Open Air Business April 2017

GLAMPSITES
LUXURYFRONTIERS
NORTH STAR CLUB, YORKSHIRE
so why not go one step further
and commission your own design
from the Firepit Company, their
hand cut fire globes add a dash of
blazing magic to starry night time
glamping. They’d make a great
centrepiece for weddings and
events too.
If you can provide the appropriate
privacy, open air showers and baths
are fun additional options, and
we all know by now that hot tubs
are perennially popular. I recently
spotted a new product, a wood
fired sauna, that might give hot
tubs some competition… ironically
it was on Naked Flame Eco Tubs’
website. Which reminds me – I try to
keep a look out for new, innovative
structures and products, but I do
have a life outside glamping you
know (no comments, thank you), so
if you’re launching an exciting new
product please let me know.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Luxury glamping is about to lift
off in the UK, on both small and
large scales. I visited a luxury
development last week, the size of
which raised even my eyebrows.
In contrast, another was a small,
three unit, boutique set up curving
around a newly created natural
swimming pool. More often these
days I drive home inspired by the
quality and diversity of glamping
that I see being created here, it’s
such an exciting time to be in this
business.
One such glampsite has just been
launched - ‘StarBed Hideaways’
is a little gem, possessing all the
elements that raise a glamping offer
beyond the ordinary into that five
star, luxury experience. Located
in Devon, it comprises two quality
cabins on the Buckland Abbey
National Trust Estate. Designer
interiors, stylish furnishings and
roll-top baths are only part of the
package - a visiting spa, falconry
and hot air balloon rides are just
a few of the activities that can
be enjoyed by guests. Bryony
and Bertie have paid scrupulous
attention to detail and possess
a clear willingness to make their
guests’ experience unforgettable.
The website presents the
accommodation and experience
with clarity and elegance, and the
quality is evident from the moment
a potential guest lands on a page.
If you would like to experience
StarBed Hideaways for yourself,
Bryony and Bertie have kindly
created a limited, exclusive offer
to readers of Open Air Business, I
believe details can be found in the
‘News’ section (pages 6-7).
GUEST-CENTRIC
When rental fees rise above
a certain price point, guest
expectations are high, so if we are
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Morel provides
a completely
independent advice
and design service to
individuals, estates
and companies
looking to create a
successful glamping
business. She is
well qualified and
connected to provide
advice on every aspect
of creating, operating,
marketing and
upgrading glamping
accommodations or
developments. www.
katemorel.com / info@
katemorel.com
NORTH STAR CLUB, YORKSHIRE
going to offer luxury breaks, and
charge accordingly, it’s vital that
we ‘deliver’. It’s also important to
remember that when some guests
book an expensive, luxury break,
it’s for a special occasion of some
sort – a proposal, honeymoon,
anniversary or birthday - they may
even have saved up for it. As always,
the key here is to put ourselves
in our guests’ shoes and provide
what we would expect. I am sure
we would all want to relish the
experience, the exclusivity, richness
and sheer extravagance, to feel
spoiled, special and pampered.
I hope our little canter through
luxury glamping has inspired you.
If you are considering adding a
glamping development to your
land, and would like to talk through
your ideas, do get in touch. There
are so many other factors I would
have liked to cover, and have a
plethora of ideas to share, but alas,
Tally says she has other things to fit
into Open Air Business as well!
Until next time, Kate.
INSPIRATION
Canonici Sanmarco, Venice
www.glampingcanonici.com/en
Kasbah Tamadot, Morocco
www.virginlimitededition.com/en/
kasbah-tamadot
LuxuryFrontiers - www.luxuryfrontiers.com
Mahail Mzuri, Kenya
www.virginlimitededition.com/en/
mahali-mzuri
StarBed Hideaways
www.starbedhideaways.co.uk
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