Tree houses aren’t just for kids anymore. You can now enjoy the highest of luxuries from up in the branches. In this article, we will go over some of the most incredible treetop houses throughout the world.
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There is a tree house stay for every budget, from affordable Airbnbs to more expensive hotel and resort getaways. So, if you’re interested in a treehouse vacation that’ll stay in your memory for a lifetime, keep on reading!
History of the Tree House
Before we delve into some of the most amazing tree houses in the world, let’s talk about their history.
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Tree houses have a long and rich history dating back thousands of years throughout areas all over the world. The tree house, you see, was an excellent form of accommodation. It kept its inhabitants and their food and belongings safe from animals and floods.
During the Middle Ages, Hindu and Franciscan monks also enjoyed living in tree houses. They especially favored these nature-surrounded rooms for meditation as they were quiet and completely private.
The Renaissance period also saw a rise in the tree house’s popularity. The unique treetop dwellings had made their way to Europe, with Italians taking a keen interest in the idea of homes up in the trees.
Nowadays, tree houses are adapted into restaurants, spa areas, and luxurious getaways. Although some of the tree homes we see today are far different from the world’s first treehouses, their original history hasn’t been lost.
In some areas of the world, such as Indonesia, tribes are still living their lives up in the trees. We don’t blame them. The high vantage point of living in a tree protects them from wild animals and rival tribes. Some of their treetop structures are so big that they can house a family of 10 up to 40 meters above the ground.
How the Rustic Treehouse Became So Popular
The tree house became popular throughout four eras in history: The Roman era, The Renaissance period, the late eighteenth-century Romantic period, and the 21st century.
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As we mentioned before, the Renaissance period saw a huge popularity increase for the tree top dwellings. Throughout Europe, tree houses became a fashion statement in Florentine Gardens which then led to the creation of tree top restaurants.
Businesses took the simple tree house structure and transformed it into lavish restaurants. Some were even able to seat up to 200 guests.
Benefits of a Tree House Living Space
Although you may be thinking that you could never live full-time in a tree house, these unique abodes come with some incredible benefits.
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- Connect with Nature – You can’t get much more out in nature than at the top of a tree. Unfortunately, as technology keeps developing, more and more people are losing touch with nature and are spending more time indoors than ever before. Escaping the outdoors is incredibly hard when you live in a tree, especially if you don’t connect electricity, cable, and wifi.
- Cheap to Build – Unlike a typical house, tree houses are incredibly cheap to build as, more often than not, they’re made of wood.
- Environmentally Friendly – Tree houses can be made with salvaged and recycled substances, which is great for the planet. Add in the fact that your electricity, if you have it, has probably come from solar panels or other renewable energy, and you’ve got yourself an environmentally friendly home that is limiting its impact on the Earth.
- Ultimate Privacy – Unless you build an entire community up in the trees, your tree house home will have maximum privacy from neighbors or passersby. You could walk around naked with the windows open 24/7, and no one would ever know.
15 Incredible Tree House Hotels
Now that we’ve covered a brief history of tree houses let’s get into some of the world’s most spectacular tree house hotels, rentals, and getaway destinations that’ll satisfy your childhood dream of living in a tree.
Asia
Aura House
viaBoutique-Homes
It’s no surprise that Bali, with its rolling rice fields and lush rainforests, is home to some incredible treehouse rentals with breathtaking views.
The first on our list is the Aura House Treehouse . This unique bamboo house is truly a work of art and features two en-suite bedrooms, a large living area, and a private swimming pool. Along with that, you have incredible views of the ricefields and forests with all the modern amenities for a short getaway family vacation.
Enchanted Hobbit Treehouse
viaAirBNB
If you’ve always dreamed of staying in a tree fort, and if you’re a die-hard Hobbit fan, you need to get yourself over to this Indonesian island. The Enchanted Hobbit Treehouse in Tegallalang, Bali, has a signature round Hobbit door that gives you spectacular views of the surrounding rice fields.
The Tree House – Erumadam
viaHolidify
In the hills of Munnar, India, is the Erumadam Tree House . Although this house looks like it sits on stilts up in the trees, the owners built it with sustainable materials on top of a living tree.
The Erumadam Tree House consists of two stories, with the first featuring the bathroom and balcony and the second the bedroom.
The Tree House
viaAirBNB
India’s New Delhi is also home to a magical house up in the trees. This one, however, is more on the modern side with large floor-to-ceiling windows that let in an abundance of natural light.
