Top 5 Glamping Hotels Around the World

Camping isn’t done the LuxuriousPROTOTYPE way unless you’ve got a butler to make your fire, electricity for appliances, and an outdoor Jacuzzi—wouldn’t you agree? Glamping (glam camping) has spread its wings across the globe and rightly so. This oxymoronic trend is for any luxury traveler who wants to experience the beauty of nature and great outdoors while staying in modern accommodations with perks. Here’s our roundup of some of the most unique glamping hotels around the world:

The Pop-Up Hotel, UK

The Pop-Up Hotel visits some of the best festivals, events and most gorgeous camping retreats in Britain. Glamping tent styles vary from traditional Yurts to four-bedroom “Tenthouse Suites” with butler service for in-house dining. All accommodations offer services and amenities that include linens, duvets and pillows, lighting, toiletries, luxury showers, make-up parlor, restaurant and bar. Their new Barefoot Pop-up concept offers reduced service (prepare your own food or purchase from partner vendors). The first one will take place at Port Quin, North Cornwall for four weeks starting on July 28th. Glampers can enjoy sea views, hidden beach coves, surfing, and local dining in a rural setting. Future Pop-up Hotel locations in the Caribbean and around the world are to come. Rates vary. www.thepopuphotel.com

Treehotel, Harads, North Sweden

Sleep among the moose and reindeer in unspoiled nature at the Treehotel in Harads, North Sweden. Owner Kent Lindvall asked various architects to come up with modern, unique treehouse designs that were easy to reach via an improved ladder system and comfortable year-round. The result? Five houses with themes like UFOs, bird nests, and even a cube that has mirrors on all sides. The largest house, DragonFly, has two bedrooms, a lounge, dining area, wifi, and AC. The hotel features a tree sauna, a hot tub, relaxation area, and Brittas hostel restaurant where all meals are served. Go mountain biking, trekking, horseback riding or zip-lining 30 feet above ground. Houses vary in size from 160 to 323 sq. ft., with the largest accommodating up to four people. Rates start at USD $650 based on double occupancy. http://treehotel.se

Gondwana Game Reserve, South Africa

Preferred Hotel Group represents more than 600 hotels worldwide, including the Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa, a Preferred Boutique hotel. This reserve set on 27,000 acres is home to free-roaming big game (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, etc.) as well as endangered species. Stay in a Kwena Hut – a modern twist on a tent, featuring a clay pot fireplace, outdoor deck, skylight directly above the bed, spacious bath with a deep soaking tub and walk-in shower, and 180-degree views. Meals are served in intimate settings around the property, at an outdoor restaurant and other private spots. Rates start at USD $230 per adult/night, which includes three meals, two game drives with drink and snacks, high tea, and daily housekeeping. www.preferredhotelgroup.com

Garden Village, Lake Bled, Slovenia

So maybe Slovenia wasn’t on your list of places to visit in Europe, but it’s time to re-consider. The new eco-resort Garden Village, which opened in June 2014 along pristine Lake Bled, offers guests supped up tree houses, luxury apartments, pier tents and glamping tents. The six bi-level glamping tents sleep four and feature a bathroom with open-air (optional) shower, lounge area, minibar, TV, and outdoor hot tub; three feature outdoor seating. The surrounding manicured forestry guarantees privacy. The green resort also offers a pool, Finnish sauna above the lake, a cold spring for Kneipp leg therapy, a waterfall/beach, a restaurant, an organic shop with products from the resort’s greenhouse (juices, ointments, etc.), and an outdoor fireplace for socializing. Rates in summer for glamping tents start at US $380/night. www.gardenvillagebled.com

Paws Up, Greenough, Montana

You can’t do a glamping roundup without including Paws Up, located on the banks of Blackfoot River in Greenough (pronounced Green-O), Montana. The luxury ranch is a sprawling 37,000 acres and has an authentic working cattle ranch with Black Angus cows and elk. There are 30 luxury tents on five camps. All feature ensuite bathrooms, a personal camping butler, electricity, heating and cooling, and housekeeping/laundry services. A new camp called Cliffside has six safari-style luxurious tents ranging from 605 to 977 sq. ft. with Japanese soaking tubs. Summer rates start at $548 per person/night for a one-bedroom tent for two and include three full meals per person/day, use of a compact car, and all activities. www.pawsup.com

Nubia DuVall Wilson is a contributing travel writer for LuxuriousPROTOTYPE. She is a luxury travel expert and published author of Encounters with Strangers. Learn more at www.encounterswithstrangers.com. Follow her on Twitter @NubiaWilson.