A Guide to Pods Cabins and Domes Part 2

A Guide to

PODS, CABINS AND DOMES Part 2

For this guide we have combined three incredibly popular types of accommodation in the glamping industry: pods, domes and cabins. From the very early days of glamping, pods have always been a popular choice of accommodation for sites across the country. With low set-up costs and the possibility of being used year-round they serve as an excellent way to break into the glamping market. Cabins are among the most sought-after choices of glamping accommodation in the US and have a strong presence in the UK too, including the quintessentially British Shepherd’s Hut. Domes have seen their popularity skyrocket over the past five years or so, providing large interior spaces and an attention-grabbing exterior. Part 1 of this guide can be found in the September issue of International Glamping Business.

SCOTIA CABINS

scotiacabins.co.uk

Can you tell us a little about the background of your business? Scotia Cabins started life in 2015 as a business to run alongside our family farm. It’s been quite a journey since then and over the last 7 years, we have helped hundreds of outdoorloving Scottish families revolutionise the way they interact with their gardens.

What type of structures do you offer? We design, build and install Camping Cabins, BBQ Cabins, Classroom Cabins & Garden Studios across the whole of Scotland – including the islands!

Our structures can be adapted in over 50 different ways between them! The Garden Studios can be adapted for almost all sizes and needs. The BBQ cabins can have extensions and become doubles, triples, the options are almost limitless!

What is unique about your products? All our cabins are designed and manufactured in the UK which means we are currently able to offer a much quicker lead time than imported cabins. We also have a huge amount of options at the design stage and can be flexible to suit the planned area. Working with us throughout the process gives our customers peace of mind that they’re working with an expert team who is in their corner and who knows the long journey ahead with these projects. Each one is different so having that support with one of the critical parts is essential.

Also, the trademarked design of the sloping walls in the cabins gives so much space, they are like a Tardis!

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition? All our structures are designed for longevity and minimal maintenance. The BBQ Cabins require a stain once or twice a year, which doesn’t take long. We also offer an annual service and maintenance contract where we can come out to check over the cabins.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures? This depends on size, location, base, and the weather! Our recent project saw us install 53sqm camping cabins in 4-5 days per cabin.

What is the lifespan of your structures and do you offer any warranties? All our buildings are guaranteed for 10 years.

FACET12 BY HUNTER OUTDOORS

hunteroutdoors.co.uk

Can you tell us a little about the background of your business? Facet12 is a creative production house, specialising in bespoke glamping pods. The company was founded by design experts and glamping enthusiasts, Alex Hill and Luke Basey, who have backgrounds in unusual and bespoke build projects for many well-known brands.

What type of structures do you offer? We offer limited edition interesting and striking structures that you can get passionate about.

POD:IUM is a preassembled timber glamping pod, built on a CNC plywood frame, insulated with sheep’s wool, clad in Accoya, and installed on ground-screw foundations. What is unique about your product? First and foremost, it’s the pod’s appearance, and that’s supported by the knowledge that only 12 of any design will be built. So, when buying into something special, you don’t run the risk of a mega-site complex being installed just down the road!

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition? POD:IUM requires very little maintenance. Externally clad in Accoya, this timber has a 50-year warranty and can be used untreated if you prefer the appearance to weather naturally.

We select quality products to give you a longer, more reliable service, looking to save you time and money in the long run – not just a headline. We can work with you to create the most suitable maintenance plan for your pod, taking into account your environment and pod usage.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures? We deliver the pods in a finished state. We’ll have installed your ground screw array and sub-floor in the day or two prior to the pod arriving, ready to be lowered on, secured, and connected to site services.

What is the lifespan of your structures? With normal maintenance looking after the general wear and tear, you’ll be enjoying your POD:IUM for decades to come.

SNUGGERIES

snuggeries.co.uk

Can you tell us a little about the background of your business? We started Snuggeries with the mission to offer premium, exceptional quality, sustainable, and high performing structures that are a credit to your business, your guests and ensure that ultimately as an experience owner your ROI is achieved quicker through higher accommodation fees.

Our bespoke nature allows customers to truly customise their designs and luxury offering, we encourage our customers to draw on their imagination and inspiration to really define how they would like their offering to look and feel.

We only construct with high quality materials, ensuring that the product that you’ve invested in is sustainable and offers a solid ROI for many years to come.

What type of structures do you offer? We offer anything your imagination can think of! We currently have two designs that are popular, both truly bespoke that have been designed with our customers. We will encourage you to really delve into your exact requirements and we will do our very best to make this possible.

What is unique about your products? We feel that our products are unique as they allow a site owner to really target the clientele they’re hoping to attract. We work with you, listen to your requirements, and do our upmost to make these a reality.

We have two structures that can be purchased as ‘products’, however we would even encourage you to customise these if the current configurations don’t fit in with your location of where they’re to be sited.

