Why Glamping is the Perfect Family Travel Style

Glamping — glamorous camping — is the ideal compromise for families where one parent loves the outdoors and the other refuses to sleep on the ground. You get the adventure (bonfires, hiking, star-gazing) without the misery (blow-up mattresses, cold showers, midnight toilet treks).

Asia is the glamping capital of the world. The combination of spectacular natural landscapes, low labour costs, and strong hospitality culture means you can stay in a luxury tent in the middle of a Balinese jungle for what a Motel 6 costs in the US.

Here are the best family-friendly glamping sites across Asia, selected for kid-friendliness, unique experiences, and genuine comfort.

Southeast Asia's Best Family Glamping

1. Sandat Glamping Tents — Ubud, Bali

This is the site that made glamping famous in Asia. Geodesic canvas domes with four-poster beds, private plunge pools, and outdoor bathrooms sit on a hillside overlooking the Ayung River valley.

Why it works for families:

- The 'Sakura' family dome has two separate sleeping areas connected by a deck — parents get privacy, kids get their own space

- The property has a natural pool fed by a spring (no chlorine)

- Breakfast is delivered to your tent in a basket (kids love the surprise)

- Staff can arrange in-tent babysitting ($10/hour) so parents can have dinner alone

Activities: Rice terrace walks, Balinese cooking class (family rate), bike tours, and yoga for kids. Price: $120-200/night (family dome, includes breakfast) Best for: Families who want a jungle experience with real luxury. Not for light sleepers — the jungle is loud at night (geckos, frogs, insects).

2. The Riverie Glamping — Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Glamping domes and safari tents right on the River Kwai, 2.5 hours from Bangkok. This is the perfect multi-day escape from the city.

Why it works for families:

- The family safari tent sleeps 4 with a king bed and two singles

- Private deck with river views — kids can fish while parents read

- The river is swimmable (life jackets provided)

- Night safari tours from the camp — they drive you through the national park spotting deer and wild boar

Activities: Elephant sanctuary visit (30 minutes away), bamboo rafting, kayaking, and a night market every Saturday in Kanchanaburi town. Price: $80-130/night (family tent, includes breakfast) Best for: Families who want water activities and don't mind the 2.5-hour drive from Bangkok.

3. Four Seasons Tented Camp — Golden Triangle, Thailand

This is the ultimate splurge — a luxury tented camp on the border of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos. It's $2,000+/night, so it's for special occasions, but it's the best family glamping experience in Asia.

Why it works for families:

- Each tent has a private deck with a plunge pool overlooking the jungle

- The kids' program includes mahout training (learning to ride elephants), cooking classes, and bamboo rafting

- The spa has treatments designed for kids

- The food is world-class and tailored for young palates

Best for: Once-in-a-lifetime celebrations (big birthday, anniversary, post-exam trip).

4. Glamping Hub — Puncak, Indonesia

Just 2 hours from Jakarta, this glamping site in the Puncak highlands offers stunning views of the Gunung Gede volcano and cool mountain air (a relief from Jakarta's heat).

Why it works for families:

- Full-sized beds with electric blankets (it gets cold at night in the highlands)

- Bonfires with marshmallow roasting every evening

- Horseback riding for kids (ponies available for under-5s)

- The 'family package' includes all meals and activities

Price: $60-100/night (includes breakfast and dinner) Best for: Families based in Jakarta wanting a weekend escape.

East Asia's Best Family Glamping

5. Hoshino Resorts — Risonare, Yamanashi, Japan

Hoshino Resorts offers 'glamping in the sky' — luxury domes at the base of Mount Fuji with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the mountain. Kids sleep in an elevated loft inside the dome.

Why it works for families:

- The domes have proper heating and air conditioning (Japan does comfort right)

- The 'star bar' in the main building serves hot chocolate and sake with telescopes

- They grow some of their food on-site (kids can pick vegetables for dinner)

- The activities are very Japanese: soba noodle making, wasabi farm visits, and onsen (hot spring) baths

Price: $250-350/night (family dome, includes breakfast and activities) Best for: Families who want Mount Fuji views without the crowds. The autumn colours (November) are spectacular.

6. Caravan Tokyo — Fuji Five Lakes, Japan

A collection of restored American Airstream trailers parked on a hillside overlooking Lake Kawaguchi. This is glamping for families who want something different from a tent.

Why it works for families:

- The trailers are fully restored with proper beds, kitchenettes, and heating

- Each trailer has a private BBQ deck

- The shared bathhouse has real onsen water

- Lake Kawaguchi is a 5-minute walk — they rent paddleboats and swan boats

Price: $150-200/night per trailer (sleeps 3-4) Best for: Families who want a unique lodging experience near Mount Fuji. Book 6+ months ahead.

