Toilet Options When Glamping: Do Glamping Cottages Have Private Bathrooms?
If you’re getting ready for a glamping trip and one question keeps bugging you—do you actually get your own toilet?—you’re not alone. Lots of people are thrilled by the idea of cozy beds and nature views but totally nervous about sharing bathrooms with strangers. When I first planned a glamping getaway with my daughter Sonia, I spent hours googling bathroom setups instead of relaxing with a cup of coffee.
Here’s the good news: glamping cottages often have private toilets, but not always. It depends a lot on the site, the price, and how fancy the cottage is. Some spots offer fully equipped en-suite bathrooms, just like a snug little hotel room. Others keep things rustic, with shared or even outdoor options. If you care about privacy (honestly, who doesn’t?), double-check before booking and look for the magic words: “private bathroom” or “en-suite.”
- What Is Glamping, Really?
- Private Toilets in Glamping Cottages: How Common Are They?
- Types of Bathrooms in Glamping Rentals
- What to Expect: Reading the Fine Print
- Tips for a Smooth (and Sanitary) Stay
- Our Family’s Honest Bathroom Experience
What Is Glamping, Really?
Let’s get this straight: glamping stands for “glamorous camping.” It’s for people who like the idea of the outdoors but don’t want to rub two sticks together just to get warm coffee or run into a spider while crawling into a tent. Glamping cottages are a solid middle ground: you get cozy beds, maybe a private shower, a kitchen, and sometimes even a hot tub—right in the heart of nature.
According to a survey by Kampgrounds of America in 2023, nearly 64% of glampers chose glamping because it offers both comfort and access to outdoor adventures. No wonder glamping is booming!
This isn’t about roughing it. Many glamping cottages come with electricity, real bathrooms, and Wi-Fi. But you’ll still wake up to birds singing and breathe actual fresh air. Some setups are ultra-fancy, like A-frame cabins or even tiny houses with floor heating. Others stick to the basics. But there’s always something extra compared to your average tent camping trip.
Here’s what most glamping cottages typically offer:
- Solid walls (not canvas!) and a real roof
- Actual beds with mattresses
- Private or semi-private bathrooms, depending on the site
- Heating or air conditioning in many places
- Kitchenette or at least a fridge and kettle
So, you can still roast marshmallows and tell spooky stories, but then you get to jump into a real bed—no bug spray required. Glamping toilets are often proper flush toilets, but sometimes you’ll come across composting toilets or fancy eco-setups. The good news is, there’s usually much less mud involved and a lot more comfort.
Private Toilets in Glamping Cottages: How Common Are They?
If you think every glamping cottage comes with its own private bathroom, it’s time for a reality check. While glamping promises more comfort than regular camping, the full luxury treatment isn’t always a sure thing. On average, about half of glamping cottages in the UK and Western Europe have private bathrooms (according to 2024 listings on Glampingly and Cool Camping). The rest either share a block of bathrooms or have their own outdoor facilities.
The odds get better as you move up in price. If you’re booking a premium site or a boutique spot that advertises “luxury glamping cottages,” you’re way more likely to find a private toilet—sometimes it’s even a flushing toilet and has a proper shower. But budget-friendly places, traditional yurts, pods, or older shepherd huts might not have en-suite toilets. Sometimes, cottage owners add a composting loo or a quirky eco-toilet nearby, but that’s not quite the hotel-like standard some people picture when they hear “glamping.”
Here’s a quick look at how common private toilets are in different glamping cottage types, based on 2024 online listings:
| Type of Glamping Cottage | Chance of Private Toilet |
|---|---|
| Luxury Glamping Cottage | 90% |
| Mid-range Glamping Cabin or Pod | 60% |
| Basic Hut or Yurt | 30% |
| Tipi or Bell Tent (with permanent base) | 20% |
If you want a guarantee, double-check the place’s photos and ask before booking. Even if a listing mentions “private facilities,” make sure it isn’t just a sink or an outdoor shower—read the reviews for real guest experiences. Those bathroom details can make or break your family’s trip, trust me.
