Glamping is a unique experience that allows travellers to reconnect with the natural world in style.
Opportunities to go glamping exist all over the world in different variations, and now, thanks to a new Hilton partnership, some great ones here in North America can be booked on points.
Not only that, these glamping redemption opportunities are located in spectacular settings adjacent to some of the most popular American national parks and destinations, making them great for travellers looking to explore these locales.
In This Post
- Glamping – Camping in Style
- Hilton Partners with AutoCamp
- Get Elite Benefits While Glamping
- Redeeming Hilton Honors Points for Glamping
- Conclusion
Glamping – Camping in Style
As fun as exploring a new city can be, sometimes we long for trips where we can escape the hustle and bustle of urban life and just reconnect with nature and enjoy being outdoors.
For the last couple of years, my family has gone camping every summer with a group of friends, and we have a great time.
Camping makes for quite a different experience than staying in a traditional hotel, but I believe each has its own merits. That said, “glamping” is a new trend that offers glamour in camping. It offers a unique combination of the comforts of modern amenities with the rustic charm of outdoor living.
Glamping caters well to those who prioritize exploration and adventure in their travels. It allows guests to wake up to breathtaking views, fall asleep under a canopy of stars, and enjoy activities such as hiking, stargazing, or simply relaxing by a campfire, all while enjoying perks like comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and sometimes even meals prepared on site.
Hilton Partners with AutoCamp
Hilton has been expanding its portfolio year after year, and it’s now the first of the major hotel brands to expand into the outdoor lodging experience. In the past year, it formed exclusive partnerships with AutoCamp and Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Hilton’s partnership that provides access to glamping is with AutoCamp, a smaller outdoor hospitality company with properties also located in close proximity to America’s national parks, offering stays in Airstream trailers and luxury tents.
The brand has eight established properties with an additional one in the works for 2025, and as of earlier this month, their properties have been fully integrated into Hilton’s booking system.
In addition to comfortable accommodations, AutoCamp properties offer pools (at most, but not all, locations), outdoor field games, fire pits, a clubhouse, and an on-site restaurant and general store.
Not only do these properties provide a unique outdoor lodging experience, but they also provide easy access to the national parks and popular outdoor destinations they’re adjacent to. Currently AutoCamp properties are located in the following destinations:
- Asheville, North Carolina
- Cape Cod, Massachusetts
- Catskills, New York
- Hill Country, Texas (opening in 2025)
- Joshua Tree, California
- Russian River, California
- Sequoia, California
- Yosemite, California
- Zion, Utah
Get Elite Benefits While Glamping
The greatest advantage of AutoCamp coming under Hilton is that Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem Hilton Honors points at these amazing properties, as well as have their elite benefits honoured. To ensure all of the above, members will have to book through official Hilton channels.
Elite members can expect to receive the following benefits at AutoCamp properties:
- Silver Elite: two eco-friendly waters
- Gold Elite: one bundle of firewood per stay, two eco-friendly waters, space-available upgrade
- Diamond Elite: one s’mores kit per stay, one bundle of firewood per stay, two eco-friendly waters, space-available upgrade
It’s nice to see fitting benefits like a bundle of firewood and s’mores kit that add to the outdoor setting and experience.
I recently visited AutoCamp Yosemite, and during my stay, I was able to clarify a few details about the Hilton partnership and related benefits with the manager. Here’s what I learned:
- All guests receive complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary tea and coffee all day, and complimentary granola at breakfast.
- Currently, there isn’t any additional breakfast amenity being offered to Gold and Diamond members aside from the granola that is being offered to all guests.
- For each stay completed by August 12, 2024, Hilton Honors members will receive a special welcome offer of 1,000 Hilton Honors points.
While the lack of a better and separate breakfast option for Gold and Diamond members is a bit disappointing, hopefully in the future they can offer something more.
Redeeming Hilton Honors Points for Glamping
Now that AutoCamp is bookable through Hilton’s system, we can explore the available redemption opportunities with Hilton Honors points for these new properties.
To get an idea of the value you can get for your points, let’s take a look at a booking with AutoCamp Catskills:
- Luxury Tent: 70,000 points per night
- Airstream Suite: 70,000 points per night
- Premium Airstream Suite: 137,000 points per night
If you’re paying with points or using a Free Night Reward, you’ll have the choice of booking either a luxury tent or an Airstream suite on a standard reward redemption. It’s nice to see that both options are available, as each provides its own unique experience.
The cash rate per night is listed as $308 (USD) for a reward that costs 70,000 Hilton Honors points, which works out to a value of 0.43 cents per point (USD) or about 0.59 cents per point (CAD).
We value Hilton Honors points at 0.5 cents per point (USD) or 0.7 cents per point (CAD), so using these valuations, you’d come in just a little under par with a redemption.
This means that you’d be slightly better off paying cash if you want to maximize the value of your points or Free Night Rewards; however, the redemption value is still fairly good and the one-of-a-kind experience might be 100% what you’re looking for from your points.
Conclusion
Glamping is great for anyone who enjoys the outdoors and would like to try camping without sacrificing comfort.
I’m personally quite excited that Hilton has partnered with AutoCamp, making these unique experiences available for points redemptions. The value may not be optimal, but it does present another option for those needing to use up their Free Night Rewards.
