Glamping

Glamping - glamorous camping.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Kohler Co. wants to bring "glamping" - short for glamorous camping - to the shores of Lake Michigan near Sheboygan.

The hospitality division of the Wisconsin maker of Kohler kitchen and bathroom fixtures is proposing a luxury "tented forest" that would include 15 permanent, canvas-covered structures featuring heating and air conditioning along with frills such as microwave ovens, refrigerators, wet bars, fire pits, gas grills and screened-in dining areas.

And yes, Kohler brand fixtures in the bathrooms.

The lodging complex would host an estimated 30 guests at any one time, and be built amid 247 acres of company property just north of Kohler-Andrae State Park.

Most of the structures would house guests, but there would also be a spa tent and a guest-only restaurant and bar. Guests would walk, bike or use electric carts to get around.

The complex would be open for nine months each year, closing from Jan. 3 through March 31.

The development may be unusual for Wisconsin, but glamping, in which campers typically are treated to roomy, protective tents and first-rate food and wine, has become part of safari vacations in other parts of the world, said Rose Gray, manager of business development for Fox World Travel in Oshkosh.

"I'm not much of an 'outdoors' girl. This sounds like something I could do," Gray said.

...Said Gray: "Back in the old days, when somebody had the most amazing RV you'd ever seen, we'd call that 'condo camping.' This is kind of the same concept, but this is 'glamping.' "

Gray said the development makes sense. The area, which features Road America auto racing along with other weekend events, sometimes is in need of additional lodging.

"You are in a very, very high-end market when you are talking about Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run and The American Club and all that Kohler hospitality is. So, certainly, you are going to think in terms of a high-end camping experience if that is, in fact, what they're hoping for," Gray said.

Give the people what they want.

It's good business. Catering to Lisa Douglas-types makes sense if there's a market for it.

Still, I just don't get why anyone would want to go glamping.

What's the appeal of high-end amenities under a tent?

The camping experience isn't "high-end."

Then it's not camping.

First-rate food and wine around the campfire? A spa?

That sort of pampering is not being out in the wild and soaking in nature.

Ah, wilderness!