J'AIME October 2017

of something from the 80s family film Flight of the
Navigator. A sudden rush of childhood memories
came flooding back as we gazed up at the hanging
structure. Today’s UFO experience would begin with
a big red button the side of the nearest tree; once
pressed a mechanical ladder would begin to fold
out from its underbelly. Not quite the organic metal
witnessed in the Hollywood film but our own, more
realistic version was equally impressive. Stairs firmly
on the ground, it was time to ascend into the room
from outer space. Inside was a cutely fitted out spacethemed
interior with space for a small family, small
portholes with fun views the surrounding woodland
while cute touches such as a working desk with spacethemed
apparel add to the experience. After a quick
THE BIRDS NEST ALLOWS
VISITORS TO TRULY BE AT
ONE WITH NATURE
look around it was time to get back down to Earth
and watch the mechanical stairs rise once again to
seal shut the house from outer space.
As expected, this was one of the more fun and
conceptual hanging marvels to choose from. Others
which would appeal to the imagination included the
Birds Nest, completed covered in twigs, blending
naturally with the woods.
The Seventh Room is one of two newer hanging
houses, both of which are the only ones to come
with more luxurious comforts, a small kitchen, living
room and more space to accommodate
larger families and groups. Accessed
by conventional stairs, the furnishings
were more reminiscent of modern
Scandinavian style with light wood,
design-led furniture and fun touches
such as a netted outdoor relaxing
area made of strong (thank goodness!)
criss-cross rope often used in modern
children playgrounds. And this Seventh
Room was certainly designed with the
child at heart. You get all the modern comforts plus
the opportunity to lie around and relax outdoors
on this netting next to your bedroom or living area
among the trees to watch the daytime birdlife or
night-time aurora borealis dance, all ten metres up
in the air. A small walkway around the netting (with
glass balcony to offer safety) allows you to experience
the views for those a little more faint-hearted.
We continued exploring and discovered the sauna
block, home also to the traditional shower facilities
for those houses without showers of their own. There
was also the Mirror Cube, which is understandably
the most photographed of all the houses, perfectly
positioned to reflect images of the trees around it.
After wandering through the silent woods, it was
time to enter our own home for the night.
We had been allocated the Blue Cone,
which is actually red. Apparently, they had
intended it to be blue but it looked better in
red, so they stuck with the colour, but also
stuck with the original name. Considering
the location and surrounding of other
quirky constructions we didn’t question
this; instead we ventured up the ramp (this
one is wheelchair accessible), turned the key
and wow; we were home.
One of the less conceptual, more homely
houses, the Blue Cone offers a modern
whitewashed Swedish interior, with a fun
mezzanine for little ones who can look
up to the natural outdoors through their
skylight. A huge square picture window
offers direct views from the master bed
which is built into a cosy nook, with two comfortable
design chairs sitting either side offering another way
to witness the superb scenery. While less unique, the
Blue Cone was just what we needed after a few crazy
days at the Ice Hotel. It was so comfortable, homely
and relaxing that I could have drifted off there and
then with the Swedish forests beyond to keep me
company. Instead was time to head for dinner.
The pensionat has a main dining area plus a few
smaller rooms, which is where we sat for a lovely
private dining experience. Starting with a tasty dish
THE SEVENTH ROOM IS
THE LATEST ADDITION TO
THE TREE HOTEL
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