Dream Spaces: 11 Amazing Tree Houses That You Can Stay in
Go climb a tree — and spend the night. Tree house hotels and lodges are booming as exotic holiday alternatives
Why do we travel? One might argue that we do so to leave our comfort zones and try something new; learn and emulate a different culture, its food, its customs etc. If that’s the case, often it’s where we choose to sleep that will have the biggest impact on reaching this ideal experience. After all, it’s where you’ll call home, even if it’s only for a night.
That’s why many savvy travellers are taking to the trees, where sky-high tree house hotels, lodges and bed-and breakfasts are becoming de rigueur for open-minded adventurers looking for that one-of-a-kind experience.
But make no mistake: While there are plenty of amazing Swiss Family Robinson–type tree houses made from tree trunks and vine rope, they’re not all rustic. Many talented architects have turned the concept on its head, adding plush amenities and materials with modern design flair. But no matter what your style preference, you’re guaranteed to never forget your trip.
Here are 11 tree houses worth the climb.
That’s why many savvy travellers are taking to the trees, where sky-high tree house hotels, lodges and bed-and breakfasts are becoming de rigueur for open-minded adventurers looking for that one-of-a-kind experience.
But make no mistake: While there are plenty of amazing Swiss Family Robinson–type tree houses made from tree trunks and vine rope, they’re not all rustic. Many talented architects have turned the concept on its head, adding plush amenities and materials with modern design flair. But no matter what your style preference, you’re guaranteed to never forget your trip.
Here are 11 tree houses worth the climb.
The owners went to extra lengths to ensure a quiet and cosy stay. Soundproof windows keep the stag roar out during mating season, while thick padding under the carpets reduces foot noise. All the beds have custom-made mattresses. The furniture is made by hand from North American hardwoods.
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Photos courtesy of Hapuku Lodge
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Photos courtesy of Hapuku Lodge
Treehotel, Sweden
Deep in a Swedish forest, some of Scandinavia’s most talented architects have created game-changing, uniquely designed and themed tree house hotels. The Bird’s Nest room is just what its name implies: complex interlocking tree branches mimic a bird’s nest on the outside.
Deep in a Swedish forest, some of Scandinavia’s most talented architects have created game-changing, uniquely designed and themed tree house hotels. The Bird’s Nest room is just what its name implies: complex interlocking tree branches mimic a bird’s nest on the outside.
But the interior is a wood-clad modern hotel suite with small lookout windows.
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Treehotel’s Cabin room, on the other hand, is a two-person capsule in the trees with a double bed, bathroom and terrace.
Inside, a contemporary bedroom looks toward the Lule River valley.
And a small sitting nook near floor-to-ceiling windows lets guest truly connect with living in the trees.
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Treehotel’s Mirrorcube is perhaps the most head turning, or reflecting building, for that matter. Mirrored walls display the surrounding forest, creating a futuristic world. And don’t worry: Infrared film on the panels prevent birds from flying into it.
The interior, made of plywood with a birch surface, is clean and cosy at once, with six windows for a panoramic view.
Cost: About £420 per night for two guests
Cost: About £420 per night for two guests
The company’s UFO tree house makes for a striking alien encounter scene. The composite material design allows for a lightweight yet durable design.
The two-story, modern space can sleep four people.
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Photos by Peter Lundstrom, WDO
Cost: About £400 per night for two guests
Photos by Peter Lundstrom, WDO
Tree Houses Hotel, Costa Rica
This bed-and-breakfast is located on 8 acres surrounded by a 70-acre wildlife refuge with a waterfall, swimming pools and a winding river. The property is touted as a ‘bird watcher’s paradise and wildlife lover’s dream.’ Guests regularly catch sight of sloths, monkeys, toucans, armadillos, hummingbirds, parrots and motmots. The tree houses are air conditioned and have warm-water showers and refrigerators.
Cost: From £60 per night for two guests
Photo courtesy of Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica
This bed-and-breakfast is located on 8 acres surrounded by a 70-acre wildlife refuge with a waterfall, swimming pools and a winding river. The property is touted as a ‘bird watcher’s paradise and wildlife lover’s dream.’ Guests regularly catch sight of sloths, monkeys, toucans, armadillos, hummingbirds, parrots and motmots. The tree houses are air conditioned and have warm-water showers and refrigerators.
Cost: From £60 per night for two guests
Photo courtesy of Tree Houses Hotel Costa Rica
Sanya Nanshan, South China Sea
These vacation rentals sit high in the tamarind trees along a sand dune on an isolated beach near a vast Buddhist and ecological park with temples, pagodas and botanical gardens.
Cost: Contact for rates
Photo courtesy of Sanya Nanshan Treehouse Resort and Beach Club
These vacation rentals sit high in the tamarind trees along a sand dune on an isolated beach near a vast Buddhist and ecological park with temples, pagodas and botanical gardens.
Cost: Contact for rates
Photo courtesy of Sanya Nanshan Treehouse Resort and Beach Club
Reserva Amazonica, Peru
In the Peruvian southeastern Amazon, 90 feet above the forest floor, sits this rustic tree house.
In the Peruvian southeastern Amazon, 90 feet above the forest floor, sits this rustic tree house.
Guests can go for a stroll without ever setting foot on the ground via a series of bridges that connects half a dozen trees and platforms.