We strive to offer a service, not just products, and it all starts with a discussion! What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition? All of our structures are designed to be very low maintenance, in terms of areas such as cladding we do offer, as standard, a range of beautiful real woods and also versatile composites. We feel that this allows you to make that all important choice of how you’d like your structure to look in years to come, either natural weathering or minimal maintenance over it’s lifespan.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures? With our structures all being bespoke, different size requirements and having their own individual features it really does vary. To take our ‘Terrace’ as an example, depending on any other requirements by the customer this would have a build time of 4-6 weeks.

What is the lifespan of your structures and do you offer any warranties? We construct the majority of our structures out of Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), they’re high energy performing panels that have a well-documented life expectancy of 60+ years.

We offer a guarantee of 10 years from the date of completion against structural defects that occur in the floor, walls or roof of a building manufactured by us. We will also pass on warranties or guarantees from the manufactures and or suppliers of the components.

LANDPOD

landpod.co.uk

Can you tell us a little about the background of your business? A family run business, for Landpod creators Steve and Jake, it all began - as most great ideas do - with a passion for getting closer to nature, and the love of a challenge!

Steve blames Jake, Jake blames Steve but somewhere in this mix the gauntlet was thrown down to create “a Glamping Pod for a music festival that will keep you feeling human… and won’t sink in a sea of tents”.

Mission accepted and the first Landpod was created in 2012.

So why stop there? Steve and Jake did some digging and found that there was a demand for a compact and quirky glamping unit that went far beyond the festival field.

What type of structures do you offer? We offer unique all terrain Pods & Cabins.

What is unique about your products? Your Landpod will be delivered to site flat packed and then the Landpod team will install it in your desired location, this means we can get your Landpod into remote locations or places with limited access.

Each Landpod structure is built on the iconic adjustable legs so there is no need for costly foundations and there is limited impact on the surrounding environment. The Landpod is painted in the branded Landpod colours which seamlessly blend into nature.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition? We suggest that the Landpod roof is cleaned with hot soapy water every 12 months.

The structure of the Landpod needs to be brushed down with a soft brush every 2 months to keep in top condition.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures? If access is good it will take approximately 4 hours for the Landpod team to build one Woodland Lodge, this is the largest Landpod we offer.

HAZELWOOD HUTS

hazelwoodhuts.co.uk

Can you tell us a little about the background of your business? Hazelwood Huts is a family-owned business based in South Wales who pride themselves on designing and manufacturing the highest quality bespoke Glamping Huts & Traditional Shepherd’s Huts for domestic and commercial use. We are a specialist carpentry and joinery business with over 50 highly skilled carpenters and joiners with a fully equipped joinery workshop in Pontypridd, South Wales.

What type of structures do you offer? We build bespoke Traditional Shepherd’s Huts, Luxury Glamping Huts, fully road legal and towable Glamping Huts, Glamping Pods and a range of associated glamping timber structures and extras. From our base in South Wales, we service the whole of the UK Mainland so can deliver and install your Hazelwood Hut pretty much anywhere.

What is unique about your products? Our design team and highly skilled joiners work with customers to create and build bespoke Shepherd’s Huts and Glamping Huts for domestic and commercial use. All Hazelwood Huts are bespoke so we can offer a really personalised service for our customers who have specific requests for interior layouts and fit-outs. Each hut is made to order so a client led process helps us deliver fully customised structures on an individual basis as we understand that people have different requirements, our huts are not a ‘one size fits all’ product.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition? Every structure is different so the approaches to good maintenance may vary from hut to hut but we only use the highest quality of materials available to build with. Our timber buildings require very little maintenance due to the quality of materials used, the high levels of skilled craftsmanship and our quality assured manufacturing process. We would however recommend an Osmo UV protection oil and applied as per the product’s instructions to keep the cladding in good condition but general care for the structure will prolong its life greatly.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures? It can take between two and four weeks to build one of our structures from signing off on the specification with the client, dependant on size and internal fitments and finishings. The larger the unit the longer it will take but our team of specialist joiners approach all manufacturing processes with the highest of standards to ensure the finished product is one we can all be proud of.

What is the lifespan of your structures and do you offer any warranties? At Hazelwood Huts we design and manufacture robust, commercial grade structures for domestic and commercial use. Each Hazelwood Hut comes with a 5-year guarantee and the life expectancy could be in excess of 30 years if maintenance guidelines are adhered to and it is treated well throughout its lifespan. A well cared for hut is going to be something that can bring many years of pleasure to the owner and people who use it. As we are a UK based company, we are on hand to help or support our clients if any accidental damage or quick repairs need looking at. We like to support our clients all year round and build great relationships with them.

