Two times this year we watched as the North Fork went from rustic to ritzy and we are here for it.
First, the new owners of Eastern Long Island Kampgrounds added luxury tents making camping a little easier for a novice or someone who wants added comfort and a touch of glam.
The new accommodations, called safari tents, are an alternative to a hotel. Inside, along with a queen bed and optional two twin beds and a cot, is a hardwood floor, flat screen TV, wifi, air conditioning, refrigerator, coffee maker, and microwave. Toward the back is a walk-in closet, sink, and toilet, while outside, a front porch leads to a grassy yard with a gas grill and fire pit. Off to the side is a shower with its own hot-water tank and a waterfall shower head. Each 16-by-20-foot tent (plus 10 feet of porch) runs $325 a night or $250 a night Sunday through Wednesday in season.
Then, in November, we saw wine tasting meet glamping at Macari Vineyards in their luxurious new bungalows. The vineyard teamed up with local designer Jesse Elliott and White Flower Farmhouse to turn heated platform tents from Terra Glamping into a stylish living room in the vines. These Bergen Road Bungalows, named after the Mattituck tasting room at Macari, are bright and beautifully designed with light wood tables, cream-colored furniture and cozy pillows and blankets.
The mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings, local artwork, vinyl music, classic games and more are all available for enjoyment and purchase.
The tents can be reserved for groups of up to six for an entire afternoon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and include a delicious lunch by caterer Lauren Lombardi (of Lombardi’s Love Lane Market) paired with Macari wines. Reservations can be made here and tickets are priced at $150 per person. In the coming months, Macari plans to expand the use of the tents to host guest chef dinners and more.
