Treehotel in Harads, Swedish Lapland, is one of the most famous design hotels in the world: eight extraordinary rooms suspended high in a pine forest, each created by a different leading Scandinavian architect. A mirrored cube that reflects the trees around it, a giant bird's nest, a UFO and a cluster of bird boxes are just some of the rooms that have made this small village near the Arctic Circle a place of pilgrimage for design lovers.
Treehotel in Harads, Swedish Lapland, is one of the most famous design hotels in the world: eight extraordinary rooms suspended high in a pine forest, each created by a different leading Scandinavian architect. A mirrored cube that reflects the trees around it, a giant bird's nest, a UFO and a cluster of bird boxes are just some of the rooms that have made this small village near the Arctic Circle a place of pilgrimage for design lovers.
Location: Harads, Swedish Lapland
Treehotel lies in the village of Harads, in the Lule River valley in Swedish Lapland, a little south of the Arctic Circle. The surrounding landscape is boreal forest, rivers and lakes, with long, snowy winters and bright summer nights. Luleå Airport, with flights from Stockholm, is around an hour's drive away.
Harads is also home to Arctic Bath, the floating spa hotel in our collection, a short drive away, making it easy to combine both in one trip.
The idea for the hotel grew from Britta's Pensionat, a small guesthouse in the village, and from a film, The Tree Lover by Jonas Selberg Augustsén, about the human connection with trees. Founders Kent and Britta Lindvall invited architects to design rooms in the forest behind the village, and the first treerooms opened in 2010.
Rooms and suites at Treehotel
There are eight treerooms, each suspended between four and ten metres above the forest floor and reached by walkways or bridges. The Mirrorcube, by Tham & Videgård, is a four-metre box clad in mirrored glass that reflects the forest, nearly disappearing into it. The Bird's Nest, by Inredningsgruppen, is wrapped in branches; the UFO, by the same team, looks like a landed flying saucer and sleeps a family. The Cabin, by Cyrén & Cyrén, is a capsule with a terrace; the Blue Cone and the Dragonfly offer more space for families and groups.
The 7th Room, by Snøhetta, has a net terrace suspended over the forest floor and large windows looking across the Lule River valley, and the newest, the Biosphere, by Bjarke Ingels Group, is wrapped in hundreds of bird boxes and has its own sauna.
Despite their extraordinary designs, the rooms are comfortable and warm, with heating, beds and windows angled to frame the forest. Some have bathrooms built in, while others use the shared facilities nearby, so check the details of each room when booking.
Facilities at Treehotel
The hotel began at Britta's Pensionat, the original guesthouse in the village, which still serves as reception, lounge and restaurant, with buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner built around local and seasonal produce. Meals can also be delivered to your treeroom on request.
The Forest Sauna, a short walk through the trees, has two saunas, a hot tub, a relaxation area and showers, ideal after a cold day outdoors. Activities are arranged locally through the seasons: snowmobile and dog-sled tours, ice fishing and Northern Lights photography in winter; fishing, kayaking and hiking in summer.
Harads is a small, quiet village, and much of the pleasure of a stay here comes from slowing down: walking the forest trails, visiting the nearby Storforsen rapids, one of the largest in Europe, or simply sitting in your treeroom with a book as the light changes over the forest.
The mountain moment
The defining moment is a clear winter night in a treeroom, looking out through the glass at the snowy pines as green ribbons of aurora ripple across the sky. In the UFO, a round skylight frames the night sky; from the 7th Room, you can lie on the net terrace above the forest floor and watch the lights directly overhead.
In summer, the midnight sun barely sets, and the forest glows gold well into the night.
Why Treehotel is one of the best mountain hotels
Treehotel earns its place because it is one of the most original and influential hotels of its era, a showcase for contemporary Scandinavian architecture in a wild northern landscape. It is not a mountain hotel in the strict sense, and the rooms are small and expensive. But its design, its setting and its unique sense of adventure make it a bucket-list stay, and the perfect partner to Arctic Bath next door.
When to go to Treehotel
Treehotel is open year-round. Winter, from December to March, brings snow, frozen rivers and the best chance of the Northern Lights, which are generally seen from September to March. Midsummer, around June and July, brings the midnight sun and long, light evenings. Autumn offers colourful forests and early aurora, and spring brings bright, snowy days. With only eight rooms, book well ahead.
Questions, answered
- How many rooms does Treehotel have?
- Eight treerooms, each designed by a different architect, including the Mirrorcube, Bird's Nest, UFO, Cabin, Blue Cone, Dragonfly, 7th Room and Biosphere.
- Can you see the Northern Lights at Treehotel?
- Yes. From around September to March, the aurora is often visible over the forest, and several rooms, including the 7th Room and UFO, are designed for watching the sky.
- How do you get to Treehotel?
- Fly to Luleå, which has flights from Stockholm. Harads is around an hour's drive from the airport.
