Glamping Showdown: Hilton’s AutoCamp vs. Hyatt’s Under Canvas

Glamping, short for glamorous camping, is growing in popularity. It provides a way to stay in the outdoors with creature comforts rather than the bare-bones approach of traditional camping.

From pools and general stores to on-site cooking facilities and even air conditioning, glamping properties let guests stay near nature without “roughing it.”

To capture this growing popularity without needing to create their own glamping brands, both Hilton and Hyatt have partnered with established brands — Hilton with AutoCamp and Hyatt with Under Canvas. The advantage for the brands is that members stay in their ecosystem, maintaining profits for each chain while members gain options for stays beyond traditional hotels.

So, how are AutoCamp and Under Canvas similar? And where do they differ? Let’s dive in.

Location Comparison: AutoCamp and Under Canvas

AutoCamp and Under Canvas have multiple locations across the U.S. While you may associate them with the U.S.’ many national parks, you’ll only find the brands competing directly at 2 parks: Yosemite and Zion. At Yosemite, Under Canvas is closer to the entrance, while AutoCamp is closer to Zion’s.

To give you a sense of how convenient these properties’ locations are, we’ve listed their distances from the main attraction nearby or the nearest national park entrance, as well as an average at the bottom to compare them.

While AutoCamp wins with a shorter average distance to the main tourist attraction near its properties, there are far more Under Canvas properties than what AutoCamp presently offers.

Neither AutoCamp nor Under Canvas has properties in Alaska or Hawaii, and AutoCamp doesn’t have much of a presence in the middle of the continental U.S.

While Under Canvas has more properties, they tend to be in groups and skip over large portions of the country.

Hot Tip:

The number of properties doesn’t tell the full story, as AutoCamp and Under Canvas are found in different locations — with the exception of Zion and Yosemite, where they both have a presence — and finding a property that works with your travel plans will be more important than counting the number of locations.

Booking Options at AutoCamp and Under Canvas

You can book AutoCamp and Under Canvas properties directly through each company or individual property. You can also book these properties through their partnerships with Hilton (AutoCamp) and Hyatt (Under Canvas).

It’s worth comparing the price offered in both booking options. While comparing prices, take into account the benefits offered by booking through Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt (which we’ll detail shortly) and the ability to earn both stay credits and points at these properties by booking this way.

While you can redeem Hilton Free Night Rewards for stays at AutoCamp, the same can’t be said for Under Canvas. Hyatt offers both Category 1-4 and Category 1-7 Free Night Awards, but these can’t be used for Under Canvas since those properties aren’t assigned a traditional award category.

Seasonality

AutoCamp properties are open year-round, but Under Canvas properties close during winter. Under Canvas provides dates for each property here.

Many Under Canvas properties are closed from November to March each year, though exact dates vary. For example, the Great Smoky Mountains property stays open until the end of November, but the Glacier property closes from September to the beginning of June.

Elite Benefits With Hilton Honors and World of Hyatt

AutoCamp

Through AutoCamp’s partnership with Hilton, members who book through Hilton Honors channels — not directly with AutoCamp — can earn points on stays and enjoy several perks. Members won’t pay resort fees on their stay, can add a second guest on the reservation at no additional charge, and can enjoy members-only discounts.

Members with Hilton elite status can enjoy extra perks, depending on their tier:

• Silver: 2 complimentary waters, 20% bonus points earning, and fifth night free on award bookings with points
• Gold: Space-available upgrades, 1 bundle of firewood per stay, and 80% bonus points on paid stays
• Diamond: 1 s’mores kit per stay and 100% bonus points on paid stays

It’s also possible to book AutoCamp properties with Hilton points. Members will get stay credits in their Hilton Honors account for nights they spend at AutoCamp.

Under Canvas

Hyatt’s partnership with Under Canvas provides opportunities to earn and redeem points through World of Hyatt, so long as these stays are booked through Hyatt and not directly with Under Canvas. While many Hyatt properties follow a simple, fixed award chart, Under Canvas properties participate in World of Hyatt through Mr & Mrs Smith, which uses a dynamic pricing model. That means the number of points needed for stays can vary.

