From forest floor to fjord views, Woodnest Treehouses in Odda, Norway, delivers on a promise: a stay where design, nature, and romance meet. The story behind it is straight out of a movie. A shy Norwegian man once vowed he’d build a treehouse to propose to the woman he loved — and he did. She said yes, of course. And together, Sally and Kjartan turned that love‑nest idea into a boutique treehouse retreat open for others to share the magic.
The trick, they decided, was to make it feel wondrous but real — not gimmicky. So they turned to Norwegian architects Helen & Hard, who designed the treehouses to float gently above the ground, attached via steel collars to living pine trunks. The idea is subtle integration. If you wander up the boardwalk toward your nest, it doesn’t feel like you’re walking toward a showpiece. You’re walking up into the forest.
There are four treehouses in total: two Originals and two Mountaintops. The Originals sit lower and allow a bit more flexibility (they can host up to four), while the Mountaintops push higher, with more epic views and more singular, intimate performance.
Inside, things are intentional but warm. You’ll find large windows, so much that the forest seems to drift in. Underfloor heating, a kitchenette with induction plates, a little fridge, basic cookware — yes, guests are expected to do a bit of cooking sometimes. Bathrooms and showers are inside. You don’t have to leave your nest to handle … well, you know. Cozy beds, local touches, views that make you hold your breath: it all adds up.
Reaching your treehouse is part of the ritual. You’ll hike up a trail through forest — expect 20 to 45 minutes depending on conditions and how much gear you carry. The path is steep in parts; steps are made from wood and steel, and when it rains, things can get slick. But arriving — you’ll remember that walk.
What do you do once you’re up there? A lot of nothing. And a bit of everything. Sip coffee on your terrace as clouds drift through the valley. Watch fjord and peak kiss at dusk. In summer, bird calls drift in. In winter, snow becomes sound-absorber, and light changes hour by hour. If you want adventure, Trolltunga is only a drive away. Odda’s trails, waterfalls, glaciers — all within reach.
It’s not perfect. You may hear tree creaks. The height might unsettify you at first. And yes — there’s a zinc smelter on the fjord you might spot in the distance, though many guests say it doesn’t ruin things. But those quirks make it human. They remind you things are alive, changing.
Rates begin around €260 per night, depending on season and which nest you pick. It’s a premium stay — yes — but not just for comfort. It’s paying for a perspective shift. For nights where all you want is glass walls, loamy forest scent, and that thrilling tilt between earth and sky.
If you've wondered whether treehouses are just children’s fantasies or real adult escapes: Woodnest argues the latter. Climb up, lean on your railing, let silence settle. You might just remember how extraordinary it feels to sleep in a forest that cares about you.
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