How to Choose the Right Glamping Dome for Your Glamping Project
September 16, 2025
Prefab Aluminum Modular House is Ready to Ship
October 15, 2025Selecting the Perfect Mix of Tents for Your Glamping Project
Popular Types of Glamping Tents
As a glamping business owner or glamping project designer, we focus on creating a comprehensive, themed, and relaxing experience for our guests. Choosing the right glamping tent type is key to truly defining the character and tone of your resort. Each glamping structure has its unique personality and function. Our goal is to create a glamorous camping vibe that meets the needs of diverse customers, from solo travelers to families, while also providing stunning public commune spaces.
Based on our experience designing and producing various glamping tents and our extensive project experience, we offer the following guidelines to help you design and build a successful glamping site.
And if you're upgrading from an existing campsite, RV park, or basic glamping setup, our Upgrade Guide Series provides scenario-specific roadmaps with real costs and ROI data.
Key Factors in Glamping Tent Selection
A successful glamping project starts with a strategic choice. Before you fall in love with a particular design, carefully evaluate these six critical factors.
- Climate & Location: The tent must be built to withstand its specific environment. Consider factors like snow load, sun exposure, UV damage, humidity, and wind resistance. A tent designed for a tropical climate will not survive a snowy winter.
- Terrain: The ground on which the tent is placed directly impacts its stability and longevity. A firm, level platform is essential, especially for structures that require a sturdy base.
- Seasonality: Will your site be open year-round or only during a specific season? This impacts the need for insulation, heating, and durable materials that can handle extreme temperature shifts.
- Structure & Materials: The shape, frame, and canvas material of the tent define its aesthetic, durability, and function. Choose materials that are both visually appealing and built for a long lifespan.
- Space & Capacity: Your tent's interior layout should be determined by your target guest. Match the size to your audience, whether they are solo travelers, couples, families, or large groups.
- Budget: This includes both the initial investment and the long-term maintenance costs. The right choice balances upfront affordability with quality and durability to avoid future expenses.
Choosing Your Primary Tent Style: The Main Tone of Your Resort
Before delving into the details of a resort's layout, the first and most crucial step is to select the primary architectural style of your glamping structures. This choice will determine your resort's overall theme and market positioning. Consider the following glamping tent types on PlusGlamping, each serving a unique purpose based on their distinct shape and design.
With their unique geodesic shape , these are a bold, modern choice. The Glamping Domes are excellent for creating a luxurious, immersive nature experience and are often a statement piece that attracts eco-conscious or design-oriented guests.
The Safari Tent evokes a sense of adventure and safari. Its sturdy, simple shape is an evolution of the classic wall tent design, offering a refined yet rustic accommodation experience. It's perfect for a traditional, nature-focused getaway.
Designed specifically for luxury glamping, the Luxury Lodge Tent offers a variety of styles with hard walls for enhanced sound and thermal insulation, the various layouts allow for luxurious decor and configuration, offering your guests a luxurious and comfortable glamping experience.
Stretch tents are known for their fluid, natural shapes. Their 3-tier roofing system is ideal for creating stunning open-air public spaces or unique luxury glamping suites in hot and expansive landscapes like deserts. Their flexible shapes create a striking visual impact.
The Tent house combines the durability of a house with the lightness of a tent. Its clean, unique shape and structured roof give the classic safari tent or stretch tent a modern look, offering a more durable and stable experience for glamping resorts and hotels.
This A-Frame Safari Tent combines a rustic nomadic spirit with the clean, modern design of an A-frame. It’s ideal for clients seeking a classic safari feel combined with modern, minimalist architecture.
This Prefab Alu-House blends modern and container style design, offering low-maintenance, high-end quality. Its clean, rectilinear form may contrast sharply with the surrounding natural environment, making it an ideal choice for luxury glamping resorts focused on stylish design and comfort.
Other Popular Glamping Tent Types in the Market
Beyond the premium structures detailed above, the broader glamping market includes several other popular tent types. While these options may not offer the same level of integrated amenities or year-round durability, they are widely recognized by travelers and search engines alike as glamping tent categories—and understanding them helps you position your offerings more competitively.
Bell Tent
The bell tent features a single central pole and circular canvas footprint. Quick to install and visually striking, it's the most recognizable glamping tent shape. However, bell tents rarely include built-in bathrooms—most rely on shared facilities. Best suited for mild climates and short-stay experiences.
Best for: Festival-style sites and entry-level glamping.
Yurt
The yurt is a circular structure with a wooden lattice frame, inspired by Central Asian nomadic dwellings. Modern glamping yurts range from basic to fully equipped—some include en-suite bathrooms and kitchens, while entry-level models rely on shared facilities. Their insulated construction makes them suitable for cooler climates. Yurts occupy a middle ground between entry-level tents and premium glamping structures.
