THE BEST HOTELS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

 “We had no electricity except fireflies in our room. We had no running water. It was rainy season and we were collecting rainwater and using it to shower and everything.”

“But we had a home,” Mark interjects.

Kate Springer
Six months later, The Birdhouse opened with three glamping tents – which the couple dubs “nests” – and a communal lodge overlooking Marimegmeg Beach.

It’s so “off-the-beaten path” the couple had to build their own trail.

From the aforementioned coconut stand, hand-drawn wooden markers pegged to tree trunks lead travelers over bamboo bridges and deeper into the jungle.

After the short trek, a stairwell leads travelers up a steep mountainside where contemporary tents are visible between the tree branches.

World’s most unusual camping experiences
At the top, a treehouse-like lodge dubbed the “Mother Nest” triples as a lobby, restaurant and Mark and Camille’s home.

Designed by Camille, the communal house has an eclectic vibe, featuring romantic hanging bamboo chairs, Moroccan-style rugs, a library of travel books and a ukulele.

The couple’s cat lounges in the late afternoon sun, while guests enjoy a home-cooked meal and views of Bacuit Bay.

Below the main lodge, each tent sits on a platform in the trees, with a small porch to take in the sea view and a night sky full of stars.

Inside the canvas flaps, there’s a queen-size bed, a yellow carpet and locally made wooden furnishings.

More recently, the couple opened The Nesting Table restaurant, introduced yoga classes, and added two more nests in the jungle.



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