As the glamping industry evolves, so do the opportunities for entrepreneurs to innovate and captivate guests with unique accommodations.
There are a myriad of structure options, each with its unique benefits, challenges, and appeal to guests. From covered wagons to treehouses, the possibilities are endless.
Despite this diversity, we always like to emphasize the importance of the “classics” when deciding on glamping structures for your business. At Ferncrest, we’ve found particular success with dome tents, though our experience extends across many of the “classic” glamping structures.
Here, we aim to share insights into the most cost-effective and sought-after options in the glamping world through the lens of our own experience.
Bell Tents: The Entry-Level Elegance
Bell tents represent the essence of glamping for guests seeking an upgraded camping experience without the premium price tag. As the most cost-effective option, they offer a seamless transition from traditional camping, yet, it’s crucial to note their lower Average Daily Rate (ADR) and seasonal limitations due to lack of insulation.
Bell tents tend to miss out on a higher-end clientele that is looking for the “hotel experience” while glamping. Instead, the people who stay in bell tents are looking to “trade up” from traditional camping and are therefore limited in what they are willing to spend. Depending on the size and offerings, basic bell tents are going to have the lowest ADR of glamping structures (likely in a range of $75-150 ADR) as well as the lowest occupancy (how many nights you sell). On the flip side, they are the quickest, cheapest and easiest to start using.
Note: as a result of the above limiting factors, we discontinued our bell tents at Ferncrest after the last season.
Safari & Wall Tents: Mid-Range Marvels
Safari tents step up the luxury, offering more space and a higher price point, appealing to those who enjoy the outdoors with added comfort. However, they commonly lack sufficient insulation for colder climate winters, limiting their use to warmer months.
These tents offer a more luxurious look and feel than bell tents. Due to their straight walls, the space feels more open and you can also fit more along the sides like shelving and bunk beds.
Like most glamping structures, the price per night of renting out a safari tent ranges widely, as does the ADR. Depending on what you offer, you will likely be in the range of $100-250/night (However there are some safari tent styles that are more like full cabins and can demand a premium).
Note: We charge $179/night during the weekdays and $249/night on the weekends. Our safari tents do not have in-suite bathrooms and offer pre-charged power stations for electricity.
Dome Tents: The Versatile Choice
At Ferncrest, dome tents outperformed all other tents by a factor of at least 3 to 1. For us and our campground, they strike the perfect balance between affordability and luxury. Our findings is that a dome tent appeals to a broader range of would-be glampers as the look and feel is akin to a hotel room and less like a tent. The large panoramic window makes you feel like you have a massive screen in your room to watch the natural world outside your doorstep.
Their potential for insulation and heating transforms them into a year-round glamping option, broadening their appeal and enhancing ROI for the operators. Our ADR on dome tents was over $300/night despite their compact size and not having an in-suite bathroom (you walk to communal bathrooms at our glampground).
Note: This year, we’re doubling down on dome tents, convinced by their unmatched versatility and profitability and will be building more at Ferncrest next month (we will be sure to share more about this process in future newsletters!).
A-Frames and Cabins
A-frames and cabins are the zenith of glamping accommodations, offering unparalleled comfort and year-round utility. However, this comes at a significant cost and time investment, even the most simple of small glamping cabins will be 5x+ that of dome tents and over 10x more than safari or bell tent setups.
Despite this, building cabins is a good option for larger budget projects as they are often easier to finance with bank loans than tent operations (banks don’t like soft walled lodging!).
Note: We had originally planned for A-frames at Ferncrest but shifted to domes as our research indicated we could achieve the same ADR for a dome stay as an A-Frame (but it would require significantly less to build).
Each glamping structure has its unique charm and functionality, catering to different segments of the market. While bell and safari tents offer a more traditional camping vibe, dome tents and A-frames cater to guests seeking comfort akin to a hotel experience.
While we champion the versatility of dome tents, we recognize that the best choice varies with each entrepreneur’s vision and market needs.
COMING SOON: The Dome Tent Event
All that said… if you haven’t heard yet, The Dome Tent Event starts next week, offering exclusive access to our glamping equipment supply chain, competitive pricing, and ongoing support to ensure your success!
And although the name may appear to be all about our favorite tent, this event is not just about selling tents; it’s about building a community of successful glampreneurs through education and support (as well as the tools!).
Join the Waitlist: Don’t Miss Out!
Ready to elevate your glamping business with a dome tent, or simply curious to learn more? Join our waitlist for The Dome Tent Event and unlock the potential of dome tents (and other equipment and knowledge) for your glampsite.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to expand, this event is your gateway to a successful glamping future.
Only waitlist registrants will get early access to the event as well as access to a free livestream on 2/20:
“Your First $10,000: Strategies for Profitable Glamping”
Happy Glamping!
Brian & Joanna Linton
