Stay in tranquillity at these hideaways across Asia which offer sky-high accommodation up in the canopies or tranquil villas, hidden away in the forests. Each brings you closer to nature in a unique and idyllic way.
Silky Oaks Lodge, Cairns, Australia
Surrounded by the UNESCO-listed Daintree National Park and situated close to the tranquil Mossman River, this rustic, eco-friendly hotel offers 36 rooms and four suites set high above the trees. It’s an 80-minute drive from Cairns Airport.
Design notes
It’s all about understated luxury. Rooms feature polished timber floors and wide balconies that provide expansive views of the lush surrounds.
Activities
Explore the flora and fauna of the thriving rainforest with an experienced guide, or learn more about the indigenous tribes on a Kuku Yalanji cultural habitat tour.
Dining
The Treehouse Restaurant specialises in modern Australian plates, some featuring exotic meats like crocodile and kangaroo. The Treehouse Bar, meanwhile, serves up premium craft beers, ciders and cocktails.
Treeful, Okinawa, Japan
Set in the untouched forests of northern Okinawa, Treeful is a passion project born from a search for the perfect tree. Centred around a grand akagi tree, which became the site of the first treehouse, the retreat offers a tranquil escape in the Okinawan woods. Here, nature takes centre stage.
Design notes
Each treehouse is designed to showcase the surrounding forest with expansive windows and open balconies. The standout Spiral Treehouse features a winding staircase that leads to a treetop hideaway. Clean lines and natural materials complement the environment, offering comfort and simplicity in perfect harmony with nature.
Activities
Explore the surrounding forest with river trekking tours or cool off at the resort’s private waterfall. The on-site spa offers treatments using local ingredients like Okinawan sea mud and is complemented by soothing forest views.
Dining
Guests enjoy a DIY bonfire dinner under the stars, with staff on hand to prep ingredients and guide the cooking process. Tuck into hearty shabu-shabu selections and fresh vegetables with a choice of local Agu pork and Okinawan beef, all grilled over a charcoal fire pit in the comfort of your treetop sanctuary.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Singapore
Set within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, this eco-conscious resort offers a peaceful retreat far from the bustle of urban Singapore. Surrounded by nature and wildlife, the resort invites guests to reconnect with the natural world through immersive experiences, including nature trails and wildlife safaris.
Design notes
Tucked within lush greenery, the Mandai Treehouses offer sleek, contemporary interiors softened with warm wood tones and nature-inspired accents. Each comes with a king-size bed and a private patio, perfect for soaking in the jungle views. The Grand Mandai Treehouse elevates the experience with a generous open deck and a near-invisible net screen, blurring the line between indoors and the wild.
Activities
Start your morning with Breakfast in the Wild at Singapore Zoo, where you can dine alongside wildlife in a unique setting. Explore the Elephants of Asia habitat, then unwind at the Banyan Tree Spa, which offers traditional Asian therapies rooted in centuries-old techniques, all delivered in serene, nature-integrated pavilions.
Dining
Dine at Forage, the resort’s signature restaurant, where a ‘Trust the Chef’ menu highlights seasonal ingredients, some sourced from the rooftop edible garden. Planter’s Shed, the resort’s all-day dining venue, features local and international favourites, with live cooking stations and roving tableside service to enhance the culinary experience.
Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia
Hidden within the serene wilderness of Southern Cardamom National Park, Shinta Mani Wild offers a one-of-a-kind, all-inclusive luxury tented camp experience. Just a two hour drive south of Phnom Penh, the adventure begins with a thrilling 400m zip line ride over a river, sending you directly to the camp’s Landing Zone Bar.
Design notes
Suspended over rivers and wrapped in thick jungle, the camp’s 15 canvas-roofed tents combine safari romance with open-air designs. Each tent is uniquely furnished and feature air-conditioned bedrooms, antique furnishings, expansive decks and freestanding bathtubs. The Birders Tent, perched high above the canopy, includes an ornithology library and a hand-painted mural of Cambodia’s birdlife.
Activities
Set off on expedition boat safaris, join rangers on anti-poaching patrols or forage for edible plants with the camp’s naturalists. The Khmer Tonics Spa offers holistic treatments using local ingredients, including river-stone foot massages in waterfall pools. Every outing is a hands-on exploration of Cambodia’s natural world.
Dining
At The Headquarters, meals are a culinary journey through Cambodia’s flavours, featuring daily menus with ingredients foraged from the surrounding forest. Highlights might include fish amok, braised lamb shoulder or soba noodles with tuna tataki. Cocktails are an experience of their own at The Landing Zone Bar, where drinks are crafted with house-made bitters and herbs from the camp’s own jungle garden.
Nirjhara, Bali, Indonesia
Set amidst cascading waterfalls, dense jungle and rice fields in Bali’s agricultural heart of Tabanan, Nirjhara offers a secluded, sustainable escape just moments from volcanic beaches and the famed Tanah Lot Temple. Opened in 2021, this eco-conscious haven brings luxury into nature and is within easy reach of Ubud and Canggu for those seeking both serenity and excitement.
Design notes
Nirjhara’s 25 suites and villas include seven Canopy Suites, treehouse-style hideaways perched among coconut palms. Built using reclaimed hevea wood, natural stone and traditional sirap roofing, each space pairs earthy tones with handcrafted furniture, local artwork and stunning views of jungle, river or rice terraces. Rooftop decks with freestanding tubs add an indulgent touch.
Activities
Find balance at The Shala, a riverside wellness space offering complimentary daily yoga and meditation. The Retreat at Nirjhara features Finnish saunas and holistic spa treatments, while the resort’s own traditional sailing yacht allows guests to embark on bespoke charters to remote corners of the Indonesian archipelago where you can hike alongside wild Komodo dragons and scuba dive with manta rays.
