Carolina Domes Review: What Slow Glamping in the Blue Ridge Mountains Actually Looks Like

This year, I turned 30... in a Dome. Here's an honest review of glamping in North Carolina with Carolina Domes.

Everyone wants to do their 30th birthday big, but for as often as I plan flights, accommodations, and other travel logistics, I am — quite frankly — terrible at making plans. So this year, I did what I do best. I booked a flight to see my best friend, reserved an Air BnB in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and spent my day doing what I don't do best: relaxing.

For two days, my best friend and I spent our time at Pondview Dome in North Carolina, so here's my honest review of our time with Carolina Domes.

The Place: Pondview Dome

Image Credit: Jennifer Park

Pondview Dome is one of three domes on a property owned by Carolina Domes somewhere between Asheville and Charlotte; having never "glamped" before, I wasn't sure what to expect — and I can tell you it was nothing like camping out of a van.

In essence, the dome is a massive, climate-controlled, permanent tent. It features hard stone floors, a kitchenette, 3 queen-size beds (yes, this place sleeps 6 people comfortably), and a full bathroom larger than the one in my DC-area apartment. It was honestly quite impressive, and the whole thing was just so cool.

Pondview Dome was pet-friendly, so we were able to bring my best friend's dog with us, but the property had plenty of furry tenants even without Buddy to join us — from the sweet little piglets down the hill (pretty sure I passed out from cute overload), to the turkeys pecking on our window in the morning (they had questionable survival skills, given the dog huffing at them from the other side). Overall, the location was quiet and serene; there were no traffic noises, and we had a gorgeous view from the massive Dome window. It was everything we needed for a quiet weekend getaway.

The Experience

Our hosts were very on top of things; when we booked our stay, they provided us with a fairly extensive list of local hikes, wineries, and other attractions — and we didn't do any of it. Since my birthday regularly falls in one of the hottest weeks of the year, we had no desire to go out in the 100+ degree weather (Farenheit, for those of you outside the US), but we came to Pondview Dome with one purpose, and one purpose only: To relax, not to do.

The property itself was more than enough for the two days we were there. We enjoyed wine in the patio chairs, gazing out over the mountain; we bribed the piglets to get close enough to sniff our knuckles and fed their parents; we played board games (yes, my best friend and I did play the couples game), read our books, and enjoyed not having anything to worry about while we were there. The wifi was plenty fast for streaming — but we didn't really do any of that, either.

For maybe the first time in months, I was able to truly turn my brain off and stop worrying about my next deadline (and truthfully, the review could stop there).

Image credit: Jennifer Park

The Guide

Carolina Domes is the perfect retreat for a couples getaway, a girls weekend, or even a small group book club retreat. As a remote worker, I'd even consider booking it for a short remote-work staycation, if I was looking for a quiet place to knock out a dedicated project.

It's close to Lake Lure and Catawba Falls, with several other hiking and mountain biking trails close by. For those who are less inclined towards physical activities, there are also many breweries and wineries in the area, which average roughly a 25-45 minute drive from the property. The Dome's proximity to Asheville lends itself to several other daytime activities for anyone looking for a local experience, and our hosts made sure we had information about all of it ahead of time.

Of course, the Dome is still essentially a large tent, so the experience isn't necessarily for someone looking for glamour; bug spray, decent shoes, and appropriate clothes are a must. Even though the Dome is climate controlled, it does get warm during the day and chilly at night. Our host graciously provided bug spray (along with other necessary toiletries), but come prepared for more of a camping experience than a hotel experience. We were prepared, though — our hosts gave us fair warning of everything we'd want to know ahead of time, including what we would have available to us and what we'd need to bring ourselves.

The Verdict

After taxes and fees, the Dome came out to roughly $250/night, which might be pricey if you're on your own or in a group of two, but could be perfectly manageable if you're splitting it with 5 others.

Was it worth it? I think so. To me, there's something about stepping into the "out-of-the-ordinary" that forced me to be more present, which is what I needed. The property was gorgeous, the hosts were generous, and I think my best friend would agree that the experience was worth what we spent. That said, if you're looking for fancy camping, I'm sure there are cheaper ways to get it. Your money is absolutely being spent on the overall experience, but for me, it was the perfect way to turn 30. I was able to choose rest and relaxation without a packed itinerary, and the calm was just what I needed before the storm that has been July thus far.

Have you ever glamped? Camped? Rented a dome? I'd love to hear about your experience!