From concierge and champagne to breakfast in bed, Glastonbury's Camp Kerala offers a luxury alternative to camping for those accustomed to partying in style
Glastonbury’s sprawling Worthy Farm in Somerset welcomed more than 200,000 free spirits and festival lovers at the end of last month for another spectacular weekend of music, magic and mayhem.
Dua Lipa, Shania Twain, Coldplay and Cyndi Lauper were among the big names performing on the main stage with celebrities including Tom Cruise and Dakota Johnson spotted watching from the wings. But with Glastonbury such a huge draw for celebrities, socialites and influencers alike, the event has evolved over recent years to create luxe environments in keeping with those revellers accustomed to more than just a portaloo or two.
Case in point? Camp Kerala. The brainchild of Jen Oldland, this five-star hotel-style offering has taken the modern-day party people’s penchant for glamping (short for glamorous camping) to a whole new, luxury-laden level since its inception in 2005. Not content with merely bridging the gap between outdoor recreation and home comforts, the Somerset-based brand has its roots firmly entwined with Glastonbury, after its stone-throw-away location proved the perfect match for offering revellers a stylish, spiritual home for the duration of the music-laden weekend.
And for those lucky enough to afford the ‘eye-watering’ price tag, the ‘paradisal camp’ has become synonymous with people looking to party, while recuperating with more than a touch of luxe. Forget swigging warm cider from the can, sleeping in tents and not showering, Camp Kerala offers a more exclusive side to the world-famous festival, offering hotel-style luxury to those looking to party while looking pristine.
Described by Vogue as ’the caviar of festival accommodation’ the private and spacious Shikar tents (originally conceived as holiday accommodation for the Maharajahs of Rajasthan) are housed on the land of a derelict farmhouse in a tranquil valley in Somerset. Each tent is equipped with plush carpets, duck-down duvets, and fresh flowers and guests have access to a concierge service, contemporary cuisine prepared by top chefs, and a team of mixologists on hand to prepare cocktails and sommeliers to help guests perfectly pair their wine.
From full English breakfasts and truffled scotch eggs to sirloin steak and tempura squid, meals can be eaten at the camp’s two luxury on-site restaurants, while a ‘tent-service’ team is also on hand to deliver dishes directly to guests’ tents. And if that’s not enough, there’s a hot tub, sauna, gym and cold water immersion experience, alongside a beauty salon and spa offering post-revelry rejuvenating treatments, IV drips and hairstyling. Post-party recovery never looked so good.
The cost for two people to stay at Camp Kerala allegedly exceeds £8,000, including tickets to the festival.