Glamping Destinations With Cutting-edge Design Across The Globe

These modern-day glamping destinations guarantee both an immersion in nature and mesmerising design

Organic Modernism: Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Sri Lanka

Photo 1 of 5 The unusual shape of the tents was inspired by the boulders scattered on the beach. Natural materials such as bamboo and mudbrick were employed in the creation of both the public areas and the tents themselves; furniture from Africa create a cosy haven

Photo 2 of 5 The unusual shape of the tents was inspired by the boulders scattered on the beach. Natural materials such as bamboo and mudbrick were employed in the creation of both the public areas and the tents themselves; furniture from Africa create a cosy haven

Photo 3 of 5 The unusual shape of the tents was inspired by the boulders scattered on the beach. Natural materials such as bamboo and mudbrick were employed in the creation of both the public areas and the tents themselves; furniture from Africa create a cosy haven

Photo 4 of 5 A handful of tents come with a plunge pool and terrace for the ultimate Sri Lankan glamping experience

Photo 5 of 5 The Den And Ten Tusks Restaurant--An arresting structure crafted almost entirely out of bamboo, the Den is easily the most happening watering hole in the entire park. Set close to the shore, the restaurant and bar features stunning design elements such as a copper-leaf tree sculpture suspended from the 10-metre-high dome, as well as a swimming pool that runs through the establishment. The latter illuminates in the evening, echoing the Yala National Park’s star-filled sky.

Wild Coast Tented Lodge isn’t one for grand entrances, nor does it desire to stand out. What it wants is to blend in and, given its location at the edge of Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, Resplendent Ceylon’s first luxury safari lodge is all the better for it. Upon arrival, one is greeted by a humble hut set in verdant surrounds, which immediately reminds guests that they’re in the thick of a tropical forest bordered by the pulsing Indian Ocean.

The deliberate integration of the design into the existing ecosystem was the work of Nomadic Resorts, which handled the architecture and landscaping in collaboration with the interior design firm Bo Reudler Studio. From the use of local materials—such as stone and mud brick— to the rounded forms that dominate the structures, almost every element references the lodge’s extraordinary location. Each of the 36 tents was designed to resemble the cream-coloured boulders on the shore and were positioned around a watering hole, meant to draw the wildlife in for closer inspection. In fact, the layout of the tents is crafted to mimic a leopard’s paw, which honours the revered residents of Yala National Park—the Sri Lankan leopard.

Unique to Wild Coast Tented Lodge, the cocoon tents pique one’s curiosity at first sight. Once indoors, they don’t disappoint, either. The tents feature large picture windows that frame the flora and fauna; the nauticalinspired portholes also add to the retro charm. Dominated by warm wood and an earthy palette, they’re clearly designed to be cosy, but not devoid of grandeur—the copper detailing and the hammered copper tub provide decadent touches. Some cocoons are equipped with a terrace and a plunge pool, which, if you’re lucky, might net you a visit by the local elephants, which occasionally use it as their drinking fountain.

Find out more at: www.resplendentceylon.com/wildcoastlodge-yala

Images courtesy of Nomadic Resorts & Resplendent Ceylon (Photographed by Tim Evan-cook)

Camping For Modernists: Honshinoya Fuji, Japan

Photo 1 of 5 Rising above a dense red pine forest, one can’t help but look at the showstopping architecture of Hoshinoya Fuji. At the heart of the resort is the Cloud Forest, furnished with stylish outdoor pieces that help one commune with nature

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Photo 3 of 5 From horseback-riding to early morning canoe sessions, one is encouraged to embrace the wilderness at Hoshinoya Fuji

Photo 4 of 5 Forest Kitchen--Launched in late 2017, the resort’s newest dining outlet immerses guests in the beautiful Japanese wilderness. We suggest going for the Dutch Oven Dinner—a special menu featuring local, seasonal game such as venison and wild boar cooked on a grill, and paired with local wines and spirits

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Camping is meant to be an exercise in simplicity, and while Hoshinoya Fuji retains this spirit, it raises it to a whole new level. The difference is noticeable even before one steps foot on the property. Located on a slope facing Lake Kawaguchi—one of the five lakes with prized views of Mount Fuji—the hotel’s distinctive architecture is visible from below. Designed by Azuma Architect and Associates along with landscape architects Studio On Site, the white box-shaped structure juts out from the dense red pine forest and begs to be noticed.

The deliberate cubist design serves a special purpose: to properly frame a stunning view of Mount Fuji. Each and every room has an unbeatable vantage point to take in the iconic mountain, and with good weather on your side, it’ll be hard to peel yourself away from the postcard-perfect panorama. The sleek lines of the building are echoed in the minimalist interiors of the rooms. Swathed in a palette of white and grey, it’s far from the rustic cabin in the woods and, instead, is akin to a modern studio apartment. Devoid of unnecessary ornamentation, the rooms place the landscape front and centre. The clever addition of an outdoor area, equipped with a modern fireplace and fitted with a kotatsu (heated table), emphasises a strong cultural touch that showcases glamping with a Japanese twist. This is just the place to luxuriate—greet the day with a Japanese bento breakfast or cap the night by enjoying a dram of the local whisky.

Elsewhere in the property, the severe lines and stark whites are replaced by a more homespun character. This is most evident in the Cloud Forest, a multi-tiered wooden platform that’s a hive of activity. Here, the simple joys of camping in a forest are brought to life—from enjoying the sounds of the wild to roasting marshmallows on an open fire. This being a Hoshinoya property, of course, luxury is all but expected—so there’s no stopping you enjoying an outdoor movie while sipping a glass of rare Hibiki.

Find out more at: www.hoshinoya.com/fuji

Images courtesy of Hoshino Resorts

Living On The Edge

These designer camps will make you want to go to the middle of nowhere

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ECOCAMP PATAGONIA

Setting up camp in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, this fully sustainable hotel is the first of its kind in the region, boasting 13 geodesic domes that run on solar and hydraulic energy, and featuring composting toilets. While electricity is limited, luxury is not overlooked—the cosy dome tents house a king-size or two twin beds, with an open terrace, a wood-burning stove, an enclosed porch, and a fully-equipped bathroom. ecocamp.travel/en

CANVAS CLUB

Located in the middle of the pristine deserts of Wahiba Sands in Oman—you will arrive at the camp by camel—Canvas Club is the picture of a Middle Eastern dream. Each traditional Bedouin tent, which can accommodate two adults and two children, is furnished with comfortable beds and tastefully decorated with ornate rugs, cushions, and colourful lanterns. A separate bathroom tent offers the luxury of hot water showers and a foot-pumped wash basin. canvasclub.de/en

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AURORA SAFARI CAMP

Even the journey to this camp in Lapland, Sweden, is an experience to remember: glampers are taken on a sleigh ride across a frozen lake to the camp. Founded by Swedish photographer Fredrik Broman, this private camp features safari-style tents that can be rearranged into double, twin or family rooms, with a firewood heater keeping you warm even it dips to -37 celsius. A sauna is also available, on a float frozen into the ice of the river. aurorasafaricamp.com

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SAL SALIS

Nestled in the dune of Cape Range National Park and just metres away from Australia’s beautiful Ningaloo Reef, Sal Salis is the place for glampers who enjoy the sand and sea. Sitting on raised platforms on the sandy coast, each of the nine spacious wilderness tents feature handmade jarrah beds, with an eco-en suite bathroom that uses a hand-pumped shower. Power at the camp is solar generated and there is no wifi or mobile reception, so there’s no better time to go off the grid and live in the now. salsalis.com.au

Images courtesy of respective properties

Tatler Asia