Floating Campsite in the Mountains
Published 27 January 2023
Dubai-based design firm Ardh Architects has announced plans to create a first-of-its-kind campsite suspended between two mountains in Sharjah, the third-most populous city in the UAE. Called The Floating Retreat, the airborne accommodation blends luxury hospitality with the excitement (and serenity) of cliff camping.
Allowing thrill-seeking travellers to camp mid-air, the retreat comprises 10 pyramid-shaped pods hanging from suspension cords connected to a walkway between two mountains. The height of the lodgings can be manually adjusted (they can be lowered to about 100m), and the pods’ see-through material facilitates uninterrupted views of the surroundings. Guests can further appreciate the area’s natural beauty by engaging in mountain climbing and wadi treks arranged by campsite staff.
As well as providing the thrill of cliff-hanging, the retreat offers a luxurious camping experience. Each pod contains a bed, electricity, heating and wi-fi via headsets and tablets. Lodgers have access to a private bathroom as well as a five-star spa at the top of the mountain. A restaurant and reception area are at the bottom of the mountain.
According to Ardh Architects founder Omran Alowais, The Floating Retreat will boast “the quality of calm such as the [one] experienced in places with mainly natural features and activities, free from disturbance from manmade ones”. This is likely to appeal to the two in five global travellers considering a silent retreat in 2023 (Booking.com, 2022).
The project aims to revive the local community through tourism as well as provide a family-friendly destination for younger travellers to boost their environmental awareness and appreciation.
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