If you’ve never glamped before it’s like camping, only easier! Glamping doesn’t require all the gear and preparation of traditional camping and it’s certainly cleaner. It's not quite a hotel stay, but if you find the right place it’s not too far off. And it just so happens that we know the right place!
Read on for all the details of our recent stay at the Southern Belle Glamping site in South Carolina.
Although the accommodations at the Southern Belle Glamping site are technically in a tent, they sure don’t feel like it. From the colorful rugs to the queen sized bed to the mini-fridge to the Nespresso maker it’s easy to forget that you are somewhere other than a cute B&B or boutique hotel. The glamping tent also features board and card games, a full dining service for two, a lovely chandelier, and outlets and USB ports for charging. For hot summer days and nights there is even air conditioning! The tent itself is spacious, with plenty of head room and space to walk around.
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| This was the most comfortable bed we've ever slept in; including our own! |
Just outside of the glamping tent (sharing the same raised platform) is a smokeless fire pit flanked by two Adirondack chairs. We’ve never used a smokeless fire pit before, but for the first time in our extensive camping experience we did not end the evening smelling like a campfire. It was wonderful! We didn’t need it this trip, but a grate was available for cooking over the fire as well.
The fire-pit area overlooks the creek, woods and field beyond. It’s a lovely spot that we enjoyed both morning and evening. It was super tranquil and peaceful to sit with a cup of Nespresso in the morning and listen to the birds and the soft sounds of the creek babbling nearby.
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| View from near the creek |
The vanity is made from gorgeous rustic wood and the hosts were thoughtful enough to provide towels along with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion and bar soap. That’s more than we usually get in chain hotels these days, so we were very impressed (and grateful!). The bathhouse is vented at the top, so taking a shower here had some outdoor shower vibes. The hot water and great water pressure made showering a truly pleasurable experience.
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| This is no outhouse! |
The entire site is well-lit, making it easy to walk to the bathhouse in the middle of the night if need be. We also arrived back late one evening and had no problem finding our way into the tent in the dark. The chandelier in the tent is on a remote control, so turning in for the night is as easy as it gets.
The Property
The glamping site is located in the far corner of an adorable small farm. The drive in from the road is over grass and can be easily made by any car. The directions provided were spot on, we had no problem finding our way to where we needed to be. The glamping site is separated from the farm by trees and shrubs, so it’s very private.
As you drive down you can’t help but notice the chicken and sheep in their large penned area. We walked over to visit them in the morning and got some great pictures of the sheep and a video featuring a crowing rooster. We loved hearing the sounds of farm life, but if crowing roosters aren’t your thing the hosts thoughtfully provide ear plugs.
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| Such sweeties! |
The Area
The Southern Belle Glamping site is located in small town South Carolina, about 25 minutes from Greenville or Clemson. It’s about ten minutes from the exit off the highway, where you can find a few fast food restaurants if needed. There is also a gas station just down the road. It’s the perfect mix of country and convenience.
If you head north into Greenville, we suggest checking out Falls Park on the Reedy. The park itself is amazing, with a large bridge suspended over stunning waterfalls. The park has lots of stairs, but also an elevator making it accessible for all. The surrounding area is fun too, with lots of restaurants and shops to check out. We especially loved Vintage Now Modern.
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| Falls Park at the Reedy |
If you head west into Clemson you will find a fun college town with several restaurants and bars, along with plenty of stores to stock up on Clemson merchandise. If you visit in the fall be aware of the college football schedule, as home games come with road closures, changes in traffic patterns, and lots of activity. Clemson is also home to The South Carolina Botanical Gardens, a 295 acre garden and natural area that is open year-round and free to the public.
Conclusion
If you want proof of the old adage “service makes the stay” you’ll find it at the Southern Belle Glamping site. In addition to being kind and informative, our hosts were thoughtful enough to provide bug spray, paper towels, cooking pots and pans, cooking spray, a first aid kit and a flashlight just in case we needed them. They also provided firewood and kindling, matches and even a bottle of chilled champagne when we arrived. It was apparent throughout our stay that they go above and beyond in anticipating the needs of their guests and meeting them at every turn.
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| Champagne and thoughtfulness are always appreciated! |
As we’ve returned to travel post-covid it’s become very apparent that people and service are the biggest determinants of a great trip. Thanks to the amazing hosts at Southern Belle Glamping we did indeed have a great trip and will definitely be back when we are in the area again.
As always, if you’d like to give glamping a try or need help with any other travel we’re happy to help!
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