Under Canvas
Grand Canyon BY KATE MOREL morelconsultancy.com
Like surreal layer cakes, bands of pinks and red ochres are piled sky high as far as the eye can see. For a girl who grew up in the gentle rolling hills of England, the sheer scale and nature of the view is almost beyond comprehension.
Y
es, I’m gazing across the unfathomable vastness of the Grand Canyon. In April 2005, I was with friends exploring Arizona where I quickly developed a deep love for the place. On one mountain hike we had stopped for a break and sitting there among the rocks and dust I found myself creating a small piece of land art, an offering, a simple spiral pattern in the stones. If you want to get to know a place, the rocks are a good start. It really was a trip of a lifetime, but one thing didn’t work for me, and that was going
About Kate Kate Morel is one of the pioneers of the glamping movement. A creative glamping consultant, designer, permaculture advocate, columnist and speaker, she has worked in many countries around the world. A self-confessed tree-hugger, her passion for both the great outdoors and the glamping industry bring a unique warmth and authenticity to everything she does.
back to a hotel room every night, it just doesn’t feel right. Sixteen years later and things have changed. I’ve been involved in the glamping industry for a decade, where sleeping under the stars in comfort is entirely possible, and I’ll be sharing an inspiring example with you in each issue this year. Given my trips to, and love for Arizona, I thought we could start with an ‘Under Canvas’ encampment close to the Grand Canyon, if only it had been there in 2005! We can create any number of unique selling points when designing a glamping site but when it’s all about ‘location, location, location’ we don’t need to gild the lily, we just need to provide the right level of comfort and activities and allow nature to shine. Here are a few reasons why I believe Under Canvas Grand Canyon got this just right: A Light Touch. This encampment sits lightly on the land with no unnecessary hard or soft landscaping. Using the natural space among the trees means the tents aren’t set out in a neat or pretty pattern, giving the camp a random layout. I think this create a less contrived, more natural encounter with the land. It’s resort standard - but a sensitive approach. Sympathetic Décor. The rustic simplicity of the décor inside the structures doesn’t detract from the natural landscape. In fact, the tones, natural wood and exposed copper pipes echo nature’s colors, creating a seamless flow between inside and out. On Site Facilities. As well as relaxing and soaking up the surroundings, guests can also enjoy a campfire and on-site dining. Essential for remote sites, on-site catering also frees guests from domestic chores, giving them more time to
properly switch off and fully immerse themselves in the experience. Activities. Some landscapes particularly lend themselves to activities and this is one of them. Sending guests home with life-long memories is something that glamping can excel at, and at Under Canvas guests can choose from:
• A hiking tour, or a private customized tour tailored to their own schedule or fitness level. Not everyone is super fit and hiking is the best way to take in all those little details we never see from a vehicle - nobody needs to miss out here. • A 4x4 safari with guided walk along the Grand Canyon rim, learning about the history, geology and folklore of the National Park. Who doesn’t love the idea of a safari trip?! • A Sunset jeep tour during that magical sunset hour at the Grand Canyon, following old stagecoach trails through the Kaibab National Forest. The thought of seeing wildlife and the beautiful sunset views would have me booking this on a heartbeat.
The Under Canvas encampments embody what I would call the DNA of glamping because they are elegant but unfussy. They offer a space where guests can socialize, engage with relevant activities, be entertained, learn something about the land, or simply relax. Most of all, guests are immersed in nature with ease and in comfort. For me, this kind of glamping fosters and rekindles our emotional connection with the natural world, gives us poignant memories, and just maybe, helps us to reflect and re-evaluate a few things along the way. Till next time, Kate
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