Tuesday 27 January 2026 3:15 pm
By: Adam Bloodworth, Features Journalist
Sleep in a Treehouse-Themed Room at This Eccentric UK Hotel
The Treehouse Hotel near Deansgate in Manchester takes a refreshingly playful approach to hospitality, offering a vibrant alternative to the often bland and beige world of luxury accommodation.
What's the Vibe?
Posh hotels frequently rely on safe, neutral tones like beige to appeal broadly without causing offence. Beige has become the Toyota Corolla of luxury hotel design: dependable yet utterly uninspiring. For those craving colour and personality, the Treehouse Hotel in Manchester provides an immediate and exciting solution.
Injecting playful energy into the UK hotel scene, the first Treehouse Hotel debuted in London in 2019. The Manchester branch, which opened last year, amplifies the whimsy. Rooms are meticulously designed to resemble actual treehouses, featuring bird boxes on walls that double as alarm clocks, timber-clad walls creating an arboreal atmosphere, and handwritten welcome notes thanking guests for "climbing on up" to their rooms. This child-like fun evokes memories of family-oriented hotels in Las Vegas, complete with volcanoes, Eiffel Towers, and Venetian canals.
It's fun, funky, and entirely distinctive. Simultaneously, it highlights a rather damning critique of the UK hotel industry, where transforming a bedroom into a treehouse stands out as a peak of excitement. This could serve as a wake-up call for future hoteliers. Treehouse is the accessibly priced arm of Starwood Hotels, the hospitality group that also owns the sustainable 1 Hotels brand. The design focus on flora and nature feels consistent across both properties, emphasising a connection to the environment.
The Rooms at the Treehouse Hotel, Manchester
The rooms exude coziness with a strong sense of whimsy. Patchwork quilts and colourful cushions are scattered throughout, while a sofa crafted from imperfect wood scraps folds into a second bed—perhaps aptly termed a 'nest'. Warm autumnal hues mirror natural elements, from pillows to throws and an exceptionally plump bed. Standard rooms, like the one reviewed, come equipped with a decent rainforest shower, though the ongoing trend of omitting bathtubs in modern hotels persists. This is a clarion call: bring back the bathtub!
However, retrofitting this former 1970s office block presented some design challenges. Upon check-in, a staff member confessed that to make a cup of tea, guests must boil the kettle on the floor, four metres away from its storage spot, due to the location of the only available plug. This quirky inconvenience, while slightly impractical, arguably adds to the authentic treehouse experience, mimicking the rustic challenges one might face in a real woodland retreat.
Food & Drink
The ground-floor all-day restaurant is a nostalgic throwback to childhood visits to the Rainforest Cafe. Plants suspended from the ceiling are plastic, but those at eye-level are real. Impressive mood lighting and a dynamic playlist—ranging from energetic daytime samba to surprisingly underground techno, reminiscent of a 5am festival dancefloor—create an ambience that aims to mirror a forest atmosphere. The effect is genuinely transportive, proving that techno can indeed evoke the mystery of a late-night jungle. A rooftop bar is set to open later this year, promising further elevated experiences.
Things to Do
The gym, painted neon green and aptly named 'The Playground', adds to the fun. There's also a screening room offering complimentary films, available for hire for corporate events. In the foyer, guests will find a box of little wooden blocks to write memories on, which are then hung in hotel corridors, fostering a sense of community. Located in the Deansgate area of Manchester, all the city's attractions are within walking distance, making it an ideal base for exploration.
For more information, visit the hotel's official website.
