Take Camping to the Next Level with Seven Luxe Glamping Stays on Booking.com
While many travelers may enjoy getting off the grid, pitching a tent and roughing it for a few days, it’s not for everyone. In fact, almost half (44%) of US travelers prefer to stay in luxury accommodations* to ensure they receive special treatment and pampering. But with 77% reporting that beautiful natural scenery is a key motivation for their next trip,* opting for a glamping experience will make it possible to get up close and personal with nature without having to sacrifice on home comforts. With the campfire calling and the stars awaiting, Booking.com has selected seven of the best luxe camping experiences in wild spaces around the world. From cool dome-shaped tents in rural Colombia to beachfront cabanas in India and extravagant campsites in the Moroccan desert, going off grid has never been more appealing.
For a special glamping stay, this lavish lodge is nestled in the heart of the 25 mile moon-like desert southwest of Marrakesh. Experience a unique yet majestic stay in the spacious and stylish tents, each with a private bathroom. Featuring all the comforts of a luxury hotel, including an infinity pool, sun terrace and restaurant serving tasty Berber dishes, there’s even a tea and fire ceremony that takes place every sunset for all the guests. The Agafay Desert is an adventure playground for those keen to experience the great outdoors; horse-riding is a popular way to explore the surrounding desert, as is canoeing on the nearby man-made reservoir, Lalla Takerkoust. For spectacular views of the Atlas Mountains, visitors can embark on a Desert Camel Safari at golden hour for an unforgettable camel ride across the rolling sand dunes. Back at camp, the vast star-filled African night sky is the biggest attraction and is absolutely mesmerizing on a crystal-clear night.
Abundant with natural beauty, Mendocino is a scenic destination in northern California just a few hour's drive from San Francisco. The town is located on a headland surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and is home to the tallest Redwood trees in the world and the only oceanfront botanical gardens. Mendocino Grove, nestled in a charming, wooded area, offers the finest glamping adventure with stunning platform tents for an exceedingly comfortable stay. The grove is just a short walk away from the beach where diving and whale watching are popular, and a trip to the Mendocino Art Center to experience the town’s artistic community is a must. Get to know the area on a Scenic Train Tour offering a leisurely journey through spectacular countryside into the Noyo River's majestic canyon.
The most glorious thing about this hidden gem on the sunny island of Hvar is that it comes with its own private beach so guests can take a secluded dip in the sea. There’s also a boat berth for those who want to get out and explore the aquamarine waters. Situated in the picturesque town of Vrbosk and surrounded by untouched pine forests, the tents have a beautiful rustic bohemian décor, each with a decked private patio with a sea view, hammocks shaded by the trees and a fully equipped kitchen and separate bathroom. Vbroska is sometimes referred to as Little Venice as it lies at the bottom of a narrow curving fiord with several bridges which visitors can explore. A Yacht Tour of the Blue and Green Caves of Hvar where travelers can swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon will also tempt guests away from this luxury hideaway.
Cabo Serai in Canacona, India
For travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle with a tranquil stay on the beach, look no further. Cabo Serai is located on the beachfront in Canacona, South Goa, where secluded bays, winding streams and hidden caves are all waiting to be explored. This charming resort allows guests to connect with nature with generous modern comforts. Featuring air-conditioned wooden cabanas and tents with indigenous details and natural fabrics, all are ocean-facing whilst nestled in a forest of coconut groves and creeks. Cano Serais’s philosophy is to promote wellbeing and, with almost three quarters (71%) of US travelers reporting that travel is an essential part of their self care,** there’s a raft of offerings from beach yoga and forest bathing to Ayurvedic massages and bird walks. A wellness-focused menu made from organic produce can be savored around the resort; from breakfast in the bay to sundowners on the shore watching the magnificent Goan sunset. The area is well known for its religious temples, seafood delicacies and beautiful beaches including Cola Beach and Kakolem Beach which are just a short walk away.
For travelers looking for a real Australian outback experience, this blissful retreat can be found in the small rural location of Burragate in New South Wales. Guests may be deep in the Australian bush, but this opulent oasis provides private verandahs with a stunning outdoor bath overlooking the Towamba river and the South East National Park – perfect for star-filled night skies and secluded sunbathing. Roomy tents are ideal for couples and include a double bed, lounge, fully equipped kitchen and private ensuite with a waterfall shower. The living area is also kitted out with a wood burner for guests to cozy up in cooler climes. Surrounding gardens feature barbecue facilities to cook up a storm and toast marshmallows on the campfire. Situated near the Egan Peaks Nature Reserve and the Nethercote Falls waterfalls, hiking and fishing are popular activities in the area – or hang out with the awesome mob of goats in the farmland around the retreat.
Lodg'ing Nature Camp Luberon in Saint-Michel-lʼObservatoire, France
This nature camp is situated in the charming commune of Saint-Michel-lʼObservatoire in southeastern France, famous as the hometown of the Haute Provence Observatory. Regarded by astronomers as the best European low-altitude observatory to study the stars, this destination is a sublime spot for stargazing travelers. Nestled in a beautiful forest, guests will feel fully immersed in nature all while within walking distance of the nearest village. The safari-style teepee tents with comfy beds can accommodate up to six people, ideal for families or a group of friends. For a special day out, visitors can take a scenic drive to Plateau de Valensole for a Lavender Fields Tour at a family-run farm to invigorate the senses. Back at camp, after a peaceful sleep in the wild under an exceptional night's sky, freshly baked complimentary croissants are on offer for breakfast.
Cradled by the Andean peaks in rural Colombia just north of its beating heart, Bogotá, this tranquil site features epic dome-shaped tents each with a private decked terrace and hot tub for a truly luxurious stay. An indulgent massage service from a panoramic platform with views of the luscious green valley is available, and guests can kick back and relax at the cocktail bar or restaurant, which serves up delicious locally sourced food with second-to-none service. The property has a Booking.com Travel Sustainable badge for the impactful efforts it has taken to offer a more sustainable stay for its guests, and offers bike rental so guests can explore the surrounding area; the fascinating underground Zipaquira Salt Cathedral built deep in the tunnels of a salt mine, and the flora and fauna of Santuario Chiquito park are well worth a visit.
For those travelers who want to glamp their trip up, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travelers to use when booking their next trip. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Getaway 2022” badge, and are valid for stays with check-out on or before 30 September 2022. In addition, Booking.com is giving travelers around the world the keys to unlock a new level of additional perks with the introduction of a third tier to its Genius loyalty program. Designed to make every trip a better experience, Booking.com’s loyalty program is completely free, easily accessible and membership lasts a lifetime – travelers simply need to create an account to achieve Genius status for life. As Genius members unlock new levels, they get access to larger discounts and more travel rewards that never expire. All travelers have to do is sign into their Booking.com account and look for the Genius logo to identify benefits, discounts and perks.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.
**Research commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. In total 24,055 respondents across 31 countries and territories were polled (including 501 from Argentina, 1003 from Australia, 500 from Belgium, 1001 from Brazil, 500 from Canada, 1000 from China, 1007 from Colombia, 1001 from Croatia, 508 from Denmark, 1002 from France, 1000 from Germany, 1005 from Hong Kong, 1000 from India, 502 from Israel, 1003 from Italy, 1002 from Japan, 500 from Mexico, 501 from The Netherlands, 501 from New Zealand, 500 from Peru, 1000 from Russia, 1005 from Singapore, 1002 from South Korea, 1002 from Spain, 501 from Sweden, 501 from Switzerland, 504 from Taiwan, 500 from Thailand, 1000 from the UK, 1002 from the US and 501 from Vietnam). Respondents completed an online survey in August 2021.