If you were lucky enough to have a tree house in your backyard growing up, you remember the sublime feeling of being one with nature and feeling rather like a wild thing yourself, perched in a new habitat. My childhood home bordered a forest a few feet up a steep hill behind our house, and our tree house was situated at the forest line, my birds eye view border between civilization and wilderness wanderings, between reality and imagination, the limbo edge of the known world and seasonally shifting natural discoveries.
One of the reasons I love my Brooklyn apartment is because it reminds me of a tree house actually. My fifth floor windows face a charming little city park, and my views are filled with treetops and the ever-changing sky. As I work from home, I enjoy glancing up and noticing how the light and clouds are different moment by moment. I've grown aware of wind and humidity by looking across the street at all the leaves, which have reflected the passing of many seasons here for me.
Did you know you can relive your childhood tree house memories in grown-up style? Or perhaps it'll be your first time experiencing this soaring freedom as you check into a luxury tree house property. Yes, these exist! There are many around the world, and I've listed three domestic US and Mexico ones below so you won't have to travel far - to get up high. When you book via Nine Muses Travel you also gain access to exclusive perks and amenities like complimentary daily breakfast, WiFi, opportunity to upgrade and check in early/late (subject to availability), plus generous credits during your stay!
Whether they recapture the enchantment of childhood fantasy or fulfill an elemental desire to return to nature, tree houses have taken root in luxury travel. Appointed with plush furnishings and perks such as butler service and private chefs, these accommodations reward with a singular sense of removal without having to rough it. But the health benefits of retreating to nature go beyond simply taking you to your happy place: Studies have unearthed a number of physical boons too. Get well soon with these natural cures for the common hotel stay.
Winvian Farm | Morris, Connecticut
Travelers flock to Winvian Farm to experience its 18 whimsical cottages, ranging from the Library (home to a book-lined, wraparound mezzanine) to the nature lover’s choice: the 780-square-foot Tree- house, stilted 35 feet above the ground. There are plenty of ways to stay active at this 113-acre estate, from biking to canoeing the Bantam River. However, it’s Winvian’s commitment to using ultra-seasonal ingredients that serves as the most impressive health highlight. With its three greenhouses and three acres of organic gardens, guests needn’t look far to witness the seed-to-table circle at this Relais & Châteaux property.
Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita | Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
While Japanese shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, has become a popular way to sample nature’s restorative powers, water also boasts serious healing properties. Studies show that exposure to ocean water and air, for instance, positively impacts the nervous system, lung health, and skin. At the 13-room Imanta Resorts Punta de Mita, the three-story, butler-serviced Tree House – perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific and ensconced by lush jungle foliage – offers the best of both worlds. Be sure to take a deep cleansing breath on the expansive wood terraces wrapping around this private villa, which is punctuated by a thatched rooftop. Another watery retreat can be found just beyond the villa’s doorstep: A waterfall cascades into the Tree House’s trio of private freshwater pools – two of which are temperature controlled.
Primland | Meadows of Dan, Virginia
Conservationists can rest easy in the Cooper’s Hawk Tree House, one of three lofted lodgings at the eco-conscious Primland resort. Built around a tangle of old-growth branches, the cedarwood cabin soars 1,300 feet above the Dan River, offering bird’s-eye views of the Kibler Valley. Despite its opulent interiors fitted with Frette linens and Bulgari bath products, attention gives way to the 564-square-foot deck, where guests can dine alfresco. The 51-room LEED-certified resort goes to great lengths to honor and protect the environment: Elements restaurant features local, sustainable ingredients; rooftops at the lodge are made from recycled tires; and bio filters are in place to help protect the native trout population. Even the Donald Steel-designed golf course collects rain runoff for irrigation and is Audubon certified. Personal health is easily heeded here, too, with hiking, biking, and horseback rides along trails snaking through the 12,000 acres of private land. Test your outdoor acumen with some geocaching or creatively alleviate stress with fly-fishing, sport shooting, or even tomahawk throwing.
Contact me when you're ready for a natural high!