From lofty treehouses to glass-walled lodges, these incredible cabins are sure to inspire that autumnal feeling. Warning: may induce cabin fever.
The one for forest bathing
72 hours is all you need to feel renewed / Image: Jonas Ingman/imagebank.sweden.se
Where The glass-walled 72 Hour Cabins on the private island of Henriksholm, Sweden.
What makes it special Imagine waking up to the glow of the sunrise and falling asleep to silence under the stars – without another soul around for miles. These five cabins on the banks of Lake Ånimmen were designed to help city rats escape the stress of their daily lives in total seclusion, so the lucky ducks who manage to snag a reservation will get the island more or less to themselves for the duration of their stay. They say 72 hours is all you need to reset, but you may never want to re-enter the real world once you shack up here.
Good to know The waters of western Sweden are as clear as can be and perfect for swimming, so pack your bathers.
The one for Shire vibes
But where's Bilbo? / Image: Canopy & Stars
Where Hedgehog Hall in Herefordshire, UK.
What makes it special You’ll find this one-of-a-kind fuselage-shaped cabin – about an hour-and-a-half drive from Bristol – shrouded by thick trees in the pleasant English countryside. Between its verdant surrounds and stout structure, there’s something distinctly Hobbitty about this quiet retreat – though we doubt Bilbo Baggins had access to a private wood-fired hot tub at his pad.
Good to know The nearby village offers local goodies aplenty, like cheese and cider. Stock up and eat your bounty by the campfire – that’s what we’re Tolkein about.
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The one for finally writing that novel
This may be where inspiration strikes
Where Cabanas no Rio, on the secluded beaches of Comporta, about an hour’s drive south of Lisbon, Portugal.
What makes it special These two beautiful but simply finished wooden huts are well off the beaten path – perfect for inspiring a bit of poetic romance. Rest up under the deluxe canopy bed in one, or pull up a chair on the terrace and look out onto the Sado River, laptop on, well, your lap, as you figure out those novel twists and turns. With only nature to distract you, it’s the perfect setting in which to finish that bestseller.
Good to know Pull your fingers away from your keyboard and get them around a pair of binoculars instead – there’s incredible bird- and dolphin-watching nearby.
The one for the amateur sommelier
Drink up the views from your cabin
Where The bold but comfy cabins at Quinta da Pacheca on the Douro river, east of Porto.
What makes it special For oenophiles, this Portuguese retreat is as close as you can get to heaven on Earth – a stay in a giant wine barrel set in 75 hectares of vineyards where some of the finest port and wine in the Douro Valley is produced. The family-owned winery offers tastings of its entire range of vintages, plus olive oil, jam and other regional products.
Good to know The on-site Wine House Restaurant does a fine double act of using local produce in traditional cuisine along with flavour-enhancing wine pairings.
The one for your inner child
These treehouses are more stylish than your average / Image: Coucoo Grands Chênes
Where Cabanes des Grands Chênes, tucked away in the forests of northern France.
What makes it special This sprawling complex of treehouses is perched up to 13m high on hundred-year-old oak trees, like a childhood dream made real. The eco-friendly cabins have been individually designed to blend in with the fauna and flora of the area, so each structure has a different shape – but they all equally inspire that little kid within.
Good to know Guests who book one of the ‘spa’ cabins will have access to a private Nordic bath on their terrace, heated to a steamy 40°C.
The one for the stargazers
This cabin is egg-ceptionally secluded
Where A Pigna cabin in Ugovizza in Italy’s Julian Alps.
What makes it special A whole 8m off the ground, this egg-shaped lodge hidden high in the trees offers a spectacular night among the glitterati. It takes its name from the Italian word for pine cone and, while the ground and first floor provide ample space to eat, sleep and daydream, the circular top floor is fitted with a double bed and a wide window perfect for getting starry-eyed with just the mountains to frame your view.
Good to know The Malga Priu resort is near the border of Italy and Slovenia, and the 80-minute scenic drive from Ljubljana has lots of national parks along the way. Fly into the Slovenian capital and turn it into a road trip.
The one for animal lovers
Modernism meets Moomins / Image: Mats Sparby
Where The PAN Treetop Cabins in the Finnskogen natural reserve in Norway, an hour-and-forty-five minutes’ drive from Oslo.
What makes it special These sleek black cabins combine two Nordic obsessions: smart design and the Moomins. Yep, Tove Jansson’s mythical creatures inspired these stilt-perched structures, but they’re not the only bit of animal intel here: the area is known for its abundant wildlife – elk, deer, wolf, bear and lynx – and unbridled greenery, both of which are on full display from each cabin.
Good to know There’s mountain bike hire on site so guests can take advantage of Finnskogen’s 80km of trails. Oh, and don’t be scared – the animals will run like mad if they see you.
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