the Rise of Ultra-Luxury Glamping
Inside the World’s Most Exclusive Tented Lodges
Image source: Mariana Rivera
For decades, experiencing the wilderness meant sacrificing comfort. We traded a plush mattress for a sleeping bag, and a spa bathroom for a communal tap, all for the privilege of untouched landscapes. But that’s changed. The hospitality world has evolved, and with it, a new kind of experience has emerged: ultra-luxury glamping.
Today, discerning travelers no longer have to choose between being immersed in nature and enjoying comfortable luxury. As interior designers, we find this shift incredibly exciting. It proves that when a space is designed with real sensitivity to its surroundings, it can actually deepen our connection to the landscape, rather than interrupt it. The secret to this delicate balance? Masterful, immersive interior design.
Here’s a look at how thoughtful spatial planning and material selection are transforming the humble tent into the height of experiential luxury, drawn from my own travels and some of the most stunning examples leading this space globally.
The Art of the Jungle Canopy: Cocos at Art Villas, Costa Rica
As a designer, I am always analysing how spaces manipulate our senses, and my recent stay at the Cocos at Uvita Art Villas in Costa Rica was unforgettable. The glamping Cocos here are a cut above the rest - beautiful timber-framed coco tents, tucked into the steep Uvita hills, just moments from the beach.
What struck me most was the contrast between the simplicity of the structure and the indulgence within. I loved the way the jungle physically wraps around the space, so that you feel sheltered, yet entirely immersed in the landscape. Inside, the palette leans on raw, sustainable materials - warm woods, natural fibers, and neutral textiles - that ground the space without competing with the vibrant green surroundings.
Even with the open-air design, there is no compromise on luxury. Each coco has a generous bed draped in netting and its own private bathroom looking out over the landscape. The amenities are meticulous: plush linens, high-end bath products, and access to a spectacular shared infinity pool. It provides all the comforts of a hotel without ever losing that wild, rooftop-of-trees feeling.
It’s calm, restorative, and feels like a real escape. Though, practically speaking, it’s definitely the kind of place where you don’t forget the bug spray!
Image source: Cocos at Uvita Art Villas
Martian Elegance: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp, Wadi Rum
The lush intensity of Costa Rica couldn’t feel more different from the stark, cinematic landscape of the Jordanian desert. During my stay at Memories Aicha Luxury Camp in Wadi Rum, I experienced a completely different take on designing for the wilderness. The setting feels almost otherworldly (often described as Martian) and the accommodation leans into that contrast, pairing futuristic structures with richly detailed, Bedouin-inspired interiors.
I stayed in one of their panoramic luxury suites - a geodesic glass dome with uninterrupted views to the cosmos. What makes this property a design triumph is how it handles the harsh extremes of the desert. The interiors are swathed in rich, vibrant textiles, plush seating, and intricate metalwork lanterns that cast a warm, ambient glow. The design doesn’t try to mimic the starkness of the desert, but instead works against it, creating a cocoon-like jewel box that feels both protective and indulgent.
For somewhere so remote, the execution is flawless. The domes are fully climate-controlled to combat the desert heat, with spa-like showers, and premium Dead Sea toiletries. It’s a pretty special experience lying in the king-sized bed, surrounded by lavish fabrics, looking straight out at a sky full of stars.
Image source: Memories Aicha Luxury Camp
A Global Language of Wilderness Luxury
This shift is a global movement, and design is very much at the centre of it. Across the world, these properties show how thoughtfully considered spaces can completely shape the guest experience:
Shinta Mani Wild (Cambodia): Designed by Bill Bensley, this conservation-led resort places dramatic, highly detailed tents above rushing waterfalls. The interiors lean into an old expedition style - layered, eclectic, and unapologetically luxurious - showing that sustainability and a sense of theatre can sit comfortably together.
