One of the biggest decisions you’ll face when designing a glampground is whether to include bathrooms in your lodging units or rely on a shared bathhouse.
This choice goes beyond just infrastructure – it defines the guest experience, impacts your budget, and shapes the kind of glamping you’re creating.
At Ferncrest, this decision was guided by our vision to blend the nostalgia of camping with the comforts of modern glamping.
But before we dive into how we’ve handled this at Ferncrest, let’s explore the pros and cons of each approach.
Ensuite Bathrooms
Pros:
-
Convenience & Privacy: Guests love the ease of having a private bathroom. It feels luxurious and eliminates any worry about walking outside at night.
-
Upscale Perception: Having ensuite bathrooms elevates the perception of your glamping experience, appealing to guests willing to pay a premium for comfort.
Cons:
-
Cost: Building individual bathrooms for each unit requires a significant investment in utilities, construction, and maintenance.
-
Infrastructure Complexity: Plumbing, sewage, and water systems become more complex, especially in remote areas.
Shared Bathhouse
Pros:
-
Cost-Effective: A single bathhouse serving multiple units is far more affordable and logistically simpler to build and maintain.
-
Campground Nostalgia: Walking to the bathhouse evokes the classic camping experience, fostering a sense of community and adventure.
Cons:
-
Perceived Inconvenience: Some guests may view a shared bathhouse as a step down in comfort, especially if they expect hotel-like amenities.
-
Cleaning Challenges: A high-traffic bathhouse requires frequent cleaning to maintain guest satisfaction.
Our Approach at Ferncrest
At Ferncrest, we leaned into the camping side of glamping. While we aim to provide modern comforts like air conditioning, cozy beds, and hot tubs, we’ve chosen a shared bathhouse model. This decision aligns with our philosophy of creating an authentic camping experience – a place where families can unplug, connect with nature, and rediscover the magic of a true campground setting.
Our bathhouse isn’t just functional; it’s part of the experience. Built with thoughtful design, ample privacy, and eco-friendly fixtures, it strikes a balance between practicality and comfort. Guests tell us it brings back memories of family camping trips while still feeling elevated and clean.
Defining Glamping: What’s Your Vision?
One of the most eye-opening lessons we’ve learned in this industry is that there is no single definition of glamping. For some, it’s a fully immersive camping experience with an added layer of comfort. For others, it’s a luxury resort nestled in nature.
Here are the key factors to consider when defining your version of glamping:
-
Budget: Ensuite bathrooms demand significantly higher upfront costs. If your budget is tight, a shared bathhouse might allow you to allocate funds elsewhere.
-
Land: The size, layout, and location of your property might determine what’s feasible for utilities and infrastructure.
-
Timeline: Private bathrooms add complexity and can delay your project’s launch.
-
Target Customer: Who do you want to attract? Families looking for nostalgia? Couples seeking high-end luxury? Your decision should reflect their expectations.
At Ferncrest, we focus on creating a campground for the modern age. We’re looking for franchise partners who share our vision – people who want to build amazing destinations that blend the charm of camping with family-friendly amenities.
Choosing Your Path
If you’re thinking about starting a glamping business, the bathroom question is just the tip of the iceberg. It’s a reflection of a much larger decision: the kind of experience you want to create. Do you want a nostalgic, family-oriented campground, or are you aiming for high-end luxury retreats?
If you want to learn more, be sure to join us for the free 3-day Glampground Startup Challenge starting January 21, where we’ll walk you through how to start your glampground in 2025.
👉 Join the Glampground Startup Challenge
It’s going to be Live and we’ll be online answering all your questions too…so be sure to join us!
Happy Glamping!
Brian & Joanna Linton
