Did You Know | Travel

New Tented Camps Are Resorts Like You've Never Seen Them Before

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge/Facebook, Jessica Wintz/Instagram

For people who've caught the travel bug, there's nothing more thrilling than going on vacation.

But before you start saving for your next big trip, you have to decide which faraway destination you'll want to explore.

Although there are more than enough options to chose from, tented camps are the latest craze that are available all across the globe.

So, forget about regular camping because this is an experience you'll never forget.

"It's a completely different experience."

Popping up everywhere from Botswana, New South Wales, Costa Rica and New York City, hoteliers have taken resorts to the next level with these incredible accommodations, such as safari-style tents, free-standing bath tubs, fireplaces, wood floors, and outdoor dual-head rain showers.

While we've all heard about glamping before, these new retreats are the perfect place to disconnect from technology while still enjoying the luxuries we've become accustomed to and more.

"Kids love it"”it's great for multi-generational trips," Jack Ezon, president of Ovation Vacations, told Bloomberg. "It's a completely different experience."

Here are four beautiful tented camp resorts you'll want to book right away.

Cardamom Tented Camp - Cambodia

If you've ever fantasized about traveling to Cambodia, staying at the Cardamom Tented Camp will make the vacation worth your while.

This resort is a collaborative project by YAANA Ventures sustainable travel group, Cambodia's Wildlife Alliance conservation organization, and Thailand-based Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, whose intention is to protect the animals and the land while giving vacationers a truly memorable experience.

"The wildlife is slowly coming back after decades of unhindered poaching," said John Roberts, who is the group director of sustainability and conservation at the camp.

"We have Asiatic wild dogs, clouded leopards, mouse deer, sun bears, hog badgers, gibbons, macaques, elephants and more."

"The tented experience is complemented by a riverside restaurant, a floating pier and a slew of safari-style outings -- led by Wildlife Alliance rangers -- where travelers are bound to spot a mix of wildlife."

The camp offers various packages, which range from $259 to $465.

Rosewood Luang Prabang - Laos

If you're still set on traveling to Asia but Cambodia isn't for you, the Rosewood Luang Prabang Luxury Hotel may just be your style.

Located in Luang Prabang, this region still keeps its physical connection to its past as a royal city, and this hotel proves it.

Designed with Laotian and French architecture in mind, Rosewood Luang Prabang offers six safari-style tents, which are raised on stilts and floats above the tree canopy. When you look outside, you have a perfect view of the surrounding mountains.

If tents aren't for you, you can also stay in one of the 23 spacious accommodations including four deluxe rooms, four specialty suites, three riverside villas, or six pool villas.

"We wanted to re-create a Lao villa of the French period," Bill Bensley, the hotel's designer, told Travel + Leisure writer Lawrence Osborne. "A house that could easily have been that of the consul general in the 1890s."

Guests can participate in once in a lifetime activities, such as the Heritage Walk, food tours, waterfall explorations, artisanal explorations, and river cruises.

If this type of vacation spot is for you, prices start from $820 per night.

Belmond Eagle Island Lodge - Botswana

If you've ever wanted to travel to Africa, you won't regret staying at the Belmond Eagle Island Lodge located in Okavango, Botswana.

The lodge, which is the oldest camp in the area, offers 12 large rooms with two having the ability to add an extra single bed for one child aged six and up.

Upon your arrival, you'll be greeted by a 12-person choir upon arrival, and shake hands with all the staff members you'll see during your stay.

Guests will be treated to activities including walking safaris, fishing trips, horse-riding, aerial tours by helicopter, and of course water-based activities.

"Eagle Island Lodge is on a private island in the heart of the delta. It offers a wide range of water-based activities, and the opportunity to see wildlife from a different angle. Bold design also makes this one of the chicest addresses in the delta," one Telegraph writer said.

While staying at the tented camp, you'll be able to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles and giraffe and more than 600 bird species live in action.

While you might not be able to spot any big cats grazing the field, you'll have access to the waterways all to yourself (via a traditional mokoro or classic speedboat), where you'll be closer to the some of the animals you'd ever compared to the land.  

While the price may sound steep at about $1,080 per night, it also includes all meals and most drinks, minibar, park fees, free Wi-Fi and complimentary laundry service, and two activities per day.

Wild Coast Tented Lodge - Sri Lanka

When you imagine a beach retreat, you typically wouldn't picture having encounters with animals such as leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and water buffaloes.

But, they'll be your neighbors when you stay at the Wild Coast Tented Lodge on the edge of of Yala National Park, on the south-east coast of Sri Lanka.

According to the Financial Review, this tented camp is eco-conscious and was constructed by Dutch, English, and Sri Lankan designers.

It offers 28 tents (called Cocoons) that take on the look of the shape and color of the rocks and boulders in the 378-square-mile preserve.

While four of the Cocoons feature its own private swimming pool, others will be able to enjoy air-conditioning, a spa, and a bamboo dining pavilion with a bar.

On TripAdvisor, the hotel has an average rating of 4.5/5 stars, and it's easy to see why. But don't just take our word for it and read this glowing review.

"The rooms, which are tented cocoons, were beautiful decorated and had every amenity you could possibly want.

The soaking bath was a true highlight. The food was very tasty and the menu offered everything from traditional Sri Lankan food to Western food for those needing a break from curry. The staff were friendly and very professional.

Our safari was amazing, we did see the leopard which was surely a highlight. But on our second day we went to a part of the park further away which had beautiful landscapes and great bird watching. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable.

Most of all, the property is unfenced which means we watched monkeys play during our meals, had an elephant outside of our room and saw water buffalo roam the beach."

Prices start from about $384 a night, but there must be a minimum two-day stay.

[H/T: Bloomberg ]

Would you like to stay in a tented camp resort? Let us know in the comments!

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