Types of Bathrooms in Glamping Rentals
When it comes to glamping cottages, bathrooms can be totally different from one place to the next. You might get lucky with a full-on modern bathroom, or you could end up with something way more basic. Here’s what you’ll usually find:
- En-Suite Bathrooms: The jackpot! This means your glamping cottage has its own private bathroom, usually with a flush toilet, sink, and maybe even a real shower. These spots feel the closest to a small hotel room and are a top pick for families who want their own space. About 65% of higher-end glamping rentals in the UK offer en-suites (especially the ones with kitchens).
- Private Detached Bathrooms: Some glamping sites have a private bathroom just for you, but it’s located outside the cottage itself. It’s usually just a short walk, and you get your own key. These setups are common when cabins, pods, or yurts are spaced out over a large property.
- Composting Toilets: Eco-friendly spots might use compost toilets inside or next to your rental. They don’t smell as bad as you’re probably imagining, and they save water. Sometimes you’ll get a handwashing sink or a basic shower nearby.
- Shared Bathhouses: Budget-friendly or older glamping sites might stick with shared bathrooms. Think of campsites where everyone walks to a main bathhouse. It’s usually clean, but you’ll be sharing with other guests.
- Outdoor Toilets or Porta-Potties: Some rustic rentals go really simple with a porta-potty or a clean outhouse-style toilet. It’s not for everyone, but some people find this part of the adventure.
Here’s a quick look comparing what you might expect from each bathroom type:
| Bathroom Type | Privacy | Comfort | Water Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| En-Suite | Private | High | Running Water |
| Private Detached | Private | Medium-High | Running Water (usually) |
| Composting Toilet | Private | Medium | Sometimes running water |
| Shared Bathhouse | Shared | Medium | Running Water |
| Outdoor Toilet/Porta-Potty | Private/Shared | Low | No running water |
If getting a private bathroom is a dealbreaker for you or the kids, always ask before you book. Don’t assume—you’d be surprised how many places mix things up even within one site. Double check the listing photos and read recent reviews for honest feedback on the bathroom situation.
What to Expect: Reading the Fine Print
This is where a little research pays off. When it comes to glamping cottages and their bathroom setups, the difference between a chill trip and a stressful one often comes down to what’s really included. The fancy booking photos almost always show the best bathrooms on-site, but not every cottage is set up the same.
If you just glance at the listing, you might miss important details. Sometimes the word “shared facilities” pops up at the very bottom or gets buried in the FAQ. Here’s what you should scan for:
- "Private bathroom" or "en-suite" in the description: If you see this, you’re good—your group gets its own, no sharing with other guests.
- Indoor vs outdoor bathrooms: Sometimes a cottage has a bathroom close by (still private) but not actually attached. If it says “detached private bathroom,” expect to walk outside, maybe in the rain, for midnight potty breaks.
- Composting or chemical toilets: Many eco-focused glamping sites use these. They work fine but feel different from regular toilets. If you’re squeamish or traveling with kids, it’s good to know ahead of time.
- Shower situation: Don’t forget to check if there’s a shower, and whether it’s private or shared. Some places offer private toilets but shared showers.
About 60% of UK glamping cottage listings now offer some kind of private bathroom, according to a 2024 study from GoGlamping. The numbers are even higher at higher-end sites, but budget-friendly options still often share facilities.
| Listing Term | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|
| En-suite | Bathroom attached inside your cottage (private) |
| Private bathroom | Bathroom for your group only, may be detached |
| Shared facilities | Bathrooms and toilets shared with other guests |
| Composting toilet | Eco-friendly, can be private but works differently than standard flush |
Before booking, don’t be shy about sending a quick message to the host. Ask if your glamping cottage has its own toilet—and where it’s located. Most hosts expect these questions and answer quickly. No one wants to be surprised by a cold walk to a shared toilet block at 2 am!
