TREETOP HIDEAWAYS DESIGNED FOR ADULTS
WORDS BY ASHLEY BROWN | PHOTOS BY TREEHOUSE UTOPIA
As the concept of treehouse lodging takes off in the Texas Hill Country and beyond, I’ve heard people say staying in a treehouse evokes the nostalgia and playful spirit of childhood. But I have to say that while most kids enjoy hanging out in a tree, it was the adult in me who found Treehouse Utopia to be … well … just that: utopia.
And it turns out that owner Laurel Waters had that in mind as well — these hotels in the treetops aren’t designed for children. In fact, kids and dogs need to be left at home so that grownups can make the most of what this place is all about: peace and quiet in nature.
Waters earned her culinary degree at Le Cordon Bleu in France and worked at three restaurants in Provence. All the while, she had a French antique business on Main Street in Utopia, Texas, and has been importing antiques to the store for 22 years. Utopia is where she also opened the upscale restaurant, The Laurel Tree, which is what led to the creation of Treehouse Utopia.
Why all of this in the tiny town of Utopia? “Half of me grew up in Utopia,” explained Waters. “My folks bought land here in 1972, so to me it was the right place to create a destination restaurant. And the Treehouse Utopia property was our family swimming hole for forty years.”
Waters also owns Bear’s Den in Leakey and explains that the two small towns, with easy access to Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area, offer visitors the opportunity for a really full experience. She feels blessed to be able to facilitate these meaningful moments for people. “I’ve loved every minute of it, seeing the joy in people who come to stay. Nobody ever wants to leave.”
That was the idea behind Treehouse Utopia. In 2018, Waters and Pete Nelson of Nelson Treehouses and the popular “Treehouse Masters” television series partnered to design these tree lodgings after he built the tree – house for The Laurel Tree. After diners enjoyed a world-class meal in a tree, their only “complaint” was always that they wanted to sleep in a tree, too.
I certainly didn’t want to leave, either. As an outdoorsy person who also appreciates a nice bed, I was super excited about the combination of comfort, tasteful design and immersion in nature that I found at Treehouse Utopia. These are not playhouses for kiddos — they are architectural marvels where people can take the time to just be … surrounded outside by a forest of ancient cypress trees, grazing deer and birds, and inside by natural wood walls and ceilings and a plethora of artistic details.
Pete Nelson and Laurel Waters
Guests can choose to stay in one of four houses — Carousel, Chappelle, Chateau or Biblioteque — each with a distinct design and personality. The building of Chappelle, the first treehouse, was featured on an episode of “Treehouse Masters,” where Waters explains she was clear on her vision for this one, inspired by her time in France, where every town is centered around a chapel or church.
While all are lovely, it was not a difficult choice for me to stay in Biblioteque. It boasts a beautiful (and very warm) electric fireplace, branch lighting fixtures over the bed and books, books, books. I never stopped discovering new artistic delights as I looked around — treasures Waters has collected, mostly from France, over the years. I’ve never seen so many Tiffany-style lamps in one space. I’m a nut for ambient lighting and stained glass, and the lamps create an enchanting, cozy, romantic atmosphere.
Outside of the decor, the most amazing trait of the Biblioteque, without a doubt, is that it is built around an 800-year-old cypress tree, with interior windows allowing you to gaze at the massive trunk from each living area, even the bathroom. Sleeping among this tree’s branches felt like a privilege. I have been known to literally hug trees, and while this one is too large to hug, I was in awe of a tree that has survived 800 Texas summers, well over a thousand freezes, and who knows what else.
Nelson explains how these trees are able to support the structures with zero harm to them: “We build with only the highest-quality hardware and tried-and-tested techniques that foster the longevity of living trees. Every build starts with an arborist coming out to examine the tree and advise the builders how to proceed to protect the trees.”
The location — a couple of miles off the main “drag,” if you can call it that, of Utopia — allows for one of the most alluring amenities: silence. I heard nothing but the quiet babble of the Sabinal River and the chirping of birds. Yes, there were other guests, but somehow, you just didn’t hear one another! I had a hard time deciding where to be at times, sitting by the river, enjoying the porch up in the trees, or relaxing on one of the property’s comfy gliding benches.
To make up for the lack of a kitchenette, Waters provides guests with a selection of hand-baked goodies for breakfast including homemade breads and muffins, along with tasty granola, fresh fruits and yogurts. I felt truly pampered enjoying such a tasty and satisfying meal without having to leave the comfort of the house. These treehouses are by no means rustic, and that’s reflected in the rate. But if you’re able to splurge, this one-of-a-kind experience is well worth it.
Plan a trip today at treehouseutopia.com
About the Contributor
Writer and editor Ashley Brown lives in Wimberley with her family ofrescues: a dog, two cats, and two donkeys. In addition to animal welfare, herpassion is exploring the Hill Country’s natural beauty, small farms, eateries and drinkeries.
