Glamping Pods Vs. Park Model Tiny Homes Vs. Conestoga Wagons For Glamping | Choosing The Best Glamping Experience
Glamping is here to stay! However, knowing what kind of glamping experience you want to offer your guests can feel overwhelming. Do you want something cozy and cost-effective, like a glamping pod? Something luxurious, like the cabin experience of a park model home. You may want to provide your guests with a totally unique western theme of a covered wagon. In this blog, we will cover the pros and cons of each so that you can understand what building may be the best for your project.
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Pros and Cons Of Glamping Pods
Cost Effective
Glamping pods, like our Vista Pod are a cost-effective way to create a high-quality glamping experience without a high-cost investment. Typically, a glamping pod will start around $30k. However, the total price depends on your delivery zone and which pod style you purchase. If you like the idea of a pod for your glamping resort, 3 of these pods can fit on one tractor-trailer load, which may help the cost of your overall project.
Compact
Glamping pods offer you the opportunity to have a glamping experience that can fit into a compact space. One of the biggest draws to glamping is being able to experience the outdoors in new and exciting ways. However, being able to get to those unique locations can prove to be difficult for large buildings like a Conestoga wagon or park model homes.
A Vista pod can be brought into your property the same way a shed would be, allowing you to have all sorts of flexible location options for your glamping pod. As long as you have 3’ of clearance on all sides of your building during delivery, we can put your glamping pod almost anywhere.
Minimal Electrical Needs
Glamping requires some thought about how you will power up the experience for your guests. With a glamping pod like the Vista Pod, it is truly a plug-and-play experience. All that it requires is the ability to plug your pod in with a 3-prong extension cord, and you are off to the races. If you desire to bring electrical closer to your pod, we recommend that you have a 30 amp service available to power the pod.
Climate Controlled
One of the things that your clients will be looking for in a glamping experience is climate control. A Vista Pod is a great way to offer climate-controlled expertise that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to operate. The standard specs of these spaces include an energy-efficient heater, air conditioner, and fan. So whether your glamping pod is along the slopes of the Rockies or in the heat of the Texas panhandle, you will be able to ensure a comfortable experience for your guests.
No Bathroom
It might sound weird to say that a pro of a glamping pod is that a bathroom is not included. However, having no bathroom means there is no additional hassle of setting up plumbing and septic to create the glamping experience. Additionally, the lack of a bathroom means less maintenance for you to take care of in the unit itself. What many people do is create a totally separate showering building (sometimes referred to as a wet room) or provide access to their home for showering. Still, others tell their guests that showering facilities are not provided during their stay.
Can Be Moved
One of the really fun things about glamping pods is that you can move them almost wherever and whenever you like. So if, after a season or two, you want to offer a different experience to your guests, all you need to do is move the pod to where you would like it to be. In fact, any company that is capable of moving sheds would be able to handle this job with relative ease.
Cons Of Glamping Pods
Good For Solo Campers Or Couples
A glamping pod may not be the best option if you want to create a family camping atmosphere. Glamping pods are designed to comfortably house up to 2 people and possibly a small child if you are ok with it being a bit tight. However, if you are hoping to be able to have a family 4 use your glamping pod for a weekend getaway, you would need to have multiple pods available.
No Running Water
There is no running water or plumbing with a glamping pod. If you hope to have a self-contained glamping situation, a wagon or park-model home will be much better suited for your needs. Many people add some water bottles for their guests as a remedy for not having water in the unit.
No Bathroom
A con of these units is that they do not have a bathroom. Being able to offer your guests a truly private experience is a desire that most glamping hosts want to offer, and with these units, you can not provide a luxurious shower in the units themselves. Some local governments may require you to add additional buildings offering restroom facilities or home access. Ensure you understand the laws before committing to a project of this size.
Minimal storage
These units are compact and luxurious, yet they offer little storage space inside the unit itself. Since these units are only used for 2 people, this may not be a big deal for a weekend getaway. However, it may limit what you can keep stocked in the building for your guest’s needs.
