Today we’d like to introduce you to Abraham Shaheen.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Abraham Shaheen, and here is the story of how my family and I built Zenfulcove.
My wife, Keila Shaheen, and I met back in 2017 while we were both students at Texas A&M University. We fell in love rather quickly, 3 days to be exact. Looking back, it feels like we always knew. One of the first things we bonded over was our shared love for nature. We both grew up camping; my family had a farm in Missouri, where we spent weekends under the stars, while Keila’s family road-tripped to national parks all across the country.
About a month after we met, I took her camping at Lake Bryan, just outside of College Station. That’s where I asked her to be my girlfriend.
Fast forward to the summer of 2020—COVID times. I was ready to propose and had this idea of taking her back to Lake Bryan to bring things full circle. But the campsite was closed due to COVID restrictions. So I improvised. I transformed her college apartment into a campsite, pitched a tent indoors, ordered takeout from the same spot we ate at on our first date, and proposed during our DIY indoor camping night. It was low-key, intimate, and perfect.
Then, in 2022, for my birthday, Keila surprised me with a glamping getaway just over an hour outside Austin. On paper, it sounded amazing. But once we arrived, we realized something that changed everything: the experience felt… generic. The domes were nice inside, sure, but they were practically identical to every other one we’d seen online. No privacy. You could see and hear the highway. The space didn’t feel immersed in nature; it felt staged. That’s when the idea sparked: What if we created the kind of glamping space we were dreaming of? Something different. Something magical. Something that actually felt like an escape.
From there, we spent the better part of that year searching for land. It had to be unrestricted. Immersed in nature. With a body of water. And under 45 minutes from Austin, close enough for people to easily get away without driving too far. Most of the glamping spots we’d seen were over an hour away, with mass-produced domes and zero uniqueness.
Several months later, we found it. A hidden, 10-acre wooded property off Potato Smith Road in Elgin, Texas. It didn’t look like much at first, completely overgrown and surrounded by farmland. But I had a feeling. I walked into the deep brush while Keila and my parents, Norma Shaheen and Eli Shaheen, waited near the entrance. I pushed through the woods and came out on the other side to a stunning, still pond. I took a video of it, went back to the car, and showed them. That’s when everything changed. They finally saw what I saw.
Imagine: concrete domes with curved glass windows nestled in the trees, overlooking a private pond. A place that actually felt like an escape. We went home, drafted the offer that night, and I used my real estate license to remove commission from the deal to make it more competitive.
The catch? The land was owned by a large company that only met quarterly to sign off on land deals. We missed their most recent board meeting by a week… and had to wait over three months for a response. The waiting game was brutal. Another buyer had backed out because the board took so long before we got involved. But we stuck it out. In February 2023, our offer was finally accepted. It felt like a sign. We knew this was the one.
From there, we cleared the land carefully. We flagged hundreds of trees we wanted to preserve and worked our design plans around them. We carved out four private plots for future glamping units and three more for future event spaces. We were inspired by earthships and adobe dome structures that felt raw, grounded, and connected to the earth. Because we kept so many trees, we designed elevated deck platforms that worked with the land instead of against it. One of them even has a tree growing straight through the middle.
Construction was hard. Texas summer sun, long hours, and tight timelines. But it became a bonding experience. My parents, who’ve worked in real estate for over 30 years, helped us tap into reliable contractors. We built all four structures with a team of just five guys in under a year. For infrastructure, septic, water, and electricity, we brought in companies. We even drilled our own well to keep the pond filled year-round.
I’ll never forget the night my dad and I stayed up building the mold for the domes, just the two of us with flashlights, spray foam, and rebar, assembling the frame by hand. There were moments when it felt overwhelming. But we kept reminding ourselves why we started. The vision pulled us forward. We launched Zenfulcove in September of 2024, and had a slow start for the first month, but it quickly ramped up by October.
Today, Zenfulcove is thriving! We’ve hosted proposals, weddings, retreats, anniversary trips, glamping getaways, and now full-blown events. Hundreds of people have already stayed with us, and the feedback has been beyond anything we imagined.
We’ve built themed experiential stays, each with its own structure and story. And we’re just getting started.
The Sky Castle:
The Sky Castle is a dreamy escape where your worries float away, and wonder becomes reality. This stunning retreat features a large concrete dome with curved glass windows and an arched castle-like structure, offering breathtaking views of the water. Connected by a spacious cottage with 16-foot ceilings, a cozy loft, two balconies, and an expansive deck, this magical space is perfect for photoshoots and creative retreats. With two large murals and design elements straight out of a Pinterest board, you truly have to see it in person to experience its full charm and enchantment.
The Fairy House:
The Fairy House is a magical retreat straight out of a fairytale, nestled in the forest with stunning views overlooking the water. It features two large concrete domes with sweeping curved glass windows that showcase the enchanting scenery. These domes are connected by a spacious cottage with soaring 16-foot ceilings, a cozy loft, two charming balconies, and an expansive deck, perfect for enjoying the serene surroundings. This is a place where nature and luxury meet for a truly unforgettable experience.
