Nokken has introduced the Softshell Suite, a new modular accommodation unit designed to help outdoor hospitality operators expand their lodging offerings with self-contained guest accommodations that support longer stays and year-round operations.
The product builds on the company’s original Softshell structure, which was developed in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and launched in 2024.
While the original Softshell was designed primarily for off-grid accommodations, the new Softshell Suite is intended for campgrounds, glamping resorts, holiday parks, and other hospitality businesses with access to utilities such as electricity and plumbing that want to add higher-specification accommodations without constructing permanent buildings.
The Softshell Suite is installed within the existing Softshell frame and includes a kitchenette with a dining area, a fully equipped en suite bathroom, and a mezzanine bedroom. According to the company, the structure maintains the lightweight design of the original model, does not require permanent foundations, and can be assembled by three people in approximately one day.
Nathan Aylott, co-founder of Nokken, told GlobeTrender: “A soft structure doesn’t mean it can’t have a hospitality-grade bathroom. The Suite is our answer. It opens up the full spectrum of what a retreat can be, from a low-key night in nature to a fully serviced stay outdoors.”
Nokken said the new model was developed in response to feedback from hospitality operators who wanted to incorporate the bathroom features available in the company’s cabin products into the Softshell concept. By adding private bathroom facilities and a kitchenette, the company believes operators can encourage longer guest stays while supporting occupancy during shoulder and off-peak seasons.
The company also cited findings from its Field Report research, which identified increasing demand for accommodations that combine outdoor experiences with hotel-style amenities. Nokken said this trend may contribute to higher rates of repeat visitation and help operators reduce dependence on peak seasonal travel.
For campground owners, glamping operators, RV resorts, and holiday park businesses, modular accommodations can provide an alternative approach to expanding inventory.
Because the Softshell Suite can be deployed without permanent foundations and installed relatively quickly, operators may be able to phase investments over time rather than committing to large-scale construction projects.
This flexibility may be particularly relevant for properties seeking to test premium accommodation offerings, expand capacity in response to demand, or operate on sites where permanent development faces planning or environmental constraints.
The company said the modular design also supports gradual expansion. Up to three Suite modules can be transported in a standard shipping container, while production requires approximately eight weeks before installation.
Nokken also referenced broader travel trends in its Hospitality Trends 2026 and Future of Travel research.
According to the company, demand for outdoor accommodations is growing at a faster rate than the broader hotel sector, while travelers are increasingly seeking “coolcations” and “calmcations,” choosing destinations with milder climates and quieter environments and traveling outside the traditional summer season.
To support year-round use, Nokken said the Softshell Suite has been engineered for all-season operation. Retrofittable insulation designed for colder climates is scheduled to become available beginning in autumn 2026, allowing operators to extend the operating season beyond the warmer months.
The company added that the structure is designed for locations where permanent construction may not be feasible. The unit is built using FSC-certified timber and canvas manufactured to ISO 14001 environmental standards and can be removed with minimal impact on the surrounding landscape because it does not require permanent foundations.
“The original Softshell was Nokken getting started,” said Aylott. “The Suite represents our commitment to innovation and building solutions that keep pace with what operators and guests now expect.”
The Softshell Suite is available to order immediately. Pricing starts at €46,800 for the Suite module, which must be installed within the separately sold Softshell base structure, priced from €21,500. The accommodation offers approximately 16.5 square meters (178 square feet) of interior space and is designed to accommodate two or more guests.