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Deep in the forest outside of the Swedish village of Harads is a unique hotel that consists of seven small cabins situated in the trees. Literally—each one is in the trees, as in, these are treehouses, or "treerooms," as their called by the property, which goes by the equally straightforward name of Tree Hotel.
Desipte sitting within the Arctic Circle, Treehotel offers visitors a four-season stay with a variety of activities to pick from like snowmobiling, northern lights viewing, fishing, skiing, and horseback riding, just to name a few. But the real joy of the place is in the loding—this is one hotel where there's no shame in spending all your time in the room. Here's a brief look at each one.
The Mirrorcube
Chances are you've seen this one on Pinterest or Instagram; covered with mirrored-glass walls on all sides of its exterior, the 13x13x13-foot Mirror Cube is straight out of dystopian sci-fi, though it's quite homey inside. The structure's aluminum frame base is supported by a tree trunk that runs through the interior, which is finished with a light plywood. There's room for two with a double bed, a toilet, and a small space for socializing, and there's also a hidden balcony that allows you to be outside without being seen, thanks to all those mirrors.
Rate: $549/night
The Bird’s Nest
The Bird’s Nest takes a different material tact to blend into its surrounding landscape: sticks. This treehouse's exterior is covered in them, and the only outside views are via small porthole windows. The supposed claustrophobia is intentional, as its designers wanted to offer guests a way to completely escape reality. There's room for four inside, with an interior outfitted with a master bed, two bunk beds, a toilet, and a small bench.
Rate: $496/night
The Cabin
The Cabin is a less-experimental treehouse that floats above a sloped hill. It features a 258-square-foot floor plan in a modern design that feels more like a classic hotel room inside with a double bed, a bathroom, and large windows that provide a wide view of the surrounding forest. Above the room, there's a private terrace with outdoor seating and views of the Lule river.
Rate: $560/night
The UFO
The UFO's designers wanted to inspire in guests a child-like imagination, and add a bit of fun to an overnight stay. Designed and built with high-strength composite materials, the UFO is suspended above the ground by wires and beams connected to the trees. A retractable ladder and lower hatch form the entrance—just like in a real UFO—and the space-inspired room features one double bed, three single beds, and small windows.
Rate: $496/night
The Dragonfly
The Dragonfly is the second-largest room offered at Treehotel. The 600-square-foot treehouse has a wooden interior while the outside is all copper, which rusts and changes with the weather. The entrance is made up of a large ramp that leads to a small front patio. Inside, you’ll find two bedrooms with four beds, a bathroom and shower, and breathtaking views of the river valley with windows on all sides.
Rate: $813/night
The Blue Cone
Yes, you read that right, the Blue Cone, despite its exterior (the architect fell in love with this particular shade of red after the name was locked, so the story goes). Anyhow, this treehouse is a traditional design that stands out from the natural landscape with its bright-hued facade. Made entirely of wood, the Blue Cone is Scandinavian to its core; inside you'll find a bright atmosphere with home-style decor and white painted walls. There's a double bed, a loft with two single beds, a bathroom, and a large window that provides spectacular views of the forest.
Rate: $496/night
The 7th Room
As the newest addition to Treehotel, the aptly named 7th Room differs from the other cabins with a bit of elevated luxury. It sits 33-feet above the ground and is 1,076 square feet, and that extra space means it comfortably accommodate up to five guests. A large staircase brings visitors into an open space with modern amenities and panoramic views thanks to large windows. There are two bedrooms split by an outdoor space with hammock netting for lounging between, and indoor amenities include a temperature-controlled fireplace, air conditioning, and an eco-friendly bathroom and shower. The interior is designed with Scandinavian wood and textiles, while the exterior is finished in the Japanese shou sugi ban tradition.
Rate: $1,320/night
Published 03-08-2022
