Take “Room with a View” to the Next Level
Most kids dream of having a treehouse where they can have a play space all to themselves. But treehouses are becoming increasingly attractive to adults, too — although these might be slightly fancier than what you were after when you were a kid.
There are few things as magical as spending the night suspended above the forest floor, an oasis totally immersed in nature. You’ll have all the amenities you would expect at a hotel (and sometimes much more) while perched in the treetops.
From Ohio to Washington State and Costa Rica to Tanzania, treehouse hotels are popping up all over the world. We’ve rounded up some of the most unique and best treehouse accommodation options.
Green Village: Bali, Indonesia
While your childhood dreams of living in a treehouse may have been extravagant, it’s unlikely you dreamed up a six-story bamboo treehouse. This community of eco-friendly mansion treehouses seems to blend right into its natural surroundings.
You’ll find plenty of interesting elements such as open walls, palm leaves and an impressive vented bamboo air conditioning system that will keep you plenty cool at night. There’s lots to keep you entertained at Green Village, including tours of the local bamboo factory, workshops on bamboo home building, playing bamboo instruments and more — although we won’t blame you if you while away the days lounging in a hammock in the treetops.
Tree House Lodge, Costa Rica
If you love sloths, this one is for you! The Tree House Lodge offers unparalleled encounters with the adorable creatures. The 10-acre property is located completely within Costa Rica’s Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and has access to both the jungle surroundings and the stunning Punta Uva Beach.
The six quirky, individually designed two- and three-bedroom cottages were built from eco-friendly and sustainable materials but have all of the modern touches you want on your vacation.
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The Mohicans: Glenmont, Ohio
These unique treehouse cabins were designed by Pete Nelson from Discovery Channel’s “Treehouse Masters” and are known to host celebrities from time to time. Book one of The Mohicans‘ six treehouses and you’ll not only get to enjoy the resort’s unique touches like cathedral windows and 100-year-old barn wood accents, but you might be lucky enough to rub shoulders with the likes of Matthew McConaughey who has stayed here.
The room options range from single rooms to two-bedroom suites and lofts. The area has numerous hiking trails and three state parks for plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Four Seasons Tented Camp, Thailand
We’ve never experienced glamping with quite as much “glam” as you’ll find at the Four Season’s Tented Camp. Located right at the edge of the jungle near the Golden Triangle, the treehouse resort sits in a prime location to enjoy attractions.
The luxurious treehouse rentals feature beautiful touches like hand-crafted teak furniture, two-person copper bathtubs and private outdoor rain showers. If you can convince yourself to leave your room, you can step right off your private deck onto your own dedicated elephant taxi.
Other opportunities for interacting with elephants include sunrise treks into the jungle. Alternatively, take a bamboo raft cruise down the mighty Mekong, have a massage with a view, or enjoy a delicious meal crafted by the resident chefs. This ultra-luxurious resort will set you back approximately $2,500 USD a night, so start saving now.
Keemala: Phuket, Thailand
This pool villa wonderland is set in the tree’s of Phuket, Thailand’s rainforest. The Keemala resort truly embraces a Thai cultural philosophy with its unique design features, spa treatments, dining options, and of course, their magical villas and cottages.
Connected by a series of jungle walkways, and shaded by the trees of the rainforest, each of Keemala’s 38 villas have their own private pool and come in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and single-story options.
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Treehotel: Harads, Sweden
Treehotel sits way up in the tall trees of the pine forest in Harads, Sweden and is one of the most futuristic looking treehouse hotels on our list, not to mention one of the coolest hotels in the world. From a spacious UFO suite that looks like it’s straight out of an alien movie to the Mirror Cube that seamlessly blends into nature by reflecting its surroundings, they are truly something to see.
You’ll also find a huge bird’s nest-esque suite, a unit that looks like it’s made out of Lego, and a family suite in the shape of a dragonfly. Activities include fishing, snowmobiling, exploring the nearby forest and enjoying views of the Northern Lights.
The Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses: Kaikoura, New Zealand
This contemporary country hotel is located on a deer-breeding farm on New Zealand’s South Island. The Hapuku Lodge is perfectly situated for enjoying the Kaikoura coast and the famous Mangamaunu Bay nearby, as well as attractions in the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range.
Along with traditional lodge rooms, the resort has five treehouses that are nested 10 meters above the ground in a Kanuka grove. There are both one-bedroom and family options that both have large windows for enjoying the view. Activities here are perfect for adventure travelers and include surfing and rock climbing.
Lion Sands Game Reserve: Kruger National Park, South Africa
If your travel bucket list includes an African safari, then why not go completely off-the-grid and stay in an open-air treehouse in the middle of the bush? The Lion Sands Resort is situated inside Kruger National Park and offers a completely unobstructed view of the stars.
The treehouses don’t have electricity, and your only contact with the outside world is radioing rangers. Since you’ll be sleeping up off the ground, you can enjoy the sounds of lions, hippos and hyenas from a safe distance.
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Sunset at the Palms: Negril, Jamaica
Even though this adults-only, all-inclusive resort is set in a treehouse, you won’t be lacking in luxury. The grounds of Sunset at the Palms feature expansive gardens with walkways throughout. Each treehouse has modern furnishings, beautiful decor and a private porch with a daybed.
Activities at the resort include snorkeling, cooking, kayaking and enjoying the beach. There’s also a delightful spa and six different food and beverage options.
TreeHouse Point: Fall City, Washington
Washington-based tree house builder, Pete Nelson, has achieved notoriety through the show “Treehouse Masters” on Animal Planet. Fans of the show flock to his bed and breakfast in the trees in Fall Point, WA. The TreeHouse Point property has nine gorgeous treehouse suites, including the Temple of the Blue, which is perched up in the trees and is reached by a rope bridge.
This is one of the more affordable treehouse resorts on our list, but if the price tag is still a bit too steep, the resort offers guided tours.
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Fuselage Hotel: Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Perhaps the most unorthodox hotel on our list, the 727 Fuselage Hotel sits high above the ocean within the Costa Verde Resort. Here, a decommissioned vintage 1965 Boeing 727 fuselage has been gorgeously outfitted with meticulous detail.
Inside you’ll find two bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, a kitchenette, and impressive ocean and jungle views from the wood deck that sits on the plane’s former right wing.