The Tree House is beautifully decorated and offers one open living space with the bedroom and living room combined. The balcony, which you can access through the large doors, has an amazing view of the surrounding park area.
Treehouse De Valentine
viaBooking
The Treehouse De Valentine in Balamban, Philippines, has incredible bamboo walls structured off and around a handful of trees.
With three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a huge open-aired living space, and a nearby private river, the Treehouse De Valentine is the perfect escape for friends or a large family.
Australia
Treehouse Blue Mountains
viaRealEstate
The large floor-to-ceiling windows of this treehouse getaway are what make it so magnificent. Uninterrupted views of the Blue Mountains right from the comfort of your bed aren’t something you get to experience every day.
The Treehouse Blue Mountains , which comes fully equipped with a kitchen, bathtub, and log burner, makes the perfect romantic getaway in the mountains of New South Wales.
Europe
Chewton Glen Treehouses
viaCalcinotto
The Chewton Glen in New Milton, England, has a selection of treehouse rentals that are suspended 35 feet above the ground. From the inside of these tree houses, you may even forget that you are suspended in a tree in the first place.
These treehouses, much like the rest of The Chewton Glen, are categorized as 5-star accommodation and come fully decked out with lavish furniture, linens, and decorations. Hot tubs, bathtubs, and underground heating are just some of the included features of these marvelous tree houses.
Treehotel
viaTatler
Unique, weird, and wacky are all words to describe the seven tree houses at the Treehotel . Some of Scandinavia’s leading architect’s designed these seven rooms to be a one-of-a-kind accommodation for those visiting Harad, Sweden. The seven rooms consist of:
- The 7th Room – The 7th Room is the Treehotels largest treehouse. This log cabin sits 10 meters up in the trees and is one of the more basic houses on the list.
- The Birds Nest – Ever wanted to feel like a bird? Well, in The Bird’s Nest, that is possible. This treehouse is the spitting image of an oversized bird’s nest. And to get into the property, you have to climb a retractable rope ladder.
- The Cabin is fairly basic but features spacious windows that give you impeccable views of the treehouses surrounding the valley.
- The Mirror Cube – If you’ve always wished for invisibility superpowers, then The Mirror Cube will be right up your street. Architect’s designed this structure out of reflective glass that reflects the trees around it. This camouflage design makes it near invisible in the forest.
- The UFO – The UFO treehouse is quite literally an alien spaceship strung up into the trees. Kids especially will love this one as it’s not every day you get to fall asleep in a spaceship.
- The Blue Cone – The Treehotel set The Blue Cone, which is bright red, lower in the trees to make it more accessible than the other treehouses on their property.
- The DragonFly – The final installation to the Treehotel treehouse group is The Dragon Fly. The DragonFly is a series of interconnecting rooms. These rooms have large windows that offer wonderful panoramic views of the outside scenery.
The United States
Canopy Tree House
viaAirBNB
The beautifully designed Canopy Tree House in Sanford, Maine, is a stilt-built tree house with a feature tree running through its balcony. Its owner designed the rustic treehouse with a wooden interior to capture the outside nature in a modern and elegant way.
Inside the Canopy Tree House are two bedrooms. One on the ground floor and the second tucked away in a loft-style roof. There is also a full kitchen, big open windows, and a small but roomy living space.
Something we particularly love is the retreat that houses the Canopy Tree House. The retreat is entirely carbon neutral, with 150 solar panels powering its properties.
Extraordinary Tree House
viaKFYO
The Extraordinary Tree House in Dallas, Texas, is quite literally a tree house on steroids. The multi-story vacation rental has two baths and two beds, and although it isn’t way up in the canopy like a traditional tree house, numerous trees still raise it off the ground, with some of them even popping up throughout its balcony area.
The features of this home don’t stop there, however. This luxury treehouse can sleep up to four people, but it also has a full working kitchen, a spacious lounge area, and a jacuzzi bathtub big enough for all four of the house’s guests.
Klickitat Treehouse
viaAdventure-Journal
The Klickitat Treehouse in White Salmon, Washington, is a breathtaking modern home that three Douglas Fir trees support. With its twenty-foot vantage point, you can see amazing views of Mount Adams and the Columbia River Gorge.
Inside the house is a master bedroom, a loft-style bedroom with twin beds, a full bathroom, living area, and kitchen. All rooms are beautifully decorated, tying in with the outdoor colors.
