Want to camp in the Ardennes, but don't feel like the hassle of tent poles and air mattresses? Glamping is the ideal solution if you want to get out into nature, but also value a good bed and private facilities. Whether you choose a safaritent or luxury dome tent with hot tub, you always sleep in the most beautiful spots in the region. In the Belgian Ardennes you will find a wide range of stays already prepared for you. Discover below the best spots for a comfortable stay in the great outdoors.
Glamping Ardennes
What to expect from a glamping accommodation in the Ardennes
The term glamping Ardennes covers several types of accommodation. Most people choose a safaritent, a spacious tent on a wooden deck, with beds, a kitchen and often a covered porch. But there are also compact Pods, wooden lodges, or even a treehouse in the Ardennes where you sleep among the treetops.
You don't have to lug anything around: a fully equipped tent comes with what you need. Just pay attention to the details: is there a refrigerator? Stove? Adequate lighting? And in the early or late season: is there heating in it? Things like that really make a difference in comfort.
You don't have to lug anything around: a fully equipped tent comes with what you need. Just pay attention to the details: is there a refrigerator? Stove? Adequate lighting? And in the early or late season: is there heating in it? Things like that really make a difference in comfort.
Child-friendly glamping for families
For a holiday with children, glamping is ideal. You have the outdoor feeling, but with more convenience and safety than at a regular campsite. Often glamping for families is on a small-scale campsite in the Ardennes, with a playground, plenty of space and overview.
With child-friendly glamping in the Ardennes, pay close attention to practicalities: are there lockable sleeping areas in the tent? Is the terrain car-free? Is there a stream nearby where they can play safely? Some sites even offer entertainment or facilities such as a swimming pool. A crib or high chair is also sometimes available.
If you want to make the experience extra special, a treehouse in the Ardennes is a special alternative, especially for slightly older children.
The location determines the atmosphere of your glamping experience
The Belgian Ardennes are large and varied and the location largely determines the atmosphere of your trip. In the Durbuy area you are centrally located, with many amenities, hiking trails and activities. If you are looking for a glamping near Durbuy, pay attention to accessibility and whether you are looking for something quiet or close to the town.
Around La Roche-en-Ardenne (Roche), you are more in the nature, with the possibility of a stay by the water. If you really want nature and peace, then glamping Ardennes by the water is a must, think of places on the Ourthe or Amblève, where you can hear the rippling water right from your veranda. During your stay you will enjoy the Ardennes nature to the fullest, whether you are hiking, mountain biking or simply reading a book in front of your tent.
Some popular locations offer multiple accommodation types on one site. This makes it easier to book a glamping holiday with friends or family, for example, where everyone has their own place.
Glamping with your dog in the Ardennes
More and more locations are offering glamping with dog in the Ardennes. Still, it is good to check in advance: how many dogs are allowed? Do you have to pay extra for the dog? And are there rules on site?
It is also useful to check whether you can walk directly from your accommodation into nature, without first having to drive a car. Is the terrain fenced off? Are dogs allowed off-leash? If you prefer something more spacious, you can also compare glamping with dogs to holiday homes in the Ardennes where dogs are welcome, sometimes with access to a garden or fenced area.
Expectations around atmosphere, service and season
A glamping overnight stay means being outside, but with just a little more convenience. Still, it is good to know what you are not getting. After all, a glamping stay is not a hotel. In most places, you make your own bed, bring your own towels and cook your own breakfast. The atmosphere is informal, and that's exactly what makes it relaxing.
In high season it can be busier, but many sites deliberately stay small. In the low season you have more peace and quiet, but then good heating is not a luxury. So don't expect room service, but do expect a unique place, privacy and lots of outdoor air.
Glamping with wellness: being outdoors and relaxing
In addition to peace and nature, many people are looking for just that little bit of extra comfort. That is why some glamping locations in the Ardennes now offer wellness facilities. Think of a hot tub next to your tent, a sauna in the treehouse or a shared spa on site.
Especially at small-scale accommodations, you'll find surprisingly luxurious options: private wellness in a safaritent, a wood-fired hot tub overlooking the valley or an infrared sauna in a wooden lodge. Not every place explicitly calls it "wellness," so look carefully in the description for words like hot tub, Jacuzzi or sauna. For a glamping weekend getaway in any season, such an extra amenity can make all the difference, especially in the early and late season, when it's cooler outside. Combine the comfort of luxury camping with the relaxation of wellness, and you're guaranteed to come home rested.
Here's how to quickly choose your ideal glamping holiday
With so many stays on offer, it helps to have a clear idea of what you're looking for first. For example:
- Private bathroom facilities or shared facilities
- Tent, treehouse, pod or lodge
- Location in nature or near a village
- Child friendly, with dog, at the waterfront
- With or without wellness like hot tub or sauna
If you know that you really want to go for this form of luxury camping, you can quickly find the place that suits you through glamping holidays.
Are you still hesitating between a tent or a permanent house? Check out special accommodation in the Ardennes. There you will also find, for example, tiny houses or cabins in the woods.
Frequently asked questions
What is glamping?
Glamping is a relatively new form of camping that focuses on luxury and comfort. Glamping combines the unique atmosphere of camping with modern facilities and amenities normally found only in luxury vacation homes. For example, a glamping tent is often spacious and usually equipped with luxury facilities such as, comfortable beds, a private kitchen and bathroom. Glamping is especially popular among families and families who want to enjoy the outdoors during their holiday, but at the same time do not want to compromise on comfort. It is therefore an ideal vacation choice for people who want to experience the benefits of camping without having to give up luxury amenities.
Do glamping tents in the Ardennes have their own bathroom facilities?
This varies by owner. There are two flavors: 'luxury' glamping where you have your own bathroom with shower and toilet in the tent, and the more basic glamping where you use a shared bathroom building at the campsite. Search specifically for the term 'private bathroom' if you don't want to walk to a shared building.
Is glamping in the Ardennes also possible in autumn and winter?
Yes, many glamping accommodations in the Ardennes are open year-round. Luxury safaritents and treehouses are often equipped with a pellet stove, wood stove or electric heating in the colder months. When booking, always check that the tent is fully insulated and that the sanitary facilities are heated.
What about power and wifi in a glamping tent?
Almost all modern glamping tents have standard power outlets for charging phones and using lights. Wi-Fi quality varies widely: in the deep valleys of the Ardennes, coverage is sometimes limited to the central reception area, while other sites have their own router per accommodation.
Where to find the most beautiful glamping spots by the water in the Ardennes?
Most wetland glamping sites are located along the Ourthe, Semois or Amblève rivers. Famous places in this area include Durbuy, La Roche-en-Ardenne and Houffalize. These places are ideal for activities such as kayaking and fishing right from your accommodation.
What else should I bring with me when I go glamping?
Beds and furniture are provided at most glamping accommodations. You often have to bring your own towels and kitchen textiles. Sometimes bed linens are included, but at other locations you'll either rent them additionally or bring your own. Also check that there is a basic supply of cooking utensils and crockery.
What is the difference between a safaritent, a lodge tent, and a dome tent?
What is the difference between a safaritent, a lodge tent, and a dome in the Veluwe?
The difference lies in the construction and the bathroom facilities. A safaritent offers basic comfort with canvas walls, often with shared bathroom facilities. A lodge tent is a larger canvas cabin with a private bathroom, and a dome is a round, futuristic dome tent with panoramic windows.
