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New growth funding for disruptor Collective Retreats

Outdoor travel company and lodging disruptor Collective Retreats, Denver, has raised a US$23 million Series C funding round with a goal of opening 25 new retreats in the next four years. The round was led by New York-based investment firm Fireside Investments, outdoor marketplace Outdoorsy and with participation from existing investors, including Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund.

Collective Retreats, led by CEO and Founder Peter Mack, has already acquired three new retreats in Vermont’s Green Mountains, California’s Sonoma County and Aspen, Colorado. It is also entering a new strategic partnership with Outdoorsy, an on-demand, RV rental and outdoor travel marketplace, to develop new accommodations types and outdoor experiences. This new venture will combine Collective Retreats’ outdoor hospitality expertise and guest experience programming with Outdoorsy’s technology platforms.

Starting June 15, Outdoorsy travelers will be able to book a New York City experience at Collective Retreats’ flagship location on Governors Island. This package will start with a secure parking location for their RV near the Statue of Liberty. Guests will then be picked up by the retreat’s water taxi and given a private tour of the major sights in New York City’s harbor as they head to the retreat.

Once at Collective Governors Island, they will have access to all of the food and beverage offerings and wellness experiences, before sleeping in a safari-styled accommodation with views of New York City and the Statue of Liberty. Outdoorsy renters will also have the option to receive complimentary light housekeeping and turn down service for their vehicle while they are on retreat and upon their departure can also purchase “epicurean to go meals” prepared by Collective’s culinary teams. Similar experiences will be introduced at Collective Vail in Colorado and Collective Hill Country in Texas later in the summer.

Beginning this fall, the two companies will launch a new accommodation offering designed to allow Outdoorsy customers to stay in their campervans while at a Collective Retreats location. The new experience will create an outdoor extension to the guest’s vehicle and will provide a private climate-controlled bathroom with a spa shower, covered terrace area and soaking tub. Guests will also gain access to Collective Retreats’ amenities, public spaces and guest programming such as farm to table tasting menus at its open-air restaurants, cocktail bars, live music and health and wellness programs.

“One of the biggest barriers to entry for first-time RVers renting on Outdoorsy has always been the looming question of where to stay or camp at night,” said Outdoorsy’s Co-Founder and CEO Jeff Cavins. “Keep in mind that, for the majority of people renting an RV, this is their first time not staying in a hotel while on vacation, so that is the mindset they’re in. They’re looking for a bridge between camping somewhere convenient and camping somewhere they can anticipate a level of consistency and care. They’ll drive the extra mile if it means sleeping in comfort, and through our new campground offerings with Collective Retreats, we are answering that question of ‘Where do I camp?”

Collective Retreats was advised by real estate investment banking firm RobertDouglas and the company has announced Jonathan Langer, founder and managing member of Fireside Investments, will be joining its board of directors.

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