Cost: About £270 per night in the summer for two people
Photos courtesy of Inkaterra
Cost: About £270 per night in the summer for two people
Photos courtesy of Inkaterra
Tree House Lodge, Costa Rica
Deep in the thick Costa Rican forest, an all-wood lodge sits high in the trees.
Deep in the thick Costa Rican forest, an all-wood lodge sits high in the trees.
All the furniture in these split-level tree houses is hand carved from sustainable wood. Scarlet birds of paradise add just the right touch of tropical colours.
Meanwhile, screened windows allow fresh air in while keeping bugs out.
Cost: £180 per night for two guests
Photos courtesy of Tree House Lodge
Cost: £180 per night for two guests
Photos courtesy of Tree House Lodge
Green Magic Nature Resort, Kerala
You’ll need to take a cane lift with a water counterweight up 115 feet into the trees to say goodnight in this bamboo hotel room, located on 30 acres of tropical rain forest. How they manage to get a working ceramic-tiled bathroom with running water up there, we’ll never know.
Cost: Contact for rates
Check out a treehouse inspired home in South Carolina
Photo courtesy of Tourindia
You’ll need to take a cane lift with a water counterweight up 115 feet into the trees to say goodnight in this bamboo hotel room, located on 30 acres of tropical rain forest. How they manage to get a working ceramic-tiled bathroom with running water up there, we’ll never know.
Cost: Contact for rates
Check out a treehouse inspired home in South Carolina
Photo courtesy of Tourindia
Tsala Treetop Lodge, South Africa
Nestled in the boughs of an indigenous African forest, the houses of Tsala Treetop Lodge are far from your typical tree house design. Guests enjoy a large lounge area with a fireplace and an expansive private deck with an infinity pool.
Nestled in the boughs of an indigenous African forest, the houses of Tsala Treetop Lodge are far from your typical tree house design. Guests enjoy a large lounge area with a fireplace and an expansive private deck with an infinity pool.
The design and architecture were done by Bruce Stafford and the Hunter family, who own Hunter Hotels, which operates the Tsala.
Guests enjoy dinner on a deck suspended above the forest floor.
Cost: Contact for rates
Photos courtesy of Hunter Hotels
Cost: Contact for rates
Photos courtesy of Hunter Hotels
Vertical Horizons, Oregon
This cozy bed-and-breakfast is located near a redwood forest in southern Oregon. Guests have access to caves, the Pacific coast and more.
This cozy bed-and-breakfast is located near a redwood forest in southern Oregon. Guests have access to caves, the Pacific coast and more.
Each tree house has its own theme. This one, called the Shiitake, embodies an Asian aesthetic.
Cost: Contact for rates
Photos courtesy of Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise
Cost: Contact for rates
Photos courtesy of Vertical Horizons Treehouse Paradise
Treehouse Cottages, Arkansas
Originally from Miami, owners Terry and Patsy Miller moved to Eureka Springs in 1976. Fifteen years later, they established Treehouse Cottages. Terry custom designed and hand built each tree house; they’re suspended on wooden poles about 25 feet off the ground.
Originally from Miami, owners Terry and Patsy Miller moved to Eureka Springs in 1976. Fifteen years later, they established Treehouse Cottages. Terry custom designed and hand built each tree house; they’re suspended on wooden poles about 25 feet off the ground.
But while they exude a certain rustic vibe on the outside, inside they’re packed with luxury handmade upgrades. In fact, everything is handmade: the cedar railings, the cabinets and even the doors.
Patsy made the wheel-thrown-pottery kitchen dishes.
Patsy made the wheel-thrown-pottery kitchen dishes.
And her handmade tile is featured throughout the tree houses, including around this heart-shaped tub.
Cost: From £90 per night for two guests
Photos courtesy of Treehouse Cottages
Cost: From £90 per night for two guests
Photos courtesy of Treehouse Cottages
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Belize
Take to the trees along the coast of Belize, where deluxe tree houses have wraparound porches, outdoor hot tubs, kitchenettes and separate living rooms. The tree houses are made from all Belizean woods — mahogany, barba de holote, rosewood, Santa Maria and more — and most of the furniture is made on the property. Plus, you’re surrounded by the bird-rich forest and near the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
Cost: Around £220 per night for two guests; minimum of three nights
Have you stayed in a tree house? We’d love to see a snapshot below.
If you can’t quite reach these lofty heights but want some sort of garden structure, check out our Garden Shed & Building section for ideas. Or take a look at some more incredible tree houses.
Take to the trees along the coast of Belize, where deluxe tree houses have wraparound porches, outdoor hot tubs, kitchenettes and separate living rooms. The tree houses are made from all Belizean woods — mahogany, barba de holote, rosewood, Santa Maria and more — and most of the furniture is made on the property. Plus, you’re surrounded by the bird-rich forest and near the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
Cost: Around £220 per night for two guests; minimum of three nights
Have you stayed in a tree house? We’d love to see a snapshot below.
If you can’t quite reach these lofty heights but want some sort of garden structure, check out our Garden Shed & Building section for ideas. Or take a look at some more incredible tree houses.
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This sprawling property features exquisitely designed tree houses on a vast New Zealand deer farm. Owner Tony Wilson and his family are passionate about architecture, so much so that WIlson’s daughter, Julia, will become the fifth-generation Wilson architect next year. The vertical batten exterior is New Zealand redwood over Canadian cedar. The siding is copper.