Out of Africa meets Ibiza chic in this leviathan of taste and scale. It’s hard to imagine a more stylish campsite, but don’t be fooled by the uber-cool bar complete with shiny chrome taps, de rigueur grey tables, Ben and Jerry’s fridge, and leafy piazza – Les Ormes is as rough and ready as you want it to be. Apart from the high-luxe tents, there are 100 great tent pitches for traditional camping in shady meadow areas. Of course, you could indulge in a bit of fantasy glamping if an extravagant wind blows, and this is what you can expect: 25 safari tents, each individually finished, hidden in mature groves, and perfectly set apart so as to nurture your Robert Redford/Meryl Streep delusions.
Each ‘Gibson’ tent has its very own verandah, twinkling candelabra, and lavish interior that seems to jump right out of the pages of a Tatler shoot; chaise longue, scatter cushions, fresh flowers, retro furnishings, and cool self-catering facilities, all finished off with a dash of élan. There’s even a raised outdoor platform with a tent atop, should your kids want to escape you, but it’s close enough should the bogeyman come a-calling. For the best valley views be sure to ask for the Mojave tents.
By the restaurant, on a gentle elevation, there are hammocks strung between the trees so that you can maximise the splendid views of the sunsets, which incandesce in the low-slung hills. The crowd is mid-thirties to forties, the atmosphere decidedly laid-back; perhaps something to do with the chillsome tunes wafting by, along with the smell of deliciously grilled food from the gastro bar. As to facilities, there’s a great deal to keep you busy and ensure you never need to leave the site. After a faux African sunrise and delicious cappuccino and breakfast in the whiter-than-heaven café, head off to the tennis court, or to the pond for a spell of fishing, or maybe it’s volleyball, or a wander over to the petting zoo… oh now they’re just showing off! And I didn’t even get to the black granite swimming pool with the hip silver bus that doubles as a snack bar.
Kids are in their element here, perhaps because the site’s huge but secure, so their parents are able to really relax, safe in the knowledge that if one of them tries to escape, the chances are a hundred per cent they’ll be spotted by one of the many staff who drive around in beat-up, ancient Renaults. Apart from the kids’ pool there are swings and climbing frames, and if they really want to get feral there’s the mature elm woods – from which the place takes its name – to run wild in. There’s even a kids’ restaurant, where they can eat with their new buddies, undisturbed by annoying crinklies.
As to the final hundreds and thousands on this magnificent gâteau, there’s a very tasteful boutique where you can buy jewellery and pashminas in the possible event you get a little romantic or have forgotten your other half’s birthday – it happens. Yes, if Carlsberg did campsites it would probably look something like this. For a bunch of Dutch travellers who came together through their wanderings in Indonesia and the Far East, there’s nothing remotely laissez-faire or unfinessed about Les Ormes. Like all products of genius they make it look easy, but cast a deeper look and you’ll see this finely wrought site is achieved by a consistent level of excellent service and creative imagination.
