Types of Glamping (Part 1)

From barns and cabin tents, to treehouses and caves, there are all sorts of types of glamping. You’ll find each one described below, along with a link to start browsing through each one. While each of them is unique and distinct in its own way, you can count on unique structures and an incomparable access to nature.

Tree Houses

Tree houses are not just for kids! Built high in the branches of a tree, a tree house is a typically wooden structure that utilizes the shapes of the trunk and the strongest boughs to create a horizontal space in a vertical world. They are accessed by ladders, occasionally linked by suspended bridges and can even have running water and electricity. Cunning craftsmanship keeps these lofty rooms in their place, and the rewards for the climb are peace and quiet, fresh canopy air and spectacular views.

Yurts

Historically built to withstand the long winters of Mongolia, the elements are easily shaken off by this crafty structure. A yurt has a low, wide, cylindrical base that is constructed with expandable sections of wooden latticework. The roof is a conical shaping of poles connected from the exterior skeleton to a central wheel that is supported by floor posts. The exterior fabric is tightly wrapped around the framework and can be several layers thick. Yurts can withstand high winds and extremely low temperatures, making them the ideal year-round glamping accommodation.

Safari Tents

The idea of the safari tent was probably imagined hundreds of years ago. Kings, nomads, hunters and vacationers alike have found good use of this sensible and portable lodging. Today, safari tents are the premier lodging for upscale African safari organizations and have been adopted by many glamping site owners in other parts of the world. Safari tents are large, rectangular structures, supported by a framework of aluminum or fiberglass poles and occasionally have a platform or hard flooring. The walls and peaked roof are typically made of a light but weather-resistant and durable fabric-like canvas. Spacious and quadrangular interiors allow for simulation of home spaces and almost no limit to the potential for luxury.

Camper Vans

Road trips are an almost universal holiday tradition, and campervans have been there since the idea was born. A miniature house on wheels, the campervan can be anything from a modest bedroom to a luxurious multi-room arrangement with a kitchen and bathroom. In the glamping world, this alternative lodging is a mobile accommodation, available to be picked up in multiple locations, and the ideal option for travelers who want to live the home-on-the-road experience, to feel the wind blowing their hair around, and to be able to set up shop for the night wherever they so choose. A road trip in a glamping campervan will give you a newly found sense of freedom that you'll never want to give up—we're sure of it.

Tipis

The tipi, commonly traced back to the nomadic American Indians, is an ingeniously simple compilation of only a few raw materials. It begins with wooden poles erected in a triangular shape and tied together at the top form the skeleton of the structure. Then a durable fabric - historically animal skins but now typically a weather-resistant canvas or heavy cotton - is wrapped snugly around the poles, leaving only a hole at the top to release smoke, a small door and sometimes a window or two. A central fire would heat the structure in winters. Today, these conical constructions are a warm, spacious and a historical alternative to a modern tent. For your next vacation, break away from the norm and forget that hotel. Book one of these tipis for a trip you'll never forget.

Domes

Domes are modern constructions in the shape of, well, a dome. They can be constructed from a combination of materials including wood, iron and steel or first-rate technology, such as high resistance PVC-Polyester fabric. Most, if not all domes, are insulated with extra padding, offering protection from the weather and elements. Elevated floors keep guests far from the humidity of the ground while sleeping and leaves the least trace on the ground. Because these accommodations are relatively easy to construct, they have an almost minimal negative effect on nature, thus blending harmoniously into their surroundings.

Eco-Pods

Eco-pods are the ultimate glamping choice. Built entirely of local, natural or recycled resources, these pods provide excellent protection from wind and rain alike while still retaining a cozy and homey feel inside. Their ecological footprint is extremely small compared to other typical vacation accommodations because of their compact size and energy efficient systems. They are just as secure as normal homes, so you don’t have to worry about pests or vandalism, whether you’re in a remote location or close to urban life. Stay off the grid without giving up the comforts of grid life.

Nature Lodges

Nature lodges, tucked seamlessly into the surrounding wilderness, are a superb way to go glamping. Booking a nature lodge allows glampers to feel completely immersed in the natural landscape while still enjoying all of the comforts one expects from an upscale hotel. Travelers who choose to go glamping in a nature lodge should be prepared for outstanding views and an incomparable location. These nature lodges are spread all throughout the world, so start planning a glamping adventure to one today. Whether booking a ranch-style nature lodge in Wyoming, or venturing to Africa for an exciting safari, nature lodges give travelers a once-in-a-lifetime experience by helping them blend into and experience the world around them.

Caves

It might sound a bit, well, cave-man, to stay in a cave, but these natural underground spaces transport you back to a simpler time without advanced technology. Beds, tables and lanterns are added to create a cozy and comfortable stay. Some have electricity while others may be as primitive as they get, so if you’re scared of the dark, these accommodations might be a good one to overcome that fear. Some of these sites have historic importance such as the Granada caves which farmers, moors, miners, and humble peasants alike used to use as refuge. But as history advances, glamour has combined with ancient times and created a truly unique experience and accommodation.

Barns

Barns were originally constructed as agricultural buildings on farms that held anything from crops to livestock like cows, pigs, chickens, horses and more. But these restored and refurbished barns have been turned into quite comfortable and luxurious accommodations for the traveler who’s looking for a unique glamping experience. Wood furnishings and construction materials create a sturdy and weather-proof home-away-from-home. Huddle together with your loved ones by the fire and share stories. Or open the windows and let the cool farm air waft into your living room. Whether it’s a summery warm day or a winter wonderland escape, these barns will surely give you everything you’re looking for.

Huts

Huts can be made of straw, wood, snow, stone, grass, palm leaves, ice, branches, hides or fabric. As you can see, they have a wide variety of materials used as well as environments that those materials are specific for. They are similar to bungalows but with a more rugged and primitive feel to them. They may not be the same as a house, but they sure beat out a tent or shelter. Huts are typically used seasonally, but in the olden days, huts were permanent dwellings for many individuals, especially in nomadic cultures. Some of their huts were even transportable, meaning they could take their home with them, no matter where the winds took them.

Igloos

An igloo is a dome-shaped house, usually built of blocks of solid snow. They were originally built by the Inuit, the indigenous people of the Arctic regions of Greenland, Canada and the United States. They used to use whalebone and hides to insulate their homes. Stay in an igloo and you’ll wake up in awe as you take in the panoramic view that is sure to surround you. Despite popular belief, the inside of an igloo is not that cold! Human heat quickly raises the temperature to more than 10°C. If you dress correctly, which is to say the normal clothing you’d wear while skiing, you’ll be just fine. Don’t expect to hit the beach if you’re staying in an igloo. Instead, prepare for some fun snowshoeing, skiing, snowmobiling or even dog sledding.