15 of the Most Unique Treehouses Around the World for Design Lovers
Treehouses have come a long way from the simple structures made from branches and poles that we used to build as kids in our back yards. These days, they’re all about being bold and modern, like hanging outplaces that mix fantasy with practicality. All over the world, designers are coming up with new ways to live among the trees. They’re creating treehouse escapes that are like sculptures, reflections of culture, and immersive design experiences.
In this list, we’re taking a look at fifteen of the most uniquely designed treehouses ever built – from mirrored cubes in Sweden to bamboo bird’s nests in Thailand, from harbour cranes in the Netherlands to off-grid Nordic pods in the Arctic Circle. Some of them are built on stilts, while others soar high into the pines, but they all stand out in unique ways.
Whether you’re into design, love travelling or just want a unique experience, these treehouses will give you inspiration, amazement and a new outlook – one storey above the forest floor.
1. KOJA Micro Space Tree House – Fiskars, Finland 🇫🇮
Perched against a towering pine near the Finnish village of Fiskars, the KOJA Micro Space Tree House is a marvellous example of minimalist Nordic design, shaped by the 2022 Polestar Design Contest and crafted by Kristian Talvitie. Combining minimalist Nordic aesthetics with environmental empathy, KOJA uses natural materials, such as wool insulation and untreated timber, to minimise its impact on the forest canopy. Inside, the inward-facing layout centres on a cosy bed oriented towards panoramic glass walls, offering gentle views of pine needles and the sky. Despite its compact size, KOJA feels expansive and inviting, encouraging guests to relax, unwind and escape from everyday distractions. It’s not just a place to stay — it’s a micro retreat where design and sustainability converge.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the KOJA Micro Space Tree House here.
2. Hårtwood, Haliburton Highlands, Canada 🇨🇦
Tucked away in 15 acres of protected Ontario forest, Hårtwood comprises three solar-powered cabins designed by Fort Treehouse Co. Each architecturally distinct treehouse balances modern design with rugged charm and is accessible via spiral staircases. With the communal building ‘The Hydda’ offering coffee, a fire and vegan snacks, the retreat embodies both intimacy and sociability. At the heart of the compound sits the Ro Spa, a Nordic sauna and plunge pool located on a waterside platform. The interiors favour smooth timber textures and large glass windows that look out onto the forest. All structures utilise passive solar design and solar electricity. It’s an immersive, off-grid wellness retreat that marries Scandinavian aesthetics with deep calm.
🔗Book any of the three Hårtwood treehouses for a design-led forest escape.
Want to know more? Read our full review of Hårtwood here.
3. De Bossche Kraan – ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands 🇳🇱
This surreal treehouse is housed entirely within a repurposed 12-metre-tall harbour crane in the Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. It slowly rotates on its axis, offering 240° views of the Dieze River, parklands and medieval rooftops. Inside the compact cabin, you will find a cosy double bed, a rainfall-style shower stall, a kitchenette and a bathroom, all encapsulated in glass and reinforced steel. Despite its industrial origins, the interior feels cinematic and serene as the crane gently turns above the water. The juxtaposition of metal and leafy greenery creates a unique blend of city and canopy. It is perfect for couples seeking an urban adventure with artistic flair.
🔗Book your stay at De Bossche Kraan for an escape into the treetops above the Dutch waterways.
Want to know more? Read our full review of De Bossche Kraan here.
4. AirLoft in Stauferstadt, Göppingen, Germany 🇩🇪
Nestled within a serene, tree-draped park just outside Göppingen, the striking modern pod-treehouse hybrid resembles a sculptural spacecraft suspended approximately 13 feet above the ground. Designed to combine minimalist form with immersion in the canopy, the white rounded façade contrasts starkly with the lush greenery, creating a floating light effect. Inside, the compact yet light-filled cabin offers a cosy queen-size bed, a simple kitchenette and a sleek bathroom — minimalist yet thoroughly comfortable. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the leaves, the sky and birdsong at dawn. This calm, meditative setting is ideal for creatives, nature lovers and design-minded couples seeking a peaceful, offbeat escape.
🔗Book your stay at the AirLoft and experience “treetop” tranquillity in Germany.
Want to know more? Read our full review of AirLoft in Staufen here.
5. The Steel House by Robert Bruno, Ransom Canyon, Texas, USA 🇺🇸
This extraordinary sculptural dwelling is perched dramatically atop an escarpment overlooking Ransom Canyon in Texas. Designed by the artist Robert Bruno in 1982, this 110-tonne steel structure features sinuous, Gaudí-inspired curves crafted from welded scrap metal. Inside, sweeping windows frame expansive views of the canyon below, while the three-storey sculptural labyrinth invites exploration and wonder. Built directly into the rock ledge with two spiral staircases and panoramic outlooks, this architectural icon blurs the line between sculpture and shelter, and is far from a traditional treehouse. This immersive experience is ideal for those who seek living art and rugged beauty in the Texas wilderness.
