Me? Not a fan of camping. Too many memories of hot pine needles and chilly mornings with sleeping bags wet from the condensation of collective bodies breathing the same tented air.
Okay, it’s only one memory. Still. One is enough.
But Glamorous Camping? Glamping? Yeah!!
Glamping is the “outdoors” without the pain of “roughing it.” Imagine a room plucked from a luxury hotel and placed on beautiful plot of land. Replace the walls with canvas - you’re camping, after all - and make sure the room opens onto a breathtaking view. Throw in high-end linens and amenities and even the most hardcore urbanite can look forward to communing with nature.
What few of us know is that clandestine glamping sites are popping up all over Fairfield County. Primarily catering to friends and friends-of-friends, as one only learns of them by word of mouth.
Which is how we found this spectacular site. Ever the giver, I volunteered a night of my life to experience a Westport glamp. It’s a pandemic-friendly environment, mostly-outdoor living and the room is sanitized after each guest’s stay. The owner is careful to mention, “I primarily rent to local people, to keep the area safe and follow quarantine guidelines.”
A pedicured, hydrangea-lined path led me to the Lotus Belle tent. It’s worth repeating that this site half-acre site is spectacular.
I had the entire beachfront to myself. Well, me and a bottle of complimentary rosé. However, though it was private it wasn’t scary-isolated: there were homes in the area and I never felt unsafe.
The navy and tan safari-like tent contained a queen sized bed, a cot, and a sisal rug. Several games and magazines (including Westport Lifestyle! Nice touch!) lay on tables alongside crystal lamps. Baskets held towels, sunscreen, and bug spray.
On the private beach lay an umbrella, boogey-board, and beach towel. Outside of the room were several seating areas and fresh flowers. The owner stashed a few extra folding chairs next to the two-story stone fireplace and set up wood and tinders so I could easily create my “campfire”.
A small cottage next to the fireplace houses a sitting room with a refrigerator and the bathroom. While not as fancy as the bedroom, it held an RV toilet and a galvanized metal sink with running water. And of course, electricity throughout.
I could easily order dinner for pick-up at a nearby restaurant, bring it back, and pretend I made it on an open fire. Or not. It’s glamping. No need to pretend any work was done. True glamor is, after all, effortless.
Editor’s note: Glamping Westport is by invitation only, for 1-3 days May-October. Email GlampingWestport@gmail.com for more information. Restrictions apply.