Best for: Eco-resorts and cultural-themed sites seeking a distinctive aesthetic.
Tipi Tent
The tipi is a conical tent inspired by Indigenous North American dwellings. Its shape offers excellent wind resistance and natural ventilation. Tipis typically lack en-suite bathrooms and have limited usable floor area near the sloping walls. Ideal for a rustic, immersive aesthetic.
Best for: Heritage-themed sites and communal gathering spaces.
Shepherd's Hut
The shepherd's hut is a wheeled micro-cabin originating from the British countryside. Its compact, rectangular interior typically houses a bed, wood stove, and small seating area. Most lack full bathrooms due to their narrow dimensions, though some high-end models add compact wet rooms. Prized for their quaint, romantic character.
Best for: Countryside and farm-based glamping sites, especially in UK/European markets.
Camping Pod
The camping pod is a compact, pre-built wooden micro-cabin popular in the UK and European markets. Solid-walled and insulated, it offers basic weather protection. Due to its small footprint (6–12 m²), most pods do not include bathrooms. A durable, low-maintenance entry-level option.
Best for: Budget-friendly supplementary accommodation units.
Tree House Tent
The tree house elevates guests into the forest canopy for a unique, experiential stay. Most do not include full bathrooms due to plumbing complexity at height. Engineering and permitting challenges can increase costs, but the novelty factor makes tree houses excellent marketing "hero" units.
Best for: Signature units that drive bookings and social media attention.
Bubble Tent
The bubble tent is a fully transparent, inflatable structure for stargazing experiences. Made from PVC or TPU, it requires continuous air inflation. No bathroom or plumbing—purely an experiential, short-stay structure with limited climate control options.
Best for: Stargazing destinations and romantic short-stay packages.
How These Compare to Premium Glamping Structures
| Feature | Bell Tent / Tipi / Pod / Hut / Tree House / Bubble | Premium Structures (Dome, Safari, Lodge) |
|---|---|---|
| En-suite bathroom | Rarely included (shared facilities common) | Standard or easily integrated |
| Year-round usability | Limited (most are seasonal) | Designed for all-season use |
| Insulation & climate control | Minimal to moderate | Full insulation, heating/cooling ready |
| Lifespan | 3–10 years (varies by type) | 10–15+ years with proper maintenance |
| Permitting complexity | Generally lower | Varies by structure type |
| Guest rate premium | Moderate | High |
| Target market | Entry-level / experiential | Mid-to-luxury / resort-grade |
These tent types can serve as complementary accommodations alongside premium glamping structures—offering varied price points within a single resort. For instance, a few bell tents or a tree house can broaden your audience appeal, while your dome or safari tents remain the primary revenue drivers.
Already operating with bell tents, tipis, or camping pods? Our Upgrade Guide: From Basic to Premium Glamping shows you exactly how to break through the $150/night revenue ceiling — with 3 upgrade paths (Bell→Safari, Tipi→Dome, Pod→Lodge), phased replacement strategy, and real ROI math.
Just starting out? No matter where you are — a raw campsite, an RV park, or basic glamping — our complete Upgrade to Glamping Guide Series helps you find the right path for your starting point and budget.
Providing the Right Accommodation: For Different Glamping Group
The key to a glamping project's success lies in providing diverse experiences tailored to the glamping needs of diverse guests. Plus Glamping has selected two to three different tent styles or case studies for each typical guest type.
1 Solo Travelers & Couples: A Simple, Private & Romantic Space
This group of guests seeks simplicity, romance, style, and a deep connection with the natural landscape. Their choice of tent determines their romantic and adventurous experience.
The A-Frame Tent, Glamping Dome or the Classic Safari Tent
The A-frame tent and glamping dome exemplify minimalist architectural design. Their triangular and domed shapes create a modern, minimalist feel perfect for Instagramming, attracting design-conscious guests. Meanwhile, the classic safari tent evokes a timeless sense of adventure and safari with its iconic wall-tent shape. A-Frame Safari Tent and small Glamping Dome(Dia. ≤5m) are perfectly sized to accommodate a comfortable king-size bed or two single beds and a small seating area, while the bigger(Dia.≥6m）glamping dome and classic safari tent even come with a private bathroom.
Of course, you can also choose from smaller luxury lodge tents, stretch tents, and tent houses designed and manufactured by Plusglamping for more luxury glamping and stylish needs.
2 Typical Glamping Families (Couple & One Child): A Private Cozy Cabin
Glamping families, especially those with children, require more space with clearly defined functions. The structure should feel safe and spacious, like a cozy cabin in the woods. Therefore, a glamping tent should be more practical than a solo glamper. We recommend the following solutions and examples for your reference.
