A Magical Glamping Destination in Eastern Alabama
Rumbling down an oak-tree lined red dirt road in my white Kia, luggage rattling in the back seat, George and I wondered to ourselves “where exactly are we headed?” As we made our way further into the trees, we started seeing signs for “Destination Resort” and eventually came upon a khaki-colored safari tent named the “Rhondaposa” and a stage crafted using at least three tree trunks as a base with shimmering chandeliers hanging from the rafters.
The award-winning Destination Glamping Resort is a hidden gem nestled on over 100 acres of breathtaking natural beauty. With the honor of being named the Best Glamping Spot in the United States for two consecutive years by USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Award, this unique destination located in Dadeville, Alabama, offers a glamorous camping experience like no other (just a few short minutes from the shores of Lake Martin).
Glamping began its rise in popularity in the United States around 2014 and was officially added to the dictionary in 2016. Travelers who wanted a blend of experiencing nature without the hassle of pitching a tent (or using an outhouse) and luxury accommodation have flocked to the hospitality trend. Enjoy the peace and quiet of being in nature with the modern-day luxury of air conditioning? Yes, please.
The owners of Destination Resort, Skip and Rhonda, opened their doors to glampers in 2021. Personally, I believe a lot of the charm of staying somewhere boutique and local is the interaction and experiences you have with your fellow travelers. Or, in our case, the hosts. When you think of traditional southern hospitality, I will now think of Skip and Rhonda. They open their home and hearts to their clients, sharing meals, recommendations and friends with any and all who come to rest their heads on their fluffy pillows and memory-foam glamping mattress.
The property has four different glamps, all designed around places near and dear to Skip and Rhonda’s hearts (like the “Music Loft” after their time in Nashville). We stayed in the “Clearwater” which was named after the Florida town where the couple has roots. Our glamp had a large deck area with a hot tub, propane grill, a fire pit and multiple seating options. The safari tent had two bedrooms, a living room with a stocked kitchenette (e.g. silverware and serving dishes), and a roomy bathroom with a walk-in shower. George and I looked at each other after exploring our home for the weekend, eyebrows raised. “Now THIS is glamping,” said George.
After checking in on Friday evening, George and I ventured out to Chuck’s Marina for a pizza and views of Lake Martin. We munched on Chuck’s version of a supreme pizza, enjoying the twinkle lights and watching a storm roll in. We felt like we were on a vacation while still only being 30 minutes from Auburn-Opelika.
Saturday morning, we awoke to birds chirping and sunlight gently glowing through our safari tent. We brewed our coffee and toasted our bagels for a slow morning on the deck (BYOC&T). The deck of our glamp overlooked Sandy Creek, so we decided to walk along the edge of the creek (following signs like “Troll Bridge” and “Shoals” and see what we could see. Skip and Rhonda have a few canoes for visitors to enjoy, so we plopped a canoe in the water and slowly paddled down the creek (I was having camp flashbacks to my war canoe competition days). There were just a few moments where George thought we would surely tump the canoe over in the water, but we made it out unscathed.
After wandering back to our glamp, we packed up a cooler full of drinks and snacks to make our way over to D.A.R.E. Power Park for an afternoon of sitting on the lake beach. If you don’t have access to a boat (or a boating license), this park is a great option for enjoying a lake day! Our friends, Matt & Lindsay, joined us for a few hours of Vitamin D before heading back to the glamp and getting ready for a concert on the Southwind Stage.
Rhonda and Skip built the Southwind Stage in November of 2022 in order to host different musical acts and bring a little boogie to the area. During our visit, Skip himself performed on the stage with his old band (he’s a master on the keys and harmonica)! As guests of the Destination Resort, we had a table reserved for us front and center on the deck. The band drew quite a crowd and we all jammed into the evening under the twinkle lights.
Now this was glamping.
We loved our stay at The Destination Glamping Resort and would highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a place to relax and unwind in nature.
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