Ready to go ‘Glamping?’ Collective Governors Island adds a flare to NYC’s first luxury camping experience.

About a week ago, Collective Retreats invited us out to help celebrate the grand opening of its first urban retreat, Collective Governors Island. We couldn’t turn down an invite to Governors Island, namely for its picturesque views, and to also grasp all the hype of why people go here in the first place. Namely, non-native New Yorkers will use whatever excuse we can to get the hell away from the city, even if just for one night.  

Located along the Western promenade of Governors Island, this urban retreat sits smoothly between Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, with front yard sweeping views of the statue of liberty to greet you both morning and night.

The intrigue is that guests will make history as first-time overnighters on NYC’s iconic Governors Island. For almost two centuries, the island was closed to the public, operating as a military  base for the U.S. Army and, later, the Coast Guard. In 2004, the Island was transformed with a newly designed park and art and cultural programming, making its green space, historical buildings and car-free recreational opportunities a popular New York City destination.  

From luxury tents, barbecue options, s’mores and a skyline view of the city, this Summer retreat is a best of both worlds option that brings all the necessities of camping in the outdoors mixed in with convenience and minimal sacrifice.

Guest rooms included plush beds, an in-tent French Press coffee bar, electricity, and everyone’s number one accessory, Wi-Fi. Their Summit Tents are equipped with more high-end, luxury amenities, including beds with 1,500 thread count sheets, private en-suite bathrooms, and private decks. 

“A best of both worlds option that brings all the necessities of camping in the outdoors mixed in with convenience and minimal sacrifice.”

Dining includes artisanal dishes at Three Peaks,  the retreat’s signature restaurant, which is directed by Executive Chef Jason Rutigliano. Options aren’t excessive, yet instead complementing to the ecological landscape of glamping, and feature local  ingredients like sustainable seafood and fresh, locally grown produce from the islands Urban Farm. Signature dishes like the Short Rib Ragu Pasta, Pan Roasted Catch of the day, Grilled Skirt Steak, and a scrumptious  Strawberry Pie with a graham cracker crust (using locally grown strawberries) have all become guest favorites. Convenient enough, there’s also their BBQ-in-a-Box option where guests  can grill pre-prepped sweet and spicy wings or a variety of organic vegetables.

Each evening, guests can partake in an evening ritual by gathering around the campfire to reflect on the day and enjoy nostalgic s’mores with vanilla marshmallows, milk chocolate and graham crackers.

With fresh food, nature, necessities, and plenty of nostalgia, these chic new keys to the outdoors world may just be the reposing escape our urban-city worlds need.  

Yea, count us in!

For additional information on collective Governors Island (CGI) or to book your stay click here.