Meadowlark Treehouse
viaMontanaTreehouseRetreat
This elegant two-story treehouse in Columbia Falls, Montana, looks incredible in all seasons. And it has all the amenities you’d need for a weekend or even a lifetime in the trees.
The first story of Meadowlark features a kitchen, a living area, and a bathroom, with the second story housing the master bedroom and en-suite toilet.
Tropical Treehouse
viaWorldAtlas
Fern Forest, Hawaii, is home to the beautiful Tropical Treehouse whose upper story contains a queen-sized bed, adequate wardrobe space, and a bathroom that gets its water from rainfall.
Along with the Tropical Treehouse’s water supply, its electricity source is also environmentally friendly. Sunlight and solar panels generate electricity for the house, which the panels then store in a battery.
Whidbey Island Treehouse
viaSeattleWeekly
The Whidbey Island Treehouse in Freeland, Washington, is one of the simpler tree houses on our list, but sometimes, simple is all you need.
With two beds in a large open living area, this tree house is the perfect destination for small families wanting a break out in nature. There is a huge tree running through its center, so you can’t get much more out in nature than that.
Willow Treehouse
viaAfar
In Willow, New York, simplistic modern meets treehouse to create a naturally lit living space secluded amongst the trees. Entire walls made from windows put you at one with nature. And they also give you amazing views of the swimmable pond directly in front of the property.
The Willow Treehouse has an open living and kitchen area, a full bathroom, a loft-style bedroom, and a separate hot tub a few meters from the house.
Final Thoughts on The Best Tree Houses
We can safely say that around the world, architect’s have taken the simple tree house and adapted it into breathtaking vacation rentals and homes that put its inhabitants in the middle of nature while also accompanying them with all the modern amenities that one could need.
As we wrap up on this article, we’d love to know have you ever stayed in a tree house? If so, where was it, and what was your favorite feature? Let us know in the comment section down below!
Have you ever wanted to live out your childhood dreams of living in a tree? Well, there are tree house rentals all over the world that are making that dream a reality.
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Long gone are the days when a tree house is something for kids to enjoy in the backyard. While this sort of tree house still exists, there are bigger, bolder, and more luxurious examples springing up worldwide. In fact, a tree house holiday is becoming quite the rage on sites like Airbnb .
We’ve compiled a list of 17 of the best tree house vacation rentals in the US and worldwide. For your next unique and truly unforgettable vacation getaway, keep on reading!
United States Treehouse Rentals
There is no shortage of wonderful getaways across the United States. However, the number of treehouse rentals has surged, with more people looking for a glamping getaway or an off-the-grid escape.
The following eight treehouses are prime examples of everything you could want in a retreat. Whether you’re from the pacific northwest or way down in Texas, we’ve got you covered.
Treehouse Utopia, Texas
viaTreehouse Utopia
Treehouse Utopia is a truly fitting name for this collection of tree house vacation rentals. They are located in the town of Utopia, Texas, but they’re also home to many incredible luxury treehouses that’ll set your vacation apart from the rest.
The company has four treehouses that you can rent on a nightly basis: Chapelle, Carousel, Biblioteque, and Chateau. All of the tree houses sleep two adults and have full bathrooms and quirky decorations.
Treehouse Utopia built the Bilbioteque and Chateau treehouses nestled amongst the trees. But, they went for a different approach with the Chapelle and Carousel treehouses. They built both the Chapelle and Carousel treehouses next to bodies of water. This extra feature enhances the treehouse experience even further and, in our opinion, makes it even more magical.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, whichever way you look at it), these are adult-only treehouse cabins. So if you have little ones, they’ll have to stay with grandma and grandpa.
The Mohicans, Ohio
viaTheMohicans
The Mohicans is another treehouse resort with numerous luxury tree house rentals ranging in size and design. Their smallest tree house, the Little Red Treehouse, sleeps two people and has an outdoor shower, kitchen, and living area. The Mohicans originally built this treehouse to be featured on the Animal Planet/Discovery Channel Show Treehouse Masters .
Their larger treehouses sleep up to four people and are more modern in design. However, the one that takes the cake for us is the El Castillo luxury treehouse. El Castillo has leather furnishings, a spiral staircase, and an authentic stone shower.
All of the treehouses have heating and air conditioning systems installed, and most of them even allow pets!
The Treehouse on Lake Travis, Texas
viaAirbnb
This next Texas treehouse in itself is absolutely stunning. But the view from its large open windows and generous porch area steals the show.
