When "camping glamorously" you don't have to organize much or bring the usual camping gear with you. Glamping accommodations have not much in common with the tent camps you experienced as a child or teenager. If you choose a luxury campsite, you do not need to bring a caravan or tent. You will find fully equipped accommodation in the middle of nature, and all you have to do is move in.
What makes a camping tent a glamping tent?
Camping tents are very popular – travellers love the proximity to nature and the experience they offer. The more luxurious camping idea is just a logical step further - while offering higher levels of comfort, sustainability and nature remain main aspects.
In order to combine these things, the glamping tent is of particular importance. It combines outdoor location and luxury camping (or “glamourous camping”) and impressively proves that you do not have to do without the comforts of a hotel room – such as beds or power supply – while staying in nature.
What makes a glamping tent
A glamping tent is the more luxurious development of a camping tent. It features comfortable equipment and usually offers space for several people - similar to the family tent. Glamping tents can come in different designs – from glamping bungalows to glamping teepees or dome tent shapes to glamping tree houses, there are a number of design options for your luxury tent.
Glamping tents have a stylish, modern appearance that already points to the increased comfort and luxury factor. They are often spacious tents, in which the sleeping areas are divided with the help of sleeping cabins or similar spatial separations so it is not necessary – as in conventional camping tents – to sleep in close proximity to others. In addition, it is usually possible to stand upright and walk around unhindered in a glamping tent whereas in camping tents this may not always be possible. It should furthermore be added that glamping tents are usually not placed directly on the floor, but are slightly elevated and erected on a wooden structure so that the interior not only offers enough space but also ensures a flat, smooth floor.
As you can see, a glamping tent is mainly about comfort, luxury and sufficient space. Basic attributes, often also inherent in camping tents – such as waterproof treatment or mosquito nets – should be a prerequisite. Glamping is about the certain added extra, about the benefits that you do not find in a simple camping tent.
What does glamping require?
Save yourself the need to bring and set up a camping tent but still enjoy the benefits of an outdoor holiday. Spacious tents that are equipped with comfortable beds, chic furniture and often with a practical kitchenette, provide you with the luxury of a hotel. Due to stylish, modern appearances and mostly dreamlike locations, glamping provides a very special experience. The main differences from conventional camping are thus, on the one hand, less effort as there is no need to bring a tent or caravan, and the accommodation is already erected. On the other hand, there is a significantly increased level of luxury, with private bathrooms, comfortable beds, more space and stunning designs. Wherever your glamping holiday takes you – from the North Sea or Baltic Sea in Germany to beautiful cantons such as Ticino in Switzerland or chasing the Northern Lights in Scandinavia, you will definitely experience an unforgettable stay.
Which camping tent should I choose?
When choosing a suitable camping tent, the question is probably how to find the right tent from the wide range available with numerous sizes and shapes that you can look at and compare. Above all, you should ask yourself the following questions:
How many people should it accommodate?
Are you traveling alone, with a partner in a 2-person tent or do you need a group tent for the entire family?
Where would you like to go on holiday?
Are you looking to spend a cozy camping holiday in fairly windless places or should the tent serve as a safe haven for exciting outdoor excursions in the wilderness and in challenging conditions?
How should it be equipped? How often are you likely to use it?
Should your camping tent have an outer tent and inner tent, come with an awning with and be waterproof? Are you likely to use it only once a year or do you regularly go on an outdoor excursion?
Once you have thought about the answers to these essential questions, you can narrow down the endless selection of tents. With your carefully considered filters, the list of possible camping tents will be manageable.
When choosing your type of camping tent, it is important to note how well it will withstand external conditions - i.e. wind and weather. Correspondingly, you should pay attention to the quality of the material and its processing. Particularly popular manufacturers of classic trekking and camping tents include Coleman, High Peak, Outwell and Jack Wolfskin. Depending on the retailer's site, you might get free shipping with your order.
It makes sense to pay attention to these 6 important factors for your camping tent:
- Insulated floor
> to protect against cold and moisture from below
- Waterproof material
> ideally tested during downpours
- Wind resistance
>Does the tent have wind resistance up to wind force 6 or less?
- Proper ventilation of the tent
> Special materials - such as so-called fresh fabric - promote ventilation and thus reduce rapid heating
- Mosquito nets
> Insect protection should not be missing from any good camping or glamping tent
- Darkening options
> Popular with late risers or people who wake up easily - processed materials to darken the tent
Maybe you are toying with the idea of not buying a camping tent in favour of going glamping. As mentioned, you won't need your own tent for glamping, but can travel comfortably and with much lighter luggage, as your glamping tent is already erected and equipped. As a campsite operator, you may consider adding luxury tents to spots for caravans and tents.
