Valley Views Glamping, located in Otiake, has been named the 2024 Glamping Destination Continent Winner for Australia and Oceania by the World Luxury Travel Awards.
The luxury glamping site, which offers eco-friendly, off-grid accommodation in geodesic domes with views of the Waitaki Valley, was selected from a wide pool of providers.
The World Luxury Travel Awards are determined by votes from guests, travelers, and professionals within the travel industry.
Despite initially declining to enter, owners Patrick and Amber Tyrrell were encouraged by a representative from the awards to submit their business for consideration.
“We weren’t going to enter it, and one of the ladies that works for World Luxury Travel Awards, she contacted me and asked me to enter it … She was very persistent and we ended up winning it, which was amazing,” Tyrrell told Otago Daily Times.
In addition to the award, Valley Views Glamping has attracted more than 13,000 visitors from around the world over the past seven years.
The business previously won the Best Hospitality/Tourism Business award at the 2022 Waitaki Business Awards and was also recognized in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards.
Tyrrell attributes their success to positive word of mouth and exceptional customer experiences. “It’s really that human connection that people really appreciate. We meet everyone that comes here, and check them in and chat to people, it’s great,” she said.
The business’s focus on personalized service and its distinctive domes, along with the stunning surroundings, continue to draw visitors. “We do our very best to give everyone an exceptional experience, and we’ve got great views here — people really love the space,” Tyrrell added.
Patrick and Amber Tyrrell, owners of Valley Views Glamping, bring a rich history of adventure and environmental stewardship to their business.
Patrick, originally from a farm in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, and Amber, who grew up on a farm near the glamping site in the Waitaki Valley, met while working on a Moshav in the Israeli desert during their travels.
Their inspiration for Valley Views Glamping came from a family stay in a safari tent on a game reserve in South Africa, an experience that later influenced their vision to share the beauty of the Waitaki Valley with others.
Committed to sustainability, the couple has integrated eco-friendly practices into their operations, including using sustainable materials, recycling, and even transforming their septic tank into a functional worm farm.
Featured image by Valley Views Glamping via valleyviews.co.nz
