What should I check before buying a glamping business?

A glamping business can look simple from a guest’s photos. Behind it sit canvas, frames, heating, linens and a reputation built one review at a time. Campground checks still apply, but several questions are particular to this kind of business. These are the ones that tend to matter most.

The units themselves

Walk every unit with the seller. Ask how old each one is, what it is made of, what has been repaired and what the maker or supplier says about its useful life. Fabric, seals and floors wear differently from a cabin. Ask how units are winterized or taken down, who does the work, and where the parts are stored. Request maintenance records, not just assurances.

Bookings and where they come from

Ask for booking history by channel and by season. See how much comes through booking platforms, how much through the seller’s own site and how much from repeat guests. A business that depends on one platform can be affected if its terms change. Also ask how deposits and future bookings are held, and what the plan is for guests already booked.

Accounts, reviews and the owner’s own work

Find out whether the listing accounts, the website, the social pages and the reviews can move to a new owner, and what the platforms require for that. Then list what the owner does personally: cleaning, laundry, guest messages, arrivals, repairs. If the owner does most of it, price in the labour you would need to hire or do yourself. Our guide to campground due diligence covers the site and services side.

• Age, condition and maintenance records for each unit
• Winterizing and storage plans
• Bookings by channel and season
• Transfer of accounts, reviews and domain
• Insurance history and any claims