Best treehouse stays in the world

Social distancing? Check. Digital detox? Check. Rosie Fitzmaurice goes down to the woods to find the best canopy cabins

Want to get away from it all? Sleep beneath the stars in a tree-top hideaway.

Whether it’s the healing energy of the boughs themselves, the rustling of the leaves or simply waking up with your head in the clouds, getting high is a sure-fire way to zen.

These are our pick of the best treetop retreats.

The city escape

Don’t want to stray too far from the city? Hoots Treehouse is a romantic bolthole that is hidden away in its own wood in East Sussex — yet is just a 45-minute drive south of the M25. The charming cedar wood-clad nest overlooks a pond and has a decked balcony, perfect for evening BBQs and admiring the surrounding wildlife. Inside there’s a wood-burner and fully equipped kitchenette making it just as practical for a family. Arrive in time for tea and Lucinda will greet you with homemade cake.

Sleeps: 2 adults and 2 children

Price: from £220 /two nights

Hoots Treehouse in East Sussex

The countryside retreat

Like the sound of a free-standing copper bath, private wood-fired pizza oven, rooftop sauna, hot tub and open-air tree shower? For a truly luxurious retreat, head to the Woodsman’s Treehouse, perched among the branches of oak trees in Dorset. Pack your wellies and pick up pizza dough from the honesty shop, which is well-stocked with other essentials like wine, cider and champagne. There’s a slide to take you from the deck down to the woods. For anyone wishing to venture outside, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen and Mark Hix’s Oyster & Fish House are a short drive away, as is the stunning Jurassic Coast.

Sleeps: 2 (adults only)

Price: from £990/two nights

Woodsman's Treehouse in Dorset

The Highlands hideout

Couples wanting to switch off from it all should book into one of the romantic Glenshee treehouses on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Surrounded by the mountains, forests and moorland of the dramatic Perthshire landscape, the luxury hilltop hideouts have smart tartan interiors and each has its own private hot tub, free-standing bath and super king bed. History buffs can visit the many nearby castles, of which Balmoral is one.

Sleeps: 2 (adults only)

Price: from £565/ three nights

Glenshee Treehouses in Cairngorms National Park

The wine lovers’ jaunt

Check in to the charming shabby chic at the Aroma(n)tica Treehouse in Monferrato, an important Italian wine district an hour’s drive from Milan. Surrounded by rolling hills, and vineyards, it’s a perfect base for exploring the local wine cellars. In between walks and bike rides, cool off in the large pool before enjoying the local tipple on the nest’s private veranda. Breakfast is included and comes with a 5-star rating.

Sleeps: 2

Price: from £126/ night

The slice of Nordic wilderness

Two hours from Oslo are the magical Pan Treetop cabins in Finnskogen. The triangular black cabins, inspired by the Moomins, sit on stilts above a forest in a nature reserve. Accessed via a winding staircase, each has three separate sleeping quarters, fireplace, BBQ and patio. Guests can enjoy burning sunsets over the lake in summer and snowy scenes in winter. Bikes, canoes and snowshoes are all available to rent.

Sleeps: 6

Price: from £330/night

Kathy and Bernie's Rainforest Treehouse in Costa Rica

The far-flung fix

Once you’re ready to go long-haul again, live out your childhood dreams in a treetop lodge in the Costa Rican jungle. Wake to the sound of howler monkeys at Kathy and Bernie’s Rainforest Treehouse at the Bio Thermales Hot Springs, three hours north of San Jose by car. The handcrafted hut and wraparound balcony make for an extraordinary bird watching spot. Adrenaline junkies should head to nearby La Fortuna for zip lining and whitewater rafting or take a hike through the Arenal Volcano National Park (both are under an hour’s drive away). For now, save to your Airbnb wishlist.

Sleeps: 4

Price: from £96/night

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