Want to know more? Read our full review of The Steel House by Robert Bruno here.
6. K2 Kudhva Treehouse Cabin – Tintagel, UK 🇬🇧
Nestled on rugged coastal terrain near the historic town of Tintagel in Cornwall, the K2 Kudhva Treehouse Cabin offers a unique blend of eco-friendly design and storytelling. Constructed using reclaimed stone, pine and glass, the cabin sits just metres above the ground, offering sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and the neighbouring woodlands. Inside, a mezzanine bedroom overlooks the main living space, which features natural textures such as stone floors and pine-clad walls foraged from the landscape itself. The compact layout includes a wood-burning stove and floor-to-ceiling glazing, allowing guests to feel deeply connected to the coastal elements while enjoying the utmost comfort. History lovers will enjoy the nearby legendary Tintagel Castle.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the K2 Kudhva Treehouse Cabin here.
7. The Arctic Hideaway – Fleinvær, Norway 🇳🇴
Accessible only by boat from Bodø, the remote retreat of the Arctic Hideaway comprises ten minimalist ‘pods’ perched on rugged islands in the Vestfjorden. Designed by Sverre Løken, the pods boast steep triangular roofs and panoramic windows that frame fjord views and sweeping seascapes. While not high in the trees, these structures hover above deck platforms offering wilderness panoramas and featuring simple wooden interiors. Communal areas include an open-air sauna carved into the rock, a lounge hut, a kitchen and an artist’s studio, encouraging guests to bond over shared meals and the Northern Lights. The concept embodies isolation without isolationism, combining elemental Scandinavian design with deep immersion and community.
🔗Book your stay at The Arctic Hideaway and enjoy a peaceful stay amid Norway’s aurora-filled fjords.
Want to know more? Read our full review of The Arctic Hideaway here.
8. Hangzhou Kaiyuan Senbo TreeHotel, Hangzhou, China 🇨🇳
Forming part of the Kaiyuan Senbo Resort & Spa, the Hangzhou TreeHotel is a collection of elevated rooms nestled within a lush bamboo grove near the picturesque Feilai Peak. Hidden among the dense foliage, each treehouse features traditional Chinese tilework, timber decking and glass-walled lounges offering views of the surrounding greenery. The interiors blend local aesthetics, such as carved panels and ink-grey accents, with modern comforts like tea kettles, plush bedding and resort amenities. Guests can walk to ancient temples, hike through bamboo groves or enjoy a cup of Pu’er tea in tranquil surroundings before returning for massages and cultural performances. The Senbo TreeHotel is a cultural retreat in the treetops, blending anonymity and elegance.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the Hangzhou Kaiyuan Senbo TreeHotel here.
9. The Yellow Treehouse Café – Auckland, New Zealand 🇳🇿
Perched 10 metres above a garden canopy near Warkworth, north of Auckland, the Yellow Treehouse Café is a delightful, playful structure. While it is primarily a café, the pod-shaped wooden cabin also serves as accommodation for overnight guests — compact, quirky and full of charm. The exterior’s cheerful yellow cladding contrasts beautifully with the surrounding greenery, and inside, porthole windows and timber benches create a whimsical, ship-like atmosphere. Guests can enjoy communal meals beneath the trees or cosy overnight stays in a double loft bed. After enjoying breakfast with a view, moss-covered sculptures and forest trails beckon guests to explore. It’s a stay steeped in local colour, creativity and convivial energy.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the Yellow Treehouse Café here.
10. Panhytter (PAN Treetop Cabins), Finnskogen, Norway 🇳🇴
Perched high above the mystical boreal forest of Finnskogen near the Swedish border, Panhytter (formerly PAN Treetop Cabins) is an impressive architectural ensemble comprising two elevated A-frame cabins and a cosy three-person cabin. Designed by Espen Surnevik, the family-owned 40 m² cabins are raised 8 m above the ground to minimise ecological impact, offering breathtaking panoramic views of lakes and old-growth pine. Access is granted via a spiral staircase and an enclosed walkway. Inside, the interiors blend pale pine flooring, minimalist kitchens, wood-burning stoves, underfloor heating and basic 4G internet, making them ideal for a digital detox and deep forest immersion. Awarded for sustainability, they are built to vanish without trace and offer a refreshing pause and serene luxury in the wild heart of Scandinavia.
🔗Book your stay at Panhytter PAN Treetop Cabins for an unforgettable forest retreat in Norway.
