Tree Hotel In Sweden Brings Tourists In Harmony With Nature (VIDEO)

A new idea in hospitality and tourism is taking shape in the remote wilderness of Harads, Sweden. Treehotel offers guests a unique experience: accommodations in one-of-a-kind tree-house rooms, designed to exist in harmony with the pristine natural environment around them.

In this video, Reuters' Matt Cowan takes a look at Treehotel's first four available rooms, though the long-term goal is to have 24 entirely distinct rooms available within the next 5 years.

The Mirrorcube is one of the first available options. Like the name implies, it is a large cube room with an outer surface that is entirely composed of reflective material, encompassing a single tree that runs through the middle. Treehotel owner Kent Lindvall describes that the concept behind the room is to make it appear nearly invisible in the forest. To avoid any harm to wildlife, the mirrored walls will be fitted with an infrared film visible only to birds.

According to Treehotel's website, part of their philosophy is "that we find another way to value the forest, rather than to cut the trees for industrial use." The hotel will host silent nature walks as a recreational activity, as opposed to destructive snowmobile safaris which many other hotels in the area offer. "This is untouched forest and we want to maintain it the same way," says Annette Selberg, Treehotel's sales manager.

WATCH a hotel in the trees: