Business Insider's author in front of the geodesic dome she stayed in during a trip to New Zealand.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I visited New Zealand during winter and stayed in a geodesic dome on the country's south island.
I feared I'd spend my night shivering in the 430-square-foot tiny home.
Its luxe amenities and gas fireplace convinced me I never wanted to leave.
New Zealand is home to the most breathtaking nature I've seen.
When I visited in June 2022, my focus was to soak in every moment. I wanted to explore the country's striking mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear waters.
My only concern was that it was wintertime in New Zealand. As a Floridian, I've never adjusted to the cold, but I headed to New Zealand anyway and booked stays in lodges that seamlessly connected me to nature.
One of my favorites was a glamping dome at Cross Hill Lodge and Domes in New Zealand's Otago region, an area in the southern region of the country's South Island.The exterior of the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
The property has six geodesic domes and a shared lodge at the edge of Lake Hawea.A view of the dome illuminated from the inside.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I found the property on Airbnb and booked a single-night stay in one of the 430-square-foot domes for $250. In October 2024, the property had increased prices to $363 a night.Three of the six domes at Cross Hill.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I was traveling from northeast Queenstown, and during my hourlong drive, I passed snow-covered mountains and icy lakes.A view of a lake near Cross Hill Lodge and Domes.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
As I reached Cross Hill, the top of a white dome could be seen through trees.A view of the top of the dome at Cross Hill Lodge.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Fear set in when I stepped out of my heated car and into the frigid air. The plastic exterior of the domes looked wafer-thin, and I hoped the heating in the domes would suffice. I wanted to embrace the outdoors but didn't want to spend the night shivering in 40-degree Fahrenheit weather.Between the gravel paths were gardens full of plants.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
But there were no refunds and no turning back. I headed to Cross Hill's communal lodge, where the host, Stevie T, greeted me. He showed me the lodge, which had couches, a TV, and a few desserts that were free for guests.The Cross Hill Lodge.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Then, we headed to dome six, which was my tiny house for the night.The entrance to dome six at Cross Hill.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
As I entered the dome, all my worries vanished. Thanks to a heat pump and gas stove, the space was cozy and warm.The interior of the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I felt like I had stepped inside a giant marshmallow. The dome's metal structure was encased in multiple layers of white vinyl, creating a puffy candied look.Plastic circles served as the dome's windows.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
There were slippers and robes waiting for me at the entranceway to the dome.At the entrance of the dome, Business Insider's author found robes and slippers.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
To the right of the entrance was a king-size bed. The bed faced a wide panel of clear plastic partially covered by a row of curtains.A row of curtains blocked the window of the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I pulled the cloth back, and views appeared. The dome overlooked the property's manicured gardens and mountains in the distance. As I looked out the window, I felt crisp, cold air seeping in at the dome's base.The dome had a large window.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Stevie T reassured me that the dome would be warm for the night. It was heated, plus there was a gas fireplace, a heated mattress, and heated bathroom floors.A fireplace was in one area of the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
As I moved past the bedroom, I passed a small table and a compact kitchen.A small table and two chairs were stationed near the kitchen.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
The kitchen had everything I'd need for a short stay. There was glassware, dishes, a coffee machine, and a mini fridge stocked with milk and cold water.A view of the counter and sink in the kitchen.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I passed through the kitchen and walked toward the back of the dome. Here, I found the bathroom.The interior of the bathroom.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Later, I spotted more of the dome's luxe details. Everywhere I walked, motion-sensor lights turned on. The bathroom had a towel warmer, and in the kitchen, I found a milk frother.The dome's bathroom had a towel warmer.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
The amenities, stunning views, and cushy bed convinced me I didn't need to leave the dome — not even for dessert. I settled in and turned on the heated mattress.The king-size bed in the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Other visitors arrived around me. Similar to a camping tent, the domes weren't very soundproof. I could hear couples debating what to have for dinner and discussing plans for the next day.The view through the dome's window.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I knew that they could see and hear me, too. With the privacy curtain open and my lights on, anyone walking by had a clear view into my dome.Anyone walking by could see inside the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
But even with limited privacy, I felt connected to nature. I heard birds chirping and rain dripping. I spotted rugged mountains and smelled wood burning from the lodge.A view of the dome illuminated from the inside.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
After eating the dinner I packed, I crawled into bed. Once the sun set, my dome was illuminated by the gas fireplace. Then, I realized I was missing one of the dome's main appeals — the stars.At night, the fireplace was the only light on in the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I turned off the remote-controlled fireplace to get a better view. Through the clear plastic, I searched for shooting stars and constellations.A view of stars from the dome at Cross Hill.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
My gazing didn't last long. As chilly air seeped into the tent, I turned the fireplace back on and fell asleep. With the mattress heater turned on high, the fireplace cranked to its max, and the dome's thermostat set to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, I was warm all night.The dome's thermostat.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
The next morning, I woke up to a blazing sunrise.A view of the sunrise from the bed in the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I crawled out of my warm bed and explored the lodge's gardens. I walked by an outdoor wood-fired hot tub and headed to the lodge, where I dined on a complimentary breakfast of eggs and toast.Between the gravel paths were gardens full of plants.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
Full from breakfast, I dragged my feet back to the dome. I didn't have any desire to pack up my suitcase and leave. As I folded my pajamas from the previous night, I dreamed of making Cross Hill my home.The exterior of the dome.
Monica Humphries/Business Insider
I'm sure some nights were bound to be even chillier, but I learned that living in a place that seamlessly blended indoors with outdoors might be a better fit for me than my city life back in the US.Business Insider's author in front of the geodesic dome she stayed in during a trip to New Zealand.
PvPvE is 'a holy grail of game design,' says Space Marine 2 director, and he's got no plans to chase it: 'A lot of studios are trying to find it and a lot of them fail'
"ИИСУС ИЗ УСБ" (Управление собственной безопасности): КТО ПРОСЛУШИВАЕТ ЦРУ? СЕНСАЦИОННОЕ ПРОЯСНЕНИЕ ПРИЧИН СВО. ПРИЗНАНИЕ НАТО НАДО ПРИМЕНИТЬ! Россия, США, Европа могут улучшить отношения?!
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
Гражданам Москвы и Московской области, получившим тяжелые производственные травмы, выданы автомобили марки «Лада Гранта»
В Москве мигрант до смерти избил историка-икусствоведа Раису Кирсанову
Замглавы московского метрополитена Дощатов арестован по делу о взятке
Заказчик и исполнитель резонансного преступления задержаны в Подмосковье при силовой поддержке СОБР Росгвардии
Александр Бубнов впервые за несколько лет может появиться на публике
"ИИСУС ИЗ УСБ" (Управление собственной безопасности): КТО ПРОСЛУШИВАЕТ ЦРУ? СЕНСАЦИОННОЕ ПРОЯСНЕНИЕ ПРИЧИН СВО. ПРИЗНАНИЕ НАТО НАДО ПРИМЕНИТЬ! Россия, США, Европа могут улучшить отношения?!
С уходом на покой митрополита Воронежского и Лискинского Сергия назначен новый глава митрополии