I paid $250 to stay in a plastic tiny house in New Zealand in the middle of winter. I thought I'd freeze, but by morning, I didn't want to leave.

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One of my favorites was a glamping dome astatine Cross Hill Lodge and Domes successful New Zealand's Otago region, an area successful nan confederate region of nan country's South Island.

I was walking from northeast Queenstown, and during my hourlong drive, I passed snow-covered mountains and icy lakes.

As I reached Cross Hill, nan apical of a achromatic dome could beryllium seen done trees.

Fear group successful erstwhile I stepped retired of my heated car and into nan frigid air. The integrative exterior of nan domes looked wafer-thin, and I hoped nan heating successful nan domes would suffice. I wanted to clasp nan outdoors but didn't want to walk nan nighttime shivering successful 40-degree Fahrenheit weather.

But location were nary refunds and nary turning back. I headed to Cross Hill's communal lodge, wherever nan host, Stevie T, greeted me. He showed maine nan lodge, which had couches, a TV, and a fewer desserts that were free for guests.

Then, we headed to dome six, which was my mini location for nan night.

As I entered nan dome, each my worries vanished. Thanks to a power pump and state stove, nan abstraction was cozy and warm.

There were slippers and robes waiting for maine astatine nan entranceway to nan dome.

To nan correct of nan entranceway was a king-size bed. The furniture faced a wide sheet of clear integrative partially covered by a statement of curtains.

I pulled nan cloth back, and views appeared. The dome overlooked nan property's manicured gardens and mountains successful nan distance. As I looked retired nan window, I felt crisp, acold aerial seeping successful astatine nan dome's base.

Stevie T reassured maine that nan dome would beryllium lukewarm for nan night. It was heated, positive location was a state fireplace, a heated mattress, and heated bath floors.

As I moved past nan bedroom, I passed a mini array and a compact kitchen.

The room had everything I'd request for a short stay. There was glassware, dishes, a java machine, and a mini fridge stocked pinch beverage and acold water.

I passed done nan room and walked toward nan backmost of nan dome. Here, I recovered nan bathroom.

Later, I spotted much of nan dome's luxe details. Everywhere I walked, motion-sensor lights turned on. The bath had a towel warmer, and successful nan kitchen, I recovered a beverage frother.

The amenities, stunning views, and cushy furniture convinced maine I didn't request to time off nan dome — not moreover for dessert. I settled successful and turned connected nan heated mattress.

Other visitors arrived astir me. Similar to a camping tent, nan domes weren't very soundproof. I could perceive couples debating what to person for meal and discussing plans for nan adjacent day.

I knew that they could spot and perceive me, too. With nan privateness curtain unfastened and my lights on, anyone stepping by had a clear position into my dome.

But moreover pinch constricted privacy, I felt connected to nature. I heard birds chirping and rainfall dripping. I spotted rugged mountains and smelled wood burning from nan lodge.

After eating nan meal I packed, I crawled into bed. Once nan sun set, my dome was illuminated by nan state fireplace. Then, I realized I was missing 1 of nan dome's main appeals — nan stars.

I turned disconnected nan remote-controlled fireplace to get a amended view. Through nan clear plastic, I searched for shooting stars and constellations.

My gazing didn't past long. As chilly aerial seeped into nan tent, I turned nan fireplace backmost connected and fell asleep. With nan mattress heater turned connected high, nan fireplace cranked to its max, and nan dome's thermostat group to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, I was lukewarm each night.

The adjacent morning, I woke up to a blazing sunrise.

I crawled retired of my lukewarm furniture and explored nan lodge's gardens. I walked by an outdoor wood-fired basking tub and headed to nan lodge, wherever I dined connected a complimentary meal of eggs and toast.

Full from breakfast, I dragged my feet backmost to nan dome. I didn't person immoderate desire to battalion up my suitcase and leave. As I folded my pajamas from nan erstwhile night, I dreamed of making Cross Hill my home.

I'm judge immoderate nights were bound to beryllium moreover chillier, but I learned that surviving successful a spot that seamlessly blended indoors pinch outdoors mightiness beryllium a amended fresh for maine than my metropolis life backmost successful nan US.