Like mother like daughter I guess. I blame my lack of enthusiasm for camping on my mother who, like many others out there, does all her “camping” at a Hilton. Which is not to say that I have never pitched a tent and lived off the land during the summer months. (You can read about my first camping trip here.) I just don’t seem to embrace the experience of roughing it as much as others.
However, there is an entirely different breed of lodging in the great outdoors that I am quite interested in—luxury camping. Did you know that there are several properties around the world that combine the best of the summer tradition with the best of creature comforts?
If you fail to see the fun in schlepping heavy outdoor gear and setting up camp in the middle of a summer storm then you might want to check out the following deals. They offer the best in luxury camping (think comfy furniture, gourmet meals, and maid service) without the high-end prices that are typically associated with them.
Australia
The award-winning Longitude 131° located in the heart of the Australian Outback offers campers a deluxe wilderness escape with five star perks. The ultra-luxe retreat is set atop an isolated sand dune close to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and has all the trappings of a top rated hotel. The campsite features 15 palatial linen-canopied tents, which offer private views of the sun rising and setting over the legendary Uluru/Ayers Rock. Daily activities include gourmet dining under the southern night sky, sunrise walks, and tours of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Cultural Centre. Two-night packages start at $1,745 per person, all-inclusive
California
Costanoa eco-adventure resort just south of San Francisco offers luxurious amenities for outdoor lovers who don’t want to rough it too much. Located on a spectacular stretch of California’s coast, the property features a 40-room lodge with a restaurant and a spa as well as four swanky tent bungalows. Each bungalow comes equipped with waterproof canvas walls, electricity, sliding windows, and heated mattress pads. The campsite also features three comfort stations, which are equipped with restrooms, hot showers, heated floors, a dry sauna, and an outdoor fireplace. Nightly rates for these tents start at $115 on weeknights ($130 on weekends) and run up to $175 for family-style tents ($190 on weekends).
Mongolia
Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia’s legendary Gobi Desert is listed by Travel + Leisure as one of the top luxury camp sites in the world. The property is sheltered by a 47-million-year-old volcanic outcrop in Gurvansaikhan National Park and is home to 30 private nomadic tents made of felt and wood with wood-burning stoves and hand-painted wooden furniture. As part of the package deal you will receive the services of a personal guide who will lead you through Mongolia’s varied terrain, which includes mountain valleys, and the red sandstone Flaming Cliffs. Rates start at $80 per night per person, with all meals included.
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