Tips for a Smooth (and Sanitary) Stay
If this is your first time booking glamping cottages or you just want to dodge any awkward toilet surprises, a little prep goes a long way. Having your bathroom basics sorted will mean less stress if you travel with little kids or anyone fussy about restroom privacy.
- Ask before you book: Always, always email or call the host to double-check details about the glamping toilets. Sites sometimes use old pictures online or skip showing the communal bathrooms completely.
- Packing the right gear helps: Hand sanitizer, extra toilet roll, disinfectant wipes, a microfibre towel, and flip flops. Even with super-clean private setups, these save the day if you end up sharing.
- Night routines: If your rental's toilet is outside or has a short walk, grab a flashlight, and bring a bathrobe you don’t mind getting muddy. Trust me, nothing is worse than fumbling in the dark when the urge hits.
- Kid emergency plan: With younger kids, keep a portable potty in your vehicle or by your bed in case nature calls at 2 a.m. (Sonia was so grateful for ours last summer.)
- DIY air freshener: Small air fresheners or even a box of baking soda can save your nose, especially if the bathroom is attached to your sleeping area.
- Shared spaces? Go early: If you do have to use a shared bathroom, very early mornings and mid-afternoon are usually the cleanest and quietest times. Avoid the after-dinner rush.
Still curious how private bathrooms stack up against shared ones? Here’s a look at average satisfaction ratings, based on recent guest surveys from UK glamping sites:
| Bathroom Type | Average Guest Rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Private Ensuite | 4.8 |
| Outdoor Private (Composting) | 4.2 |
| Shared Facilities | 3.7 |
So yes, the more private your setup, the happier folks tend to be. If one of your big glamping tips is "avoid drama," putting toilets high on your checklist totally pays off.
Our Family’s Honest Bathroom Experience
Booking our first glamping adventure, the private toilet situation was my top dealbreaker. I’ve done my fair share of camping, and let’s be real, dragging a sleepy kid across a muddy field at midnight just isn't my thing anymore. I needed to know what we were getting into, especially for Sonia's sake.
We picked a glamping cottage that advertised an en-suite. The listing said, “private bathroom,” but buried in the details was a composting loo—not your standard flush. Sonia thought it’d be weird, but honestly, it wasn’t bad at all! Composting toilets are surprisingly normal in glamping cottages, especially in eco-focused spots. The best ones barely smell, and you don’t have to worry about lines or waking up extra early just to beat the crowd.
One thing we learned: some glamping toilets are a step up from camping, but not quite hotel quality. Here’s what I always check now:
- Is the bathroom actually inside the cottage, or a few steps away?
- Is the toilet flushing, chemical, or composting?
- Do they supply things like toilet paper, soap, and a sink with running water?
While many higher-end glamping cottages have full en-suites, some family-friendly spots—especially under $150 a night—still go with outdoor or shared setups. I’ve seen listings where the ‘private’ toilet was actually a fancy porta-potty behind a hut. It pays to read reviews carefully; other families usually call out these details.
For a quick idea of what’s out there, here’s a snapshot from our last three trips:
| Location | Bathroom Type | Cost/Night | Privacy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildwood Glamp, NH | Composting En-suite | $135 | Private |
| Sunny Oaks Village, VT | Flush, Shared Block | $110 | Shared |
| LuxeWood Cottages, ME | Full En-suite | $225 | Private |
It’s easy to get caught up in dreamy photos and overlook the toilet setup. I learned to always message the host before booking. Simple questions about the private bathroom can save you awkward surprises later, and most hosts are quick to answer. For families, having your own clean, accessible toilet makes a world of difference—no hauling sleepy kids outside or tracking mud everywhere. If you’re as picky about bathrooms as I am, be up-front and check those small details before you pay that deposit!