Back in May I published an article about treehouses—specifically a group of treehouses found in The Mohicans in North Central Ohio. The treehouses are unique, luxurious and available for overnight stays. Along with my family, I was invited to stay at one of the treehouses—the Old Pine Treehouse—this past Monday evening. We were the guests of Kevin and Laura Mooney, the owners of the getaway that includes six treehouses, five cabins, a Grand Barn Wedding Center, and four additional treehouses either close to opening or to open later this year. (If I would have paid for Old Pine, it would have been $310 for the night.) A look at the availability calendar on The Mohicans page shows how booked up the treehouses are.
Every treehouse “resort” is unique in its own way. In the case of The Mohicans, the treehouses are located a fair distance from any stores or restaurants and surrounded by trees and lots of nature. Amish country is close by. I got to see the insides of two treehouses: El Castillo and Old Pine. El Castillo featured a bed upstairs and a small sofa downstairs. Old Pine included beds both upstairs and downstairs. A winding staircase led to the upstairs of El Castillo. To access the upstairs of Old Pine, one had to climb a ladder through a fairly tight opening.
Reclaimed wood is used just about everywhere one looks. “Rustic luxury” comes to mind. Electricity and running water (heated) are available in all the treehouses, cabins and Wedding Center. The views were spectacular, especially from my bed early in the morning. Steps and a slightly swinging bridge were used to reach the entrances of El Castillo and Old Pine. A swing was placed for play below each treehouse.
The treehouses are not for the weak of body or disabled, unless assistance is provided up the steps and across the bridge. There were most definitely times when I felt the tightness of some of the spaces. In Old Pine there was only a sink in the kitchen, not the bathroom. There was only a mirror in the bathroom but not the kitchen. I found myself walking back and forth between the two to shave and comb my hair. If you are a very tall or wide person, a treehouse may not be for you.
My wife and I both found it odd that for $310 a night you must bring your own soap and shampoo. The treehouses are prime candidates for soap, shampoo and conditioner dispensers in the shower. We also thought at least a continental breakfast would have been nice. No breakfast was included in the rate. Hearing a knock in the door in the morning with a nice breakfast really would have “elevated” the experience. We were ill prepared for breakfast and had some crackers and chips before we left for a restaurant. There also could have been more solar lighting. Arriving at night could be a real interesting experience.
The Mooneys are currently constructing a treehouse using an Airstream trailer—very cool and a great reuse example. You can bet that one will be booked up as well.
Overall, The Mohicans is a great idea and a great example of how one can work with nature to provide a luxury experience while emphasizing material reuse and resource efficiency. What is missing are some of the touches that can make a treehouse experience really luxurious—high-end soaps, towels, and some Amish-made fixins.
