Last Updated on November 14, 2024
At Highwood Retreat, two meticulously crafted and expertly designed canvas tents stand as a unique testament to the perfect blend of luxury and ruggedness. These one-of-a-kind structures beckon travelers to indulge in the captivating allure of luxury glamping in Vermont, promising an experience like no other.
But don’t confuse “glamping” with “roughing it.” Highwood Retreat is a far cry from tent camping trips you may have experienced as a kid. Glamping in a Highwood tent will turn any would-be camping skeptic into a raving fan of elevated glamping.
If, like me, you’ve bid farewell to the days of sleeping on the ground, fear not. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the lavish comfort of the beds, adorned with 5-star hotel bedding of elegant sheets and comforters and a warming pad for those chilly winter nights. Overnight accommodations perfectly blend romance, style and rugged comfort, with wood stoves to keep you warm on a brisk night.
Creating an Elegant Blend of Rugged Luxury
Owners Katherine Mangold and Sam Parsons, a couple with a shared passion for nature and luxury, made the bold decision to move from California to Vermont in 2021. In just a few short years, they have transformed their dream of creating an upscale oasis into a reality, seemingly ripped from the pages of an elegant living magazine.
“The balance of the rugged and the luxurious is the cornerstone of the experience here,” Mangold told me when asked about the best part of creating this type of outdoors meets indoor experience. “There is something inherently rugged and memorable about staying in a canvas tent, ostensibly outside. We are not trying to mask the fact that you are not in a building on the grid with running water – we want to highlight that – and then delight you with luxurious and creative solutions.”
Delight me she did.
I was impressed and comforted by the thoughtful touches throughout, which elevated my experience so much that I wished I’d booked a week-long retreat so I could continue to soak in the feeling of being pampered for days.
From crystal decanters holding gallons of fresh water to exquisite treasures and fine textiles, each tent is so thoughtfully imagined that it makes staying in a luxury hotel feel so yesterday.
“We wanted everything you see and touch to be splendid,” Mangold said.
Indeed, every detail was splendid, making me feel truly appreciated and valued as a guest.
As I settled in for my evening, the ‘tent service’ (Parsons and the couple’s 3-year-old daughter) delivered a beautifully presented charcuterie board, designed to suit my preferences, to enjoy fireside. I poured a glass of cabernet in the glow of the wood stove as a gentle rain pitter-pattered on the canvas above. Feeling my senses in pure delight simultaneously was soothing to my soul.
Nestling down for the night as the barred owls called to one another in the distance and the last embers of the wood stove glowed, I breathed in such gratitude for this experience. Awashed with a sense of peace and the soothing ‘white noise’ of nature, I slept better than I could have ever imagined.
Morning broke, and I donned one of the plush robes as the water heated for coffee. Unzipping the tent to greet the day, I was graced by the mist gently lifting as the sun warmed the earth. It was early autumn, and the crimson leaves were striking against a cobalt sky. The fairytale-like glamp was nearing an end, but one more element was left to enjoy.
An outdoor shower room complete with an on-demand hot water tank and aromatherapy area was the icing on the proverbial cake. Hand-hewn cedar walls crafted from trees found on the farm provided a private outdoor oasis unlike any other I had experienced. Leave your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash at home and use what’s provided for a soft, woodsy scent that lingers on your skin all day long.
Who Should Go Glamping at Highwood Retreat?
Highwood Retreat is for single travelers and intrepid romantics alike who want to enjoy the great outdoors with more than a touch of glamour. Whether hiking through the picturesque Vermont landscape, stargazing under the clear night sky or simply relaxing by the campfire, there’s a reason places like this exist. The co-mingling of nature and nurture wraps visitors in a warm embrace not felt in a traditional hotel stay.
Open year-round, Highwood Retreat makes winter camping in Vermont possible and exquisitely cozy.
“When you awaken to fresh-fallen snow outside the warm and cozy tent, it’s pure magic,” Parsons said.
At that moment, I vowed to return during winter to experience a snow globe escape of my own. After all, this is what every magical experience should be like – comfort, relaxation and a hefty dose of glam.
