Annorlunda boenden – glamping, trädhus och andra upplevelser

Text and photo: Helena Bergström

Imagine waking up in a glass house among wild animals, sleeping in a hut in the middle of the forest or spending the night in a luxurious tent in the Sahara! We love different accommodations and over the years have both stayed in and visited a number of exciting alternatives to regular hotels and camping cabins. Here we share some of our favorites!

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What is glamping and alternative accommodation?

Glamping is a combination of the words glamour and campsite and means camping with a little extra comfort. This can include large, furnished tents with real beds, heating and sometimes even a private bathroom.

But of course there are many other ways to live differently! How about a hut among the treetops, a glass house in the middle of a safari park or a traditional yurt on the Mongolian steppe? Here are some accommodations that we have tried ourselves or had the opportunity to take a closer look at.

Glamping on the High Coast – cozy tent life with a fire

Our first Swedish glamping experience was at Glamping Höga Kusten in Undrom. We arrived at the end of March, when the ground was covered in half-melted ice. Not exactly the weather you usually associate with camping!

But inside our large glamping tent, comfortable beds, cozy armchairs and a warming stove awaited us. Here we could relax while darkness fell over the forest. During our 24-hour stay, we enjoyed both dinner and breakfast cooked over an open fire. And in the evening, a fantastic starry sky awaited us! A wonderful combination of nature experience and comfortable accommodation.

Oddis Öga and Supermåne – different accommodations in Dalarna

At Näsets Marcusgård in Furudal in Dalarna there are several unusual accommodations in the middle of the forest. We spent a night in the designer cabin Oddis Öga, which has large panoramic windows facing the trees. Here we sat in front of a roaring fire, ate a delicious tapas platter and enjoyed the tranquility. It was almost even more wonderful to wake up the next morning and look straight out into the forest through the large windows.

On the same farm there is also Supermåne, a round accommodation hanging among the pine trees. We didn't sleep here, but we had the opportunity to climb up and look inside. And yes, it actually swayed a bit! Both accommodation combines special design with the feeling of being in the middle of nature. Toilet and shower are in separate service areas.

Näsets Marcusgård — Oddis Öga, where we stayed one night.

Glass house among wild animals in Kosta safari park

Imagine waking up in the morning and looking out over moose, red deer and bison! That opportunity is available at Kosta Safari Park in Småland, where three special glass houses stand on tall pillars in the middle of the park.

We got to look inside the largest house, which can accommodate four people. The walls are largely made up of transparent sections, so you can see the sky, the trees and the animals in the surroundings.

The accommodation is both simple and exclusive. There is no regular electricity or running water, but there is the possibility of cooking simple meals and using a dry toilet. We haven't stayed here overnight, but after our visit we can really imagine how special it must be to wake up with a view of the animals!

Live in a camping pod – like a small hobbit house in Norway

At First Camp Bø in Telemark, Norway, we discovered another fun accommodation option: small camping pods that look a lot like hobbit houses! These are compact wooden cabins with rounded roofs and space for a few sleeping guests. We stayed in the camper van at the campsite, but had the opportunity to peek inside one of these charming little cabins.

A camping pod may suit those who want a roof over their head and real beds, but still want to experience camping life. Showers and toilets are usually located in the campsite's service buildings.

Live in a boat on land – in the middle of South Africa’s semi-desert

One of our most unusual overnight stays was in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. Here, far from the sea, we found Mount Noah Lodge, where guests can stay in old boats placed on land!

We stayed overnight on the boat Sagitta, which had a small double bed for two people. In a separate house right next door there was a toilet, shower and fridge. It got a bit chilly during the night, but we thought it was wonderfully cozy!

All around us, the semi-desert and mountains spread out. Sleeping in a boat may not be that unusual for those of us who live on a houseboat back home in Stockholm – but doing it in the middle of South Africa's semi-desert was definitely something special!

Luxury camping in the Sahara – with a shower in the middle of the dunes

One of our most memorable tent experiences was in the Sahara in Morocco. After several hours of driving through the desert, we arrived at a camp at Erg Chigaga, in the middle of the mighty sand dunes. Here we were greeted by large, comfortable tents with real beds, showers and even a water toilet! There was also a restaurant tent where we had dinner at set tables.

During our stay we also had time to ride dromedaries, watch the sun set over the dunes and enjoy music by a crackling fire. A real desert adventure, but with a hefty dose of luxury!

Cozy tent life in the Sahara – under the stars in Tunisia

We have also stayed in tents in the Sahara in Tunisia, just outside Douz. The accommodation here was simpler than in Morocco, but at least as memorable. Our tent had soft carpets, two real beds and a small lamp. The toilets were a short walk away.

In the evening we sat by the fire and watched how bread was baked directly in the embers. Then dinner, music and singing awaited us under a fantastic starry sky. How did we sleep? I slept really well, while Peter thought it was a bit cold. Apparently even in the Sahara the nights can be chilly!

The next morning we had a wonderful breakfast outdoors, including freshly baked bread, dates and fresh fruit. It was an experience that will stay with us for a long time.

A night in a yurt on the Mongolian steppe

One of our most special accommodations over the years is a traditional yurt, or gives, in Mongolia. We stayed overnight in one during a visit to Terelj National Park, where the landscape offers green expanses, mountain formations and horses roaming around.

A yurt is a round, portable dwelling traditionally used by nomads. In the middle is a fireplace that provides warmth. We slept really well after a day full of experiences!

We also got to visit a nomadic family in their yurt and try local specialties, including horse milk products. This is of course something different from modern glamping. But staying overnight in a traditional accommodation and experiencing another culture at the same time was just as exciting.

Good to know before booking a different accommodation

Alternative accommodations can range from very basic to truly luxurious, so it's a good idea to check a few things before booking:

Toilet and shower: Are they inside the property or in a separate building?
HEAT: Is there a stove or other heating if the nights get cold?
Food: Are breakfast and dinner included, is it possible to cook or do you need to bring your own?
Bed linen and towels: Are they included in the price?
Season: Some nature accommodations can be booked year-round, while others are only open during the warmer part of the year.
Accessibility: Stairs, ladders, and uneven paths can make some accommodations difficult to reach.

And don't forget that the accommodation itself is often a big part of the experience. Sometimes it's that evening in front of the fire, the view through a large window or the feeling of falling asleep in the middle of nature that becomes the very best memory of the trip.

In any case, we've got a taste for more – and are happy to look for more different accommodations on our upcoming trips!