To travel — and to do so well — is to move away from the mundane and experience a sense of respite from reality. And there are few places in the world that not only make such a powerful play for this, but do so via almost immediate transformation.
After checking in at Treehotel's historic Swedish guest house, you're instructed to walk along a 500m path through a stacked forest of dense birch trees. It may only be a seven-minute stroll, but it acts as a portal — one transporting you from the banal realities of wi-fi passwords, check-out times and, well, reality, to a truly unique and whimsical world enveloped by nature, escapism and a tangible sense of wonder.
Waiting in the Swedish Lapland forest, hidden among a parade of towering pines, sit eight elevated "treerooms" — each the unique vision of an acclaimed Scandinavian architect, which range in design from bird's nest, to UFO to a sharply squared mirrored cube.
ROAM landed in the latest build — Biosphere. Designed by Danish "starchitect" Bjarke Ingels Group, BIG, and accessed via a 23m-long bridge, the two-storey suspended glass cube is covered in 340 birdhouses — a feature intended to immerse guests in the forest soundscape.
Inside, you'll find many of the trappings you'd expect in a high-end hotel room (minibar, tablet, De'Longhi coffee machine) and many you wouldn't (incinerating toilet, energy-saving eco-shower and a sauna).
On the entry level is a compact, ink-black lounge with striking metal seat suspended over a glass floor. A steep ladder leads to a mezzanine sleeping loft from where another ladder magically descends from the ceiling to provide access to an intimate roof terrace.
Sleeping in Biosphere is both comically impractical (there are no blinds, no bedside lights and navigating the ladder at night is potentially fatal) but also wondrously enchanting. How often do you wake up in a giant transparent birdhouse suspended in a forest?
Activities here range from kayaking on nearby Lule River and hiking and swimming in summer. The pristine Swedish Lapland landscape offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure during the midnight sun season.
Discover hidden waterfalls, pristine lakes, and ancient forests while staying in some of the world's most innovative accommodations. Professional guides offer nature walks that reveal the secrets of the boreal forest ecosystem.
Winter transforms the experience with snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. The frozen landscape creates a magical backdrop for Northern Lights viewing from your elevated treeroom.
Cross-country skiing trails wind through the forest, while guided aurora expeditions maximize your chances of witnessing nature's most spectacular light show from the comfort of your suspended sanctuary.
The guesthouse serves fabulous hyper-seasonal local produce (think reindeer tartare with blueberry wine) that celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Swedish Lapland. Every meal connects you deeper to the local landscape and culture.
There's even a forest spa with a limb-melting sauna and jacuzzi where you can unwind after days of adventure. The spa treatments incorporate traditional Swedish wellness practices with modern luxury, all set within the pristine forest environment.