If despite your interest in glamping you are still interested in finding a suitable camping tent, it is worth taking a look at the different tent shapes that we will highlight in the following paragraph.
These are the different types of camping tents
The classic camping tent types come in a variety of designs and shapes. They differ according to purpose as well as capacity.
Here is an overview of the different types of camping tents:
- Dome tents
As the name suggests, dome tents or igloo tents have a typical dome shape. This is made possible by means of rods that are crossed diagonally at the top. In Alpine areas, geodesic tents – as a small modification of the dome tent – are recommended, as they are even more robust thanks to three intersecting poles. Dome tents in general are weather-resistant; they can provide shelter from rain and snow and also be fixed with pegs. They are often used as 2- or 3-person tents and are also popular as a trekking tents. Another, similar tent shape is the teepee with a dome shape converges more sharply upwards.
- Tunnel tent
With their tubular structure – like a tunnel – they are spacious and offer a lot of space incl. standing height. The mostly simple constructions can be assembled and disassembled quickly. Thanks to their light weight, tunnel tents are suitable for trekking tours and offer a well insulated tent floor as well as high stability. However, they are mostly used on campsites as a family tent – classically, for example, as a 4-person tent with plenty of storage space.
- Pop-up tent or pitching tent
Also heavily popular among campers – a pitching tent with a small pack size! Thanks to its construction, a pop-up doesn't really need to be set up. However, there is a special folding technique to be applied during dismantling, so it can be properly stowed again. In terms of size, this tent shape is comparable to a dome tent and is popular with festival visitors or as a beach tent. As with many other tents, it often comes along with a practical carrying bag for easy transport.
- Inflatable tents
Inflatable tents are not very common, but they are a good option nevertheless. Whether for your own garden or on a short trip, they are often well suited as a family tent for up to 4 people. The advantages are low weight and quick erection; in addition, they are usually suitable for any surface.
What high-quality glamping tents can withstand
Camping tents are mostly made up of an inner tent and an outer tent. The size - small or large - or type of tent usually doesn't matter – it is rather the quality that matters. When setting up a camping or a luxury tent, the primary task of the outer tent is to prevent and minimize weather influences (especially wind, but also water and moisture during rainy weather). If moisture gets through the outer tent, the inner tent can still prevent water from entering the tent interior.
In addition to wind resistance, water resistance is an important indication of the glamping tent's or camping tent's quality. With the help of the so-called water column, protection against water can be indicated easily as it provides information about the water resistance
- 0 - 800 mm water column: water-repellent (but not waterproof)
- 800 - 5,000 mm: waterproof in rain (but does not withstand strong water pressure, e.g. heavy rain)
- 5,000- 15,000 mm: withstands heavy rain and various forms of water pressure
To measure the watertightness, a water column is placed on one square centimetre of the material so that the amount of water that the camping tent can withstand can be checked. Accordingly, the higher the value or the filling quantity, the greater the resistance to water and water pressure. After all, it is important for you as a camping tent owner or even for glamping operators to know whether the tents are waterproof and windproof.
In addition to the weather-resistant properties, luxury tents also offer welcome amenities. A canopy, for example, provides sun protection or offers a cosy spot for outdoor lovers during light rain.
Camping or glamping – tent care is part of both!
Whether you choose a classic camping tent, are a glamping provider or are toying with the idea of buying your own glamping lounge for the garden: the maintenance and care of your tent should not be neglected. Irrespective of whether it is a 2- or a 5-person camping tent – you probably want to keep it as long as possible.
It is best to check the camping tent for possible cracks, holes or other damage on a regular basis. It makes sense to find and repair potential material damage as quickly as possible in order to contain the issue and save the tent from further harm. In addition, you certainly do not want to find damages while on holiday when you actually want to relax. Accessories for tent repair and tent maintenance should be at hand and taken along at all times. We also recommend you inspect the seams and zippers. You can easily buy some individual parts – such as fiberglass tent poles or zippers.
Focus on sustainability: STROHBOID has the glamping solution
With glamping tents, outdoor pavilions and lounges, gastronomy and hotel businesses can rely on an option that is usable year-round as well as sutainable. STROHBOID's sustainable gazebo and glamping solutions stand out as a special eye-catcher and alternative to classic terrace roofing.
An important topic in the catering and hotel industry: Room and space management. The available space should be used efficiently, but at the same time combined with an optimal guest experience. This is where STROHBOID's sustainable outdoor solutions come in: From glamping accommodation for hotel gardens to fine dining, wine shop tents or event tents - the gazebos and lounges score points with a stylish look, diverse range of applications as well as high-quality and sustainable materials.
Categories