About a month ago, my inbox was suddenly filled with links to a new hotel in Sweden.  Usually, I could care less.  When I travel, I travel cheap. I have few requirements in a hotel room other than a bed.  And no bats or cockroaches.  After a fateful trip in Australia in which both were involved in two separate hotels, I have become a bit pickier.

Tree Hotel under construcction by Sixten Brandt

But this was no ordinary hotel.  And each e-mail had the exact same link.  And now I have a new place to visit, the Tree Hotel, just south of the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden (click on the link for some amazing pictures. You’ll have to trust me on this one).  Three years of living in Sweden, and I never made farther north than a winter day in Östersund and a summer day in Järvsö (strangely, both involved Midsummer Poles).  But never to the Arctic Circle.  I will. Someday.

Östersund Midsummer maypole in Winter

And when I do, I will have plenty of accommodation options from which to choose. There is, of course, the Right of Public Access in Sweden and so a tent is always a good idea.  But northern Sweden has become known for unique hotel solutions.  There is the Icehotel near Kiruna.  Constructed out of ice.  And now, the Treehotel.  Constructed in the trees.

Suite at Ice Hotel near Kiruna, Sweden by bjaglin

Their philosophy starts with a question: “Why not create a comfortable, well designed hotel which allows visitors to live in harmony with nature amongst the trees?” and ends with rooms shaped like a bird’s nest and a mirrored cube allowing nature to be reflected right off the room itself.  It also ends with you forking over at least 3500 SEK for two people to stay in one of the rooms.

Is it worth it? I don’t know. Is it one of the best places to visit in Europe? I have no idea.  But I know when I do my travel planning, it will be high on the list.

More Tips for Things to Do in Sweden

We’ve lots more travel tips for what to do in Sweden.