An in-depth look at the spectacular off-the-grid escape that is Glamping in Asheville, North Carolina.
Whether your concept of glamorous camping is in a tent, dome, guesthouse, or tree house, Asheville Glamping has a place for you to stay, and it will almost certainly come with a few surprises, including a slide.
The luxurious campground in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, which didn't open until 2012, manages to combine the cosiness of home with the indescribably surreal sensation of spending the night in the midst of the mountains. To protect the privacy of those staying at the campgrounds, the addresses are kept secret until after a reservation has been made, despite the fact that they are only approximately 10 miles or 20 minutes by car from the centre of Asheville.
"Asheville is an outdoor wonderland with endless hiking opportunities including the Appalachian Trail; river sports on the French Broad River; a vibrant art and local business community; and more breweries than I can count," Asheville Glamping owner Joanna Cahill told Travel + Leisure. Cahill also gushed about the city's food scene and the historic Biltmore Estate. "It's a place where you can get lost in nature," she added. "Asheville is the antithesis of a boring city."
The same is true for each of the different stays that are available at the Asheville Glamping. The sliding domes are two of the company's most sought-after rentals. The one that is simply referred to as Slide Dome has a floor space of 1,300 square feet, a ceiling that is 20 feet high in the centre, and a winding blue slide that is 9 feet tall that offers unending pleasure for both children and adults. It can accommodate up to eight visitors. The difference between this one and the Ultimate Slide Dome is that this one has a private portable toilet outside and access to a shared bathhouse, but the Ultimate Slide Dome has its own indoor bathroom, as well as a private hot tub and a shorter yellow tube slide. In addition, the Ultimate Slide Dome can sleep six people.
The other domes at Asheville Glamping are each equipped to accommodate two people. The Star Dome is tucked away in a corner with its own hot tub for taking in the views of the celestial cosmos at night, while the Mountain Perspective Dome is strongly perched and provides a sky-high view of the camp below it. A couple of Parkway Domes offer accommodations with a more rustic feel, while the two domes that are dog-friendly are well lit to ensure that canines have a pleasant stay.
The Safari Tent, which can sleep up to five people, has air conditioning, an outdoor grill, and a fire pit. The Deluxe Bell Tent, which can sleep two people on a memory foam mattress, has a spacious deck with mountain views, as well as a fire pit. Both tents are available for guests who prefer a tented experience. The Hikers Heaven is a two-bedroom guesthouse that features a kitchen, a living room, a washer and dryer, and a washer and dryer. It is an option for travellers who would rather stay in a setting that is more reminiscent of a conventional family home.
How epic this tree house? 🏠 pic.twitter.com/FVpMXNW7Aj
— Survival Life style (@SurvivalLife7) March 30, 2021
But The Nest Tree House, which can accommodate a total of two people, is Cahill's personal favourite. She refers to it as a "real tree house" due to the fact that it is completely supported by three enormous poplar trees, including one that runs through the structure's ceiling and floor. Two suspension bridges lead to the residence, which has its own bathroom with a toilet and shower (with hot water! ), as well as a small kitchen with a refrigerator, sink, coffeemaker, and microwave. Additionally, there is its own private bathroom with a toilet and shower (with hot water!).
She claims that when she first started thinking about building a tree house when she was 10 years old, "it was a dream to see my design jump off the pages of my notebook and into actual life." "I can't help but feel like a kid whenever I cross the suspension bridge on my way to the tree house!"
Before making a reservation, it is crucial to have as much information as possible regarding the specifics of the location, including the degree of restroom privacy offered and the presence or absence of running water. There is a possibility of viewing other guests and their properties due to the lack of dense tree cover; nonetheless, sites are at least a few hundred feet away from those that are adjacent to them. Because there is no Wi-Fi and very spotty reception on Verizon, guests are strongly encouraged to disconnect from their electronic devices during their stay.
Unplugging and reestablishing a connection with nature is precisely why tourists come to this destination. Cahill has been able to continue expanding the campground as a result of the business's success. Cahill believes that individuals have a strong need for "special spaces" and "surprise features." "We are all about breaking new ground!"
In April of 2023, Cahill's newest and most original idea will at long last see the light of day. Asheville Glamping is a technically separate business from the ambitious Mirror Hotel, which will be located on 55 acres approximately 25 minutes from the downtown area. The ambitious Mirror Hotel will include 18 cabins in what she refers to as a "elevated outdoor experience," as opposed to glamping. The premium apartments will be constructed out of a one-of-a-kind reflecting substance, not glass like the others of its kind, which will catch not only the sky during the day but also the sky throughout the night. In addition to that, it will include a film that protects birds and other wildlife from the light while still allowing them to see it.
She worked with the local film studio Yurko Studio of Architecture to bring her vision to life. "We are bursting at the seams with excitement to be bringing this dream project to life as it has been years in the making," Cahill says, adding that she worked with the studio to bring her vision to life. "In our design, it was important that the Invisible cabins at Mirror Hotel do not merely reflect nature; rather, we wanted them to compliment nature as well," you may quote us as saying. Those who register at will have the opportunity to make reservations.
Cahill has nurtured a natural sense of enthusiasm for the great outdoors and creative spaces ever since she was in elementary school, when she would spend hours in the woods building tree houses, forts, and even underground shelters. This raw sense of enthusiasm can be found at the core of both Asheville Glamping and Mirror Hotel. She didn't start daydreaming about the business until she was 22 years old while hiking the Appalachian Trail from end to end in 2006. During that trip, which was more than 2,000 miles long, she thought about the business.
She then became a Habitat for Humanity volunteer in order to have a deeper understanding of the building process, and while she was saving money, she launched a commercial cleaning service. She started with a three-acre plot of land and erected a single red yurt for herself, complete with a kitchen, bathroom, and loft, so that she could build Asheville Glamping while living there herself. She persisted and founded Asheville Glamping more than a decade ago, and she has continued to build it up to the well-known glampsite that it is today. Despite numerous setbacks along the road, she never gave up.
Cahill opines that "Modern Living" is an extremely stressful way of life. Asheville Glamping is a site where guests are encouraged to unplug, reconnect, and take it easy.