What Is A Glamping Pod?

A glamping pod is a prefabricated, self-contained structure designed to deliver the comfort and convenience of a hotel room within an outdoor setting. You get the immersive experience of being close to nature without giving up the essentials. A glamping pod offers a solid, sometimes insulated structure, a read bed and electricity to name a few amenities. This unique combination of nature with the amenities has driven large growth in the glamping pod industry. We’ll look at what a pod includes and how they can be utilized to generate revenue for properties.

Types of Glamping Pods

Glamping pods come in a wide range of shapes, styles, and build qualities. The type you choose has a big impact on the overall guest experience you’re going for. Here’s some of the most common types on the market today.

A-Frame Glamping Pod

A-frame pods are named for their distinctive triangular roofline. They typically sit on a shed skid base, feature a large picture window at one end, and are one of the most recognizable pod styles in the US market. They work particularly well on sites with strong scenic views.

Wigwam Pods

Originating in the UK, wigwam cabins are barrel-shaped structures built primarily from timber. They were among the first purpose-built glamping accommodations and helped establish the glamping industry as it exists today. They remain popular across the UK and are starting to gain traction in the US market.

Cabin Pods

Cabin pods are built to resemble a full size cabin. Our Glamping Cabin Pod is built with 2×4 framing, premium metal exterior, and insulation. Cabin pods usually also include an HVAC system and outfitted with electricity. They’re the best choice for operators who want a durable, long lasting accommodation that can support longer vacation stays.

Geo Domes

Geodesic dome-shaped structures have become a favorite for glamping listings. Their unique shape and panoramic windows make them especially popular for stargazing stays and couples’ retreats.

Canvas Tents

There are some national operators using large, heavy duty canvas tents to create glamping stays. It’s a more primitive stay compared to other types on the list but makes for a memorable experience.

What’s Included in a Glamping Pod

When guests book a glamping pod, they expect more amenities than a tent provides. Here are some of the common inclusions a glamping pod will have.

Sleeping Arrangements

Most standard glamping pods accommodate a queen-sized or double bed with a quality mattress, pillows, and full bedding. Family pods may have bunk beds or sofa beds to handle additional guests.

Heating and Cooling Control

Glamping pods are expected to be usable year round. Electric heaters and wood-burning stoves are common in more basic units, but luxury glamping pods are including a mini split HVAC system.

Kitchen

This varies widely among builders. Most don’t include a full kitchen but may have a small kitchenette or small counter for a coffee maker. The goal of a pod isn’t to offer a full living stay, but keep the feel of camping without roughing it.

Bathroom

Similar to the kitchen, this varies widely among builders. Many operators will have units without a bathroom and offer a bathhouse on the property. Our standard Glamping Cabin does not offer a bathroom, but we will include one on request.

Electricity

Electric is something that is expected in pods as well. Most units have it, and guests will likely want it. A 50 amp hookup is standard for pods.

The Outdoor Area

This is entirely dependent on the operator. Many will add a patio, fire pit, hot tub and other amenities to round out the experience for guests. These are the most successful operators.

WIFI and Entertainment

Again, very dependent on the operator. They will usually put in wifi and a TV for guest enjoyment. The goal when glamping is to enjoy nature, but many guests still expect to have access to the internet on their stay.

Pod Electricity and Water

Two of the most common questions about glamping pods is if they include electricity and water. Electric seems to be the more important request from guests, while the lack of running water within the unit can be supported with a bathhouse.

Electric: The majority of glamping pods have electric. 50 amp hookup is standard and powers an mini split system, chargers, any small amenities (coffee maker), and lights.

Running Water: This varies greatly among pod builds. Many established operators already have on-site bathhouses so they are less interested in buying units with running water. Whereas luxury pods may have it to improve the guest experience. Our Glamping Cabin can be configured with an in-unit bathroom as a requested add-on.

Glamping Pod Use Cases

Glamping pods aren’t limited to the standard campground. Across the industry, operators are finding new ways, in a variety of settings to generate revenue with glamping pods. These are just a handful of the many opportunities.

How To Create An Unforgettable Glamping Experience

Glamping is a quickly growing market and there’s new operators popping up every week. The glamping pod is the first thing that sets an operator apart from the others, but there’s more to it. In a more detailed article, we’ll discuss how to create best glamping experience but here’s a few important points.

1. Location is important. There has to be something about the location of the property that differentiates it. Whether it’s on the river, in the hills, beautiful sunset views, etc.

2. Guests pay attention to the extras. Once operators place their pods, they need to add the other amenities that will sell the guests. This could be a private deck, hot tub, sauna or anything else that improves stay.

3. Top notch hospitality. Guests remember the little things the operator might do stand out. Something like a bottle of wine from a local business or personal food recommendations. This could be anything that adds a personal touch to the guests experience.

Glamping Pod Alternates

If glamping pods don’t fit your hospitality business, there’s several other model designs to look into.

Yurts: These are similar to pods with a more unique design. Yurts are usually canvas walls similar to the glamping tents, but can have fully solid exterior walls.

Treehouses: These create one of the most unique experiences. They’re built in the trees or off the edge of a drop-off with a bridge connecting land to the unit. Hocking Hills and Mohican have several successful operators using treehouses.

Tiny Homes/Park Models: Another popular and growing glamping option. These are units, generally built on a trailer chassis, are under 400 sq ft and offer the same amenities as a house or cabin. At Shadowbrook, we build several luxury tiny home/park models that can be placed to generate revenue.

Wrap Up

Glamping pods are a prefabricated rental unit that allow guests to experience an outdoor vacation without the need to rough it. Pods, in the many styles they come, offer premium amenities for those looking to be closer to nature. At Shadowbrook, we build and deliver turnkey, luxury glamping pods so you can begin generating higher daily revenue with your property.

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