Camping doesn't usually get associated with luxury goods like champagne, televisions and high thread-count sheets, but in New York City, maybe it should, according to USA Today.
Some hotels in New York are offering their own version of "glamping," the recent trend of glamorous camping, with hotel amenities offered outside under a tent.
"It's basically being able to sleep under the stars in a luxury setting," Jeffrey Poirot, the general manager at AKA Central Park, on of the hotels that offers the high-end camping, told USA Today. The hotel offers an outdoor bedroom on a 1,000-square foot terrace on the 17th floor penthouse.
The room carries a rate of about $2,000 a night and includes a regular bedroom set-up outside, including a queen bed, fireplace, television and even a telescope, allowing guests to look at the stars. The offer has been available to guests for the last few years. It's always more popular in the summer months, when the weather is better. This year, it has been booked over a half dozen times.
Glamping was previously popular in places like Africa, where more affluent travelers have wanted to have their luxuries while traveling in less developed areas of the world.
"That's what camping is all about," Anita Waxman, who stayed in the outdoor bedroom with Tom Dokton. The couple traveled to New York from San Francisco. "This is exactly what I want."
New york was not the first luxury camping experience for the couple, who had previously done it on international trips.
"The access to the city, being in the middle of the city and having this kind of atmosphere, it's fantastic," Dokton said in agreement. "There's a sense of privacy up here, too."
Other hotels in the city offer similar experiences, such as the Affinia Gardens Hotel, which offers the patio suite at rates starting at $300 per night. Options include dinner outside and a bed made up outside under a tent.
"Today's travelers are really looking for unique experiences," Steve Sasso, the General Manager, said.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