Small Appliances
A Glamping pod will only allow you to have some small countertop appliances. This unit does come standard with a minifridge and kitchenette-style space. If you want this space to accommodate full-size appliances, we recommend looking at a large park model-style home that can accommodate those needs.
Pros and Cons Of Park Model Tiny Homes
Pros of Park Model Tiny Homes
Larger
Park model homes are a big brother to the glamping pod. Most park model homes available on the market are about 400 sq. ft. This is about double the space of a glamping pod. Some park model homes offer three different spaces for sleeping, ensuring that a family of 6 can comfortably enjoy a park model home as a glamping experience.
Multiple Bedrooms
Your glamping park model can come with multiple bedrooms to create a cozy space for the whole family. Our Cascade and Pinecrest Park model homes offer two private bedrooms and an additional loft for sleeping. These models will comfortably sleep six and up to eight if you provide a pull-out couch in the living room space.
Kitchen Area
Park model homes offer you and your glamping guests the opportunity to have a kitchen area for cooking and entertaining. Standard in every Zook Cabins park model is a minimum of a two-burner induction cooktop, a sink, and a fridge. So whether your guests want a completely gourmet meal or just a way to make a simple breakfast before they leave, you can ensure the best possible experience.
Private Bathroom
When you get into the game of park model homes for glamping, luxury bathrooms are one place where these homes shine. Each park model home comes with a large walk-in shower. For an even more spectacular oasis, check out our A-Frame Studio, offering a large soaking tub.
Affordable and Luxurious
Park model homes allow you to have a luxurious home at an affordable price.While a traditional stick-built home will easily cost you over $200,000 to complete, a park model home allows you to offer your glamping guests a one-of-a-kind stay starting at less than $100,000*. (Keep in mind this price is subject to change and is heavily reflective of the model you select and the final delivery location.)
More Styles
When you look at park model homes for your glamping experience, you will see far more options than that of glamping pods or Conestoga wagons. Zook Cabins has 11 park model homes from various price points and styles. So whether you want to create a romantic retreat center with one of our Luna or Rockwood models or a family fun getaway using our Pinecrest or Cascade, we have you covered!
Cons Of Park Model Tiny Homes For Glamping
Financial Commitment
In the world of outdoor hospitality, park-model homes are more expensive than glamping pods. This can be a hurdle in creating a one-of-a-kind space for glamping stays. However, to combat this, Revsharing opportunities may be a great way to get your park model glamping opportunity to happen. To learn more about this idea take a look at this interview where Leon and Jon discuss how Revsharing works.
Large
Park model homes are large in comparison to Glamping Pods and Conestoga wagons. The smallest park model that Zook Cabins has to offer is our 24’ long Nook Studio, and the longest is 40’ long Rockwood. Compare that to the 19’ of length needed for a glamping pod or the 32’ needed for a Conestoga wagon, and you may find that a park model is a bit larger than you can accommodate.
Pros and Cons of Conestoga Wagons For Glamping
Pros of Conestoga Wagons
Unique Look
Conestoga wagons have a unique look that is iconic and clearly communicates a sense of adventure. For this reason, the covered wagon is hard to beat when it comes to looks. We have seen many campgrounds, including the Big Texan RV Park, utilize these to create a one-of-a-kind space for their guests to enjoy a frontier town theme. We think they pair very well with our log cabin park models like the Aspen and Pinecrest.
Mid Sized
If you want something a bit bigger than a glamping pod but a bit smaller than a park model home, a Conestoga wagon might be just the right fit for your needs. With Conestoga wagons being 30’ long, they offer the ability to have something that can accommodate more people without the commitment of a full-sized park model home. This means you can have a little bit less space and still accommodate more people.
With Or Without A Bathroom
One of the unique features of covered wagons is that the inside offers the ability to have a bathroom space or not. If you can hook up your covered wagon to water and septic but have a space too small for a larger park model, this option could be perfect for you. On the other hand, you can also choose not to have showering facilities in your Conestoga wagon, which will give you more options for locating your wagon.
