World's best treehouses

March 17th, 2025

read time 3 minutes

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the glories of spring

On Saturday, I sat down to write to you, and the phone rang.

It was Helen, wondering if I’d like to go for a short walk. Writing could wait—of course I did.

We took Lucas and Ezra, our little boys who'd battled the flu all week but were finally on the mend, and ventured out together.

Strolling down the winding, tree-sheltered driveway, I soaked in the cool breeze. The gray, dormant trees had just begun to show their courage and unfurl tiny emerald buds. Birds sang from every branch it seemed, celebrating winter's retreat.

In the orchard, the fruit trees are blooming. Deep purples, delicate pinks, and rosy reds—their fragrance and colors almost intoxicating, though fleeting.

A perfect Spring day.

“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” — Mary Davis

Don't ever take this for granted, I reminded myself.

While all of nature's gifts inspire wonder, trees hold a special spot in my heart. All shapes, sizes, and colors.

a journey through tree-inspired hospitality

Judging by your responses, last week’s love letter to trees struck a chord. I’m not the only one:)

As promised, here's my carefully curated collection of favorite treehouses and tree-inspired stays. I've arranged them from traditional to innovative, grounded to elevated, domestic to wild.

Disclaimer: This list emerges from personal passion, not exhaustive research. I'm no doubt leaving excellent examples out. But after years of collecting, plus several hours putting this together on Saturday, these ones capture my imagination best.

Let's begin where trees bear fruit... orchards and farms!

La Donaira – Andalusia, Spain

A boutique eco-retreat set within a 1,700-acre biodynamic farm, surrounded by orchards, vineyards, oaks, and olive groves. Guests stay in rustic-luxury suites, ride Andalusian horses, and enjoy farm-fresh, organic meals.

Son Brull – Mallorca, Spain

An 18th-century monastery turned luxury sanctuary, set amid a working olive, citrus, and almond orchard. Guests can indulge in farm-to-table cuisine, spa treatments infused with local botanicals harvested steps away, and sweeping views of the Mallorcan countryside.

Babylonstoren – South Africa

Longtime readers will recognize this gem. Rooted in history and nature, this Cape Dutch farm estate boasts orchards, vineyards, and ancient oak trees like no other place. Guests enjoy whitewashed cottages shaded by fruit trees, while the farm’s lush gardens supply fresh produce for an authentic farm-to-table experience—an invitation to slow down and live in rhythm with the land.

Moving along from cultivated orchards to wilder woodlands, let's explore architecture that dialogues with trees…

Piaule – Catskills, New York

A collection of twenty minimalist cabins that seem to float among the trees. Crafted from sustainably sourced wood, each cabin features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the surrounding forest into living art, while sheltering you in elegant comfort.

Hapuku Lodge – Kaikōura, New Zealand

A luxury retreat where architecture and trees intertwine. Elevated houses sit among native Manuka groves, crafted from local timber. Guests wake to a panorama of ocean meeting mountain—the forest seamlessly integrated into the experience.

Architects.Holiday – East Sussex, England

A visionary collective creating off-grid forest and farm retreats that feel less like buildings and more like extensions of the landscape.

Chef’s Cabin – Nestled in an orchard and herb garden, featuring a state-of-the-art kitchen for culinary creativity.
Architect’s Cabin – Hidden in an ancient woodland, each detail reflecting the beauty of towering trees.

Musician’s Cabin, Explorer’s Cabin, and Yogi’s Cabin – Each designed in harmony with the forest, complimented by a barn-red sauna tucked along a hidden pathway.

Now we ascend into the branches themselves, from subtle interventions to bold architectural statements…

Tree Dwellers – Cotswolds, England

Another collection of modern treehouses designed with reverences for their living centerpieces, using techniques that allow trees to move and grow naturally while offering an immersive, glass-walled experience that blurs the line between shelter and forest.

Spyglass – Occidental, California

An Artistree masterpiece built around a magnificent redwood that grows through the deck, creating a literal tree house. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame towering giants, while a cedar hot tub and infrared sauna offer a sumptuous communion with Sonoma's redwood cathedral.

Well, I only fit half of my list into this email, but we haven't even made it to my personal favorite, so come back next week for Part 2!

Are you enjoying this exploration? Please let me know! And send me any recs you want to add for consideration.

Thanks for reading, and see you next Monday!

—Isaac

P.S. My friend Mauricio Prieto writes a biweekly roundup of the top 10 travel tech trends called Travel Tech Essentialist. Fast, insightful, and fun to read. Check it out here if interested.

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