When we opened Ferncrest in Promised Land, we didn’t have everything figured out.
We didn’t even have everything built.
But we had a plan: start, learn, and scale intentionally.
Our first season? We launched with:
- 6 Dome Tents
- 5 Bell Tents
- 6 Crest Tents
That was it. Seventeen sites total. No luxury bathhouses, no fancy upgrades—just an idea and a strong belief that glamping had demand.
And we did really well. But it wasn’t because of all 17 sites.
Cut What’s Not Working, Double Down on What Is
By the end of that first season, we had real data—not just guesses. The Bell Tents underperformed. The Dome Tents booked out constantly, drove the highest rates, and created the best guest experience.
Going into season two, we made a simple but critical move:
- We dropped the Bell Tents entirely.
- We doubled the Dome Tents to 12.
- We kept the Crest Tents as they performed well (but not as good as domes)
That brought us to 21 total glamping sites, with a leaner, more profitable setup. And once again, the results were clear—the Dome Tents were the winners.
Scaling Further: Listening to Demand
Now, heading into season three, we’re scaling again—but not just by adding more of the same. We’ve paid attention to what guests actually need:
- Family demand is high, so we’re adding four larger Dome Tents to accommodate bigger groups.
- Our bathhouses aren’t servicing all guests as well as they could—some domes have a long walk, and all four showers are outdoors. Great in the summer, not ideal in the shoulder season.
- We’re adding a prefabricated bathhouse with indoor showers to improve the guest experience.
Every year, we fine-tune. Every year, we get better—not by throwing money at random upgrades, but by making calculated improvements based on real guest behavior and business performance.
The Big Takeaway: Scale Like a Scientist
You don’t need to do everything at once. You just need to start big enough to collect meaningful data and revenue. If we had launched with one or two tents, we wouldn’t have known what worked—or had the cash flow to reinvest.
If you’re starting out, my advice:
- Start with at least four or five units, more if possible.
- Observe what works—not just what you like, but what the market responds to.
- Don’t be afraid to cut what’s not working, even if you loved the idea.
- Scale strategically—build on strengths, fix weaknesses, and keep evolving.
Glamping is not like traditional hospitality. You don’t need a huge upfront investment like a hotel or even a single Airbnb home. It’s modular. It’s scalable. If you do it right, you can build something truly meaningful over time.
Start smart. Learn fast. Scale intentionally.
Happy Glamping!
– Brian & Joanna Linton
