Glamping site near a Center Parcs - stupid or smart?

[LucasA]

Hi,

A bit of a strange question, but would you think having a small glamping accommodation business near where Center Parcs have just announced a new site would be a good or a bad thing?

One caveat - the small accommodation business will cater to couples and not families, so maybe a different target market.

Will this mean all surrounding similar businesses get no custom?

Or would this be a good thing? More people in the area and more searches for similar things when Center Parcs is fully booked?

Any thoughts appreciated.

[ChocolateFrog]

You could charge half the price and still retire after one summer

[Simpo Two]

Advertising it as 'child free' might make it a worthy alternative.



(advertising it as 'adults only' sounds rather dodgy!)

[sidekickdmr]

LucasA said:

A bit of a strange question, but would you think having a small glamping accommodation business near where Center Parcs have just announced a new site would be a good or a bad thing?

As a couples only glamping business owner myself (well, ex now as I sold it, but still involved) I don't see why it should make a shed of difference really.

Cantreparcs doesn't allow day passes, so everyone going will be staying on-site, so those coming to you will not be doing it for Centreparcs and as such, shouldn't make any difference IMO

[miniman]

I think people looking to stay at Center Parcs are generally looking for the closest one rather than being interested in a particular area so I doubt you’d pick up much trade from people who are fixed on a specific place.

[kevinon]

From a single man perspective (maybe not your target market) I'd be in the market for camping sites which are basic, but really quiet. Grumpy old man !

So neither solo wild camping in the wilds, (too scary) nor family focused (too noisy) In the middle I guess.

Just a 'switch off' completely environment, but with some facilities.
And regular (not 4*4) access. £35 per night would be my sweet spot.


And yes, the proximity to CP is not a a factor either way. But maybe they do scout for locations that make business sense.?

[LucasA]

Thanks for the thoughts,

I think that if it is marketed as a more luxury stay/product it should be different enough to not cross paths with the Center Parcs pull which is mainly families.

I think a threat could be that Center Parcs change their strategy for the new place and do something exactly like what I plan to do and offer a service that is the more adults only, private space as well, but who knows as they are probably 3 years away from opening the Scottish one.

[STe_rsv4]

OP - if you do decide to go ahead with this business venture, just remember that its a wooden hut with basic amenities you are renting out and price accordingly please. Some of the places I have looked at are more expensive than staying in luxury hotels

[sidekickdmr]

LucasA said:

Thanks for the thoughts,

I think that if it is marketed as a more luxury stay/product it should be different enough to not cross paths with the Center Parcs pull which is mainly families.

I think a threat could be that Center Parcs change their strategy for the new place and do something exactly like what I plan to do and offer a service that is the more adults only, private space as well, but who knows as they are probably 3 years away from opening the Scottish one.

You have a PM Lucas

[LucasA]

STe_rsv4 said:

OP - if you do decide to go ahead with this business venture, just remember that its a wooden hut with basic amenities you are renting out and price accordingly please. Some of the places I have looked at are more expensive than staying in luxury hotels

There are different levels to these things though. I think the target customer will pay quite handsomely for a nice space. Especially if it's got all of what you would have at home and more. Sometimes the value is in paying for a place that you don't have to spend more leaving the accommodation.

Also, when you do the maths on the investment required, cost of keeping the place maintained, cleaning costs, laundry, insurance, it all adds up very quickly, so I can understand why some of these places are £200+ a night.

But I agree, a basic hut and a compost loo shouldn't cost £120 a night.

[48k]

sidekickdmr said:

Cantreparcs doesn't allow day passes,

They do, but they are for people staying there to to give out to family and friends to join them for the day, they are not to be sold on to any old Tom Dick or Harry.

[LucasA]

PM received

Center Parcs only allow day passes in conjunction with a booking, so you would have to know the person staying there. Although I think this could be a positive if these people needed somewhere close by to stay after they visit their friends/relatives on site.

[kevinon]

LucasA said:

STe_rsv4 said:

OP - if you do decide to go ahead with this business venture, just remember that its a wooden hut with basic amenities you are renting out and price accordingly please. Some of the places I have looked at are more expensive than staying in luxury hotels

There are different levels to these things though. I think the target customer will pay quite handsomely for a nice space. Especially if it's got all of what you would have at home and more. Sometimes the value is in paying for a place that you don't have to spend more leaving the accommodation.

Also, when you do the maths on the investment required, cost of keeping the place maintained, cleaning costs, laundry, insurance, it all adds up very quickly, so I can understand why some of these places are £200+ a night.

But I agree, a basic hut and a compost loo shouldn't cost £120 a night.

My original post was me thinking that the glamping would allow one's own tent, hence £35 p night.

If it's just roll up and unpack to a nice accomodation, that's a complicated continuum. Deluxe ones with your own wood -fired hot tub seem like Instagram traps. So £180 night for the flex. But do these folk stay a week, or are they cash rich time poor couples who take weekends only.

At £80 p night or less, as a single, I'd like 5 nights, maybe Mon-Friday, in splendid isolation.

I have joined KIP Hideaways, if OP hasn't checked them out. they go toward luxe. may be a helpful site to ponder

[LucasA]

kevinon said:

My original post was me thinking that the glamping would allow one's own tent, hence £35 p night.

If it's just roll up and unpack to a nice accomodation, that's a complicated continuum. Deluxe ones with your own wood -fired hot tub seem like Instagram traps. So £180 night for the flex. But do these folk stay a week, or are they cash rich time poor couples who take weekends only.

At £80 p night or less, as a single, I'd like 5 nights, maybe Mon-Friday, in splendid isolation.

I have joined KIP Hideaways, if OP hasn't checked them out. they go toward luxe. may be a helpful site to ponder

KIP have missed a trick as I cant see any of their accommodation on their site so got frustrated and closed the browser window. Acid test failed.

Yeah the wood fired hot tubs look pretty cool, just not sure about the ability of guests to actually operate them. I wouldn't want to leave a fire burning with nobody present, but customers probably won't want to wait 3 hours from arrival for it to be hot.

[48k]

kevinon said:

LucasA said:

STe_rsv4 said:

OP - if you do decide to go ahead with this business venture, just remember that its a wooden hut with basic amenities you are renting out and price accordingly please. Some of the places I have looked at are more expensive than staying in luxury hotels

There are different levels to these things though. I think the target customer will pay quite handsomely for a nice space. Especially if it's got all of what you would have at home and more. Sometimes the value is in paying for a place that you don't have to spend more leaving the accommodation.

Also, when you do the maths on the investment required, cost of keeping the place maintained, cleaning costs, laundry, insurance, it all adds up very quickly, so I can understand why some of these places are £200+ a night.

But I agree, a basic hut and a compost loo shouldn't cost £120 a night.

My original post was me thinking that the glamping would allow one's own tent, hence £35 p night.

If it's just roll up and unpack to a nice accomodation, that's a complicated continuum. Deluxe ones with your own wood -fired hot tub seem like Instagram traps. So £180 night for the flex. But do these folk stay a week, or are they cash rich time poor couples who take weekends only.

At £80 p night or less, as a single, I'd like 5 nights, maybe Mon-Friday, in splendid isolation.

I have joined KIP Hideaways, if OP hasn't checked them out. they go toward luxe. may be a helpful site to ponder

Taking your own tent is camping not glamping isn't it? I always thought glamping was about going to some accomodation that was already set up.

sidekickdmr of this parish created Ravendere Retreats which is about as posh as glamping gets I reckon!

[Jamescrs]

I don't really see the proximity to Centerparcs would be of any benefit, particularly as you mention it would be adults only, I imagine anyone looking at Centerparcs want's to go because it is Centerparcs rather than that specific location, and if they want to go as Adults only if they have any sense they will go outside of school holidays when the prices are more reasonable and there are less children anyway.

Not saying it wouldn't work but a better USP than proximity to Centerparcs is probably required

[LucasA]

Jamescrs said:

I don't really see the proximity to Centerparcs would be of any benefit, particularly as you mention it would be adults only, I imagine anyone looking at Centerparcs want's to go because it is Centerparcs rather than that specific location, and if they want to go as Adults only if they have any sense they will go outside of school holidays when the prices are more reasonable and there are less children anyway.

Not saying it wouldn't work but a better USP than proximity to Centerparcs is probably required

I've intentionally left the question as open as possible and not tried to sway my views on whether the proximity would be a good or bad thing. I wanted to get people's opinions without OP bias.

I never thought it would really be a positive thing personally.

[kevinon]

48k said:

Taking your own tent is camping not glamping isn't it? I always thought glamping was about going to some accomodation that was already set up.

sidekickdmr of this parish created Ravendere Retreats which is about as posh as glamping gets I reckon!

Yes, I went off on a camping dream. Not glamping like our OP asked.

Ravendere is beautiful, @sidekickdmr - love what you've done. inspirational.

Reminds me of a place I spent a week in - cabins perched on the side of a valley - https://www.vivood.com/en/luxury-suites-in-alicant...

[sidekickdmr]

kevinon said:

48k said:

Taking your own tent is camping not glamping isn't it? I always thought glamping was about going to some accomodation that was already set up.

sidekickdmr of this parish created Ravendere Retreats which is about as posh as glamping gets I reckon!

Yes, I went off on a camping dream. Not glamping like our OP asked.

Ravendere is beautiful, @sidekickdmr - love what you've done. inspirational.

Reminds me of a place I spent a week in - cabins perched on the side of a valley - https://www.vivood.com/en/luxury-suites-in-alicant...

Very kind, thank you,

That Vivood place looks stunning, added to the list!

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

STe_rsv4 said:

OP - if you do decide to go ahead with this business venture, just remember that its a wooden hut with basic amenities you are renting out and price accordingly please. Some of the places I have looked at are more expensive than staying in luxury hotels

This, we stayed in a pod wooden hut thing when we did the NC500 and I think it was over £150 a night.

I have just booked a five day cruise on the Iona for £758, so the same price per night and that includes all entertainment and food including several speciality restaurants.

Never understood the appeal of centre parks to be honest when you can go abroad all inclusive for less