The Luxury Lodge Tent
Luxury Lodge Tent is a top choice for family glamping stay. With windproof and thermally insulated wood panel or glass curtain walls, high ceilings, and a sturdy steel or wood frame, the Luxury Lodge Tent feels more like a permanent structure. Its more traditional interior layout easily accommodates a master bedroom, a separate single bed or bunk beds for children, a full bathroom, and even a kitchenette. It provides the space and privacy that families value, elevating their stay from simple camping to a true luxury glamping retreat.
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- Luxury Lodge Tent Family Suite
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- King size bed
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- Kid Room
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- Bathroom
The Two-story Safari Tent
The BGL45 Two-story Safari Tent is a two-story safari tent, extending the height of a standard safari tent to create a full second story. The first floor allows for the installation and configuration of a kitchenette, bathroom, master bedroom, and other small appliances and amenities. The second floor also features a full bedroom and a small balcony, making it ideal for larger families.
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- Two-story Safari Tent with Glass Front Wall
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- Two-story Safari Tent with PVC Front Wall
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- 1st Floor
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- 2nd Floor
7m/8m Glamping Dome
The diameter 7m/8m Glamping Dome at an affordable cost, can also be designed and built into family suites with a loft bed (mezzanine bed) or a sofa bed for children. Each dome has enough space to be equipped with a king-size bed, an en-suite bathroom, TV, air conditioning, a stove, a casual table and chairs by the panoramic window, and even a kitchenette.
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- 8M Glamping Dome
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- Bed with Kid Sleeping Loft
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- Interior Design
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- 8M Glamping Dome Bathroom
Other Options
Since families (or a group of friends) make up the largest proportion of glampers, we've detailed various common solutions in this section. In addition to the options above, you can also choose other glamping tents based on your needs, theme, and budget. These include modern, luxurious prefabricated aluminum houses, stretch tents for glamping, and tent houses with 3-tier roof system and safari-style designs, perfect for hot desert environments.
3 Designing Communal Space, Service Facilities: Reception & Restaurant
The communal areas are the heart of the resort. They must be engaging, impressive, and highly functional.
The Luxury Lodge Tent
Whether as a reception area or the main restaurant/lounge, the large Safari Lodge Tent is the ideal anchor for the property. Its impressive size, high ceilings, and expansive open-plan interior immediately create a sense of magnificence and welcome. It can be elegantly furnished with a reception counter, comfortable lounge seating, and multiple dining tables. The glass curtain or wood walls can be opened to seamlessly connect with an outdoor deck, merging the indoor and outdoor spaces for a spectacular dining experience and panoramic views.
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- Luxury Lodge Tent Restaurant
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- Luxury Lodge Tent Reception
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- Multi-functional Hall
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- Service Center
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- Restaurant Interior Design
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- Restaurant Interior Design
Price and Area Selection Guide
When designing a successful glamping project, space efficiency and budget planning go hand in hand. The following are recommended (by Plusglamping) indoor usable areas and estimated price ranges for different customer groups, ideal for budgets:
Explore Our Interactive Price & Area Selector Tool
Filter 60+ tent models by type, area, and budget to find your perfect match.
Key Questions to Ask Before Selecting a Glamping Tent Type
- Thematic and Aesthetic Harmony: “How will these different structures coexist harmoniously?” We need an overarching plan that unifies the various tent styles through consistent finishes, color schemes, and thoughtful landscaping, creating a harmonious, glamping atmosphere.
- Climate Suitability: “Which structure is best suited to our specific climate?” For example, the breathable canvas of a safari tent(or stretch tent, tent house) is ideal for hot, desert climates, while the sturdy frame of a geodesic glamping dome might be more suitable for windy areas.
- The “Wow” Factor: “Which tent type will create the most memorable, Instagram-worthy moments for guests?” The distinctive silhouette of an A-frame safari tent at sunset, or the classic elegance of a luxury lodge tent, can both become iconic brand images.
- Operational Practicality: “How will the complexity of each glamping tent type affect our construction schedule, budget, and long-term maintenance?”
Conclusion: The Right Choice is a Strategic One
Choosing the right glamping tent is a pivotal decision that will shape the success and appeal of your project. By carefully evaluating key factors like climate and guest demographics, and understanding the unique benefits of each tent type, you can make a strategic, informed choice. This guide is a starting point, providing a framework for you to build upon.
And no matter where you're starting from — an empty plot of land, a traditional campsite, an RV park, or existing basic glamping with bell tents — the right tent choice is your first step toward a profitable glamping business. For a complete roadmap tailored to your starting point, explore our Upgrade to Glamping Guide Series, where each scenario includes real pricing, ROI calculations, and a step-by-step implementation plan.
