Deep in the Swedish boreal forest outside Harads, the Blue Cone Treehouse sits among pines as one of Treehotel's most quietly distinctive rooms. Its name promises blue. Its exterior delivers a vivid, saturated red — a deliberate contradiction that stops first-time arrivals in their tracks and makes every photograph feel slightly surreal.
Thomas Sandell designed the Blue Cone with approachability as a central principle. Where some Treehotel cabins announce themselves as architectural spectacles, this one invites you straight in. A gently sloping bridge connects the structure to a neighbouring hillside, making the whole experience step-across-a-gap simple. Three foundations anchor it to the forest floor — no treetops bear its weight — yet the illusion of suspension holds completely. Windows frame canopy rather than trunk, and the floor seems to drift above the ground without effort.
Inside, the mood shifts immediately from bold to calm. Pale birch covers walls, ceiling and floor in one continuous grain. Light arrives softened, filtered through wood and, in winter, bright snow reflection. At 22 square metres the space is compact but works hard: a main room opens into a sleeping loft, a small lounge sits to one side, and the bathroom carries that faintly cedar-cold-air quality that Scandinavian cabins seem to conjure by instinct. The Blue Cone sleeps four guests, though two find it close to ideal — plenty of room to breathe, never enough to feel like a hotel corridor.
From the windows, the Lule River traces a silver line through the valley below. On still mornings, mist lifts straight off the water in slow, unhurried columns. The forest muffles everything else.
Two seasons draw guests here most keenly. Winter — roughly December through March — brings deep snow, temperatures that can drop to around −20°C, the low arctic sun burning the Blue Cone's red shell against white trees, and genuine Northern Lights chances on clear nights. Summer flips the experience entirely: the Midnight Sun keeps the sky bright until well past midnight, temperatures reach the low twenties, and the Lule River opens up for walks and waterside activities. Both seasons feel transformative in different directions, and neither disappoints.
The Blue Cone sits within the wider Treehotel collection, which spreads several architecturally distinct rooms through the same forest. Guests can explore the others — including the reflective Mirrorcube and the hovering UFO — while returning each evening to their own room's particular character. Nightly rates run approximately 7,000–7,500 SEK, reflecting the property's luxury positioning; rates vary by season and availability.
Getting here is straightforward by bus: line 44 stops at the Harads Tree Hotel stop, approximately 68 metres from the property in a straight line, making it the most direct public transport option. Bus lines 44 and 266 also serve Harads Hälsocentral Väg 97, roughly 1.4 km away, offering alternative connections. Public transport line 972 reaches the Harads stop about 1.9 km out. That said, most guests arriving from further afield drive or transfer from Luleå Airport — self-drive remains the practical choice for this remote northern corner of Sweden.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Blue Cone Treehouse, and how does it differ from other rooms at Treehotel?
A: The Blue Cone is one of several architecturally distinct rooms spread through the same boreal forest outside Harads. Designed by Thomas Sandell, it stands out for its approachable, ground-anchored structure and vivid red exterior — a deliberate contrast to its own name. Where some Treehotel rooms prioritise spectacle, the Blue Cone leans toward warmth and accessibility.
Q: How accessible is the Blue Cone, and do guests need to climb a ladder to reach it?
A: No ladder required. A gently sloping bridge connects the cabin directly to a neighbouring hillside, making entry straightforward for most guests. Three foundations anchor the structure to the forest floor rather than to the treetops, so the approach is level and manageable despite the treehouse setting.
Q: What is the general nightly rate for the Blue Cone Treehouse?
A: Nightly rates run approximately 7,000–7,500 SEK, reflecting the property's luxury positioning. Rates vary by season and availability.
Q: When is the best time to visit the Blue Cone?
A: Two seasons draw most guests. Winter (December–March) brings deep snow, chances of Northern Lights on clear nights, and the Blue Cone's red shell glowing against white forest. Summer (June–August) offers the Midnight Sun, warm evenings on the deck, and access to walks and activities along the Lule River. Both experiences feel genuinely different — choose based on whether you want dark-sky drama or long, bright Nordic nights.
Q: How do most guests get to Treehotel in Harads?
A: Many guests arrive by car or via Luleå Airport, as this is a remote northern forest location. Bus line 44 stops at the Harads Tree Hotel stop, approximately 68 metres from the property, making it the most direct public transport option. Check current timetables before you travel, as service frequency in rural northern Sweden is limited.
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