Lodging: Tree Houses

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Aria� Amazon Towers. Manaus, Brazil.

"The largest treetop hotel in the world. Aria� Amazon Towers is the only hotel complex at tree top level in the Amazon Rainforest. Located thirty five (35) miles or sixty (60) kilometers in a Northwestern direction from Manaus, Brazil, situated on the right bank of the Negro River, part of the National Park of the Negro River and at the beginning of the Anavilhanas Archipelago, the largest fresh water Archipelago in the world."

Cedar Creek Treehouse at Mount Rainier.  Ashford, WA, USA.

"Imagine having your own state park for a weekend, with a clear mountain stream flowing by your cabin -- except that your cabin is 50 feet up in a giant cedar tree
with a view of Mt. Rainier from your bed!

You're living in the tree canopies of a lush temperate rainforest ... you can see for miles ... a great blue heron glides silently over the rushing creek far below ... the sun splashes through a skylight and illuminates a mammoth tree trunk growing straight up through the floor of your kitchen and disappearing through the ceiling!"

Fur 'n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses.  Tarzali, Australia.

"Fur 'n' Feathers Rainforest Tree Houses offer accommodation with a perfect balance of luxury, wilderness and privacy.

Situated only 90 minutes from Cairns in North Queensland, on the Cairns Highlands, and central to all Atherton Tableland attractions.

This 100 acre private wildlife sanctuary with eco-tourism advanced accreditation, offers guests a unique rainforest experience 2,500 ft above sea level, on the Atherton Tableland.

This ancient rare rainforest, with its peaceful river, has never been cleared of its lush vegetation. It is home to a fantastic array of Australian wildlife including cassowaries, wallabies, tree kangaroos, tree frogs, platypus, possums and of course beautiful birds. It is unfenced, and the animals and birds choose to live here. Many actively seek human contact. It is a place where animals certainly outnumber people!

To enter one of the five beautiful crafted pole Tree Houses perched amongst spectacular rainforest on the banks of a river is to go from wilderness to 5 Star Luxury.

Large comfortable lounges, a cool climate in summer, woodfires in winter, private undercover parking, your own washing machine and dryer, IDD telephone, internet jack and television - all combine to provide feelings of relaxed comfort.

(Image shows only a small proportion of the property.)

This rare river-flat rainforest, is privately owned, and is unique, with over 2km of vegetated river as its boundary. Less than 10% of rainforest in North Queensland has survived since European settlement, and most is inaccessible.

No mosquitoes, flies or crocodiles - providing a very comfortable environment to live in."
 

Gathering Light Nature Retreat. Crater Lake, Oregon, USA.

"Unique & unconventional, the retreat is located near Crater Lake in Southern Oregon."  Comment:  Gathering Light Nature Retreat has an assortment of tree houses.  Their Web site has photos, but not much in the way of a text description.

Green Magic Nature Resort, Kerala, India. 

"An award-winning, unique nature resort with tree houses & eco-lodges within 500 acres of pristine tropical rainforest at Vythiri, Kerala. Live under the shadow of the verdant forest amidst the fragrance of a thousand scents, where time moves according to the ancient rhythms.

Access to each of the three Tree houses, 86 feet above ground level is by an indigenous cane lift which works by hydraulic pressure.

Each tree house has double beds with an attached bathroom with flushing toilette, telephone shower, wash basin with running water, carpeted veranda and sit-out. The tree-houses are made of eco-friendly materials. Alternatively you can stay closer to the ground, at one of 6 "eco-lodges".

Here you will learn the art of living in an easy going way, gentle relaxed and care free. Nature has been blissfully preserved, spared of devastating urbanization. Its natural beauty kept intact, its natural springs not polluted. Its emerald forest afire with scented blossoms, a hundred varieties of tree ferns, mosses and flowering plants, flamboyant coloured butterflies and birds.

Come and listen to the heartbeat of tropical rain forests, its rhythms and its many faces - the misty mountain, sparkling waters, gurgling streams, bright sunshine, cool shadows, thundering showers and magical monsoon.

Come and watch the rich bio-diversity of flora and fauna. Feel the incredible harmony of nature whispering across your heart.