Benefits for those with Hyatt elite status staying at Under Canvas are much different than normal:

• Resort fees: These are only waived on points redemptions, no matter the elite tier.
• Room upgrades: Upgrades are space-available and only offered to Globalist members.
• Breakfast: Complimentary breakfast isn’t a guaranteed benefit.
• Late checkout: The typical promise of 4 p.m. late checkout for Globalists isn’t available here.

World of Hyatt members get stay credits for each night they spend at Under Canvas.

Hot Tip:

If you’ve never stayed at a Mr & Mrs Smith property, you’ll be able to earn a Brand Explorer credit for that brand when staying at Under Canvas.

Comparison of On-property Amenities

AutoCamp

AutoCamp has an exclusive hospitality partnership with Airstream, the iconic brand of silver RVs. However, AutoCamp also offers other lodging options, such as cabins, luxury tents, and Basecamp Suites, which combine an Airstream with a tent.

Amenities at AutoCamp revolve around the Clubhouse, which functions as a social space, reception, hangout area, the General Store, and a dining outlet. The Kitchen sells merchandise, premade dinners, and a selection of groceries for cooking. It also serves food and drinks.

Communal areas near the Clubhouse include fire pits and a pool at most properties, except for those that already have access to water, like Russian River and Cape Cod. Some locations also have hot tubs. Other amenities consistent across AutoCamp properties include complimentary Wi-Fi and on-site programming like live musicians and guided yoga.

Amenities inside the Airstream include cookware, dishware, a kitchenette, and toiletries in the bathroom. Each Airstream has its own private bathroom inside, as well as heating and air conditioning.

Under Canvas

Under Canvas’ primary room type is a tent, though there are several versions, some of which offer more space or extra amenities.

Various excursions are offered, such as jeep tours, mountain biking, hiking (including lesser-known options), rafting, ATV tours, and more. These can be booked with the Adventure Concierge at the property.

Each property also features a rotating, locally inspired menu incorporating local items. Every night, there are complimentary s’mores at the campfire at every Under Canvas location.

Most Under Canvas properties have an on-site restaurant, though the Under Canvas Moab property doesn’t.

While offerings vary, the main tent (where reception is located) has items for sale, such as drinks, cups of noodles, candy, ready-made sandwiches, and other goodies. Complimentary drinks, such as hot tea and coffee, are also available in the main tent. Espresso-based beverages are also available for sale in the morning at most properties.

Additional features include communal grills, fire pits, and games available. Cooking near or eating inside the tent isn’t permitted. Tents aren’t outfitted with power, but USB charging blocks are available from the reception team.

The bathroom situation at Under Canvas depends on the room type you’re staying in. This is clearly indicated at the time of booking, as some tents have private restrooms while others use a central bathhouse that isn’t connected to the tent.

The bathroom building features multiple private rooms with showers and toilets inside. A locking door indicates when a bathroom is occupied.

Live entertainment and yoga sessions are highlights, and the schedules for performers singing and/or playing guitar near the communal spaces are listed at the property’s reception desk.

The properties don’t have pools or hot tubs, nor do they offer Wi-Fi to guests.

Property Policies

Housekeeping

AutoCamp doesn’t offer daily housekeeping. Mid-stay housekeeping is available for a fee. Under Canvas, by contrast, provides daily housekeeping.

Parking

Both AutoCamp and Under Canvas offer free parking to guests.

Pets

AutoCamp allows guests to bring their dogs for a fee of $75 per stay. Guests can bring up to 2 dogs that weigh up to 80 pounds each.

Under Canvas charges $35 per pet per night, which can add up on a longer stay. Only dogs are permitted, and they’ll receive an Under Canvas-themed bandana as part of the fee.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted at any property.

Final Thoughts

Hilton and Hyatt have expanded into the outdoors market through their partnerships with AutoCamp and Under Canvas, respectively. Both brands provide glamping experiences and have a pair of overlapping locations. However, much about them is different — including the elite benefits available to World of Hyatt and Hilton Honors members during their stays.