Editor’s notice: Every month, we prefer to introduce considered one of our great Glamping Hub hosts and ask what impressed them to create a glamping web site. This month, we’re showcasing Glamping Hub’s Host of the Month for December 2023, Shanti Smith in Pohara, South Island, New Zealand. Shanti has a profound ardour for gardening and rising produce on her permaculture farm. This deep connection to nature is just not solely a private pleasure but additionally a beautiful alternative to share the marvels of the pure world along with her daughter and visitors visiting her attractive glamping web site on the South Island.
Right here’s a bit extra about Shanti, in her personal phrases:
Initially hailing from the US, I’ve referred to as New Zealand dwelling for almost twenty years and have proudly raised my daughter right here. In 2015, I acquired my half-acre permaculture farm and have discovered immense pleasure in tending to it ever since. Proudly owning this property has been extremely rewarding because it permits me to introduce visitors to a farm-to-table life-style via glamping experiences. With over 50 kinds of fruit and nut timber thriving on the land, sharing the bountiful produce with glampers has been some of the rewarding facets of this enterprise.
What attracted you to proudly owning a glamping property?
I’ve at all times cherished having an in depth connection to nature and beforehand loved glamping experiences in yurts and yurt-like buildings. Rising up, my father had a yurt nestled on the Black Mesa in Colorado, so venturing into the glamping area feels considerably acquainted. Decided to supply visitors with a stability of nature and luxury, we did intensive analysis to search out the best glamping unit for my area. I aimed to supply guests the magic of New Zealand’s nature whereas making certain they might bask in luxuries akin to a luxurious mattress and soothing cups of tea, all throughout the confines of a canvas tent. New Zealand, famend for its distinctive chicken life, boasts an array of distinctive birds whose melodies are actually fascinating.
Are there any outstanding or distinctive tales related to your glamping web site?
My journey in New Zealand started as a WWOOFER – a devoted volunteer engaged on natural farms. This program attracts people eager on studying about farm life whereas embracing journey alternatives. It was after we started internet hosting WWOOFERs on my property that one launched us to the idea of glamping and generously gifted us a Lotus Belle tent. Nonetheless, it turned obvious that such a tent wasn’t suited to New Zealand’s unpredictable climate.
Consequently, we determined to craft a customized tent particularly designed to resist our native climate circumstances, using domestically sourced supplies. This method made all the mission a testomony to our dedication to native craftsmanship and grassroots initiatives. Each side of this endeavor has been meticulously tended to with care– from the stones adorning the bathe space to these lining the footpaths, each handpicked from a close-by seashore. This area was actually a labor of affection.
Are you able to inform us about your most memorable visitor expertise to this point?
It’s inconceivable to single out essentially the most memorable visitor among the many great people who’ve graced our property. We think about it a real privilege when newlyweds select our area for his or her honeymoons, some even spending two weeks right here. Witnessing metropolis dwellers revel within the embrace of nature, cherishing the enchanting birdsong at daybreak and the tranquil murmur of the creek, is at all times a heartwarming expertise. Likewise, it fills us with gratitude when well-traveled visitors, who’ve explored the world, categorical sheer amazement on the magnificence and ease of our area. Our goal with all our visitors is to instill a way of concord with nature, encouraging them to deepen their appreciation for it.
In case you may have anyone keep at your lodging, who would it not be and why?
If I may select anybody with out limitations, my grandmother would unquestionably be my first selection. Her love for New Zealand, evident throughout her go to, resonates deeply with me, and I’m sure she would beam with satisfaction witnessing what we’ve cultivated right here. One other particular person I’d be thrilled to welcome onto my property is Michael Franti. I deeply admire his music and the messages he shares, and I’m assured he would discover solace and appreciation on this area.
What are a number of the challenges you face and what have you ever discovered since opening? From my private expertise, we’ve discovered that climate poses essentially the most vital problem in our area. New Zealand experiences frequent bouts of wind, rain, and unpredictable climate patterns, sometimes interspersed with intense warmth. Taking this under consideration, we prioritized climate resilience when developing our glamping unit, making certain its means to endure extreme climate circumstances.
The addition of a PVC fly over the tent has confirmed instrumental in safeguarding the canvas in opposition to numerous components akin to rain, daylight, chicken droppings, and tree sap. Climate stays past our management; therefore, our method is to acknowledge its unpredictability, adapt to its nuances, and make mandatory changes alongside the best way. Our overarching philosophy revolves round designing our life-style to harmonize with our pure environment.
How was your first time internet hosting?
I initially felt a way of nervousness, which I suppose is regular, as we wished to make sure our visitors skilled the utmost consolation amidst nature. Alongside our internet hosting journey, we’ve experimented with a number of tents, and really feel that we have now lastly discovered the best setup that actually caters to the wants of our glampers.
What do you’re keen on essentially the most about operating a glamping web site?
It’s arduous to not fall in love with the glamping host life-style. Welcoming folks from numerous corners of the world into our dwelling has been an enriching expertise. By means of interactions with our glampers, we’ve gleaned invaluable insights and views, nearly as if I’ve launched into a world voyage myself. What brings me immense pleasure is demonstrating the unimaginable potential of a small patch of land on the subject of cultivating recent produce. Introducing guests to the true essence of freshness and sharing the harvest from our backyard is immensely rewarding. Our visitors are sometimes intrigued by our strategies to increase the lifetime of our scraps. We’ve developed a system the place scraps are utilized for composting, contributing to our sustainable practices. Moreover, we implement a composting bathroom, additional maximizing the utilization of waste in our eco-friendly method. The presence of visitors infuses our area with renewed vitality, and we revel within the vibrant power they create.
The place is your best vacation vacation spot? Aside from your glamping property in fact!
Two dream locations on the high of my bucket record are Japan, for its unimaginable snowboarding experiences, and Tahiti, for a soothing, unique getaway.
What recommendation would you give to anybody trying to begin or enhance their very own glamping enterprise? My foremost recommendation could be to infuse your coronary heart and keenness into crafting your glamping area. I’ve found that the extra you put money into it, the extra you obtain in return. Giving your all inevitably displays within the expertise you present.
Our group of hosts means every thing to us right here at Glamping Hub, which is why we like to share their tales in our Host of the Month characteristic. In case you’re on the lookout for a particular keep on a permaculture farm in South Island, New Zealand, e-book your keep in the present day!
Have you ever stayed with considered one of our unimaginable hosts lately and want to nominate them for Glamping Hub’s Host of the Month? Ship us a message by way of Fb or Instagram explaining who you’ve chosen and why!
