A holiday amongst the canopies
Swimming pools, bathtubs and buffets were once worth getting excited over when planning a holiday, but their novelties have quickly worn off with quirky alternatives coming into the picture. Accommodation is an indispensable part of every trip, and I refuse to reduce it to something that elicits a yawn!
Enter treehouses – an adventurous, rustic lodging you will never find in Singapore. Perhaps it’s the feeling of living in the woods away from civilization, or falling asleep many feet above the ground, but there’s something about treehouses that makes every city dweller tingle with excitement.
We went on an extensive search for the most awe-inspiring treehouse resorts in our neighboring countries, and these 10 treehouse resorts near Singapore will inspire you to take your next vacation. Enjoy!
1. Rabeang Pasak Treehouse Resort (Chiang Mai, Thailand)
With only 6 cottages and 2 family treehouses to welcome guests from all over the world, it is no wonder you’ll have to book weeks in advance to guarantee yourself a spot. Each treehouse is uniquely designed and constructed by the owner himself, who is a retired architect.
Since the resort was originally built as a family vacation home, it is extremely cosy and homely and will shroud your holiday in love and warmth. Intrinsic wooden structures against a beautiful backdrop of Mother Nature, Rabang Pasak not only gives a perfect holiday, but a stunning Instagram photo as well.
Price: From SGD 85/night onwards
Website
2. Japamala Resort (Tioman Island, Malaysia)
Most people know of Tioman as a diving paradise, but here’s a mountainside gem that will make your trip so much more than that. Japamala Treehouse resort is located at the ulu Southern tip of Tioman island, and offers a comfortable hiding nest in the form of 12 tree houses overlooking the South China Sea for guests seeking refuge from the city life.
SourceTake a stroll at the resort’s private beach after a sumptuous dinner at the hotel’s renowned Thai restaurant, or go snorkelling in the waters of Tioman! Rental of equipment is complimentary, unlike many other resorts in the area.
Price: From RM 750 per night
Website
3. Sekeping Serendah Retreats (Selangor, Malaysia)
A night at Sekeping Serendah Resort is all you need for a relaxing getaway away from the noise of city life. Nestled in the forests of Selangor, the resort boasts 10 treehouses seamlessly integrated into 5 acres of tropical rainforest.
Besides sleeping with nature, experience nature like never before by cannonball-ing head first into a plunge pool!. For the less adventurous souls who crave a laid-back vacation, while the slow afternoon away by fishing in the lakes.
If you ever get sick of nature and need a taste of civilization again, Serandah Town, a popular tourist destination, is a mere 5-minute drive away.
Price: From SGD95.50 per night
Website
4. Omah Kayu Paralayang Treehouse Resort (Malang, Indonesia)
Located at Kota Batu Malang, a picturesque hilltop 1,340 metres above sea level, Omah Kayu Paralayang Treehouse Resort in Indonesia has a vantage point for spectacular views of Batu town, 20 minutes away by car.
Besides staying amongst the canopies of pine trees, guests can go on a hike in the beautiful Hill Para, a stone’s throw away from the resort. It is situated about 25km from the city of Malang, making it easy for those who wish to spend a day partaking in touristy activities in the City of Stone.
The room is sparse, with just a foam mattress, two pillows, and a power jack, but unlike what you’d expect, you won’t find insects here! There’s no tv or wifi to distract you from spending time with your loved ones, but the cellphone signals are strong, so you’ll remain contactable to the outside world.
Read till the end of this article to see how you can up your game with a single Prepaid SIM card for 6 destinations in the Asia Pacific!
And if you think the view is gorgeous in the day, just wait till the sun goes down. As the darkness descends, the city of Batu lights up, giving you a sight like no other!
Price: From SGD 37.34 per night
For bookings, contact Deddy at +628384 8020407 or Nanang at +628193 1843858
5. Khao Sok Treehouse Resort (Khao Sok, Thailand)
Situated in the heart of Khao Sok Forest, Khao Sok Treehouse Resort is an eco-friendly resort that aims to protect the flora and fauna species in the forest. Besides accommodation, Khao Sok Treehouse also offers bird watching tours in Khao Sok National Park, where guests can get up close and personal with kingfishers on the prowl, and nest-weaving sunbirds on flowering Acacia trees.
The most spectacular part of your stay will be the view of majestic limestone cliffs from your room’s window. You bet it beats peering down at the bustling streets by the posh hotels along Orchard Road!
Price: From SGD 150/ night
Website
6. Bangkok Treehouse (Bangkok, Thailand)
Located on the Bang Krachao peninsula in Bangkok, a stay at Bangkok Treehouse will provide a stark contrast from the typical sights and sounds most people would expect. Between the palm trees and evergreen foliage, you can only get around the resort by bicycle or on foot, with no motorised vehicles in sight.
