Seclusion

Our guests want to feel like they are on a magical escape, so give them privacy from your own house or other accommodation however you can. If they can’t see or hear anyone else, or even their own car, this is a huge plus for us. Read more about the art of seclusion here.

Experiences

People want to create memories and we love to see a design feature, a view or a brilliant local tip that will stay in their minds for years. This doesn’t have to be complex. Outdoor cooking, outdoor bathing, stargazing, foraging or animal encounters can all be that special something that’s just a bit different to people’s everyday lives.

A connection to nature

Canopy & Stars guests are looking to reconnect with nature, even if they also want to keep hold of their mod cons. Link the wonderful space that you have back to the land that it’s on and help people engage in their surroundings. Your location is most likely one of your strongest selling points. Celebrate it.

A sense of place

It’s great to see a sense of place coming through in the design and styling of your spaces. Use local builders, carpenters, potters, materials, artwork and fabrics to help your space create its own identity. Keep away from off the shelf products as much as possible, especially from easily recognisable brands.

Quality shining through

Consider all the elements that you add to the space and the finish that the space has overall. It should be well made and exude excellent craftsmanship. It’s hugely important to have a decent bed and things that need to function - folding tables, lights, kitchen appliances etc - should work easily every time. As a general rule, if you can’t do a feature well, then maybe you should just leave it out.

Making a difference

Sustainability is a big part of what makes Canopy & Stars holidays great. With a remote location and most likely a lower-impact structure than a traditional building, you’re already ahead of the game, but we like to see the environment considered in the details as well. Using eco toiletries, waste management and power generation, having clearly marked recycling and letting your guests know about any land management practices are all worth doing.

Generosity of spirit

The most important thing for us is that we feel guests will love being in the space and when it comes to that, generosity of spirit matters as much as amazing design or a stunning view. A warm welcome goes a long way (read our article about a good welcome here) and be wary of having too many rules and restrictions or surcharges for things like firewood. These can leave guests feeling a little flat. We know that it’s not possible to give people everything for free, but a good supply of basics like cooking oil and tea bags, or extras like marshmallows and chocolate can be factored into your nightly rates and be a cost-effective way to put a smile on guests’ faces.