Whoever said treehouses are just for kids may want to think again after seeing this cozy retreat in the Catskills. This treehouse, dubbed the "Willow Treehouse" on Airbnb, sits perched amongst the trees in the small town of Willow, NY. It’s perfect for a relaxing couple’s weekend or for the adventurous solo explorer looking to unwind.
We sent our resident Airbnb explorer-in-chief Kirby Porterfield to check out the Willow Treehouse. She gave us a tour around the spacious abode and as expected, it’s absolutely stunning. It earned a five star rating from Porterfield (or rather, a five wood burning hot tub rating—you'll see why later).
Designed by British architect Antony Gibbon, this idyllic nature sanctuary contains mostly locally-sourced materials, with the exception of the wood paneling, which comes from California cedar trees. Luckily, unlike the treehouses of our childhood, the Willow Treehouse is equipped with a staircase (phew!), so guests won't have to crawl their way up with luggage in tow.
Inside, the treehouse features an open floor plan and a wall-to-ceiling window that lets guests admire the gorgeous view around them. The main living area is also equipped with a wood burning fireplace for those colder nights and a cozy blue sofa which faces the window.
To get to the bedroom, guests will have to do a little climbing. The treehouse is equipped with one loft style bedroom that includes a crawl up ladder. However, guests can always feel free leave to their luggage on the main floor if it becomes a hassle.
As Porterfield puts it, the bedroom is like a "fluffy cloud looking out onto a fluffy cloud," as natural sunlight pours in through the roof's windows overlooking the bed.
Continuing on, the kitchen contains a stove, oven, mini fridge, and a dishwasher to accommodate guests’ cooking needs. Guests can also find a cutting board, silverware, and pots and pans to use during their stay. Tea drinkers will delight in the tea kettle, as well as as the pair of "Upstate and Chill" mugs.
Besides the main space, the treehouse also has a back room, which provides a hang space besides the main (open) living room. This multi-purpose room is perfect for doing yoga, reading, or just chatting with friends. It's adorned with several cozy floor pillows as well as a ceiling-to-floor window to create the most peaceful sanctuary.
And don't worry folks, there's a full bathroom...and an extra long walk-in shower. According to the Airbnb listing, shampoo is provided, so don't worry if you forget yours.
The surrounding grounds span over 34 acres. To keep guests from getting lost, the owners even created a 20 acre trail for guests to follow. Guests can take a few steps from the house and find the hot tub under the trees, which is heated by wood fire. If they walk down the trail a little further, they'll hit the swimmable pond, which is accompanied with a huge patio-like deck. Here, guests can go fishing off the deck or have a picnic.
Although the Willow Treehouse may be located within the heart of the woods, it’s only a 15-minute drive from downtown Woodstock. Here travelers can enjoy wood-fired bagels, pastries, and sandwiches at The Mud Club, yummy Mexican fare at Tinker Taco Lab, or enjoy some local ales and board games at the Woodstock Brewing Co. Not to mention Woodstock’s Main Street is filled with many stores where travelers can shop vintage wares as well as locally-made products. For hiking options, Overlook Mountain offers a loop trail with some stunning views, as well as some unique ones. Think: a fire tower with 360 degree views and/or hotel ruins from the 1930’s.
Interested in staying at the Willow Treehouse? You can book your stay here with Superhosts Avner & Maskit. Currently, a one night stay is going for $360, with no more than two guests allowed. The Willow Treehouse has received a 4.95 star rating from guests and over 376 reviews.
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