Are these the world's coolest tree houses? Stunning hideaways in a Canadian forest where you can trade city lights for starry nights


A five-star eco-friendly resort in Canada has unveiled their latest concept for a high-scale retreat that's suspended entirely in trees.



The 12 tree house villas -- E’terra Samara resort's latest villa models that match luxurious comfort and futuristic style with the great outdoors -- are proposed to hang in the tranquil Bruce Peninsula forest, just northwest of Toronto.



Inviting guests to 'escape the city lights for starry nights,' each open-aired villa will be uniquely positioned around its center tree to take advantage of specific site features and lighting while mutually ensuring guest privacy.

New kind of luxury: Located about four hours northwest of Toronto, five-star resort E'terra Samara plans to soon offer these 12 eco-friendly tree house villas

Inspiration: The villa's design is said to be inspired by the samara seed, pictured, that's commonly known as the maple key

The one-bedroom villas, whose design is inspired by the samara seed -- commonly known as the maple key -- features a bedroom area, front furnished living space, composting toilet and an eco-friendly shower.

'The structure is designed to be suspended from the tree's trunk, rather than following the common practice of nailing to the tree, thereby hugging the tree rather than piercing its flesh,' Farrow Partnership Architects says of their design.

But if lofting about in a canopy overlooking the Georgian Bay needs more pizazz, guests will also be able to take in the resort’s other activities including a day spa and sauna, salt water infinity pools, hiking trails, kayaking, canoeing, boat tours, or a stroll in their gardens.



For those guests who prefer to stay comfortably inside, however, the villas' sheltering fabric bonnets are not only self-cleaning but actively neutralize airborne pollutants and odors.

Living arrangements: An artist's rendering of a villa's interior shows the front open-aired living space followed by the beginning of the bedroom in the foreground

View from above: Seen looking down on the tree house, the protecting fabric bonnet is said to be not only self-cleaning but to actively neutralize airborne pollutants and odours

Explaining the process, the resort credits the fabric's coating of PTFE fiberglass and titanium dioxide - that's non-toxic and flame resistant - which activates the sun's UV rays, oxygen and water vapour to break down dirt and any other organic materials.



All of the villas will be built off-site out of locally harvested wood before installed.

Hoping to further protect the area's flora during their installation, progress on the retreat was scheduled around this winter.

After its construction, E'terra Samara plans to reopen in mid February with a calendar of available reservations for their 2013 season.

Moving: Each of the villas which are entirely suspending and only said to be 'hugging' the trees without harming them, are able to be turned to benefit its unique natural lighting

More to explore: If guests feel restless they are also welcome to enjoy the resort's day spa and sauna, salt water infinity pools, hiking trails, kayaking, canoeing, boat tours and their gardens

Can't make it to Canada?



This collection from other amazing tree-top hotspots from around the world - from South Africa to Washington State to China - may be just a short flight or drive away.

SOUTH AFRICA: The Tsala Treetop Lodge in Plettenberg Bay places its guests among 10 stone and glass lodges high above the Tsitsikamma Forest

Comforts: Each treehouse in South Africa, accessed by wooden walkways, features floor-to-ceiling bedroom windows, a log fireplace in the living room, a private deck and an infinity-edge pool.