Want to know more? Read our full review of Panhytter PAN Treetop Cabins here.
11. Nothofagus Hotel & Spa Treehouse, Villarrica, Chile 🇨🇱
Perched on the edge of Villarrica Lake and Volcano in southern Chile, the treehouse at Nothofagus offers a refined escape suspended in an ancient araucaria forest. This elevated glass-and-wood structure combines indigenous architecture with contemporary comforts, including heated floors, panoramic windows and plush bedding. Guests can enjoy spa treatments on private balconies overlooking the volcano or unwind in the winter garden after a day of kayaking or forest hikes. A particular highlight of your stay could be breakfast served al fresco on a canopy deck, with condors soaring overhead. Nothofagus is a testament to thoughtful design and an immersive location, offering a sense of wilderness luxury and sanctuary.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the Nothofagus Hotel & Spa Treehouse here.
12. Keemala Treehouse Resort, Phuket, Thailand 🇹🇭
Set deep in Phuket’s rainforest hills, Keemala is a whimsical fantasy. Its elevated villas are grouped into four ‘clans’, each inspired by local folklore and craftsmanship. The treehouse-style villas, especially the “Bird’s Nest” and “Clay Pool” categories, feature suspended platforms, curved wooden structures and private plunge pools overlooking the lush canopy. Inside, intimate furnishings, spa-inspired bathrooms and soft lighting further enhance the fairytale atmosphere. The resort prioritises wellness, offering holistic spa treatments, yoga pavilions and communal walks through forest trails. Keemala feels like stepping into a living storybook: lush, serene and artfully curated.
🔗Book your stay at the Keemala Treehouse Resort for a dreamy escape in the treetops of Thailand.
Want to know more? Read our full review of the Keemala Treehouse Resort here.
13. Châteaux dans les Arbres Treehouses – Allier, France 🇫🇷
Hidden in the heart of the Allier region of France, Châteaux dans les Arbres offers adults the chance to experience the wonder of childhood again with its castle-inspired wooden treehouses, which are linked by sky bridges. Each turreted dwelling is crafted from cedar and oak and features spiral staircases, carved chimneys and interiors adorned with velvet lounge chairs and handcrafted chandeliers. Guests can enjoy breakfast in their room and the on-site spa offers massages in the treehouses surrounded by soft shade. At night, the terraces are illuminated by lanterns, and the distant rolling hills provide a tranquil backdrop. This whimsical and luxurious retreat feels both medieval and magical, making it perfect for couples or creative souls seeking enchantment in the forest.
🔗Book your stay at Châteaux dans les Arbres for a fairytale forest retreat in France.
Want to know more? Read our full review of Châteaux dans les Arbres here.
14. Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park Treehouse Pods, Portugal 🇵🇹
Hidden within Portugal’s lush spa park, six sleek treehouse pods perch amongst towering birch and oak trees, providing guests with a minimalist, contemplative retreat. Each pod features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, wooden decking and a heated interior that is seamlessly integrated into the forest. Designed by renowned architects and embedded into the thermal parkland, the pods provide guests with the sensation of floating above the milky natural springs below. Guests have access to thermal baths, guided nature walks and forest cafés that prioritise local gastronomy. Whether you start the day with a misty hike or enjoy the spa’s therapeutic rituals, Pedras Salgadas blends design, wellness and nature together in sophisticated harmony.
🔗Book your stay at the Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park to experience a restful, design-led forest retreat in Portugal.
Want to know more? Read our full review of Pedras Salgadas Spa & Nature Park here.
15. Treehotel, Harads, Sweden 🇸🇪
The Treehotel in Harads brings together three of the world’s most iconic treehouse designs: the Mirrorcube, the UFO and the Bird’s Nest. Each one offers a radically different visual and spatial experience. The Mirrorcube camouflages itself among the pines, the UFO is a sleek, disc-shaped pod offering panoramic forest views, and the Bird’s Nest twists branches into a wooden embrace to create a sculptural nest. The interiors are cosy and contemporary, with natural materials and treetop vistas. Visitors can hike along summer trails or view the Northern Lights in winter. Together, these three treehouses demonstrate how playful design can enhance rather than disrupt a tranquil forest ecosystem.
Want to know more? Read our full review of Treehotel here.
The Takeaway
These uniquely designed treehouses transcend mere novelty; they are a fusion of architecture, storytelling and natural immersion. Whether inspired by local folklore, industrial sculpture or minimalist Scandinavian design, each one transforms living in the treetops into a curated experience. Spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, these treehouses challenge our perception of retreats, offering immersive, beautiful, and intentionally designed spaces. Looking for more inspiration? Browse our favorite design-driven treehouses on Treehouse Map and uncover more one-of-a-kind escapes built for discerning travelers.
