Did you hear? There’s a new holiday-ing trend called “Glamping”. Gla-what?
“Glamorous camping”, otherwise known as Glamping, is a global trend which offers holidaygoers a chance to be with the great outdoors without having to sacrifice modern comforts (read: 5-star luxury comforts). Or sacrifice their sanity while trying to adjust to the great outdoors. Whichever way you want to think of it. The only problem is, there are close to no Glamping sites in Malaysia (well, only one as of now).
But if you really want to go, we’ve found some of the best Glamping spots/sites in Asia! You may thank us later for this:
La Cocoteraie Ecolodge, Gili Trawangan
La Cocoteraie Ecolodge
La Cocoteraie is a Natural Luxury Tented Resort located in Gili Trawangan (Lombok, Indonesia) that allows nature lovers to enjoy a return to the sources but with the luxury and comfort of a chic hotel. Situated in the beautiful coconut plantation of Gili Trawangan with only 8 tents, the Ecolodge brilliantly combines the outdoor vacation, exotic living and respect of the environment. All air-conditioned units have a private terrace with comfortable seating and garden views. La Cocoteraie Ecolodge features a restaurant, bar and eco-friendly accommodation with rustic wood interiors, 250 metres away from the sunset-viewing point on Gili Trawangan Beach.
For more information, visit their website.
Raventree Glamping, South Korea
Raventree Glamping
Raventree Glamping Resort is South Korea’s answer to the worldwide glamping trend. Raventree mixes the traditional with the modern in this comfortable resort destination. Their duplex glamping lodge-style tents provide all the modern comforts you can expect. Each glamping tent is set on a permanent wood foundation. The lower level of this two-story tent is the kitchen and living area that extends out onto the wooden deck. The sleeping area upstairs is accessed via a ladder. The raised firepit is great for gathering around at night under the stars.
For more information, visit their website.
Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass, Thailand
Hintok River Camp
Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass is an exceptionally safari tented camp stunningly nestled on a historical piece of land upon the pinnacle of Hintok mountain in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, overlooking the historic river, River Kwai. Being close to the rhythm of nature with 32 spaciously deluxe canvas tents, featuring a private bathroom and an outdoor shower with hot water, air-conditioning, private veranda, and luxury furniture, delivers the most convenient whilst stay in touch with nature and enjoy a wide range of recreational activities. The remarkable nature ambience and unique tented canvas absolutely gives you the world’s unparalleled experience ever.
For more information, visit their website.
Sandat Glamping Tents, Ubud Bali
Sandat Glamping Tents
On the “Island of Gods”, considered one of the most exclusive destinations of the planet was born the first glamping site in Bali. The Sandat Glamping Tents is nestled in a slice of heaven where the inhebriating green of the rice fields creates unique landscapes made of sinuous terraces. The Glamping site offers 8 luxury eco-design structures that allow you to enjoy the exotic charm of unspoiled places favouring the contact with the nature: 5 magnificent Luxury-Tents Safari Style – camouflaged in the nature (including 2 suites) with a structure in a resistant khaki color cotton fabric, and 3 Eco-Lumbung – typical local buildings originally intended to storage the rice and here convenrted into charming homes structured on 2 levels.
For more information, visit their website.
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
Just 40 miles from Chiang Rai International Airport, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers an unforgettable experience of elephant trekking. The property comes with free Wi-Fi, a riverside free-form pool and a spa. Tents at the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle features a private balcony, air conditioning, and a minibar. Guests can relax in a custom-made wood hot tub on an outdoor deck covered by an extended roof. The resort offers a 24-hr desk service and guests can enjoy recreational activities at the garden area or relax with pampering spa treatments, or enjoy a casual cocktail or dine on local delicacies in open-air at Burma Bar. A local-style thatched-roof building, Wine Cellar stores a collection of international and Thai Wines. Tented Camp Golden Triangle is a 4-hour drive from Chiang Mai City.
For more information, visit their website.
Montego Bay in Goa, India
The Montego Bay is a boutique resort which lies across the Chapora River and Fort, along the North Goa coastline on a beautiful, secluded white sand beach called Morjim. The nesting site is protected by the forest department of the Government of Goa and there are also ample opportunities for avid bird watchers. The resort consist of Log Cabins, Luxury Tents, Casa de Mudanc’a, and a Beach Villa spread over an area of 100,000 sq ft of beach front property. The Beach tents are perfectly suited for couples, as they are closest to the beach and have the best view of the beach – a pretty ideal place for those who practice Yoga. The Beach Tents are fully furnished with a double bed, a fan and a balcony, and a European standard en suite bathroom with complimentary luxury bath products.
For more information, visit their website.