Dining
Ambu, Nirjhara’s signature restaurant, highlights local dishes reimagined with a modern flair. Set against a backdrop of rice fields and waterfalls, the menu focuses on fresh, farm-to-table ingredients sourced from across the island. The bar also offers a range of signature cocktails inspired by Indonesian flavours.
Equarius TreeTop Lofts, Singapore
Perched in the tranquil inner jungles of Sentosa, Equarius TreeTop Lofts offers a remarkable sense of seclusion amidst nature. Though tucked away in lush rainforest, you’ll still have easy access to the island’s most beautiful beaches.
Design notes
This elevated retreat offers two one-bedroom lofts with spacious living areas, en-suite bedrooms and private terrace decks ideal for savouring breakfast while taking in the sights and sounds of nature. Interiors feature natural materials and earthy tones, designed to reflect the forest surroundings, while a dedicated butler is on hand to personalise your stay.
Activities
From this quiet haven, you’re perfectly placed to explore Sentosa’s top attractions, including Universal Studios Singapore, the immersive Harry Potter: Visions of Magic and the SEA Aquarium, where colourful marine life swims right above you.
Dining
For a one-of-a-kind experience, head to Ocean Restaurant, where you’ll dine beside reef sharks and manta rays. Helmed by two-star Michelin chef Olivier Bellin, the menu highlights sustainable seafood and locally farmed ingredients with French flair.
The Machan – A Treehouse Resort, Lonavala, India
Tucked away in the lush Western Ghats, this eco-resort offers a rare escape from city life and an even rarer view of star-filled skies. Elevated treehouses provide the perfect perch for stargazing, with clear views of the heavens. With minimal light pollution and complete tranquillity, it’s a peaceful retreat just a few hours from Mumbai.
Design notes
Each machan – styled after traditional tiger hunting platforms – rises 30 to 45 feet above the forest floor. The design blends rustic wooden interiors with eco-conscious construction, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding landscape. Expect spacious decks, handcrafted furnishings and panoramic views of the verdant canopy.
Activities
Guests can explore the nearby Karla and Bhaja Caves. These ancient Buddhist sites date back to 200 BC and are home to intricate carvings, chaityas (prayer halls) and mythological sculptures. After your excursion, unwind with daily evening yoga sessions suitable for all ages and levels.
Dining
Daily set menus for lunch and dinner are served buffet-style. No restaurant is available at the resort.
JunglEight Bali, Indonesia
Located near the Tegallalang Rice Terrace, JunglEight Bali offers a luxurious escape that will immerse guests in nature. Surrounded by verdant jungle, the resort blends contemporary comfort with the island’s raw beauty, providing a tranquil base just minutes from Ubud, Bali’s cultural heart.
Design notes
Villas range from intimate one-bedroom hideaways to sprawling five-bedroom sanctuaries, featuring private pools and crafted with natural, sustainable materials. Think curved lines, organic textures and soothing tones. Villas like The Space include a striking outdoor bathtub that overlooks the treetops.
Activities
Explore nearby Suwat and Kanto Lampo Waterfalls with scenic treks through jungle terrain or opt for adrenaline-filled ATV tours offered by local operators.
Dining
Savour a variety of local Indonesian dishes and international favourites, delivered straight to your villa. With in-villa dining available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, guests can enjoy gourmet meals in complete privacy and comfort.
Keemala, Phuket, Thailand
This luxe hillside resort in Phuket offers a relaxed vibe and gorgeous views of the Andaman Sea. There are four accommodation types, including seven double-storey Tree Pool Houses with plunge pools.
Design notes
The resort celebrates open spaces by integrating amenities such as swimming pools with the natural surroundings. Indoors, you’ll find plenty of earth tones, with furniture made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, teak and mahogany.
Activities
Pamper yourself with an invigorating massage at Mala Spa, or venture out of the resort for an immersive guided tour of Old Phuket Town.
Dining
Mala Restaurant offers all-day dining; order from the Healthy Living Cuisine menu, which features raw, slow-cooked ingredients and superfoods. Alternatively, enjoy snacks and cocktails by the water’s edge at Cha-La Pool Bar.
Cempedak Private Island, Indonesia
Just over two hours from Singapore, Cempedak is a private, 17-hectare island off Bintan’s east coast. Fringed by white sand beaches and granite boulders, the island rises into a lush rainforest that’s home to hornbills, eagles and the elusive pangolin. With no other resorts, shops or restaurants, it’s a truly off-grid escape surrounded by unspoilt nature and sweeping sea views.
Design notes
Built entirely from bamboo and topped with alang-alang grass roofs, the villas are spacious, breezy and eco-conscious. Each comes with a private plunge pool, bar and open living space. Whether beachfront or with panoramic sea views, all villas feature king-sized beds, ensuite bathrooms with natural finishes and modern comforts.
Activities
Guests can hike forest trails, explore tidal rock pools or join staff-led nature walks. Spot wildlife like otters, hornbills and even the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. The island also offers snorkelling, kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding. The Rock Spa is also on hand with soothing treatments that can be enjoyed in a serene mangrove setting.
Dining
Perched on a rocky outcrop, the island’s open-air restaurant serves vibrant dishes blending Indonesian and global flavours. Expect fresh seafood, local produce and ingredients from Cempedak’s Bintan farm. Dine in shaded pods or request a private picnic on a nearby deserted island for an unforgettable, secluded meal.
A version of this article was originally published in the September 2017 issue of Silkwinds magazine.
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