Cons of Conestoga Camping
Expensive
Conestoga wagons are relatively expensive at $50,000. Now we understand that this is somewhat less than some of the park model homes we offer. However, A park model will be able to house more people and they always offer a private bathroom. Conversely, covered wagons do not always have the same amenities as a park model home, so you may have even more costs if you would like a bathroom.
Susceptible to tearing
Conestoga wagons are made with a canvas top, and we fully believe they can handle most weather conditions. However, the canvas can tear a bit easier than a roof would on a glamping pod or park model home. Park model and glamping pods have metal or shingle roofs that ensure all elements’ resilience. While canvas can not handle as much wear and tear or hold in as much heat or coolness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Glamping Pods, Park Models, and Conestoga Wagons:
Can I mix Glamping Pods, Park Models, and Conestoga Wagons Together at my Glampground?
Yes. In fact, we recommend it. We work with a great group of guys over at the Big Texan RV Ranch. Here, these guys utilized multiple log cabin park models and Conestoga wagons. By doing this, they were able to create a one-of-a-kind experience for their guests. If you plan to visit Texas, we can’t recommend these guys enough. Be sure to try the steak over at Big Texan, and if you are brave, indulge in the Big Texan Steak Challenge.
Which is most affordable, Glamping Pods, Park Models, or Conestoga Wagons?
Out of all the options Glamping pods are the most affordable option. While Conestoga wagons may not require a plumbing setup to be installed, they typically cost more money than a glamping pod. On the other hand, If you want to have the ultimate and luxurious glamping experience, a park model home will probably be the best overall purchase for you.
Do I need water and electricity for Glamping Pods, Park models, and Conestoga Wagons?
Glamping Pods
For a glamping pod, you will need an electrical hookup but not a water hookup. In the glamping pods, there are small appliances that do not draw as much electricity. In fact, all you need to power a glamping pod is an extension cord to the main house or exterior electrical hook-up, and you are off to the races.
Park Model Homes
You will need electrical, water, and sewer hookups for park model homes. For electrical, you will need a 100 amp service to ensure proper electrical draw for your home. For water, a standard garden hose hookup will suffice. Regarding a sewer hookup, you will need a 3-inch drainpipe that connects to the septic system that you have in place.
Conestoga Wagons
Conestoga Wagons may or may not need water and septic hook-up but will need electrical hook-up. Like park model homes, these units need a minimum of 50 amp service. However, like a glamping pod, some Conestoga wagons only require electrical, making them a bit more suited for a glamping pod-like experience but will require more space.
Which structure is the best for glamping experiences?
Conestoga wagons, park models, and glamping pods are all great experiences for glamping. To choose “the best” it comes down to what experience you would like to offer your guests. If simplicity and comfort is your primary aim we think the glamping pods will offer you the best option. If you desire to offer luxury and total containment for your glamping experience, Conestoga wagon and park model homes may be the better option.
What is more affordable glamping pods, park models or Conestoga Wagons As an investment?
If you are looking at only the price of a unit for your glamping experience than a glamping pod is the obvious choice. However, if you are looking at the long haul price of as well as return on rental investment a conestoga wagon or park model home will typically allow you a higher rental income. This may make these building styles ultimately more affordable than a glamping pod as they tend to rent out for less.
Even though Park Model Homes are more expensive than Glamping Pods and Conestoga wagons, are they a worthwhile investment plan?
Yes! Park Model Tiny Homes are a great investment for glamping expereiences. Zook Cabins has worked with many facilities to ensure that they have the best park models for the guests. Some of the projects we had the most fun working on were Red Run Resort, Somerset Resort, Outward Bound Stowe Vermont, Big Texan RV Ranch, Bellefonte Campground, and Royal Gorge RV Resort.
Conclusion…
So whether you want to make the investment on a park model glamping pod through Zook Cabins or want to do a Conestoga wagon through someone else, we know that you will create a one-of-a-kind experience for your guests. At Zook Cabins, our goal is to help you and your guests dwell beyond the ordinary by creating one-of-a-kind spaces. When you are ready to get started with your campground upgrades, contact us, and we will be happy to help you turn yourspace into the glampground of your dreams!