The Redwoods Treehouse. New Zealand (north of Auckland).
Oh, I’m so proud to work for a Kiwi company (http://www.icebreaker.com) and perhaps one day we will have a corporate event at this fine dining modern birdcage establishment. I’m such a sucker for treehouses. Too bad they don’t have sleeping accommodations.
Private events only.
URBN HOTEL. Shanghai, China.
After a depressing stay at the tastelessly designed Radisson (smokey dining room, breakfast buffet 5 days in a row, and blinding beige marble, brass and glass), I needed a clean breath of air.
After an effortless check-in at Urbn Hotel on the quieter side of downtown in a historic residential neighborhood, I was in smokeless and eco-focused nirvana. An enclosed bamboo courtyard opens into a 26-room boutique hotel, complete with organic cleaning products, warm wood against cool stone, chic menu and crowd.
My ‘atrium’ room had a bamboo and stone garden window, an endless runway bathroom, and a sunken TV area. Fast free wireless internet - who needs a ‘business hotel?’ Next came a free in-room massage, quick room service that arrived in an laser-etched box, and they even packed me a free breakfast to go for my early morning departure.
URBN rules. About $220/night.
(Source: urbnhotels.com)
Little Kulala. Damaraland, Namibia.
Angelina and Brad aren’t the only reasons to stargaze in Namibia, home of the oldest desert in the world and the tallest sand dunes. Eco-luxury defies logic sometimes.
About $864/night. Gorgeous.
Napa Prefab in Napa Valley Wine Country, California.
Featured in Dwell Magazine and on HGTV, this modernist hilltop retreat is a peaceful retreat in Napa County. Unique in its design aesthetic and construction.
Sleeps 6-10. About $800/night.
itHouse in Joshua Tree, California.
The Off-grid itHouse is an architecturally significant house, recently listed in the Los Angeles Times as one of the best houses of all time in Southern California. This is the prototype for the pre-engineered system known as the itHouse that has had much acclaim.
The fireplace alone makes me cry. From $350/night, sleeps 4.
Cluain Sholais in Kilsheelan, Ireland.
Ahhh…$153/night. Meditation is free.
Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California.
My cousin, Grace, had the privilege (and foresight) to stay here. It’s clearly the future: recycle, reuse, sustain, maintain, eco-this, eco-that. Tilling the soil, tending an organic garden, reverting to a yurt, or a human-sized nest that overlooks the ocean will get you so close to Nature (and what truly matters) that you will undo all compulsions to go back to your senseless corporate job on Monday morning.
Camp for $65 (dogs OK!), Yurts for $160-$290/night, The Human Nest $95 (priceless.)
Hood River, Oregon.
The Neal Creek residence treads lightly upon its surroundings, maximizing valley and water views with minimal impact to the natural environment. The owners – windsurfing and snowboarding enthusiasts – were interested in a modest weekend retreat that would be highly efficient and ecologically minded.
Sleeps 6, no pets. $175/night (June-Aug week rental only for $995)
http://www.contemporist.com/2009/03/01/neal-creek-residence-by-paul-mckean/
Wallingford, Seattle.
This standout modern architectural is new construction, finished in 2010 - everything like new, works perfectly. ~90 walk score - bring comfy shoes. Eco-friendly architectural with designer finishes - Exposed wood support beams, metal railings, granite counter tops, heated concrete and bamboo floors. Designed by cutting edge architecture firm - PB Elemental. Step out the door for direct downtown views, including the Space Needle.
Sleeps 6 with 4 night minimum. $325/night.