The Treehouse on Lake Travis is, you guessed it, a treehouse overlooking Lake Travis. This beautiful treehouse retreat has two bedrooms that can sleep four guests. It also has a vast open living area with a wood-burning fireplace and a full bathroom and kitchen area that’ll make you feel right at home.
And, if the treehouse wasn’t enough for you, you also have access to a swimming pool, a barbeque area, a hot tub, and steps down to the marina, where you can participate in water-based activities.
Treehouse with Ocean View, California
viaAirbnb
If you decide to stay in a treehouse, your expected view is more than likely to be forests, trees, or open fields. But, this three-bedroom treetop property in California offers its guests views of the Pacific ocean.
When designing the property, the owner took inspiration from Japanese architecture and added Japanese-inspired sliding screen doors. However, our personal favorite features of the property are the floor-to-ceiling windows that let in a ton of natural light in every room.
A spiraled staircase transports you between the two floors, with the upper story having a large open balcony area where you can sit and enjoy a morning cup of coffee or an evening glass of wine.
Whippoorwill Retreat Treehouse, Georgia
viaAirbnb
Although the owners of Whippoorwill Retreat Treehouse were slightly tight for space, they still managed to create a two-bed whimsical house up in the trees.
The first story in the treehouse features a living area, a small kitchenette, and a double bed that they strung from the ceiling. The second bedroom is on the second story and has the most incredible skylight positioned directly above the bed.
Whippoorwill Retreat Treehouse also has a balcony with a shaded seating area and a fire pit at the bottom of the slope that is the ultimate area for entertaining.
Tree Tops, Asheville
viaVRBO
The Tree Tops treehouse in Asheville is one of the coolest tree houses we’ve ever seen. This six-bedroom, four-bathroom house sleeps up to 10 people and has all the modern amenities you could ever want or need.
Inside the living area, you’ll find a beautiful gas-controlled fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that give you incredible views of the surrounding forest area. It’s easy to forget you’re staying in the trees until you walk outside onto one of the house’s three balconies.
With an outdoor barbeque and adequate seating, this treehouse cabin is a fantastic option for entertaining large families or for a weekend away with your best friends.
Hickory Treehouse, Kentucky
viaHipcamp
If you want to give your kids a weekend to remember, then the Hickory Treehouse in Kentucky is the place to go.
This treehouse vacation rental may only have one bedroom, but it can sleep up to six guests and comes with a kitchenette and a cozy living area. However, what makes this treehouse stand out from the rest is the slide that takes you from the wrap-around porch down to the ground below.
The Hickory Treehouse , in our opinion, is one of the best treehouse rentals for families with kids , as the surrounding area has over 200 acres of rolling hiking trails and activities for the little ones to participate in. With an alpine climbing area and a creek to explore, your kids can go to bed happy and content after a long day in the great outdoors.
Redwood Treehouse, Texas
viaByOwner
In technical terms, the Redwood Treehouse isn’t exactly a treehouse as it is built on stilts and has a fake concrete tree running through the center. But, concrete tree or real tree, we’re still going to count it.
The rustic treehouse sleeps eight guests and has a full kitchen, dining, and living area. On top of being equipped with everything you’d need for a peaceful getaway, the Redwood Treehouse also has a shared swimming pool, a cabana area, a kids playground, and a 60-foot dock at Lake Dunlap a short walk away.
You can also grill to your heart’s content on your private deck area – which comes complete with a grill.
Tree House Vacation Rentals Worldwide
Looking beyond the US, there are a plethora of fantastic tree houses that you can rent. So whether you want an outdoor kitchen or a romantic getaway with a spring-fed hot tub, there is a tree house on this list that checks all the boxes.
The following nine tree houses offer everything from the highest luxury down to a traditional rustic treehouse experience.
Luxurious Treehouse Villas and Suites, South Africa
viaGlampingHub
The Luxurious Treehouse Villas and Suites offer a unique treehouse getaway in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa.
All suites on the property are comprised of a luxury bedroom, a lounge area, a private deck, and your very own private infinity pool.
The villas, on the other hand, have two bedrooms, a kitchenette, and a private deck with a “moon” shower overlooking the lush forest surrounding the property.
Treetop Cabin With Hottub, Southwest France
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What’s better than a tree house? A tree house with a hot tub! This two-bed Treetop Cabin in Southwest France has a private deck area with a hot tub that overlooks the beautiful green fields of the property it is situated on.
As well as having a private hot tub, you also have access to a shared pool area and a small kids’ playground. These additional facilities make it an incredible and unique stay for small families with young children.
