If you grew up with the luxury of a backyard, then you were likely a kid who dreamed of having a treehouse that you could climb into and camp out in overnight. Yet, the reality is that even those with backyards were never afforded their childhood dream of building a treehouse. Nevertheless, no matter how old you are now, it’s not too late to satisfy your adventurous spirit. And that's because treehouses have been built around the world for visitors to enjoy staying in for an extended period of time. From the craggy shores of Jamaica at Tensing Pen to the treehouses only accessible via zip-line at the Gibbon Experience in Laos, eco-luxe tree-dwelling accommodations span many different continents. For some, staying in a treehouse is about the tranquility that comes from hearing the beautiful cacophony of the rainforest (such as the distinct calls of the howler monkeys in at the Nature Observatorio in Costa Rica); or maybe you prefer to pair upscale amenities with your high-flying stay, like a massage at Connecticut’s Winvian Farm’s sprawling spa. Below, AD surveys treehouses from around the globe—ones in which you can literally go out on a limb on during your next vacation.
Treehouse Suites (Chewton Glen, U.K.)
Within the New Forest National Park in Chewton Glen, the Treehouse Suites are suspended 35 feet above ground and offer room service with a curated dining experience, served in a picnic basket–style hamper—take the foraged jams and honey from the hotel grounds. While you eat, feel free to soak up the sunlight and canopy views by way of the suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows. The property is also well-stocked in amenities, which include a nine-hole par three golf course, croquet lawn, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, and a spa on the grounds. chewtonglen.com
Tensing Pen (Negril, Jamaica)
In a private cove in Jamaica, Tensing Pen offers four treehouses, called “The Pillars.” Each suite is made from hand-carved wood, thatch, bamboo, and stone, mounted high off the ground with views of Negril’s cliffs and turquoise waters. In addition to the treetop bungalows, there is open-air dining, a pool, ocean swimming, and cliff diving. Continental breakfast is served daily in the main dining house and includes local menus: tropical fruit, Blue Mountain coffee, cereals, toast, and local jams. tensingpen.com
Nature Observatorio (Manzanillo, Costa Rica)
Built for the adventurous traveler, you reach the Nature Observatorio treehouse following a guided hike through the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Located 82 feet above the ground, the two-story treehouse accessible only by rope is equipped with hammocks, beanbags, an eco-toilet, and a glass shower. The eco-luxe property operates with rainwater and solar power, and the terrace views of the canopy give way to spotting wildlife like toucans, monkeys, and sloths. natureobservatorio.com
The Gibbon Experience (Bokeo, Laos)
The Bokeo Forest in Laos is home to some of the world’s highest treehouses, of which The Gibbon Experience has seven—all of which are accessed via zip-line. Guests trek through the forest and then climb and brave a zip-line in order to stay in a new treehouse each night. The architectural diversity of the treehouses can been seen in the type of tree they are made on: take the giant strangler fig that is suspended on rope wires and set on wooden consoles with Geodesic polyhedron laid in the fork. Hungry? Food is brought in via zip-line as you move to a new treehouse each night. gibbonexperience.org
Skamania Lodge (Stevenson, Washington)
Located 45 miles east of Portland, Oregon, and nestled in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Skamania Lodge is an all-season, 175-acre mountain resort. The property's 20-foot-high treehouses were designed by Seattle-based architecture firm MG2. They fashioned the treehouses with a rustic energy: take the fireplace for cozy nights, king bed, and a nook double bed with a curtain that can separate the two. Portland-based Ankrom Moisan included custom-made hand-tufted wool rugs, and beds and nooks with custom-made Pendleton blankets. The tile in the bathrooms is a dark stone reminiscent of lava, while oak wood floors extend behind the headboard of the beds. Take advantage of the on-site Waterleaf Spa, hiking trails, and the 18-hole Skamania Lodge Golf Course. destinationhotels.com
Inkaterra Canopy Treehouse (near Puerto Maldonado, Peru)
Located deep in the Peruvian Amazon, the Canopy Treehouse at Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is an eco-luxury lodge located in front of the Madre de Dios River adjacent to the Tambopata National Reserve in Peru. Built on a private platform 85 feet high, you trek over the canopy walkway (a suspended bridge) and enter luxe accommodations equipped with two beds, windows with removable mosquito netting, and a drop-leaf table with wooden folding chairs. See Amazonian wildlife through the binoculars provided in-room and order food by way of a 24-hour canopy butler. inkaterra.com
Winvian Farm (Litchfield Hills, Connecticut)
Set on 113 acres of forest just two hours north of New York City, Winivan Farm features the Treehouse Cottage, a two-story structure suspended 35 feet in the air, boasting two fireplaces, a bedroom, sitting area, and wet bar on the second floor. The Connecticut-based property has menu items that change almost daily and feature ingredients fresh from the three-acre farm on-site. Take advantage of the 5,000-square-foot spa; hike the adjacent 5,000-acre White Memorial Conservation; and canoe and kayak on nearby Bantam Lake. An onsite pool overlooking the gardens is open from spring through autumn. winvian.com