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Camping

Our UK Camping forum has all the information you need on finding the right equipment for your tent or caravan.

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Original poster

Glamping - not what I expected...

113 replies

MiracleAccidentMistake · 03/08/2018 08:53

I booked a glamping experience via air b&b - it isn't what I expected, but I don't know if I am being precious.

We are in a pre- erected bell tent with inflatable beds, which is very sweet.

It's the lack of amenities that has surprised me. There is a long drop toilet and a communal open shower (photo attached) which are basic. The shower is tepid at best, overlooked by the farmhouse and the sheep keep popping in!

But no stand pipe or tap to get water? No where to wash up

It's £90 a night. Would you be fed up?

OP posts:

Kingkiller · 03/08/2018 14:40

Definitely, Watcha! Looks lovely. Sadly, I've never been glamping, only camping. I love our tent, but glam it is not!

itbemay · 03/08/2018 16:41

Air BnB are brilliant at getting you some money back. We had a dispute over a caravan we hired for a weekend away and they medicated with the owner and ended up refunding us the full cost.

I do think you should say something whilst you are there though, good luck OP

Everyoneiswingingit · 03/08/2018 18:04

Yes I would be. Basic non glamping facilities are better than that and you only pay around £20 pn in high season for a camping club pitch with electric , great shower block with private cubicles and hairdryers!

Everyoneiswingingit · 03/08/2018 18:06

Oh and washing up areas with sinks and drainers and hot water too!

ovenchips · 03/08/2018 19:03

Oh that is really poor. How disappointing for you.

You don’t have to have a confrontation/ worry about your children witnessing it. You have a legitimate issue and you need to talk to them politely about it.

Seems a shame to let fear of making a scene mean that you say nothing. You would honestly feel better for letting them know you are not happy with what they’ve provided for the money. Telling them afterwards is pointless. Holidays are precious and yours and your children’s is worth being assertive about!

runbeerrunbeer · 03/08/2018 19:15

As others have said.. if you don't State now your disappointments, it'll not have the desired effect. People who main after, having seemingly had a jolly old time, aren't viewed as favourably. Plus, I really Don't see how being assertive and giving feedback in front of children is such a bad thing.

At the end of the day, you've been robbed! Personally I wouldn't have been the first
Customers for that price and I'm a camper and caravaner and also a lover of luxurious spa hotels. I think maybe partly you need to take responsibility for not doing enough research before that booking, but ultimately you have been misled. This is not glamping.

ShellieEllie · 03/08/2018 21:46

Oh my, is that the shower you are meant to use? It doesn't even look legal!!!

Vintagevixen · 04/08/2018 09:54

Sorry OP but this is not glamping.

I'm going Glamping on Tuesday to a site in Esssex which I have been to before. I will have a huge Bell tent with 1 x double bed and 2 camp beds NOT inflatables. These will be made up with proper duvets pillows etc. Plus the inside of the tent is decorated, has storage rugs etc. They have a proper kitchen block with your own area to store food and a dedicated camping stove/kettle for each tent, plus fridge/freezer shared between all glampers. They also have electricity to charge phones in the kitchen block.

Indoor private showers are non-negotiable for glamping.

The whole site is beautifully decorated with solar lights and a covered eating area/games area for the kids.

For this I am paying £190 for three nights. In summary your situation is a rip off - it's not Glamping but camping. I have done glamping every year for five years (as do not drive so can't take equipment) and none of the sites I have been to have been like yours. Straight onto Air B and B for a refund, and whilst I understand you don't want a row this needs to be politely pointed out to them when you leave!

Vintagevixen · 04/08/2018 09:57

Plus no drinking water!!! Unsafe particularly with kids!

Hangingaroundtheportal · 04/08/2018 10:14

I feel like 'glamping' is one of these Emperors New Clothes things which have been sold to the middle classes as a way to 'connect with nature' and be all 'eco' and tick lots of aesthetic boxes. It seems like more and more places are offering it with increasingly shit facilities and people are going for it because its 'glamping'. And I hate Bell tents! I went once for a hen do.... It was ok.

We camp with a fabulous but not very sexy 8 man inflatable pole tent, which has tonnes of room, lots of separate rooms and compartments for our stuff and isn't going to fall down at the first gust of wind. . The places we go have proper toilets and showers (the last place we were at was particularly excellent in this regard) - no having to wait for the wood burning stove to heat up your hamsters piss shower.

I don't know if you can tell but the glamping thing is not for me!

makingmiracles · 04/08/2018 19:18

Lol. Think you’ve been well and truly had!!

I went clamping, in a yurt on a welsh hillside, worked out to £11 pppn (£385pwpy)

In that we had proper beds, stove in yurt and stocked wood basket, eco sawdust composting toilets, proper showers and wash basins, wood fired hot tub, pizza over, campfire and a fully stocked kitchen hut with a fridge for each yurt and kettle, plus play equipment for the children.
It was bloody idyllic and a great getaway, which shows as their trip advisor reviews are all 5 star.

I’d be bitterly disappointed with what you’ve ended up with and the ad does seem misleading/purposely vague. No need to cause a scene to r an argument, just let the owners know you are not happy with what you’ve got for the price( you are probably the guinea pigs if your the first so if you don’t complain they’ll think it’s acceptable) if they don’t offer to refund partially then take it up with air bnbwhen home.

ChocEggNoThanks · 04/08/2018 19:46

I have noticed this happening more and more - people sticking up a cute tent or a glorified shed and calling it glamping. Definitely raise it with host then use airbnb to get refund if not happy. Use the screenshots. They will give you money back.

NettleTea · 04/08/2018 20:38

We run a glamping site here and we have outdoor showers, which guests have raved about in all weathers, which did surprise me to be honest.
However the shower that those people are using wont stand up to a summer of use, its more for an occassional pop up situation. They will find it will blow before they are done for the summer. Also our showers are really well situated and with privacy in mind - those reed walls will have gaps, and as fo being overlooked and communal.
Im surprised they have managed to obtain a licence to be honest, unless they are simply a 28 day pop up site. But even so...
A standpipe for fresh drinking water is an absolute must. Its essential.
I wouldnt pay £90 for a blow up bed. Unless I was at a festival, when this seems to be the standard glamping package.
Do you have a kitchen? Cooking facilities? Is the tent on a platform or just shoved in a field?

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