Visitors may choose to explore a number of walking trails, each promising a different adventure. These trails are made carefully so as not to disturb the surroundings. The choice is wide from climbing to hiking across places of exceptional beauty observing indigenous fauna or exuberant vegetation.

The abundance of flora and fauna which can be found amidst the landscape is characterised by its great bio-diversity.

As you wander through the forest following its natural pathways, which leads you to charming beauty spots, view points with spectacular view of the valley below. You will be amazed by wonderful indigenous plants which emerges with every step you take and perhaps by the swift flight of birds.

Cuisine

Food is prepared from fruits and vegetables grown in our organic farm without any chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

North Kerala has an ancient and varied cuisine with contrasting tastes, some of which are influenced by Arabic traditions because of the ancient trade links.

Most of the cooking activities can be observed by our guests. The colours and aroma from the kitchen stimulate the senses. The traditional and authentic Kerala delicacies are usually served on banana leaves without forks and this leads to a finger-licking experience."  Comment:  Had I known about the Green Magic Nature Resort when I was traveling in India, it would have been at the top of my must-stay-at lodgings. This is the kind of lodging that nature lovers are looking for, but rarely find.

Parrot Nest Lodge,  Belize, Central America. 

"Parrot Nest is a truly unique tropical experience. Spending the night under a 100� guanacaste tree in a thatched tree house is like nothing else! The lodge is surrounded on three sides by the Mopan River, so a refreshing swim in clear water is never far away and the wildlife of the area abound. Yes, parrots are in great number here, along with hundreds of other types of birds, making this an ideal location for bird watching. Coati, agouti, otter, and the giant iguana are among the many animals which are regular visitors to our beautiful gardens which, though lush and exotic, are virtually mosquito free, a real bonus for those who love the great outdoors - and a good night�s sleep.

Bullet Tree Falls is the last outpost before the great forests to the west, south and north. Though Spanish-speaking, everyone also speaks English. Located just outside the village, Parrot Nest consists of two tree houses, four cabins, and two bathhouses. Children are welcome. Breakfast and dinner are served on the verandah of the main house. Dinners are generous, healthy and fresh, meals for vegetarians are provided on request. Clean drinking water is always available."

Post Ranch Inn. Big Sur, California, USA.

"Nestled on the cliffs of Big Sur, California, the Post Ranch Inn provides the ultimate romantic getaway for those seeking a luxurious escape for a honeymoon, anniversary, or a relaxing vacation. The luxury resort's organic architecture embraces the dramatic beauty of Big Sur's coastline. From here you can explore all that nature has to offer, or take a short drive to the picturesque towns of Monterey and Carmel. Located off Highway One, this Small Luxury hotel member is a sanctuary suited to all your traveling needs. Rooms offer a rustic elegance with luxury and comfort. Relax by the pools; awaken your senses with a massage, spa treatment, or daily yoga classes. Award winning Sierra Mar restaurant offers an awe-inspiring setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean, perfect for a romantic dinner for two."  Comment:  The rooms the views from those rooms at the Post Ranch Inn are absolutely beautiful.  You have do some navigating down through their Web site to see the rooms, but it is worth the effort.  Their Web site is also very attractive and tastefully beautiful.

Sanya Nanshan Treehouse Resort and Beach Club.  South China Sea.

"Treehouses for rent in the South China Sea. In December 2000 Treehouses of Hawaii Inc., in partnership with Sanya Nanshan Industry Dev ltd opened 4 treehouses as vacation rentals, atop and along a sand dune in beautiful old tamarind trees, isolated on a magnificent seemingly never ending virgin beach adjacent to a new 5,000 acre Buddhist and ecological theme park, mainly of lovely temples, pagodas, botanical gardens and untouched nature from the bottom of the sea to the top of Nanshan Mountain."

Treehouses of Hawaii Inc. Maui, Hawaii near Hana. USA.

"You will find a magical, romantic place here, three miles from Hana town. A spectacular ocean view overlooks a flower farm from the jungle treetops!"

Tropical Treehouse.  Rinc�n, Puerto Rico.

Comment:  There was no quotable text at the Tropical Treehouse Web site.  Lots of photos, but, not an overall description.  Based on the photos, this looks like an interesting and unusual lodging that could be lots of fun.