Create Core Memories for Your Guests, Without Breaking the Bank

That lovely little story comes from Mike and Anne Howard’s book, Comfortably Wild, which recounts their 73,000-mile journey across 70+ glamping sites. The book generated some game-changing insights for me, and today I’m sharing one that may change your whole approach to the guest experience.

What struck me with Anne’s story was how a humble VHS tape and wellness kit turned an ordinary movie night into an unforgettable memory. Sou’wester Lodge didn’t just provide a trailer for the night - they gave their guests a story worth sharing, and they did it without breaking the bank.

As a glamping operator, you’re in the business of creating core memories for your guests. The kind they remember when they’re old, stooped over, and telling their grandchildren about the good ol’ days. These powerful experiences create raving fans that do your marketing for you, just as Anne Howard did for Sou’wester Lodge. 

The best thing? As Sou’wester Lodge proved, you can do this for next to no cost. 

Here are a couple of examples from operators I know:

At Blackstrap Resort, guests are greeted with a personalized message on a whiteboard inside their glamping domes. Following Dale Carnegie’s wisdom that “a person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound,” the written message always addresses guests by their first names. Guests love it so much they often leave their own notes of appreciation before they leave.

At Open Sky, Bygnal Duston understands that nothing beats the magic of watching the sun go down and stars come out on the first night. To ensure guests don’t miss this, he provides food and drink upon arrival, so there’s no need to venture off the property. Guests can immediately relax, knowing everything is taken care of, and immerse themselves in nature's beauty from the moment they arrive.

These experiences aren't created by accident—they're the result of operators thinking deeply about what guests respond to. 

Reflect on the guest experience you want to create, and ask yourself what little touches you can add to make sure your guests will never forget you. It’s time to start giving your guests their own core memories.

P.S. I recommend buying a copy of Comfortably Wild. It’s a great source of inspiration for any glamping operator.

💡 Idea of the Week - Vinyl Record Players

What I loved about Anne’s story from Sou’Wester Lodge was how it highlighted the power of physical experiences in a digital world. Today, everything is streamed or downloaded, leaving little space for physical movie or music players.

But this creates a golden opportunity.

Tangible items like vinyl record players have become symbols of nostalgia. There’s something special about the ritual: sliding a record from its sleeve, placing it on the turntable, and carefully dropping the needle. It’s slower and more intentional than tapping ‘play’ on Spotify, but that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.

I recently bought my first record player, and on my last trip back to the UK I raided my parent’s attic for records. Since then, I’ve been losing myself in the sounds of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, and Carole King’s Tapestry. It’s been great.

Now picture this: A jaded couple have booked a stay at your glamping site to commemorate their anniversary, not because they want to but because they feel they have to. While waiting to check in, they start browsing your record collection.

They spot Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, which was the soundtrack to their first ever dinner date. Taking it back to their cozy safari tent, they place it on the in-unit record player, drop the needle and slow dance the night away. They’re reminded of why they fell in love in the first place, and when they leave they tell everyone about the amazing time they had at your resort.

How’s that for a core memory?

📰 The Posh Report

This week, we at Posh Outdoors got our first construction update on our Looking Glass mirror cabins. They’re due to open for booking at our stunning Rocky Mountain location this December.

We’d love to show you what they’ll eventually look like, but that’s for a future installment of The Posh Report ;) 

P.S. I’ll be representing Posh Outdoors at the Glamping Show in Colorado next week. If you’re at the show, come to Booth 501 and say hello!

🎧️ On The Pod

Confession: this isn’t the first time I’ve shared Anne Howard’s Star Wars story. I first told it on The Unique Hospitality Podcast, in an episode we titled “Cool Sh*t”. 

Me and my two good friends, Connor and Jacob, shared some of the coolest things we’ve seen in hospitality with the aim of sparking some creative ideas for our audience of prospective glamping operators. Stories included floating tennis courts and mega spas. 

Feel free to check out the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube.

That’s it for the second installment of The Glamping Insider! If you know anyone that would find these insights useful, please forward them this email and get them to subscribe here.