Glamping in an Orchard vs. Staying in a Hotel: What’s the Difference?
- Howard Hughes
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Dear reader these are my alternative titles... any preferences?
Glamping vs Hotel: Why Choose a Stay Among the Apple Trees?
Duvets, Owls and No Sockets: A Peaceful Alternative to the Premier Inn
Hotel Room or Orchard Retreat? What to Expect When Glamping at Bowhayes Farm
From Corridors to Campfires: Swapping Hotels for Glamping in Devon
Glamping in an Orchard vs. Staying in a Hotel: What’s the Difference? At Bowhayes Farm, we’re often asked how our off-grid glamping compares to a hotel stay. And the honest answer is — it doesn’t. That’s the point.
Our peaceful cider orchard is the antidote to flat-pack furniture, 24-hour room service, and humming vending machines. But if you’re still deciding whether glamping is right for you, here’s our light-hearted (but truthful) take on how a stay with us stacks up against your average hotel break.
1. Lights Out, Stars On
Hotel: You pull the blackout curtains and try to sleep through the hum of the extractor fan — while a corridor light flickers just outside. The window only opens two inches (health and safety, of course), so fresh air is in short supply — especially if you're facing a main road.
Bowhayes: You step out into a sky full of stars, with owls calling in the distance. Your lantern glows just enough to guide you to bed, where your hot water bottle awaits. There’s no artificial buzz — just a peaceful night in nature. (We do recommend an eye mask for early summer mornings!)
2. Wake-Up Call: Traffic or Birds?
Hotel: Bin lorries. Car horns. Maybe the hum of air-con. And always, someone dragging a suitcase down the hallway at exactly 6:23am.
Bowhayes: Birdsong. Maybe a deer nosing through the orchard. If you’re lucky, a fox tiptoeing past your tent. Or just the breeze in the trees.
3. Plug In vs. Switch Off
Hotel: Multiple plug sockets (rarely where you need them), fast Wi-Fi (for a charge), a flat-screen TV (with limited sound) and a mini-fridge you're afraid to touch.
Bowhayes: We’re proudly off-grid. Bring a power bank if needed, but most of our guests find the real recharge comes from switching off. It’s the digital detox you didn’t know you needed.
4. Facilities: Private Orchard vs. Carpeted Corridor
Hotel: Beige or grey interiors, if you’re lucky. Air-conditioned rooms with long, shared corridors connecting 78 others just like it.
Bowhayes: Our bell tents share beautifully kept, hotel-standard facilities just a short stroll away — warm showers, flushing loos, and plenty of space. Surrounded by wildflowers, birdsong, and blue skies — not soft rock FM.
5. Breakfast: Buffet Queue vs. Tree Nursery Brew
Hotel: Queue up under strip lighting for mass-produced pastries and bottomless coffee that somehow tastes of cardboard.
Bowhayes: Breakfast baskets of freshly baked croissants, pain au chocolat, our own sourdough, and local honey and preserves — all paired with the best coffee (or tea) in Venn Ottery! Served on our coffee deck, nestled within the greenery of our working Tree Nursery. Slow mornings, done right.
6. Price vs. Value
Hotel: Peak-season pricing, unpredictable quality, and “extras” that quietly stack up.
Bowhayes: Yes, we’re seasonal too — but we offer a truly unique experience beneath the apple trees, with quality bedding, peaceful surroundings, and thoughtful touches throughout. Whether you book direct on www.bowhayesfarm.co.uk, or via Booking.com, Airbnb or another travel site, you’ll find our prices fair, competitive — and refreshingly free of hidden fees. (And checkout is midday, not 10am!)
In Summary…
Glamping’s not for everyone — and that’s completely fine. But if you’re looking to wake up somewhere quiet, green, and just a little bit magical, our orchard might be your perfect match. Sure, you’ll need to pack a torch and your walking boots… but many of our guests tell us that’s exactly why they return.
You’re not booking a hotel. You’re booking a breath of fresh air.
Stay With Us
Ready to swap corridors for cow parsley and car parks for cider orchards? Visit www.bowhayesfarm.co.uk to book directly for the best rates and to learn more about our glamping bell tents, shepherd’s hut, and off-grid facilities.