The Bird House:
The Bird House is a luxurious modern retreat nestled in the heart of the forest, surrounded by the soothing sounds of birds and nature. It features two spacious Geo Domes connected by a large cottage with a stunning loft, offering the perfect blend of comfort and design. This unique glamping experience is unlike anything you’ve ever seen, tucked away amidst beautiful oak trees. With a massive deck space, it’s ideal for yoga sessions, outdoor games, relaxation, and large gatherings, making it the perfect place to reconnect with nature and loved ones.
The Desert Rose:
Desert Rose is a luxurious Mediterranean-style Geo Dome nestled in the serene embrace of the forest. Step inside and be greeted by an enchanting space that blends natural beauty with elegant design. The interior features a cozy reading loft, perfect for quiet moments of reflection, and a fully equipped kitchenette. The highlight is the Middle Eastern-inspired bedroom, designed with rich textures and warm tones that evoke the charm and mystique of distant lands. Every corner of Desert Rose invites relaxation and indulgence, making it a haven for those seeking a peaceful, luxurious retreat in nature.
View our spaces here: https://www.zenfulcove.com/rooms
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road to building Zenfulcove wasn’t easy like any business; we hit our fair share of challenges. But when you’re starting from raw land, the hurdles are a whole different kind of tough. Finding the right location was a journey in itself. And once we finally did, we had to build everything from the ground up literally.
When people picture starting a retreat or glamping space, they often forget what “raw land” really means. No power. No water. No sewage. No roads. Every inch of infrastructure had to be created from scratch. We had to dig our own well to supply water, bring in electricity from the nearest pole, and design and install a septic system that could support future growth. It wasn’t just a renovation project; it was an act of creation.
One of the biggest lessons we learned was this: when you build in nature, you are in nature. You can’t just bulldoze your way through. And we didn’t want to. It was important to us to preserve as much of the land as we could. That meant building decks around trees instead of cutting them down. It meant walking the property, flagging hundreds of trees one by one, and making sure our vision coexisted with the wild.
Even our pond became a part of that balance. We stocked it with fish, only to realize we’d unintentionally created a bird buffet. Herons, egrets, and other birds kept swooping in and eating all the fish. Instead of fighting nature, we leaned in. We restock the pond regularly now, just to keep the birds coming. Watching them in their element has become one of the most peaceful parts of the property and a favorite memory for guests.
Every challenge taught us something deeper, not just about building a business, but about working with the land rather than against it. Zenfulcove isn’t just a destination. It’s a living, breathing example of what’s possible when you build in harmony with nature.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Zenfulcove is where nature and luxury meet to create a truly unforgettable glamping experience. Tucked just 35 minutes outside of Austin in the charming town of Elgin, Texas, our retreat offers a peaceful escape that feels worlds away without the long drive. At its heart, Zenfulcove is a nature-immersed, family-run oasis designed to help guests slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with themselves.
What makes Zenfulcove so unique is our commitment to offering more than just a place to stay. We’ve handcrafted a collection of architecturally stunning domes The Fairy House, The Bird House, The Sky Castle, and The Desert Rose each with its own distinct aesthetic and story. These aren’t your typical prefab glamping tents. Our domes feature curved glass windows, custom interiors, and thoughtful design elements that blend beautifully into the surrounding forest, while overlooking a private pond teeming with wildlife.
From kayaking and fishing, to stargazing in a net, to soaking in our outdoor tubs or detoxing in the sauna every element of Zenfulcove is meant to inspire mindful relaxation. Guests can enjoy private trails, peaceful forest decks, and even a sandy beach area for lounging by the water.
But we’re more than just a glamping destination. Zenfulcove is also a blank canvas for life’s most meaningful events, from romantic proposals and intimate weddings to retreats, celebrations, and personal getaways. With complete freedom to decorate and no vendor restrictions, guests can truly make the space their own.
We’re most proud of the intentionality behind everything we do. We didn’t clear-cut the land or chase trends. We preserved the trees, designed around nature, and built from the heart. It’s this deep respect for the land and for the experiences of our guests that sets Zenfulcove apart.
Whether you’re here to celebrate, reflect, or simply unwind, Zenfulcove offers something rare: space to feel, to connect, and to just be. We invite you to come explore the magic for yourself.
Explore our domes and experiences here: https://www.zenfulcove.com/rooms
Proudly family-built and family-run.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I’d love to give credit where it’s truly due. First and foremost, my parents, Norma and Eli Shaheen, have been an essential part of Zenfulcove from day one. Not only are they part owners, but they also personally oversaw all the construction and brought decades of experience to the table. Their dedication, hard work, and belief in our vision made this dream possible. Beyond the build, they now help manage guest communications and ensure every visitor feels cared for, which is a big part of why so many guests fall in love with the Zenfulcove experience. I’m incredibly proud to call them my parents and even more grateful to have them as partners in this journey.
And of course, my wife Keila Shaheen. None of this would exist without her imagination, intuition, and unwavering support. From the very beginning, she’s been my creative partner, dreaming up these one-of-a-kind spaces and helping shape each unit into something meaningful and memorable. Her eye for design and deep love for nature brought the soul into Zenfulcove, and together, we’ve created more than just a place to stay… we’ve built a place to feel.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zenfulcove.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenfulcove/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ZenfulCove-Glamping/61567008267544/?_rdr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Zenfulcove
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1T53g3sncjSWbSeN7?g_st=ipc
- Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/zenfulcove-elgin-tx-2096609
