Industry News

QUIRKY STRUCTURES CAN SET YOU APART FROM THE COMPETITION

Glamping is an industry that has already established itself in many countries across the globe and is quickly growing in many others. A steady increase in popularity has been seen for well over a decade now, and recent events have only helped in speeding things up. This is great news for site owners as the more people who hear about glamping, the more potential guests that are out there.

The increase in the industry’s popularity has inevitably led to a rise in the number of sites, meaning that now more than ever, it is important to make glamping sites as memorable as possible. This can be achieved in a number of ways such as level of service, amenities on offer, the local area or (for the purpose of this article) accommodation.

Unique and quirky accommodation is a great way to make a site stand out from those around it and is an aspect of a site that is very easy to market. Bright and beautiful pictures of unusual accommodation on a website is a great way to make a site stand out. Guests who visit a site with unusual accommodation are also far more likely to share their experience over social media.

In Mexico, a number of Bubble Hotels have started to appear that are taking the world of social media by storm. Alpino Bubble Glamping in Mexico City and Campera Bubble Hotel in the Valle de Guadalupe wine region of Baja California are great examples.

Bubble hotels comprise of inflatable, transparent domes that offer guests the luxury of a hotel room alongside uninterrupted views of the surrounding area. Travel guides and guests are flooding social media with pictures, providing great, and free, marketing to these sites.

Another example can be found at a site listed on Airbnb in Canada, specifically in Essex, Ontario’s wine region, where you can find a wine barrel shaped houseboat floating on Fox Creek. Architecturally speaking, this structure is very similar to other house boats or glamping pods, but the ingenious design of this accommodation has led to it being discussed across the internet.

So, if you’re looking to set up a site, or looking to replace accommodation, take a bit of time to research all of the wacky and wonderful options out there!

HUTTOPIA OPENS IN ADIRONDACKS

Huttopia are set to open a new glamping retreat in Lake Luzerne with the first bookings available for Memorial Day weekend.

Huttopia is a European company with glamping resorts across Europe that has already begun to expand into the U.S. with locations in New Hampshire and Maine.

Their newest site, located in the Lake George Region of Adirondack Park, is their first in the State of New York and is spread out over 300 acres of woodland. Huttopia Adirondacks can be found just one hour from Albany, 2.5 hours due south of Montreal and and 3.5 hours due north of New York City, nestled into the base of Kenyon Mountain.

Amenities available at the new site include a restaurant, bar service, breakfast, heated swimming pool, camp store, kids club, activities and entertainment. Accommodation comes in the form of safari tents, of which there are 79, or camping pitches.

The design of the site follows the same signature elements as the rest of the Huttopia locations, a beautiful location in the heart of nature, accommodations designed for casual comfort in the company of family and friends, and amenities such as freshly prepared meals made to order, a coffee bar, local craft beverages and French wine, and plenty of activities available on-site and nearby.

After approval from the Adirondack Park Agency, plans and construction for the glamping site were delayed due to the pandemic with the site now scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend in May, with the season running until October. With a number of different accommodation options available, rates start at $120 per night.

To find out more about Huttopia Adirondacks, you can find their website at canada-usa.huttopia. com/en/site/Adirondacks.

YONDER OPENS FIRST UTAH SITE BASED WITH US ROAD TRIP THEME

In April, Yonder announced the opening of their first property, Yonder Escalante, located in Utah set on 20 acres of land with several different accommodation options available.

Speaking to Travel and Leisure, Charles Tate (chairman and co-owner of Yonder) said, “We are thrilled and fortunate to officially establish our new company, Yonder, today with the opening of our first property in the spectacular Southern Utah destination of Escalante.

The concept is rooted in the spirit of the American road trip, with the goal of connecting travelers to timeless Americana — the nostalgia of our past, an appreciation for the present-day, and a bright outlook toward the future. Guests are afforded an immersive connection to nature and the opportunity to partake in new experiences to explore the outdoors while staying true to a well-appointed lifestyle and never sacrificing on comfort, quality, or style.”

The glamping resort, which is built on the grounds of a former drive-in movie theater, features 10 vintage airstreams, 22 customdesigned A-frame cabins and 67 RV sites complete with various hook-up options and a private fire pit.

Yonder Escalante boasts a long list of amenities and entertainment available to guests, but perhaps the most interesting is the old drive-in movie theater, which has been fully revitalized. From Thursday to Sunday, guests at the resort can enjoy a movie from the comfort of a fully restored classic car equipped with sound and heaters.

A quick internet search brought up a large number of companies across the U.S. that offer outdoor movie screen rentals. There are various sizes to choose from, all at different price points, ranging from backyard movie packages designed for groups of 5 to 75 people, all the way to large scale packages designed for upwards of 500. There are also options designed specifically for drive-in movies featuring larger screens and audio system options that use FM transmitters to allow guests to listen from their vehicles.

Amenities and entertainment provided at a glamping site are incredibly important and can be a great way to get people talking about a site. They should go beyond the necessities and essentials and offer guests luxuries and new experiences. Drive-in movie theatres are a great example of this, but it can be as simple as providing guests with a nice seating area, a good view and a strong drink!

To find out more about Yonder Escalante, you can find their website at stayyonder.com. To find the Travel and Leisure Report on Yonder Escalante, head over to travelandleisure.com.

WILD ISLAND OPENS IN NOVA SCOTIA

Located just off the coast of Blue Rocks fishing village near Lunenburg, in Canada’s Nova Scotia province is a glamping site unlike any other. When guests make a reservation at this site, they are not just booking a yurt, but rather, the island that the yurt is located on.

Just a short paddle from the shore of Blue Rocks, the treed island measures 2 acres and has breathtaking views of Blue Rocks, the surrounding island and the Atlantic Ocean. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 season was cancelled but dates for 2021 are already available.

When renting, there are a number of options available. The Wild Island Camping experience includes a tenting platform, a canoe, canoeing equipment, firewood and a composting toilet. The Standard Yurt Island Package includes a canoe with equipment and map (for after kayak tour), wood for a campfire, potable water, private composting toilet in outbuilding.

The deluxe experience includes a 4-hour Guided Kayak Tour across the Blue Rocks Islands and seal colony with Pleasant Paddling, picnic Lunch for two from No.9 Coffee Bar, bike rental for two from Rhumb Line Bicycle Shop, easy-toprepare dinner for two including locally-sourced mussels and Charcuterie board from The Point General, yurt accommodation and even breakfast including fresh baked croissant which will be dropped off to the island.

The yurt itself is handcrafted and locally inspired sitting on a platform, it features a queen size bed with quality bedding, propane stove, kitchenette, dining area, a domed ceiling for stargazing and deck.

Putting aside the fact that the glamping site comes complete with a private island, another area where Island Glamping excel is in the activities offered. Kayaking adventures to seal colonies, snorkeling in the hidden inlets, cycle rides down winding coastal roads, and dining on the finest local delicacies. Island Glamping highlights the fact that success can be found in making the most of the surrounding area.

To find out more about the Private Island Yurt head over to novascotia.com or find their website at pleasantpaddling.com.