This Glamping Retreat Belongs on Your Client’s Next New York City Itinerary

Just an eight-minute ferry ride separates the hustle and bustle of Manhattan from the 172- acre, car-free parkland of Governors Island. 

Locals and visitors alike make the quick trip every 30 minutes for a natural-filled reprieve right in New York City – to bike, hike, birdwatch, explore art and history, visit the spa, grab a bite to eat, or simply hang out at a bar with a view.  

And in 2019, glamping was added to the list of things to do there when Collective Retreats Governors Island opened, becoming the first and only place for an overnight stay in this hidden gem of a destination. The six-acre glamping site is open seasonally from May through October and offers a relaxed, elevated experience. Yet still, many visitors don’t know about it and drive hours from the city for glamping or nature activities – when they could be cutting that travel time down considerably. 

On a Wednesday in early August, Travel Market Report spent a night at Collective Retreats Governors Island and discovered why travel advisors should add it to their clients’ next New York City itinerary.  

Arrival 

The scenic ferry ride offered just a taste of the epic views we’d get once on Governors Island, where the skyline became even more picturesque. We walked up the hill to a golf cart, provided by Collective Retreats, which took us to the property, just a few minutes away. There, the view shifted to the harbor and Statue of Liberty, clear as day, just beyond the biking path.  

When we first walked under the wooden Collective Retreats arch, we were greeted by the Great Lawn, an expansive grassy area with plenty of lawn chairs, fire pits, and lawn games. Just beyond that are the Three Peaks Lodge restaurant, Sunset Terrace bar and lounge, and concierge – all tented areas facing the lawn. 

We checked in with concierge and quickly learned that the staff here is warm and laid-back, yet attentive and ready to assist. There is always someone at the main desk available to answer questions or offer you some water, and even more staff manning the golf carts if you need to get somewhere. This came in handy, since Governors Island did not have as many walking paths as I anticipated.  

Since we arrived before 4 p.m., our accommodation was not yet ready. So we left our bags with concierge and took their recommendation to visit Hammock Cove, just a two-minute walk directly behind Collective Retreats. This wooded area had plenty of large hammocks and was a perfect spot to lounge in the shade while we waited. 

Accommodations 

Collective Retreats General Manager Musa Goodman showed us to our cozy Basecamp Cabin, with access to the adjacent Journey Twin Tent. 

The cabin is essentially a spruced-up trailer with modern and rustic interiors, from the light-colored oak walls to the industrial light fixtures. There are also large windows letting in lots of natural light. 

It’s outfitted with a King Bed, full bathroom with a standalone tub and shower, plus a couch and a small outdoor terrace with chairs where we drank morning coffee with a direct view of Lady Liberty. We loved the in-room amenities, like the super-soft blanket and robes, in-room coffee and tea, and lanterns for nighttime ambiance.  

The tent, covered in a zip-up canvas, can be booked separately for those who want something closer to a true camping experience. It’s still a nice size, with two twin beds, a small table and chairs, a fan, and a standalone air conditioning unit.  

Collective Retreats has a variety of other accommodation types, too, that offer even more comfort, space, views, and rustic design. These include The Summit Suite and Urban Cowboy Tent, both offering extra space, while the Outlook Suite and Observatory Suite offer style and panoramic views, respectively. Solo travelers even have an option to stay in the smaller Expedition Tent, which has an ensuite bathroom. Not all tents have ensuites, though, and some guests will need to use the property’s shared restrooms, which include showers. 

Dining 

Before dinner, we redeemed our welcome champagne at the bar and chatted with the friendly bartender there. We also ordered some truffle fries as part of the Sunset Terrace’s daily light bites for Golden Hour. Unfortunately, we missed out on seeing an actual sunset, as it was an overcast day, but we hear the retreat is a prime spot for them. 

At Three Peaks Lodge, we enjoyed cocktails and a three-course meal – appetizer of beef tartare, mains of charred octopus and cacio e pepe, and dessert of beignets. The food was all satisfactory, but it was the warm hospitality and natural ambiance that really sold the experience. 

For example: We were disappointed that the property’s nightly s’mores ritual would be rained-out, so the waitstaff brought us the tasty beignets, and our new bartender friend made us Manhattan cocktails with a s’mores twist.  

There are also several other restaurants off property on Governors Island. Though we didn’t get to try them out, those recommended to us were Taco Vista and Six Coasts. We don’t know what their food tastes like, but we did visit both venues and could tell that, again, the views and vibes are on point. 

Activities 

On a night with nicer weather, we would have hung out on the Great Lawn, playing games and roasting marshmallows by the firepit. Instead, the concierge desk gifted us a deck of cards, and we were happy to spend the night playing rounds of the game “Spit.”  

As weekday guests, we weren’t able to experience Governors Island come alive – but for many visitors, that quietness may be their perfect getaway from the city. Those who want a bit more excitement should visit on the weekends, when Collective Retreats holds morning yoga and live music in the evenings. 

To scope out the rest of the island’s activities, we had a member of the concierge take us on a golf cart tour around. For those who like to explore and discover on their own, we recommend renting a bicycle, tandem, or surrey at Blazing Saddles. 

Governors Island has many nooks and crannies, almost hidden areas, though there is a map that can guide you. Aside from Hammock Cove, we also visited Slide Hill, another heavily wooded area with metal slides of varying heights for both kids and adults to enjoy. 

Perhaps the island’s two biggest attractions are the public art – housed inside historic buildings – and the QC Spa, where Collective Retreats guests get a 10% discount. But another is Castle Williams, a preserved naval fort from when the island was occupied by military. The structure was preserved and is now operated by the Nation­al Park Ser­vice, who gave us a nice history lesson when we visited inside the island’s only gift shop. 

Bottom Line 

The hustle and bustle of New York City can get overwhelming even for the most energized travelers. For some rest and relaxation in nature to break up your client’s next New York City trip, Collective Retreats Governors Island may offer a perfect solution. 

“Guests can completely change their environment without leaving New York City,” Phil Hospod, CEO and founder of Dovetail + Co., the hospitality company that operates the property, told Travel Market Report. “It offers the feeling of a true escape while remaining incredibly convenient for both locals and visitors.” 

Travel advisors can recommend Collective Retreats Governors Island to travelers who need a break in their New York City itinerary to recharge and discover a side of the city that not everyone sees. It’s especially great for a romantic getaway, but also for families with children because of all the open spaces – with no cars – where kids can run around and be kids.  

We also recommend it for groups, weddings, and corporate retreats because the property can accommodate outdoor events of up to 250 guests. On the morning that we were leaving, a corporate event was being set up to the nines.  

Without having to trek to upstate New York, Collective Retreats Governors Island allows visitors to experience a whole different side of the city that never sleeps. Staying overnight in such a comforting atmosphere makes it all that more immersive and rejuvenating.  

“Collective Retreats gives travel advisors something different to recommend,” Hospod said. “Because the retreat is seasonal and has a limited number of accommodations, it’s a great option for clients looking for something truly distinctive. It offers clients an overnight experience that pairs rustic luxury accommodations with outdoor recreation, wellness programming and dining, all just minutes from Manhattan.”