7. The Earth — Nami Island, South Korea

Glamping domes on Nami Island (the tree-lined avenue you've seen in K-dramas). The island closes to day visitors after 6 PM, so evenings are wonderfully quiet.

Why it works for families:

- The domes come with floor heating (ondol) — very Korean

- Bicycles are included — the island is car-free and perfect for family biking

- The night stroll through the tree-lined paths is magical

- The island has a rabbit farm and a children's playground

Price: $120-180/night (includes island ferry tickets and breakfast) Best for: Families who love K-dramas and want a romantic-but-family-friendly setting. Book ahead — this site is popular with Korean families.

8. Ocean Pines Glamping — Sanya, Hainan, China

Luxury safari tents on China's Hawaii (Hainan Island). The tents sit right on the beach with private decks and outdoor showers.

Why it works for families:

- The resort has two pools (one shallow kids' pool)

- The kids' club runs nature activities: coconut painting, sandcastle building, and shell collecting

- The restaurant caters to Chinese and Western palates

- Sanya has good beaches (rare in China) with calm water for swimming

Price: $100-180/night Best for: Families already in China who want a beach break without flying internationally.

South Asia's Best Family Glamping

9. Camp Kyagar — Ladakh, India

Glamping in the Indian Himalayas at 3,500 metres elevation. Individual tents with carpeted floors, wood-burning stoves, and private toilet tents overlook the Indus River valley.

Why it works for families:

- The altitude and remoteness mean incredible star-gazing (zero light pollution)

- Kids can ride the local double-humped camels (a Ladakh specialty)

- White water rafting on the Indus (gentle sections suitable for ages 8+)

- The camp prepares meals around a bonfire

Price: $80-150/night (all meals included) Best for: Adventurous families with older kids (8+) who can handle altitude.

10. Kumbuk River — Yala, Sri Lanka

Luxury tents on the banks of the Kumbukkan Oya river, a 15-minute drive from Yala National Park. The tents have proper beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot water, and ceiling fans.

Why it works for families:

- Morning and evening game drives into Yala (the best park for leopard sightings in Asia)

- The river has a natural swimming hole — kids can cool off between safaris

- The camp feeds elephants that wander through the property (a big hit with kids)

- The family tent is enormous — two queen beds and a seating area

Price: $180-300/night (includes all meals and one safari per day) Best for: Families who want a safari experience without roughing it.

Essential Glamping Packing List

- Headlamps/flashlights — Most glamping sites are dark at night; kids find headlamps fun and practical

- Insect repellent — Jungle glamping means mosquitoes. Bring DEET-based repellent.

- Layerable clothing — Mountain glamping gets cold at night even in tropical areas

- Swimsuits — Most glamping sites have a pool or river access; pack two sets so one is always dry

- Binoculars — For wildlife spotting

- Waterproof bags — For electronics and clothes if you're in a tent (condensation happens)

- Snacks — Glamping sites are often remote; pack familiar snacks for kids

- Playing cards/board games — No WiFi at some sites; analog entertainment is essential

- Earplugs — If you're a light sleeper or near a river/frog-populated area

How to Choose a Family Glamping Site

What to look for:

- ✅ Family-sized tents with separate sleeping areas (parents vs kids)

- ✅ En-suite bathroom (not shared facilities — glamping should have running water)

- ✅ On-site restaurant or meal packages (remote sites make dining out hard)

- ✅ Kid-focused activities (nature walks, animal spotting, craft sessions)

- ✅ Emergency medical access (some remote sites are 1+ hour from a hospital)

- ✅ Age-specific guidance (some sites recommend 6+ for safety reasons)

What to ask before booking:

- What is the insect situation? (Malaria is rare in glamping sites, but ask about mosquitoes)

- Is the tent heated/cooled? (Canvas domes heat up fast in the sun)

- How far is the nearest medical facility?

- Are there age or height restrictions on activities?

- Is there reliable WiFi? (Some parents need it for work)

The Bottom Line

Glamping is the best way to introduce city kids to the outdoors without traumatizing anyone. Asia's glamping scene is world-class — you can sleep in a dome overlooking Balinese rice terraces, a yurt under Ladakh's stars, or a safari tent listening to Sri Lankan wildlife. The best part? Your kids get the adventure without complaining about sleeping on the ground. And neither do you.

Start with Sandat in Bali for the classic 'first glamping' experience. For something more adventurous, try Kumbuk River in Sri Lanka — the wildlife alone is worth the trip.