If your idea of “roughing it” involves waking up to uninterrupted views of a lush forest canopy, spending your days exploring winding hiking trails and your evenings gathered around a fire, while still enjoying a luxe king-sized bed, heated floors and a beautifully appointed bathroom, I have just the place for you. Hårtwood, a design-forward treehouse retreat in Minden, Ont., about a two-and-a-half-hour drive north of Toronto, offers the best of both worlds for those who love the outdoors but prefer to experience it with a few creature comforts.
Set on 15 private acres of woodland bordering the protected Dahl Forest, the property is home to three architecturally striking treehouses, each nestled among the living trees. The concept is refreshingly simple, offering a chance to get a little closer to nature without having to pitch a tent, give up a hot shower or, for that matter, sleep on the ground.
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Into the woods
For Lauren and Cam Green, the couple behind Fort Treehouse Co., Hårtwood is an extension of a long-held belief that thoughtful architecture and the natural environment don’t have to compete. Their first project, The Baltic, a luxury treehouse near their home in Minden, opened to guests in 2020. The Greens initially listed it on Airbnb, but demand quickly exceeded expectations, with bookings stretching over a year and a half out. Hårtwood, a larger and more ambitious take on that same idea, was their natural next step.
The couple purchased Hårtwood’s property in 2022 and began construction in July 2024, collaborating with Toronto-based architects Studio Ksa on design. The retreat officially opened less than six months ago in June 2026.
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What makes the property particularly interesting is how the treehouses actually interact with the landscape. Rather than simply building elevated cabins on stilts, each structure is supported by carefully selected live trees, with specialized attachments designed to accommodate their continued growth and movement. Before construction began, Canadian arborist Philip van Wassenaer of Urban Forest Innovations assessed the trees, using sonic tomography to examine their internal structure and ensure they were suitable hosts.
And while the architecture is certainly a draw, the surrounding environment deserves some attention of its own. Trails lead from the property into the woods, where the scenery shifts between stands of hardwoods and denser growth. Venture further towards the Burnt River, and you’ll find stretches of water and plenty of opportunities to stop and take it all in. The neighbouring Dahl Forest, a 500-acre nature reserve, offers even more room to explore the Haliburton Highlands.
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Of course, the landscape has a different kind of appeal once winter arrives, one that Lauren says is her favourite. Snow settles over the forest floor, softening the trails and transforming the canopy into something straight out of a holiday postcard, perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Back at Hårtwood, each treehouse has its own firepit, making it easy to trade your hiking boots for something a little more comfortable and call it a night around the fire.
Staying in
Then there are the interiors, which are every bit as inviting as the outdoors. Each treehouse strikes a lovely balance between contemporary design and the feeling of being somewhere completely off-grid. Warm wood panelling, natural textures and carefully considered furnishings soften the minimalist architecture, while generous and strategically placed windows make the forest feel like an extension of the living space. The bathrooms feel equally considered, with spacious showers, refined finishes and heated floors that are especially welcome when the temperature drops.
The accommodations are equally well considered, giving you just what you need to feel comfortable yet still connected with nature. Each treehouse features a king-sized bedroom, a full kitchen, a fireplace and a private rooftop terrace. There’s Wi-Fi, but no television. At first, the absence might feel a little strange (particularly if you’re someone who considers a little background Netflix part of your evening routine), but before long, you’ll likely find yourself appreciating the lack of distractions.
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“We kind of just pared everything back and let the surrounding landscape do most of the work for us,” says Cam. It’s an approach that Lauren feels is central to the experience, noting that “you can totally decompress in a space like this.” As she puts it, “When people come here, they realize that they’re investing in time.”
Once you’re settled in, it’s easy to see the appeal of keeping things simple. Cooking becomes part of the pleasure of staying here. There’s something satisfying about preparing a meal in your own kitchen while the trees shift outside the windows, without the usual distractions pulling you elsewhere. Even an ordinary morning coffee feels a little more special when there’s nowhere you need to be and no particular reason to rush.
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That said, not every getaway needs to involve meal prep. Hårtwood offers prepared meal options and breakfast baskets featuring products sourced from local farmers’ markets, bakeries and butchers. For a special occasion, guests can also arrange a private chef to cook in their treehouse, turning dinner into an experience of its own. There’s something undeniably appealing about having a chef come to you, especially when your dining room happens to be suspended among the trees.
And if relaxation is high on your weekend agenda, you can arrange for a registered massage therapist to visit your treehouse for an in-room treatment. Spend the afternoon exploring the trails, then return for a massage beside the fireplace without having to leave the living room. I can confirm that it’s a rather lovely way to spend an afternoon.
The Hydda
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At the heart of the property is The Hydda, a Scandinavian-inspired communal gathering space that serves as a café and wine bar. The carefully curated beverage lists showcase producers from across the region, while house-made cocktails and locally inspired goods make the space feel like a true neighbourhood gathering spot.
Lauren describes its original vision as “a hut in the middle of nowhere where there’s always something hot on the stove and something warm in your glass.” More often than not, that’s exactly what you’ll find.
Importantly, it’s not intended to be an exclusive space for overnight guests. The Greens are keen to welcome the surrounding community, creating opportunities for nearby businesses, local producers and visiting chefs to become part of the experience. Private gatherings provide another way to experience the property, as guests can also book the entire site, including all three treehouses and The Hydda, for a special group getaway.
There’s more in the works, too. A Nordic-inspired forest spa, complete with a sauna, hot pool and cold plunge, is in development, with construction planned for spring 2027. It’s easy to imagine the spa becoming a popular spot for guests looking to unwind after a day exploring the forest, giving them yet another excuse to linger just a bit longer.
The luxury of doing nothing
When guests ask Lauren and Cam what there is to do nearby, the couple often find that the question answers itself once people arrive. Many come with plans to explore the region, only to discover that they’re perfectly happy staying put.
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“We’re trying to give people just what they need while leaning into all this beauty,” Lauren told me as we walked through the property. She’s exactly right. I arrived with a loose itinerary of things I wanted to do, but ended up abandoning most of it. Instead, I spent hours curled up on the couch, listening to records and watching the leaves fall outside, before eventually heading out to build a fire. I wasn’t checking the time or wondering what I should be doing next, and I enjoyed every second of it.
And perhaps that’s the real luxury here. Between the thoughtful architecture, creature comforts and surrounding wilderness, Hårtwood makes a compelling case for simply slowing down. For anyone who loves the idea of getting away from it all but isn’t quite ready to give up the comforts of home (or the best part of any vacation—a seriously cozy bed), it’s a pretty wonderful middle ground.