Kamu Lodge-Luangprabang, Laos
Kamu Lodge-Luangprabang
Kamu Lodge is a private eco-lodge engaged with low-impact travel, seeking for a balance between tourism and conservation of local culture and ethnic heritage. Settled on the banks of the Mekong River, in a remote valley of paddy fields, between small villages and forested mountains, Kamu Lodge is located 2-and-a-half hours upstream of Luang Prabang. It is accessible only by boat. Kamu Lodge is a deliberately rustic retreat – beyond WiFi, beyond satellite television, beyond an unlimited flow of electric current, but upon the threshold of serendipity. From a base camp set with 20 safari tents, the possibilities are as close as a neighbouring Kamu Village, or as distant as your legs will carry you. Thick-walled tents shut out the elements while a sturdy thatch roof guards against rain and sun.
For more information, visit their website.
4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Koh Kong, Tatai River, Cambodia
4 Rivers Floating Lodge
Situated along the Tatai River, 4 Rivers offers a peaceful treat with its overwater tented villas, stunning views, and restaurant. Offering a view of Cardamom Mountains, each villa features a private terrace. They are equipped with a flat-screen TV, DVD player, minibar and private bathroom with shower. DVD rentals are free-of-charge. Guests can enjoy kayaking down the river or have a relaxing massage. A daytrip to the nearby Tatai Waterfalls or coastal mangrove can be arranged by 4 Rivers Floating Lodge. Located between Bangkok and Phnom Penh in Tatai, 4 Rivers Floating Lodge is a 20-minute drive from Koh Kong City. The Lodge is a 4-hour drive from Phnom Penh or a 2-hour drive from Trat.
For more information, visit their website.
Amanwana Resort, Moyo Islands
Amanwana Resort
The award-winning Amanwana (peaceful forest) is the only resort located on the island of Moyo, a nature reserve east of Bali. Set on a beach in a secluded cove overlooking the Flores Sea, Amanwana is a wilderness hideaway with accommodation in luxury tents. The protected marine park offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling in Indonesia, with pristine reefs boasting a rich array of sea life. Amanikan is the camp’s 32-metre coastal cruiser which hosts adventures to Rinca and Komodo islands where the legendary Komodo dragons can be seen. Jungle treks on Moyo offer guests the chance to discover waterfalls and a variety of birdlife. The island is also home to a deer sanctuary for the indigenous rusa deer.
For more information, visit their website.
Firefly Bamboo Eco-Village, Bali
Firefly Bamboo Eco-Village
This bamboo cottage is a secluded eco retreat down a quiet foot path nestled in the rice fields and only a five minute walk to central Ubud. Its open air basket weave bedroom with mini loft, modern elegant bathroom and outdoor living area make this a truly unique Bali experience. The woven house is made almost entirely of bamboo, is open air, and as close to living in nature as you get. Guests will be provided with morning coffee and a light breakfast daily. You can even enjoy the many hiking trails, order a massage in the natural surrounds or enjoy a home cooked meal organically grown out of the garden as you feast on the stunning views of rice terraces. Otherwise, a walk to town will only take you 5 minutes.
For more information, visit their website.
Bangkok Tree House, Bangkok Green Lungs, Thailand
Bangkok Tree House
With its ulcer-inducing traffic, smoggy air and preponderance of concrete, Bangkok doesn’t often come to mind as a green destination. But one innovative innkeeper is hoping to boost its eco-credentials with the Bangkok Tree House. The 12-room boutique inn is nestled amid a wilderness of mangroves and palm trees on Bang Krachao, a small island known as Bangkok’s “green lung” in the Chao Phraya River. The Bangkok Tree House is a green haven and a celebration of nature perfect for those who find beauty in our natural environment. With exceptional views of the Chao Phraya river and surrounding forests from up above, you’ll be whisked away into Mother Nature’s arms. Then Bangkok Tree House is just 10km from Sukhumvit Road and minutes from the BTS Skytrain.
For more information, visit their website.
Elephant Hills Floating Luxury Camp, Surat Thani
Elephant Hills Floating Luxury Camp
Elephant Hills is Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camp combining the camp idea of African national parks with the Thai tropical forest environment. 30 luxurious tents are tailor-made and set in the largest area of rainforest in Southern Thailand. Each tent features twin beds, fan, kettle, and a luxurious bathroom with toilet and hot/cold shower. The tents provide ample space and are well protected against mosquitoes and other possible intruders. The furniture is handmade by their very own skilled craftsmen using natural materials and provides all the comfort a guest would normally find in a hotel room.
For more information, visit their website.
Wanna go? To give you a little “push”, here are some upcoming Malaysian public holidays for the rest of 2014 and 2015. Go ahead and take that time off and be a kid again!
Happy glamping :)