Unbelievable tree houses around the globe

These four airy tree houses can accommodate couples or as many as 20 people at a time. Tucked into old tamarind trees hovering over crisp white sand dunes, the cabins are located next to the 5,000-acre Sanya Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Theme Park, complete with temples, botanical gardens, pagodas, and more. More info: www.treehousesofhawaii.com

Who says a tree house should be made out of wood? This one is actually a refurbished vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airplane, perched high on a pedestal in the Costa Rican jungle. Once a working jet, it’s now a two bedroom treehouse suite with ocean views and an interior decked in Costa Rican teak paneling. More info: www.costaverde.com

This quirky tree house was built by master builder Takashi Kobayashi and acts as a lookout over the forest around the Beach Rock Village Resort in Okinawa, Japan. A spiral wooden staircase leads up to a deck and reflective Plexiglas-covered dome, which allows the treehouse to blend in with the scenery. 
More info: www.shimapro.com

These suspended spherical tree houses in Qualicum, B.C., are anything but typical. Described as “a marriage of tree house and sailboat technology,” they were built using similar techniques found in cedar strip canoe and kayak construction. That being said, the spheres pack a lot into a small circular space, including a bed, table, sink, fridge, seating area, and more. More info: www.freespiritspheres.com

This “secret treehouse hiding in the woods of Whistler” is built on Whistler Mountain Crown land so its fate continues to literally hang in the balance. Joel Allen, a former software developer turned carpenter, spent three years creating the unique tree house out of recycled and donated materials and is currently crowdsourcing ideas for the treehouse’s future. More info: www.thehemloft.com

Northern Sweden’s modern treetop resort houses a total of seven unique structures, including this stunningly modern Mirrorcube designed by architects Bolle Tham & Martin Videgård. It literally camouflages into the forest around it thanks to reflective mirrored walls (covered in invisible infrared film that prevent birds from crashing into them). Once inside, you can kick back in the plywood and birch interior that feels more like an urban boutique hotel than a tree house. More info: treehotel.se

Saunter up a suspension bridge to these multi-level tree houses high amongst the trees of the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica. The rustic cabins are built with sustainable hardwoods and fallen lumber but include some modern touches like iPod docks and Jacuzzi tubs. Shared facilities on the ground include a toilet tucked inside a 100-year-old sangrillo tree, and a shower inside another tree trunk. 
More info: costaricatreehouse.com

This remote tree house retreat has been featured on TV shows such as Extreme Cribs and Ellen. A steep climb up a series of lava boulders and ladders leads to the two-level tree house. It was crafted using a combination of recycled and reclaimed materials, including cedar siding salvaged from a church, and has fancy touches like a cedar hot tub and stained glass windows by a local artist. The property is also next to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the active Kilauea volcano. More info: airbnb.ca

Tennessee minister Horace Burgess claims that 15 years ago, God asked him to build a massive tree house and, well, he delivered. The reclaimed wood structure stands a whopping 97 feet tall, is wrapped around a live 80-foot-tall white oak tree, and is supported by another six trees. Sadly, Burgess was ordered to close it in 2012 due to safety concerns.
More info: en.wikipedia.org

With all of its angles, Oregon's Calypso tree house took almost two years to complete. Little nooks house an ensuite bathroom, kitchenette, and extra loft area with a second bed. During the day, resort guests can continue their time in the trees with recreational tree climbing activities. More info: www.airbnb.ca