Kingfisher
So let’s say you like the idea of outdoor camping – sleeping under the stars, surrounded by an endless night sky, being one with nature – if it only weren’t for the uncomfortable and so – unstylish – parts of the activity itself?
If that sounds like you, then there’s no more reason to hold out because with “glamping,” yep, glamorous camping, you might still have to deal with a little bug or two, but you’ll forgot that instantly in your beautiful and oh-so-stylish surroundings.
So, it turns out you really can have it all. You can be all the way out in remote nature, hours away from the bustle and noise of the city and still have your bed, your bathroom and electricity. That last part will definitely come in handy because, let’s face it, you’ll be taking so many pictures for the ‘gram that you may even run out of storage space.
This list will help get you started because it turns out that you can be still your very glamorous self while camping in quite a number of remote and enchating spots in the region. Here are five of the absolute best “glamp-grounds” to get you started:
Hatta Sedr Trailers
Hatta Spring (in UAE, bordering Oman)
www.visithatta.com
Hatta recently announced their new projects that will turn this mountainous region of Hatta Spring into a place where you’ll want to spend a weekend getaway – at the very least.
Everything they do is eco-friendly and they also have backing in the highest places: The overall development of this particular region is as part of a plan for Hatta that was first announced in 2016 by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is of course the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Hatta Sedr Trailers’ first project is a boutique trailer hotel that is situated in an enclave that borders Oman. It’s also the first of its kind in the UAE! Each trailer is situated perfectly in the dreamy landscape of the rugged Hajar Mountains and each trailer also comes with a private terrace. There’s also a large communal fire pit and barbecue facilities for everyone to use and enjoy.
Kingfisher Lodge
Sharjah
www.sharjahcollection.ae
Not unlike the previous company, Kingfisher Lodge is also all about eco-tourism, but their concept also includes distinct elements of Arabian hospitality. The carefully chosen landscape is situated in Kalba, which is an exclave of Sharjah and the lodge is perched directly on the coast near the boarder with Oman. Kingfisher encompasses 20 luxury tents in total and each room overlooks – get this – its very own private pool that feeds into the Indian Ocean.
When you’ve had enough relaxation, you can also request a guided tour through the nearby mangroves, where you can bird watch a observe sea turtles in their natural habitat. If you’re looking for more excitement, there are also water sports like kayaking and paddle boarding nearby, trekking through the pristine landscape, and “fat bike riding” up and down the beach.
Once you’ve powered yourself out, return to the lodge and take a seat next to the roaring fire pit where you’ll be served a freshly cooked meal under the stars.
1000 Nights Camp, Wahiba Sands
Oman
http://www.thousandnightsoman.com
Instead of taking a four-hour flight, how about hopping in a 4x4 and driving to this spot four hours outside of Muscat? Wahiba Sands is a gem of a hideaway located on the fringe of the desert of Oman.
The campgrounds are geared toward luxury in various shapes and sizes, so you’ll actually be able to choose from three distinct styles of tents, each one surrounded by golden sand dunes. If you want to take things up a notch or if you’re travelling with guests who prefer a bit more structure, you can also mix and match with the furnished, air-conditioned villas that look like traditional Omani forts.
1000 Nights Camp lives up to its name with all of the options is has, because there’s also the possibility of booking a Sheikh tent, which is made authentically and beautifully from goat and sheep wool. During the day, you’ll have a hard time getting board but there’s a million things to do. Aside from swimming in the only camp pool in all of Oman, there are also camel and horse safaris, dune bashing, desert trekking, and you can round off your day of activities with having coffee with a Bedouin family.
Wadi Rum Night Luxury Camp
Jordan
www.wadirumnight.com
Have you seen the most recent movie from the “Star Wars” franchise, or “The Martian” starring Matt Damon? The reason this is relevant is because both films were partially shot here, in Wadi Rum. This “Valley of the Moon” is perhaps best known for it’s the deep red hues of its sprawling landscape. So if you want to feel like you haven’t just left town but that you’ve travelled to another planet entirely, this just might be the place to go.
This luxury camp lays 300km south of Amman and in a protected area. But don’t for a second think that being off the beaten track means you can’t have all of the luxury imaginable, because this is as deluxe as it gets. In keeping with its otherworldly theme, you can stay in futuristic-looking, bubble-like pods that are surrounded by endless stretches of deep red sand. Aside from tents, you can book these pods, each one having electricity, air-con, a king-sized bed and mosquito nets, but also parquet floors, and a full bathroom and shower.
Although, for the sake of being fair, it’s questionable how much time you’ll actually have to admire the inside of your pod because you’ll be mesmerized by the breathtaking views and want to spend every minute outdoors. But at night, safe in your pod, you can also open your curtains facing the sky and sleep under a blanket of stars lighting up the night sky just above your bed.
