There is something innately nostalgic about sleeping in a tree house. In some ways it fulfills the dream of flying with the birds . . . you may not have wings to soar beside them, but you can make your nest amongst them.
If you were one of the lucky kids in the neighborhood to have a homemade house high above the ground, unreachable to less agile adults, your untouchable escape was the envy of all your friends. A hand painted “No Trespassing” sign likely hung from a string at the base of the tree and a knotted rope or wood slat steps permitted your exclusive friends entry into your retreat in the trees. After school and on weekends you and your friends scrounged boxes of animal crackers and soda pop from your mother’s pantry and hoisted your sweet treats through the leaves and into your skyward haven. Stories were told, secrets revealed, and memories made during those whimsical unsupervised hours.
Back then we felt the need to commune with nature in our own private hideaways for different reasons than we may today. Before stress was a word in our vocabulary, we sought asylum as an expression of our individuality, to seal sacred bonds with friends, and to avoid homework. Now that we are all grown up, we are sometimes forced to succumb to the stresses that daily adult life brings. Of course, the idea of escaping to a rustic little tree house sounds great on paper, but, in reality, who really wants to climb up a rickety ladder and settle onto a pile of old mattresses and pillows after a hard day at work? Personally, I like the idea of roughing it, but prefer Frette linens . . . or at least a real mattress. In response to this desire, a myriad of resorts have come up with the perfect combination of tree house wistfulness and resort-style comfort in the creation of luxury tree house suites, allowing you to experience both worlds in one.
David Greenberg, who conceptualized, created, and runs the Treehouses of Hawaii in Hana, Maui, caters to clientele who want to live out their childhood fantasy of having a tree house retreat. “Tree houses are an international fantasy. People of all ages, but women in particular, are lured by their feelings of being embraced by the limbs of a big tree. For them, it is not only a magical, but also a spiritual and sensual experience. A woman can look at a tree and feel the love of nature embracing her, while she simultaneously feels at one with Mother Nature.”
Treehouses of Hawaii, Hana, Maui
Hawaii intrinsically elicits a sentiment of escape. With its warm water, coconut tree-lined beaches, and plumeria leis, there is little that this quintessential haven could improve upon. Yet somehow Greenberg did just that by creating tree houses. Greenberg, an architect and urban designer who completed his graduate work at UCLA, designed a cluster of tree houses in the magical town of Hana seven years ago. Today, a brief stay on the wait list can promise you a room in one of three tree houses. When the gentle wind kicks in, your senses will become overwhelmed by the subtle scents emanating from the flower farm below. From your above-ground abode, encircled by a bevy of kukui nut, African tulip, and guava trees, watch for the occasional whale meandering by in the ocean.
Contact (808) 248-7241 or visit www.treehousesofhawaii.com
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
Celebrities who seek serenity often escape to this luxury resort nestled on the bluffs above the Pacific Ocean. While the ocean houses, which clasp the side of the cliff, are rarely vacant, the tree houses that mingle amongst the boughs of the redwood trees are the true draw. A Lexus SUV shuttles guests to their doorstep or, in the case of the tree houses, to the base of their wood slat stairs. Once nestled in your Frette-fortified fort, with unadulterated views of the ocean on one side and the tops of seemingly millions of trees on the other, you will feel as though you are communing with nature at its best. Take in the sea or tree-scape from your king-sized bed, with the wood-burning fireplace warming your toes; or steep within your spa tub, while the jets knead the knots out of your back.
Once every inch of stress has released, take a leisurely walk along the winding, tree-lined trail to the Inn’s yoga yurt. Don’t be surprised by the pile of Prada yoga bags, with special cell phone pockets, stashed in the corner of the room, as this won’t be your average sun salutation session. Thankfully, the silence-shattering ring of cell phones is banned from entering the yurt (though you may hear their drone outside). Meditating alongside Hollywood-types, who too seek sanctuary at this posh retreat, brings new definition to “roughing it.”
Contact (800) 527-2200 or visit www.postranchinn.com
Green Magic Nature Resort Tree Houses and Eco-Lodges, Kerala, South India
Poised eighty-six-feet above the verdant rainforest floor are eco-tree houses that evoke memories of unfettered childhood innocence. Though lacking the extravagant trappings of other upscale treetop retreats, the thrill of being hoisted up to the highest boughs by an indigenous cane lift offers an inimitable experience that rivals even the most lavish dwelling.
Tucked within 500 acres of pristine tropics, the eco-friendly abodes, which resemble oversized bird’s nests, offer the ultimate in nature living (without having to pitch a tent). Fresh fruits and vegetables from the on-site organic gardens are seasoned with traditional North Kerala spices, and served forkless on banana leaves for a finger-licking experience.
Contact 0091-484-2381038 or visit www.hotelskerala.com/
Tsala Treetop Lodge, Tsitsikamma, South Africa
Mingling amongst the Yellowwood and Hard Pear trees, within the unspoiled forests along Garden Route of the Western Cape, appears a canopy of glass, wood, stone, and water. A cobblestone road leads guests across a reflection pond and into an enchanted escape filled with elevated adventure (quite literally). Suspended suites complete with a sitting room, wood-burning fireplace, spacious bathroom, private pool, and an observation deck are all embellished with textiles and artwork from local artisans. The suites, perched decks, and rambling wooden pathways hang within the trees above ruins of ancient civilizations.
This luxe resort caters to only twenty guests at a time to ensure superb service and an attentive staff. To further enhance your stress-diffusing experience, in-suite spa treatments can be arranged. Thanks to the chorus of tropical birds, there is no need for musical accompaniment.
Contact + 27 (0)21 448 9612 or visit www.africade.com/
Treehouse Cottages, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Concealed within the woods, yet close enough to town to enjoy the sites, are three log cabin-style tree houses. The warm, inviting feel is reminiscent of a bed and breakfast (though with detached rooms, each over twenty feet from the ground). A cozy fireplace, romantic Jacuzzi tub, full kitchen, and private deck make these hoisted havens perfect for a romantic interlude or revitalizing retreat.
When not spa-ing in your heart-shaped tub for two high up in the trees, stroll along the flower-lined pond below, or take a walk to town, hop on a trolley, and tour the historic streets of Eureka Springs.
Contact (479) 253-8667 or visit www.eureka-net.com/treehouse/
Soneva Fushi Jungle Reserve and Six Senses Spa, Maldives
Welcome to Fantasy Island, where “no news, no shoes” is the motto and understated opulence is the experience. Rendezvous to your remote island via sea plane, before traversing the seaside jungle-canopied paths that ramble through the resort island. This is truly tree house luxury at its grandest. After spending the afternoon on your own private stretch of white sand, retreat to your secluded tree haven. If you have the sudden urge to take a dip, simply get on your slide and plunge into your private crescent-shaped pool beneath you!
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She is best-selling author of three books about happiness, including Find Your Happy and Adventures for Your Soul. She appears regularly as a happiness expert on AM Northwest and Huff Post Live, and was named among the “Top 100 Women to Watch in Wellness” by the Mind Body Green. Shannon's the founder of Playwiththeworld.com, an award-winning self-help and personal development website. She's an author, international life coach, teacher, travel writer and inspirational speaker who left her job in advertising several years ago to follow her heart and become a writer.
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