Looking For Something Different? Check out ADIRONDACK SAFARI By Brianna Melanson, Photos Provided
Brides, grooms, proposers, newlyweds, and old-timers: Adirondack Safari is a new luxury tent company to make your day, weekend, or vacation a little more intimate, unforgettable, and stress-free!
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erhaps you’ve heard about it; their popularity has skyrocketed (170,000 hits on their website in the first 8 weeks!) since opening in the beginning of June. I had the pleasure of speaking with Jenny, who owns the company with her husband, Mark, the entrepreneur who formulated this genius idea. Living minutes away from Hearthstone Campground, Jenny and Mark Matteo noticed that the number of campers have decreased. They supposed people did not like the hassle of setting up or sleeping on the ground. So lo and behold, they built beautiful furnished tents that they set up before you get there and take down once you’ve enjoyed your stay anywhere within the Adirondack Park. The convenience and uniqueness of their business has already landed them bookings for weddings next year. When asked if they expected to be involved with weddings, she responded, “We had talked about it briefly in the beginning just as an ‘oh my gosh if we had thought of this when we got married we would have done it’ and then literally within our first week of the website being live we started getting calls for weddings. Farm weddings are all the rage right now, but a lot of areas where they have these beautiful barns and lands do not always have hotels and accommodations, so this is a great alternative.” If not used for rooms for all the guests, the tents are perfect for the bride’s changing area. Adirondack 26 | SARATOGA BRIDE | 2016
Safari has already contributed two tents for this scenario and almost took the bride’s spotlight! They were a hit! Adirondack Safari will tailor your tent(s) - up to 20 tents for an affordable wedding - to your specific needs. For instance, for a proposal (they had five already last summer and two honeymoons) they will provide champagne, chocolates, flowers, and your choice of music playing on the satellite radio. Jenny mentioned that they’ve even gone out to find a rare beer for a girlfriend making a special getaway with her boyfriend. Now let’s congratulate Kirsten Brayton and her husband, Scott, for celebrating their 22nd anniversary this past June! Kirsten, who loves camping but has a bad back, discovered Adirondack Safari on Facebook. They comfortably slept in a Safari tent three nights in a regular king-size bed. It was meant to be! She raved about Adirondack Safari’s friendly, excellent service- bringing them ice, etc.- and said she’d prefer staying in their tent over a hotel. She and her husband didn’t have to bring anything except clothes and food. They had a romantic and relaxing visit on Long Island, Lake George with a breathtaking view of the lake right from the tent’s window. Next time, they’re bringing the kids!
In the Adirondack wilderness, a couple can choose to be tranquil or adventurous. There are hot air balloon rides, fishing areas, and hiking trails. Adirondack Safari offers kayak and canoe rentals to go out and explore together. Then when the sun sets, light the tiki torches, put on your white hotel robes, and unwind in your home away from home with the love of your life. Happy booking! www.adirondacksafari.com
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