Bell tents are to camping what HGTV is to homes: stylish and functional upgrades to the modern dwelling landscape. What sets bell tents apart from other tents, and even other glamping tents, are its distinctive circular shape and palatial size. The round silhouette adds a cozy and appointed sense of fun to the glamping scene, but also fits into natural surroundings better than typical angular tents. Functionally, the round walls also minimize surface area, reducing heating and cooling needs for an eco-friendly solution.
Bell tents in general are also much larger, fitting upwards of 10 people, plus life-size furniture like an actual queen size beds and 6-foot dining table for its guests to “rough” it in style and comfort. The walls are stretched apart by tension cables pegged into the ground. And the central support of a single skinny beam provides the coveted high ceiling with minimal obstruction.
Bell tents, or yurts, as they are sometimes called, are also popular accommodations in campgrounds and resorts. But as glamping has become more mainstream, there are many companies selling bell tents and yurts direct to consumer in weekend and temporary dwelling editions. Here are our top five picks.
1. STOUT BELL TENT – ULTIMATE SERIES
The Stout Bell Tent has been lauded for its ability to withstand torrential rain while staying dry. The brainchild of founder Jim Stout, an army veteran who spent years sewing military-grade tents and parachutes, the Stout Bell Tent is made of 100 percent cotton canvas that’s been reinforced with generous stitching. The zip-in-zip-out groundsheet allows you to roll up the tent walls.
The price ranges between $655 and $855, depending on whether you opt for the the single or double wall option, and size: the 5M Bell Tents are 16′ in diameter and 10′ in height and can be set up by one person. And for the true glamping aficianodo, there is also the Pro series. Cool accessories like the awning can help glampify even further. If you felt non-committal, the company also provide rental services for special events.
Canvas Material: 100% Cotton
Available colors: cream
Price: $655 to $855
Sold on Stout Tent
Combining ease of set-up and luxury comfort, the Air Beam Bud can inflate in a matter of minutes using a bicycle pump! The Air Beam Bud is a more compact version of their flagship model, but with no poles to insert, you can use 100 percent of the space inside without any obstruction (think open floor plan). And at 10 x 10 feet in groundsheet diameter and 7.8 feet tall, it can still fit a queen size bed. The canvas is a blend of 60 percent cotton and 40 percent polyester, and the inflatable tent comes with mesh windows. The company also offers a separate awning accessory you can attach to create the glamping porch.
Canvas material: 60% cotton, 40% polyester
Available colors: cream, red, purple blue
Price: $1250
Sold on Lotus Belle
Coming in at a steal, the 10-person Outsunny Yurt, is currently on sale for only $250! The huge interior fits a queen size bed and furniture. It’s supported by the traditional central pole and made of polyester with a waterproof treated surface that’s been anti-UV coated. Doors and windows are double layered as well. It measures 16.4 feet in diameter and 9.8 feet tall. This glamping tent is even cheaper than other smaller and less impressive traditional tents.
Canvas material: polyester
Available colors: Cream
Price: $250
Sold on Aosom
4. NOMADIC YURT
For the splurge, the BCT’s Nomadic Yurt is glamping outfitted for royalty. The storied century-old, Britain-based company brings with it tons of research and development – and elegance. The Nomadic Yurt is built in four sections with walls that are detachable and boasts clean lines within its circular silhouette. With beams supporting the walls, there is no central pole, which provides a completely unobstructed, open-concept interior with high ceilings throughout. Once built, it can be lifted and moved and relocated by four people without breaking it down. The tent roof and walls are inherently fire retardant polyester, machine washable, rot and mildew proof. BCT also offers a wash, proof and repair service for any tents through their washing facility. The Nomadic Yurt is designed to weather more than the weekend excursion and can provide more of a semi-permanent dwelling place for any nomad looking to rest his head for a while.
Material: tencate campshield canvas
Available colors: customizable
Price: £2,310
Sold on BCT Outdoors
This patterned Weekender Bell Tent exudes a family-friendly whimsical vibe. It’s made of lightweight polyester, yet has a hydrostatic heat rating of 3000, which means it can handle its own under heavy rainstorms. The smaller 4m version stands 13 feet tall and boasts 4 large zipped windows with mesh cover. It sleeps four adults on airbeds plus extra space for luggage, furniture or walkway. The assembly empowers even the most camping-challenged, as it can be built by one person in 15 minutes time.
Canvas material: polyester
Available colors: rainbow, leopard, palm leaf, aztec, sandstone
Price: $589 to $719
Sold on Boutique Camping