Imagine showing up to your beachfront hotel in Cancun only to find the beach closed. That's what happened to tourists visiting the Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa over the weekend, when government environmental officials shut the property's beach down and lined it with police tape after determining hotel management had illegally obtained sand to bolster its beach against erosion.

From rustic cabins to luxurious canvas-sided suites, hotels with tented accommodations bridge the gap between solid walls and wilderness. For travelers, they mean getting close to nature, but leaving the sleeping bags at home.

While some of the world's most famous spots for tented travel tackle luxury in a way that rivals the amenities and services of top hotels, others are relaxed and relatively affordable lodging options in beautiful locations such as Yosemite National Park and Bermuda.