The Destination

The Destivation

STORY BY BRITTANY SMITH & PHOTOS BY JAKE ARTHUR

Nestled down a long red dirt road, through the hills is a beautiful destination where locals and visitors can retreat from the fuss of everyday life. The Destination shares right at 100 acres of pristine, tree-lined property with the shoals of Sandy Creek. On those 100 acres, sits four Busch Tec tents that were manufactured in South Africa, and boy, do they delight. The tents combine the concepts of both camping and vacationing

Now, one may think, but isn’t camping also vacationing? Perhaps to some. But to others it is work, and while camping seems like a lot of fun, there are aspects of it that are less favorable, like the part where there is no air conditioning, no plumbing and no actual beds; however, The Destination has changed that by creating a glamping experience, or to some a glamorous camping experience.

See, glamping is like camping but with more of a vacation vibe. Each glamp has air conditioning, a bed or beds, a full bathroom, living room and kitchenettes. They each have an outdoor space where one may sit and relax, grill a steak or burger or enjoy some time in the professionally maintained hot tubs.

Of the four glamps, each one has its own individual theme, such as nautical, western, music or the beach.

“Each glamp is named after a place where we have lived,” said Rhonda Courtney, who owns The Destination with her husband, Skip.

“I am from Clearwater, and Skip is from St. Pete, both in Florida, and the first glamp that we built, was named Clearwater. That glamp has a real beachy vibe and a lot of the furniture and palm trees came from down there,” Courtney said. “Then the next glamp, we named the Music Loft after our time spent in Nashville. There are guitars on the walls, and everything is very Nashville in that glamp.

“After Nashville, we bought a big boat and lived on it for a while. That glamp is called Moon Dance, and the interior and exterior are very nautical.

“But the Rhondaposa is the one that we stayed in

Rhonda Courtney hand picked all of the decor The Clearwater sleeps four to six people

Each room has its own unique design

The Rhondaposa has a western theme

The Clearwater features a beachy theme

Each bedroom has a view of outdoors

Music City features Nashville themed decor while our home was being built,” Skip said. “And, it has ended up being the last one that we have finished. It is western themed, and I just put the fence up yesterday.”

The Rhondaposa is based on a home that the Courtneys had when they first moved to Tennessee. It was in the country, on a large piece of property where their horses were able to run and feel free. Building this glamp was also very personal for the Courtneys, as it was the place that they stayed while their home was being built.

“The best part about having four different options for our guests is that they come and stay in one of the glamps and experience it. Then they could come back and stay in another one, and while the amenities are the same, they are able to have a completely different experience,” Courtney said.

The Courtneys are adamant that the experience is why they have built The Destination and opened it up to guests. The resort can accommodate 12 people to 20 people.

“The Rhondaposa and the Moon Dance are both one-bedrooms. They sleep two to four people while the Music Loft and Clearwater both sleep four to six people and have two bedrooms,” Skip said.

“For us, this is an exciting experience,” Courtney said. “Glamping is relatively new in the U.S. and we are riding the wave. People are creating neat little spaces all over the world and calling them glamps and that is where our inspiration comes from. Here we are, with our own little gem, full of peace, right here in Dadeville.”

“We have also learned that people like the exclusivity that we offer,” Skip said. “The experience is built for a certain number of people, and we want the experience to shine.”

In addition to the cabin, guests also have access to the Sandy Creek Lodge, which doubles as the Courtneys home; however, the lodge could be used by guests to host parties, have dinner or even just chill out and watch football, a movie or a show on the 85-inch television downstairs from the main room.

“People could bring a chef in or plan massages out on the open decks,” Courtney said. “There’s also a big screen downstairs that people can use, or we could turn on music, open the doors and make a party of it. We are very event-driven people and we welcome anyone who wants to bring their events to our venue.”

The Courtneys, not being from Dadeville originally have been very surprised, and delighted at the warm welcome they have received from the community.

“Dadeville has been such a huge surprise. The mayor, the chamber and even Lake Martin Tourism, they’ve all been so accommodating and helpful,” Skip said.

For more information or book a glamp at The Destination, visit tbdsc.com or stop by their Facebook page.