The resort prides itself on being eco-friendly, with a chlorine-free pool and a natural breeze from the river. There’s only air-condition in the bedrooms as common areas are open air. There’s also free homemade ice cream to be had here! Just ask for some from the friendly staff.
Be adventurous and rent a bicycle to explore the neighbouring nature park, or embark on a guided night cruise and enjoy the symphony of lights put up by thousands of fireflies!
Price: From SGD 186 per night
Website
7. The Canopy Treehouses (Queensland, Australia)
The Canopy Rainforest Treehouses and Wildlife Sanctuary boasts award-winning luxury accommodation while basking in the beauty an ancient, 100-acre rainforest in Cairns Highlands. The eco resort consists of 6 treehouses made of timber and glass, and each is home to a spa bath and a balcony.
If you’d like an opportunity to get up close and personal with the wildlife down under, you have found yourself at the right place. There’s a majestic waterfall here, crystal clear lakes, hot air balloons, and majestic trees like none you’ll see in Singapore.
This forest provides 4 to 7 times the amount of fruit for its biodiversity than other rainforests do, so be prepared to spot kangaroos, wallabies and possums in the vicinity and even on your balconies. The resort even provides complimentary fruits to guests for feeding!
Price: From SGD 247.45 per night
Website
8. Love Cabins (New South Wales, Australia)
Located 90 minutes away from Sydney, this treehouse has been called the world’s best treehouse. Unlike other treehouse resorts with views obscured by lush greenery, Love Cabins’ treehouses have stunning views of the deep Bowen’s Creek Gorge and Blue Mountains rainforest.
The most unique part of your stay would be the shower area, completely surrounded by glass. As the owner Lionel Buckett says, it would be an amazing place to take a shower in during a lightning storm! The treehouses are serene and private – perfect for young couples seeking a romantic getaway.
Price: From SGD 329 per night
Website
9. Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa (Gaya Island, Malaysia)
Bunga Raya Island Resort & Spa is located on Gaya Island, off the coast of Borneo. You’ll have to hop on a ferry from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal to get here, but Bunga Raya’s tranquility is well worth the journey. Gaya Island is a coral reef island, so you can dive here and admire the marine diversity! If you’re lucky, you might even see a whale shark!
Besides providing top class service and rooms, facilities within the resort include guided jungle trekking, ziplining across the rainforest, a sunset cruise, and free use of all non-motorized water sport equipment.
To make your experience at Bunga Raya even more unique, indulge in the resort’s foods and beverages, sourced solely from its own organic vegetable garden and fish farm!
Price: From SGD 543 per night
Website
10. Templer Park Rainforest Retreat (Selangor, Malaysia)
Templer Park Rainforest Retreat is surrounded with a 360° view of the Kanching Rainforest Reserve. Although the resort is only a 30 minute drive from the heart of KL, you will feel transported to a remote jungle the moment you step into the resort.
Guests can get up close and personal with resident monkeys in Kanching Rainforest as they prance around outside your bedroom window. But fun and novelty aside, remember to lock all your windows when leaving your treehouse so you don’t return to any furry surprises!
Price: Starting from SGD 319
Website
Stay connected while on adventure!
With such beautiful accommodation, it’s a pity if you can’t share the experience with your family back home or make your friends jealous on Instagram. Let’s face it: no matter how far we get away, a part of us will always be itching to reply Whatsapp messages, scroll through our Instagram feeds and watch our friends’ Snapchat stories.
Arriving into a city is often accompanied by a mad rush to lay my hands on a prepaid SIM card – my best friend for the entire trip. On multi-city itineraries, switching from one card to another is a real hassle and sometimes, my vacations are concluded with unused credit just waiting to expire.
StarHub Prepaid’s Happy Roam is a real game changer for those who travel often. Not only can Prepaid SIMs be easily purchased at StarHub Shops, 7-Eleven or Cheers stores nationwide and even at Changi Airport (Travellers Counter & UOB Currency Exchange Counters), Happy Roam allows you to use a single prepaid card across 6 destinations: Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand with no data roaming charges!
All you have to do is buy a data plan from 1GB for 3 days ($5) to 2GB worth of data over 30 days and activate your phone settings! Learn how to get your StarHub Prepaid SIM ready for Happy Roam here.
Plus, you can also manage your prepaid account overseas (check usage, top-up your credits) with the Happy Prepaid app. Say goodbye to SMSes to random, long numbers to check your balance.
Find out more HERE!
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