JANS OFFSITE SOLUTIONS

jansoffsitesolutions.com

Jans Offsite Solutions is a leader in the design and manufacture of high specification, bespoke glamping pods, TORP vacation lodges and houseboats for the leisure and tourism sectors.

Last month, in partnership with London based architects Studio Anyo, the company officially unveiled the TORP lodge, its latest build, at Grand Designs Live which caused quite a bit of razzmatazz among the hospitality industry.

TORP lodges are a truly unique concept and are set to revolutionise the way people holiday in the UK.

They will help holiday parks evolve to offer the lodge experience sought at the higher end of the market, combining the outdoors escape provided by glamping with the comfort of home and the design of a boutique hotel.

All buildings are manufactured by Jans Offsite Solutions from a 80,000 sq ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility under the strictest of conditions allowing the company to achieve the highest standards in production and finish. Jans Offsite Solutions range of House Boats offer a contemporary way of living on water. It’s Glamping Pods with their state-of-theart one piece barrel roof sets new standards in elegance and performance. Made from composite it’s not only a striking piece of design but reliable, long lasting and requires no maintenance throughout its lifespan.

The company has an unerring focus on design incorporating the latest material advancements and technology not only in the build, but in the electronics and exterior and interior finishes it uses. The result is houseboats and Glamping pods that make waves and deliver more.

The company employs talented design and manufacturing teams as well as innovative project leads who are intelligent thinkers and deliver creative buildings that disrupt the sectors it works in.

What type of structures do you offer? Jans Offsites Solutions manufactures Glamping Pods, Lodges, HouseBoats and other Modular Buildings What is unique about your products? Our glamping pod has a one-piece GRP roof that is leak-free and has a long lifespan. Our houseboats are spacious and allow you to live on the water without compromising luxury and our TORP lodge is set to revolutionise the way we holiday in leisure parks.

What maintenance is required to keep your structures in top condition? All our products are designed to be low maintenance and maximises margin.

How long does it take to create and assemble your structures? Our products arrive in one piece ready to be part of your site.

What is the lifespan of your structures and do you offer any warranties? We offer a 12 year guarantee.

POD:IUM

Limited-edition Luxury Glamping Pod

Ideal for any season, the POD:IUM glamping pod from Facet12 will turn a venue into the ultimate luxury retreat. POD:IUM is home from home, with nature on the doorstep.

Everybody’s doing it! Glamping has crossed the line from niche to mainstream. Everybody’s doing it. Everybody’s loving it.

Driven by growing standards of luxury and people’s desire to be close to nature, bookings for outdoor holidays in the UK have increased by more than 200% in the last two years.

As the glamping trend gains momentum, and landowners all over the UK are opening new glamping sites, how do you go beyond the ordinary, the standard, and the expected? How do you stand out from the crowd?

POD:IUM luxury glamping pod POD:IUM is a limited-edition luxury glamping pod, designed and constructed by Facet12, a business founded by design experts and glamping enthusiasts, Alex Hill and Luke Basey.

Built for durability and longevity, with electric and plumbing installation, this beautifully finished pod features a well-equipped kitchen, modern shower room, comfortable bedroom, and cosy living area with stargazing roof.

An alternative version of POD:IUM is available on request. In place of the kitchen and bathroom, you have a single space with a luxury log burner made on the Isle of Wight by our friends at Charnwood.

With only 12 POD:IUM units available, Facet12 is offering venues something refreshingly different to the standard solutions on the market. These inspiring spaces turn a venue into the ultimate luxury retreat, with an instant USP.

Committed to sustainability The pods are clad in Accoya – a sustainably sourced, fully biodegradable material made from chemically engineered softwood. Strong, durable, and easy to maintain, Accoya is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The pods’ superior sheep’s wool insulation has zero global warming potential.

POD:IUM is built on ground-screw foundations, which have a far lower impact on the natural environment than concrete – a material that accounts for up to one eighth of the world’s anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Ground screws allow you to site your pod anywhere – even in hard-to-access areas, where a concrete base wouldn’t be possible. The process takes just a few hours. Facet12 pledges to plant 100 new trees for each pod sold.

Cosy winter breaks Where do people spend their winter holidays? Hotels, cottages, B&Bs? One thing’s for sure: they’re not all crowding into the UK’s glamping sites.

Glamping is still very much a summer treat. But the cosy POD:IUM glamping pod, insulated with sheep’s wool, has everything the winter traveller is looking for.

POD:IUM offers site owners the opportunity to stretch out the glamping season and increase annual bookings by offering snug glamping pods during the winter months.

What could be better than spending quality time in the UK countryside, with nature on the doorstep and stars shining through the skylight …

Order your POD:IUM glamping pod To learn more about Facet12 and the limited-edition POD:IUM glamping pod, visit www.facet12.co.uk or phone Luke on 07901 608912.