'Glamorous camping': so is it worth forking out hundreds of dollars for a tent fitted out with Persian carpets? Heather On Her Travels says: "I can't understand this glamping thing - If you're going to pay top hotel prices why not stay in a top hotel and be done with it? Suppose I might be tempted in some East African game park though." I agree. If you're not into camping, can't cope with the bugs, can't get by without blow-drying your hair, don't want to 'go' in the bush, and don't mind throwing money around like Gigi Bondick, then it's probably worth it. I've glamped at bush retreats while researching books and while it was nice not to have to pitch our own tent, to sleep in a bed and have a private bathroom, I didn't think it was good value. If anything, they just weren't luxurious enough. If I hadn't have been researching a book and working all day, I would have been happier camping the trad way. I wouldn't call the Four Seasons 'Tented Camp' Golden Triangle or Al Maha 'glamping' as some writers do. They're luxury resorts with solid structures, swimming pools, spas, and restaurants. The Golden Triangle's 'tented' suites do have canvas walls but they also boast wooden verandahs, floors and doors, bathrooms, mini-bar and all the amenities you'd expect of a five star resort. As does Al Maha, where the suites (pictured) are proper buildings apart from their canopy-shaped roofs, and are as plush as any of Dubai's deluxe hotels with enormous bathrooms, heavy colonial-style furniture, and private plunge pools. You only know that if you do research - another reason why travel writers need to visit the places they're writing about. They do have Persian carpets though.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Glamping: is it worth it?
'Glamorous camping': so is it worth forking out hundreds of dollars for a tent fitted out with Persian carpets? Heather On Her Travels says: "I can't understand this glamping thing - If you're going to pay top hotel prices why not stay in a top hotel and be done with it? Suppose I might be tempted in some East African game park though." I agree. If you're not into camping, can't cope with the bugs, can't get by without blow-drying your hair, don't want to 'go' in the bush, and don't mind throwing money around like Gigi Bondick, then it's probably worth it. I've glamped at bush retreats while researching books and while it was nice not to have to pitch our own tent, to sleep in a bed and have a private bathroom, I didn't think it was good value. If anything, they just weren't luxurious enough. If I hadn't have been researching a book and working all day, I would have been happier camping the trad way. I wouldn't call the Four Seasons 'Tented Camp' Golden Triangle or Al Maha 'glamping' as some writers do. They're luxury resorts with solid structures, swimming pools, spas, and restaurants. The Golden Triangle's 'tented' suites do have canvas walls but they also boast wooden verandahs, floors and doors, bathrooms, mini-bar and all the amenities you'd expect of a five star resort. As does Al Maha, where the suites (pictured) are proper buildings apart from their canopy-shaped roofs, and are as plush as any of Dubai's deluxe hotels with enormous bathrooms, heavy colonial-style furniture, and private plunge pools. You only know that if you do research - another reason why travel writers need to visit the places they're writing about. They do have Persian carpets though.