Editor’s observe: Each month, we wish to introduce one in all our fantastic Glamping Hub hosts and ask what impressed them to create a glamping website. This month, we’re showcasing Glamping Hub’s Host of the Month for October 2022, Lisa from New Zealand. This host and her blissful staff have a ardour to create nice experiences for visitors at Lisa’s Waikanae North Island glamping retreat.
Tell us a bit about your self…
I’m initially from the Kapiti Coast, New Zealand, I’ve lived in London, the Bahamas whereas working for Elle MacPherson for 2 years, and in Austin, Texas. Travel and occasion administration are a few of my passions. I additionally conduct formal ceremonies, corresponding to weddings so I’m a romantic at coronary heart. I misplaced my husband tragically and I wanted to re-create my life by re-inventing myself utilizing what I had discovered and changing into impartial.
What attracted you to proudly owning a glamping property?
My ardour is creating nice experiences for individuals. I needed to create a little bit spot with a contact of the particular locations I’ve lived, visited, and that I maintain near my coronary heart. I needed to share this expertise with others. I had a improbable expertise in India, when volunteering out within the desert and thought this might be cool to recreate again in New Zealand.
Every glamping website has a particular story, might you inform us about yours?
My sister and I created my glamping website from an empty paddock. The land was gifted to me by my sister, who I reside with on the property. We are just about an all-woman staff of sisters, nieces, shut girlfriends, and some males who have been dragged in for the construct and landscaping. Just under the glamping website, now we have an exquisite glass chapel constructed by my sister and her son. We are a one-stop store for marriage and honeymoon holidays, making it an excellent romantic spot!
What are among the challenges you face and what have you ever discovered since opening?
I traded my excessive heels and work garments from a job within the concrete jungle for gumboots, so this was a BIG studying curve for me. Learning about compost bogs, plumbing, water tanks, electrical energy, pest management, and the constructing was powerful at occasions and costly when errors have been made. Trying to construct one thing from a imaginative and prescient board; not a plan on paper was difficult or some would say loopy! There was a little bit of eye-rolling from my contractors! My imaginative and prescient board was my plan however I’ve discovered a lot since then.
The problem is sporting many hats – cleaner, marketer, gardener, artistic director, reserving agent, buy officer, IT, accountant, and host. It’s a juggle however completely value it. Between my sister, my First Officer, and myself we are able to just about sort out most issues after they come up – sisters doing it for ourselves.
I’ve discovered to be extra affected person, bodily stronger, and fewer panicked when there may be an odd hiccup. I’ve additionally discovered to tackle suggestions from individuals, and enhance as we go alongside – you possibly can’t simply assume, sit again and put your ft up. I’m continuously including, tweaking, creating, and altering issues round as I do have plenty of repeat visitors, which is nice!
How was your first time internet hosting?
I used to be nervous. However, it was two attractive women my sister married in her chapel they usually have been my first visitors and newlyweds. We labored across the clock to complete the location on time for his or her marriage ceremony. They had one of the best night time and the whole lot went completely.
Can you inform us about your most memorable visitor expertise up to now?
We have plenty of memorable moments, however our favourite visitor experiences are from proposals at our website, looking over an incredible sundown and panorama. The better part to return from that is officiating the ceremony when the visitors come again and get married within the chapel.
If you can have anyone keep at your lodging, who wouldn’t it be and why?
Elle Macpherson – I’d love to point out her what I’ve completed, how I used to be impressed by her lovely home within the Bahamas, and the expertise of what I discovered working for her. I had the privilege of assembly and internet hosting some very well-known individuals in Ibiza and the Bahamas. From these experiences, the principle issues I discovered have been the significance of the finer particulars, internet hosting at a excessive degree, being open to suggestions, and by no means giving up.
Where is your splendid vacation vacation spot? Other than your glamping property in fact!
Tulum, Mexico — it has such an incredible environment! The individuals are SO artistic. Every step you soak up any of the eating places, bars, spas, or clothes shops is sort of a photoshoot for an Elle Décor journal. It’s Boho which I like and discover very inspiring. I miss it. I’ve recreated my out of doors bar space to resemble the bars in Tulum and different touches like my hammocks, pots, and ornaments. At least I can channel that till we are able to get again there quickly.
What do you’re keen on probably the most about operating a glamping website?
Working for myself with my First Officer, and shut girlfriend, and having the pliability to take time without work once I want it. It’s like making a particular occasion daily for those that have in all probability escaped from stress, children, and work. We really feel proud. It all the time appears superb when now we have completed setting the whole lot up from the pizza oven, out of doors baths, out of doors fireplace pit, and naturally the within of the tent with flowers, welcome notes, and home made pizza dough and sauce. I by no means get bored with it. It’s such as you put power into the whole lot you contact. It’s a really grounding expertise and fantastic for the soul!
What recommendation would you give to anybody seeking to begin or enhance their very own glamping enterprise?
Find one thing that’s distinctive. There are many glamping websites round. Go the additional mile with the finer particulars and guarantee you may have nice techniques in place that make operating your glamping website simpler. Work smarter not more durable. Don’t be afraid to ask others which can be consultants of their discipline, you possibly can’t be anticipated to know the whole lot.
Our neighborhood of hosts means the whole lot to us right here at Glamping Hub, which is why we like to share their tales in our Host of the Month characteristic. If you’re in search of a Dreamy Safari Tent Rental in Waikanae, for an thrilling weekend getaway in North Island, New Zealand. Book Lisa’s nice lodging.
Have you stayed with one in all our unbelievable hosts lately and wish to nominate them for Glamping Hub’s Host of the Month? Send us a message by way of Facebook or Instagram explaining who you’ve chosen and why!
If you have an interest in making a glamping resort, discover out extra details about how we may also help you develop or begin a glamping enterprise via Develop with Glamping Hub.
