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Michigan's First 'Glampground' Set To Open Up North

UPDATE: 8/22/16 - Michigan's First 'Glampground' Planned To Open In 2017 [VIDEO TOUR]

EAST JORDAN, Mich. (WWJ) - Many Michiganders have tried camping...but have you ever heard of "glamping"?

The trendy activity — which combines glamour and camping — is coming soon to our state.

WWJ's Greg Bowman spoke with Brad Carlson, one of the developers of the new glampground Bella Solviva, which will be located near Torch Lake, northeast of Traverse City, in Northern Michigan.

"Glamping is a very recent trend that started in Europe about 10 or 15 years ago, and has made it into the west coast and the southern United States, but it's glamorous camping, or luxury camping," Carlson said. "We're doing something unique that involves 12 different types of accommodations."

Bella Solviva, "billed as "the comfy camping eco resort," will feature 230 campsites that include safari tents, tree houses, vintage RVs, B&B suites, yachts, and cabins — some with king-size beds.

"What we wanted to do was something with a low-density situation where you might not even be able to see your neighbor, feel like you're out in the woods," Carlson said. "The glamping part or it....the safari tents and so on just give an upscale approach to a high level of service — much like you'd have at an upscale resort or hotel."

Carlson said rates will range from $67 a night for a more traditional tent site, up to $1,000 for a night in an airliner suite (with a flight-simulator!) he eventually hopes to have on the 229-acre property.

Bella Solviva may partially open as early as September, he said, and should be ready to take reservations beginning in August.

[Learn more at the resort's website].

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