Open Air Business February 2018

GLAMPSITES
GLAMPRO
LOVE2STAY
but do check out ‘Sandat’ in
Bali for scrumptious boutique
inspiration. At the other, large
resorts have been quick to
diversify, and have added
glamping of some description to
their developments. In line with
what their guest demographic
would want and expect, some
have even commissioned their
own structures with integrated
bathroom and kitchen facilities.
One might argue that this
has influenced industry facility
standards, as more guests staying
at small sites are now complaining
when bathrooms are not ensuite
- even when they are clearly
marketed as being separate. Other
factors are probably contributing
too, hyped-up articles by
journalists and bloggers swooning
over ‘toasty warm tents’ are
creating high expectations. It’s
also fair to say that the glamping
industry is naturally developing, as
manufacturers create new features
and add-ons every year.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
For glamping resorts, at the
pure luxury end of the market,
personally I don’t think it gets
much better than ‘Paws Up’ in
Montana, North America. They’ve
got it all – a stunning location,
gorgeous accommodations,
absolutely ‘on the money’
activities; who wouldn’t want to:
ABOVE: Garden Village
Bled, Slovenia
"THERE ARE
SOME AS-
TOUNDINGLY
MASSIVE
DEVEL-
OPMENTS
PLANNED
FOR THE
UK WHICH
INCLUDE
GLAMPING"
“Step aboard our old fashioned
horse-drawn wagon and enjoy a
unique ride to the Blackfoot River.
Sit back, relax and take in the joy
of watching Montana’s famous
Big Sky play host to the rolling
hills, gorgeous backdrop and local
wildlife that call Paws Up Ranch
home. This scenic ride ends at
the banks of the Blackfoot River,
where you’ll enjoy an authentic
chuck wagon dinner. The finest
offerings are prepared before your
eyes.”
They’ve taken their Wild
West history and woven it into
a fantastic, one off experience
for their guests, with themed
accommodation and well thought
out activities that will send
guests home with unforgettable
memories… Book me in!
Closer to home, catering to
the family market, Love2Stay in
Shropshire is an ambitious resort
GLAMPRO
development, which includes
122 touring pitches, a restaurant,
pizzeria, and safari tents with
private hot tubs, fitted kitchens,
roll top baths and underfloor
heating, setting a new benchmark
for glamping accommodation in
the UK.
The site was previously laid to
pasture, and while it had pleasant
enough views, it wasn’t a place
that visitors would flock to; in
fact, unless they popped into the
café, caravan or garden store,
they’d drive straight past, usually
heading for the Welsh coast.
However, Salop Leisure created
their own attractions by including
a fitness suite, communal hot
tubs, fishing lake, barefoot sensory
walk, woodland hideout and den
building, yoga, meditation classes,
children’s nature play zone, and
plant-powered natural swimming
pool… among others! It opened
in spring 2017 and has already
welcomed over 22,000 guests; I
think that figure rather speaks for
itself.
A CORPORATE DOMAIN?
There are some astoundingly
massive developments planned
for the UK which include glamping,
running into millions and millions
of pounds. Given the level of
investment involved, most are
owned and created by powerful
corporations and companies, and
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