For those looking for the comforts of home and an outdoor experience, glamping provided an outlet during Covid-19.
Glamping, which is a glamorous version of camping, often offers specific amenities that you wouldn’t find in a simple tent. For example, many glamping locations have real beds and furnishings inside a yurt or cabin.
As the pandemic spurred an increased interest in its offering, Denver-based outdoor luxury startup Collective Retreats today announced that it has raised a $23 million Series C funding round. The round was led by New York-based investment firm Fireside Investments, outdoor marketplace Outdoorsy and featured participation from existing investors including Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund.
Collective Retreats is an outdoor travel company that offers luxury tents and experiences at its locations. The company offers on-site activities, like horseback riding, meals from local chefs and personalized hospitality services.
Currently, Collective has locations in Texas, New York and Colorado, with plans to open in California and Vermont in the near future.
With this funding round, the company plans to grow its destinations and open 25 new locations in the next four years.
In addition to being an investor in this round, Outdoorsy is entering a new strategic partnership with Collective Retreats to combine the companies’ outdoor hospitality services. The partnership will allow Collective Retreats’ users to rent Outdoorsy’s campervans for use at and around the luxury camping locations.
"After a year of isolation without connection to nature, people are clamoring for a new type of luxury travel where traditional hotel rooms and lobbies are swapped for fresh air, trees, and clear blue skies," Collective Retreats CEO and founder Peter Mack said in a statement. "We're excited to introduce our guests and Outdoorsy's loyal followers to new locations and outdoor experiences.”
Starting this fall, the two companies will launch a new offering that allows Outdoorsy customers to stay in their campervans while at a Collective Retreats location. They will have access to a bathroom with a spa shower, covered terrace area and soaking tub.
Guests will also be able to take advantage of Collective Retreats' luxury amenities, public spaces and guest programming, like tasting menus at its restaurants, cocktail bars, live music and health and wellness programs.
"One of the biggest barriers to entry for first-time RVers renting on Outdoorsy has always been the looming question of where to stay or camp at night," Outdoorsy's co-founder and CEO Jeff Cavins said in a statement. "Keep in mind that, for the majority of people renting an RV, this is their first time not staying in a hotel while on vacation, so that is the mindset they're in … They'll drive the extra mile if it means sleeping in comfort, and through our new campground offerings with Collective Retreats, we are answering that question of 'Where do I camp?"
