Loire Valley Lodges
Nestled amidst 741 acres (300 hectares) of forest on the picturesque landscape of the Loire Valley, this French nature resort is home to eighteen boutique treehouses.
Loire Valley is famous for its fairy-tale castles, royal châteaux, and iconic gastro culture, with more Michelin-starred restaurants and quality wineries than the number of free holiday days you have to explore them.
With countless charming inns and hotels in the region, the Loire Valley Lodges had to be unique in multiple ways to stand out.
So Anne-Caroline Frey, a former art dealer from Paris, set an ambitious goal to create a hospitality project where art meets boutique-hotel-level accommodation in a foresty countryside environment.
Secluded dirty roads lead to the Loire Valley's unique hideaway, and when you arrive, a 13-foot (4 meters) bronze dog will greet you at its main entrance. And that's when you start sensing that things are different around here.
She envisioned the vast private land to be dotted with contemporary art in the shape of striking modern sculptures.
What's more, talented artists were invited to decorate each of the eighteen treehouses in their own unique style.
The hotel has two restaurants. Chef Thomas Besnault runs Ardent and focuses on locally and seasonably available ingredients to spoil you with some very French dishes. And, of course, there is a long list of curated wines and handcrafted cocktails with some creative twists.
What's more, if you prefer to have your lunch in your treehouse or the open nature, there are Japanese-inspired "Bento" boxes that you can get for takeaway. In addition, the lodge provides a map with pointers where you will find a table to sit on its vast territory.
Asperatus is the newly opened restaurant dedicated to chefs in residence. Some of the best chefs in the world are invited to stay for a couple of weeks, and during this time, they showcase their skills and unique cooking style.
There is a centrally located 65-foot (20 meters) swimming pool to do your morning laps or showcase your newest bikini while sunbathing in style.
The treehouses standing on stilts are at a height where you can become part of the forest and have incredible views through the floor-to-ceiling windows on all sides.
Frey's inspiration for the treehouses came from her trips to Scandinavia, where she learned about the harmony between manufactured structures and nature.
And to disconnect from the busy outside world, the resort shuts you off from all modern technologies. Well, kind of.
So, there isn't any TV, WiFi, or telephone, but you will get a walkie-talkie to call the staff in case you run out of wine.
Each suite has a large terrace equipped with a private spa; some come with a jacuzzi and sauna. The tranquil setting is complete with the surrounding beautiful oak, Douglas fir, and chestnut trees.
As the treehouses are comfortably spaced apart for privacy, the resort will give you a bike to travel between the restaurant, pool, and your suite.
