Boreal canopy follies
Suspended walkways lead through the Lapland pine canopy to fantastical architectural cabins overlooking the quiet Lule River valley.
What it’s good at
Gold
Bespoke architectural treehouses include a reflective mirrored glass cube and a sphere clad in 350 birdhouses.
Silver
Suspended pine-canopy cabins overlook the Lule River valley with seasonal Arctic game and cloudberry dining downstairs.
Bronze
A secluded woodland spa facility features an authentic Swedish wood-fired sauna and outdoor hot tubs beneath pines.
Outside the door
In Harads pine forest overlooking the Lule River valley, sixty kilometres south of the Arctic Circle.
What they say
Also in AFAR.
Arguably one of the most distinctive hotels in Sweden, if not Europe, Treehotel has eight one-of-a-kind cabins in Lapland.
The rooms
Individually conceived treehouses range from mirrored glass cubes and suspended flying saucers to a suite wrapped in functional birdhouses.
The spa
Leave the phone upstairs.
Hidden among the trees, the Forest Spa features a traditional Swedish wood-fired sauna and outdoor hot tubs open year-round.
Dogs stay too.
At the table
A five-minute forest walk leads to the 1930s guesthouse, serving hearty Arctic game, local char, and hand-foraged berries.
How it began
Inspired by the documentary film The Tree Lover, local founders created the retreat in 2010 as an architectural forest experiment.
Somewhere apart
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Set just south of the Arctic Circle, the surrounding pine woods offer midnight sun paddling and winter dog-sledding expeditions.
Good to know
Stay here
Tree Hotel
Choose your dates to see every room and rate, and book in a few steps.
Harads
More like this
Arctic Bath
“Floating timber outpost”
The app
This is one hotel. The app has every one we rate.
Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
Outside the door
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.