Aman-i-Khas (India): Set on the edge of Ranthambore National Park, these soaring, Mughal-style tents utilise minimalist, canvas-draped partitions to create distinct living, sleeping, and bathing areas, offering a masterclass in spatial planning.
Wild Coast Tented Lodge (Sri Lanka): Here, the cocoon-like structures echo the boulders of Yala National Park. Curved forms, vaulted ceilings, and freestanding copper bathtubs help blur the boundary between the built space and the surrounding landscape.
Longitude 131˚ (Australia) & Camp Sarika by Amangiri (USA): Both take a similar approach: low-slung, ultra-luxury pavilions positioned to frame vast, iconic views. The interiors are deliberately pared back, allowing clean, contemporary pieces and private plunge pools to contrast with the rawness of the landscape.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge (Canada) & Four Seasons Golden Triangle (Thailand): These lodges lean more into a romantic, explorer-inspired aesthetic. Think handcrafted furniture, campaign-style details, and classic bathtubs set against dense forest or jungle surroundings
Mombo Camp (Botswana) & Al Maha Desert Resort (UAE): Offering arguably the most exclusive wildlife viewing on earth, these camps utilise private decks, plunge pools, and expansive, climate-controlled interiors to provide an oasis of calm amidst extreme environments.
Image Source: Shinta Mani Wild
Why Wilderness Luxury Commands a Premium
Image source: Cocos at Uvita Art Villas
So how do hospitality groups justify charging thousands per night for what is, at its core, a camping experience? The answer lies in the ROI of design, and the exclusivity of the experience itself.
High-end clients aren’t just paying for gold leaf and marble; they are paying for unrivaled access to the world's most remote locations, without sacrificing luxury and comfort. And delivering that isn’t simple. Building in these environments means sourcing durable, high-quality materials, engineering reliable off-grid systems, and achieving a level of finish that still feels refined, all in places that are often difficult to reach.
A lot of the value sits in the detail. The joinery that works seamlessly within a curved structure, the quality of the linens, the way a bed or bath is positioned to catch a particular view at just the right moment. It is the luxury of feeling perfectly safe and pampered while entirely exposed to the wild.
Translating Wilderness into Residential Design
The ultimate triumph of these luxury lodges is their ability to make the untamed feel intimate and safe. It’s something we’re increasingly being asked to translate into high-end residential projects - bringing that same sense of ‘wild luxury’ into the home, particularly in how interior spaces connect with the landscape.
Here is how our studio translates the essence of the world’s most exclusive glamping resorts into bespoke residential design:
Permeable architecture & connection to nature: In these settings, the landscape is always the focal point. We take a similar approach in residential design - using large-scale retractable glazing, continuous flooring that runs from inside to out, and carefully placed courtyards. The goal is to soften boundaries, so the transition between interior and exterior feels almost seamless.
Raw materials balanced with real comfort: The tension between rugged and plush is what makes a space feel layered. We achieve this by pairing highly tactile, unrefined materials - such as honed, deeply veined stone, reclaimed timber, and living-finish brass - with ultra-luxurious textiles like mohair, boucle, and cashmere.
The shift toward more immersive, ‘sanctuary’ bathrooms: There’s a noticeable move away from overly polished, clinical bathrooms. Instead, clients are drawn to spaces that feel more grounded and atmospheric - freestanding tubs positioned to take in a view, outdoor showers set within planting, textured plaster walls that add warmth and softness.
Curated imperfection: Luxury tents never feel too manicured. They tend to feel layered and slightly undone, in a way that brings warmth and comfort. We try to bring that into residential work through a mix of bespoke pieces, handmade objects, and vintage elements that add character without feeling forced.
Design X Nada: An Ibiza Retreat
Ultimately, this isn’t about recreating a tent at home, but capturing the feeling that these luxury lodges provide: a sense of peace, a deep connection to the environment, and an uncompromising level of bespoke comfort.
All images are the property of their respective owners and are used for informational/editorial purposes.