Regal Castle Treehouse, France
viaGlampingHub
Ladies and gentlemen, we present you with the breathtaking Regal Castle Treehouse that is just waiting for you to live out all your prince and princess dreams.
But no, seriously, this treehouse is incredible. So, gather up your kids and head to Dienné, France, to spend the weekend up in the trees in your very own castle. Not only does the treehouse castle sleep ten guests, but the owners also built it on an Environmental Amusement Park with alpine canopies, treetop zip lines, outdoor swimming pools, and a miniature golf course.
Arctic Treehouse Hotel, Finland
viaArcticTreehouseHotel
What better way to wake up in the morning than opening the windows and taking in the incredible Finnish snow-capped pine trees? If that sounds heavenly, you can experience exactly that at the Arctic Treehouse Hotel .
The rooms at the hotel come in a range of variations. Some have only a bed and seating area, while others offer an additional kitchenette. But, whichever room type you choose, you’re guaranteed one-of-a-kind views from the giant window at the foot of your bed.
Treehouse Hideaway, England
viaGlampingHub
We’ve snuck in another rental which you may or may not class as a treehouse. This getaway treehouse up on stilts can sleep up to six people and has a large open dining and living area and a small kitchen.
From the outside, this treehouse is breathtaking and has a wide porch that wraps around the entire house to give you uninterrupted views of the Wiltshire countryside. The owners of the Treehouse Hideaway designed it with internal wood furnishings and sculpted a tree of lights that runs through the center of the dining table to make you feel even more like you’re living up in the trees.
Lion Sands Treehouses, South Africa
viaandBeyond
The Lion Sands Game Reserve is home to four lodges and three magnificent treehouses that put you right out in the middle of the reserve. The Lion Sands Treehouses , Chalkley, Kingston, and Tinyeleti have open bedrooms and a large deck dining area where you can kick back, relax, and enjoy your downtime taking in the plant and wildlife surrounding you.
And don’t worry, the beds are covered with a mosquito net. So fingers crossed, that’s one animal you won’t encounter on your treetop getaway.
Hanging Treehouse, Sweden
viaGlampingHub
Quite possibly, the most unique treehouse on our list today is the Hanging Treehouse in Sweden. In some ways, this treehouse reminds us of a UFO. So, if you’ve ever dreamt of staying in a treehouse AND being abducted by aliens, you can live out both those fantasies at once.
Due to the Hanging Treehouse’s relatively small design, the owners kept the interior reasonably simple. Two adults can comfortably cozy up in the double bed. And if you have a mini glamper with you, they can camp out on the fold-out twin bed.
However, the best part of the treehouse is the wood-burning fireplace and the underfloor heating. Both elements keep you toasty and warm even throughout Sweden’s winter months.
Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, Tanzania
viaJourneysByDesign
The Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is home to nine stilted treehouse suites that give guests a true wilderness experience. Builders crafted the treehouses from local timber and makuti palm fronds. This construction blends them into the surrounding trees to create a level of intimacy and romance.
Each treehouse has a large bed, an elegant seating area, a full bathtub bathroom, and a balcony with chairs that puts you right out in nature. As the lodge is on a national park, you can head out on extraordinary safaris to witness the incredible animals that also call Lake Manyara home.
Bangkok Treehouse, Thailand
viaUniqhotels
The final treehouse rental to make our list is the Bangkok Treehouse in Thailand. The owners of Bangkok Treehouse must have heard that saying “less is more.” They took the most simple treehouse imaginable and turned it into an incredible experience mixed in with the trees.
Each room, we should say, has a double bed with a mosquito net. They also have a surrounding balcony that makes the perfect place to watch the sunset and rise. Considering you have no walls to block out the light, you’re guaranteed to wake up peacefully when the sun does, which is something we think everyone should try at least once in their life.
The property also has outdoor seating areas and rooms that feature walls if camping out under the stars isn’t your thing.
Final Thoughts on Tree House Rentals
If you’re lucky enough to be heading on a getaway, why not stay in a treehouse. It’s a truly unique experience that not many people would even think of, let alone set out to do. And with breathtaking tree house rentals like the ones we’ve mentioned today, you’re bound to have the most unforgettable night’s sleep way up in the trees.
As we wrap up this article today, we’d love to know if you’d be open to staying in a tree house? Also, if you have spent the night up in the trees, what was your favorite part? Let us know in the comment section down below!
