with the following:
- “Back to nature” concept
- Luxury
- Stylish
- Local food delivery
- Comfort beds
- Functional bathroom
- Modern-designed pods, geodomes, yurts, tipis, bell tents, tree houses…
- No need for any skill
As you can see, glamping is an entirely different kind of experience from camping. Whereas the point of camping sites is in the beauty of nature and peace as well as the glamping, glamping resorts have to ensure modern amenities and conveniences, such as jacuzzi, food deliveries, and comfortable beds, too, to justify their name.
Is glamping eco-friendly?
For sure, an essential side of glamping is ecology. The nature around the glamping resort should not be harmed in any way. Ecological or esthetical. Good glamping resorts often have solar electricity or some other green solution, eco-friendly bathroom cosmetics, biodegradable materials, etc. Their target group of guests cares very much about the ecological aspects. Although they do not want to give up on modern technologies, they greatly appreciate ecological ways of thinking.
Is glamping more expensive than camping?
If you consider glamping for your next holiday, several different features make glamping different from camping and other types of staying in nature.
Glamping is often defined as a glamorous way of camping. That “glam” part in the name makes it different and more expensive than camping. As a luxurious stay in nature, glamping includes a bed, bathroom, air-conditioning, often room service, and all the other things you usually have in a hotel apartment.
Units are often set up in untouched nature without infrastructure such as water and sewerage, electricity, etc.
Considering that they aim to meet high hotel standards and provide maximum comfort for their guests, glamping resorts are forced to use expensive water purification technologies, alternative sources of electrical energy, ecological waste disposal, etc.
All this raises the price of glamping accommodations compared to ordinary camping.
What does it mean to go glamping?
Next-Gen travelers have specific needs and priorities that cause the new approaches in the hospitality industry. Glamping is one of the latest hospitality forms with its unique combination of authentic experiences of outdoor accommodation combined with complete comfort and modern technologies.
So, the phrase “to go glamping” is not only about staying in nature in a modern tent with a hot tube in it, thou it may seem like this when we google it. It is more about the new experience of an outdoor holiday when the luxury of modern hospitality is not the opposite of spending time in wild nature.
If camping is an “escape in nature” activity for the older generation, glamping will be some kind of “back in nature” experience for the new generation.
A new generation of travelers does not see modern technologies as something unwelcome. Digital technologies, social networks, wi-fi, and electricity… are natural and ultimate parts of their lives. But still, they care much more than the previous generation for sustainability, ecology, recycling, and responsible living with nature.
Taking that into account, it is clear it is not only the luxury and comfort that is important in glamping. To respond to the needs of the target group glamping resort has to be designed with ecological principles in mind.
Whether we talk about eco-friendly materials for tents and doms and biodegradable cosmetics used in bathrooms or ecologically designed sewage systems, water purification systems, waste disposal, etc.
Where can I go on ski glamping?
If you are thinking about ski glamping, check out our list of the best ski glamping resorts in 2023.
How to choose the right plot to build a glamping resort?
When deciding on a plot to construct a glamping resort, you should consider some crucial factors:
- Check local zoning regulations to ensure that your desired use of the plot is allowed. You may need to apply for some special permit or a zoning change to build a glamping resort.
- The size of the plot will determine the number of glamping units you can build. Consider the size of the plot according to your business goals and the expected demand for your resort.
- The terrain of the plot can impact the type of glamping units you can build. A flat field may be easier to build on, but a property with natural features like hills, valleys, coasts, etc., can add character and beauty to the resort.
- It would be best if you chose a place that is easily accessible and close to popular attractions or natural beauty. This will make it easier for guests to plan their visit and give them more options for things to do during their stay.
- Consider the potential environmental effects of building a glamping resort on the plot. If the construction and operation of your resort can harm the local ecosystem or wildlife, you may need to take steps to mitigate these impacts or choose a different plot.