15 Enchanting Treehouse Hotels Across the Globe
Treehouse accommodations have gained popularity over the years, often associated with a bit of rustic charm. However, a new wave of hotels and resorts is elevating treehouses to luxurious experiences. From lavish villas to romantic suites, and even suspended dining pods and spa pavilions, these stunning retreats are appearing in destinations from Tanzania to Texas.
Here are our top 15 treehouse hotels around the world, in no specific order, to immerse yourself in nature like never before.
1. The Green O
Image courtesy of the Green O
Exclusively for adults, the Green O features 12 elegant stand-alone accommodations with four modern designs nestled in the forest at the Resort at Paws Up in northwest Montana. Elevated 23 feet in the treetops, the “tree haus” suites are three stories high, with glass walls and a central cylindrical spiral staircase. Each suite includes several viewing platforms, a cozy fireplace, and a hot tub on the ground level. They all boast floor-to-ceiling windows, Wild West-inspired furnishings made of leather and wrought iron, and over 1,000 square feet of living space. Guests can enjoy on-site hiking trails just steps from their door, horseback rides along the Blackfoot River, and hot-air balloon adventures over the stunning Swan Mountains.
2. Playa Viva
Image courtesy of Playa Viva
At Playa Viva, a stunning 200-acre coastal resort just south of Zihuatanejo, seven beachfront tree houses elevate six feet above the sand, offering ocean views from nearly every angle, including the mosquito net-draped beds. Constructed in 2021, these bamboo structures are inspired by the manta rays that glide just offshore. With minimal walls flanking the bedrooms rather than fully enclosing them, these accommodations may not suit those who prioritize privacy. Designed by the holistic architecture firm Nomadic Resorts, these bamboo retreats are also not ideal for guests who require a TV or air-conditioning—though relief from the heat often comes courtesy of refreshing sea breezes.
3. One&Only Mandarina
Image courtesy of One&Only Mandarina
This luxurious beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific Nayarit coast features 40 elevated tree houses crafted from native Cumaru wood. Guests can soak in the lush jungle views from their private outdoor decks, enjoy their infinity pools, or unwind in their open-air bathrooms. During the construction, One&Only collaborated with a botanist to preserve as much of the natural foliage as possible, while an archaeologist advised on safeguarding the local Cora and Huichol cultural rock carvings found throughout the property.
4. Treehotel
Image courtesy of Johan Jansson/Treehotel
Considered one of the most unique hotels in Sweden, if not all of Europe, Treehotel boasts eight extraordinary cabins in Lapland. One resembles a UFO, another is crafted like a giant bird’s nest, and there’s even one with mirror walls that reflect and merge with the surrounding landscape.
The 7th Room at Treehotel is the most opulent retreat at this design-centric hotel, which opened in 2016 in Harads. Elevated around pine trunks about 33 feet high, this suite accommodates five guests. It features two bedrooms, a living area with a sofa bed, a bathroom, and a shower, all adorned with Scandinavian wood, cozy textiles, and natural materials. Ample large windows and skylights in the bedroom are perfect for viewing the Northern Lights and the stunning forest landscape along the Lule River. The mesh floor of the patio is ideal for nighttime stargazing (or sleeping) and enjoying the treetops below during the day.
Prefer to glide over water rather than in the trees? The creators of Treehotel also launched the Arctic Bath Hotel and Spa, just a five-minute drive away in 2020. This unique property features six floating “cabins” linked to a spa by above-water walkways.
5. Secret Bay
Image courtesy of Secret Bay
Secret Bay, a cozy Caribbean retreat, dubs its tree house villas “bowers of bliss,” highlighting their exceptional privacy. Each Ylang-Ylang Villa, inspired by the flower’s shape, spans nearly 2,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space and includes a bedroom (with optional air-conditioning), a bathroom, two decks, a kitchen, a barbecue, a dining area, and a private plunge pool. Supported by a single “stem,” each villa is both an architectural wonder and an enchanting setting for a romantic escape.
6. Acre
Image courtesy of Acre
Acre, originally a 25-acre restaurant showcasing Baja’s culinary delights and a bar known for its exceptional craft cocktails, has transformed into a hotel with the addition of 13 tree houses. Guests at this adults-only retreat enjoy breakfast, morning yoga in the mango orchard, and access to the pool and grounds, which also feature bocce and pickleball courts.
7. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Image courtesy of Arctic TreeHouse Hotel
Nestled in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland and the gateway to the Arctic Circle, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel features three unique suite styles, each with panoramic windows that provide unobstructed views of the lush forest and Arctic skies. The cozy Arctic TreeHouse Suites are particularly appealing, offering a charming “nest bed” hidden up a small ladder—perfect for families with children. Each chalet is adorned with wooden shingles and topped with green roofs, elevated on stilts made from Finnish timber. While the hotel welcomes guests year-round, winter is undoubtedly its peak season, being just a short stroll from SantaPark, a Christmas-themed amusement park that opened in 1998.
8. Treehouse Utopia
Image courtesy of Treehouse Utopia
A must-visit on any Texas Hill Country road trip, Treehouse Utopia features four luxurious tree houses nestled in ancient bald cypress trees, all overlooking the Sabinal River. Each house accommodates up to two guests and includes an en suite bathroom and air conditioning. Our favorite is Chapelle, adorned with French antiques and stained glass, complete with a charming 25-foot steeple.
9. Post Ranch Inn
Photo by Kodiak Greenwood
This opulent hotel perched on the cliffs of Big Sur is renowned for its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, but the Post Ranch Inn also boasts a selection of tree house suites that are equally impressive. Elevated nine feet above the ground on stilts, each suite includes a cozy wood-burning fireplace and a spacious skylight positioned perfectly above the king-sized bed for optimal stargazing.
10. Canyon Ranch Woodside
Image courtesy of Canyon Ranch
Located just under an hour’s drive south of San Francisco yet a world away from urban life, this wellness retreat features 24 tree houses elevated between 35 to 50 feet above the forest floor. With private decks and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can fully immerse themselves in the natural surroundings when not exploring the 16 acres of redwood forest that envelop the property.
11. andBeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Image courtesy of andBeyond
Nestled within the mahogany forest of Lake Manyara National Park, this andBeyond tree house hotel blends seamlessly with its surroundings. The original nine suites of Lake Manyara Tree Lodge are elevated on stilts, with spacious decks hovering above the forest floor, constructed from local timber and makuti palm leaves. A family suite expands on this concept, adding a second bedroom perfect for children.
12. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Image courtesy of Ritz-Carlton
While overnight stays in tree houses aren’t available at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, you can indulge in a massage within one. Set amidst five acres of pineapple gardens and lush natural landscaping, the hotel's Spa Botanico boasts two open-air tree house pavilions, allowing guests to experience the soothing sounds of rustling leaves and the fragrant aroma of bay rum leaves and lemongrass during their treatments.
13. Hoshinoya Bali
Image courtesy of Hoshino Resorts
At the all-villa Hoshinoya Bali, accommodations are arranged around the resort’s pool, while guests can savor meals high in the jungle at the lofted Cafe Gazebo. This cafe features three private teahouses and offers picnic-style breakfasts as well as elaborate 10-course dinners. Constructed mainly of metal and extending over the jungle, these structures are positioned along a river gorge near Ubud, providing breathtaking views of the lush forest that stretches to the horizon.
14. Soneva Kiri
Image courtesy of Soneva Kiri
Soneva Kiri Resort’s Treepod Dining experience takes fine dining to new heights. Four guests are seated in a bamboo pod that is gently lifted into the branches of a century-old massang tree in Koh Kood’s ancient rainforest, offering stunning sea views. While suspended, they savor the resort’s signature gourmet dishes (such as watermelon salad and galangal-baked fish wrapped in banana leaves), all served by a waiter who arrives via zip line.
15. One&Only Reethi Rah
Image courtesy of One&Only
Similar to many luxury resorts in the Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah features overwater villas for an overnight stay. However, it also offers a private dining room nestled in a wooden tree house where guests can enjoy a romantic seven-course dinner tailored to their preferences.
Further contributions by Katherine LaGrave, Lyndsey Matthews, Paul Rubio, and Kathryn Romeyn.
This article first appeared online in 2017 and was updated on September 11, 2023, to reflect the latest information.
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