The height of nature: Swedish Treehotel

The whole point is nature. And what better way to reach out than the Harads in Sweden that translates this idea into reality most eloquently; in that it also provides a uniquely-designed housing experience for guests. Quite literally, it is a place where nature, ecological values, comfort and modern design are combined to give its visitors an exciting adventure.

Inspired by the film The Tree Lover (a tale of three men from the city who want to go back to their roots by building a tree house together), the incredibly unique Treehotel offers high-standard accommodation for guests to relax and recharge in unspoiled nature. Set up by Kent and Britta Lindvall along with some of Scandinavia’s leading architects, the unusually-designed seven ‘treehouse rooms’ are suspended four to six meters above the ground, all with spectacular views of the Lule River. They are all accessible by ramp, bridge or electric stairs.

“A very important part of our concept is the incorporation of ecological values and making minimal environmental impact. For this reason, we devote considerable resources to sustainable constructions and energy solutions,” said Kent and Britta Lindvall.

The seven treehouses have been named Mirrorcube, Bird's Nest, The Cabin, 7th Room, The UFO, Dragonfly, and The Blue Cone.

With the stunning backdrop of the Lule River Valley and miles of forestland, this quaint guesthouse takes your breath away with its honest true-to-nature concept and non-conformist experience. The experience starts at Britta’s Pensionat, which was the original guesthouse, where guests can check in before they are lead through the unsullied forest to their tree-rooms. All seven suites have been individually designed by some of the best names in Scandinavian architecture and design. The juxtaposition of modern design with warm hospitality and the raw landscape rings in an instant appreciative sensory reaction.

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The rooms are spartan, almost bare, with minimal fuss and definitely no frills. The Treehotel's unique treehouse rooms have been designed by some of Scandinavia’s leading architects like Sandell Sandberg, Mårten Cyren, Gustav Cyren and Rintala Eggertsson Architects, to name a few. In addition, there is also a treehouse sauna situated among the centuries-old pines with room for up to 12 people!

Each room has its own characteristic design language and is unique in theme and appearance - not only the architecture but also the furniture, lighting and fabrics are custom designed. Like the exteriors, the rooms vary in size between 15 sqm to 30 sqm, with the largest rooms accommodating up to four people.

One of the most heart-warming aspects of the hotel and its operations (as well as the treehouse rooms’ construction) is that it is all environment-friendly to the greatest extent possible, aimed to have minimal impact on nature.

During construction, the tree rooms were built on live trees without destroying the tree or its surrounding parcel of land. An eco-outdoor wood floor, which does not contain any chemical substances, has been used where the wood has been heated to over 200 degrees, to trigger its intrinsic resistance that protects it against destruction. Insulated by underfloor heating, the treehouses enjoy electricity supplied locally from green hydroelectric power.

Each room is fitted with a modern, environmentally friendly combustion toilet where everything is incinerated at 600 °C. The toilets are completely odourless and powered by electricity. Bathrooms have water efficient sinks with running water sufficient for washing hands, face and brushing teeth. All wastewater is collected in a container that is emptied daily. Showers are located in a separate building.

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Despite the extraordinary design aesthetics and the almost unforgiving forest landscape, there is something endearingly childlike in the way Treehotel combines the idea of ’holidaying‘ with design and the natural setting. Not surprisingly, this one also ranks high on the list of must-visit places in Sweden and Europe.

Exotic, in an earthy sort of way, this is one of those places that the child in you will appreciate and enjoy as much as the discerning adult - not to mention the stunning ideas you will gather to recreate some of its magic back home.