(source: booking.com)
A rather unconventional offer for a place to stay has appeared on a well-known accommodation platform – a simple treehouse that will cost you something between €5 to €7 per night. While many similar stays often charge up to €130 per night, this one, located in the Bytča district in north-western Slovakia, is deliberately minimalist – and surprisingly affordable.
The treehouse stands on the outskirts of the village of Kolárovice near Bytča. At first glance, the listing may come across as a joke. The structure, which resembles a rustic hunting hideout, offers little in the way of comfort and cannot be compared with more luxurious treehouses found elsewhere. Two worn-out mattresses lie on the floor, and the interior is as basic as it gets.
But that's precisely the point.
The man behind the idea, local resident Martin Hrobárik, has chosen to open up a favourite spot on his grandfather's land to fellow adventurers seeking solitude rather than style. "I came up with the idea last year," Hrobárik says. "There are plenty of new, beautiful, and expensive places out there. I wanted to offer something completely different."
Stripped down to the essentials
Hrobárik was inspired by the rising prices of even the most basic campsites, which are increasingly including features such as hot tubs and saunas. "A lot of people don’t want luxury – they just want to get away. They want peace, nature, and to be alone," he says.
The treehouse is situated in a remote meadow, surrounded by forest and far from any busy tourist spots. It appeals to a narrow group of visitors who are willing to pack a sleeping bag and forgo comfort. According to Hrobárik, about ten guests have stayed there in the past year.
"The main idea is peace and quiet," he explains. "I don't use it all year round, and I wanted to let others enjoy it too – a place in nature where no one will disturb them. Normally, people don't have access to private land like this, no matter how simple it is."
Find out more about region of folklore, national parks and modern attractions in our Žilina Region Travel Guide.
For the adventurous only
There is no electricity, no plumbing, and no modern facilities. A nearby spring provides water, and guests must rely on a dry toilet in the forest. Hrobárik admits the spot is not ideal for longer stays, and the accommodation is strictly limited to two people due to the small size of the structure.
"At one point, I also offered a place for guests to pitch their own tents nearby," he says. "But then someone messaged asking whether anyone else would be on the land at the same time. That's when I decided to remove the option – I want to guarantee complete solitude."
He now visits the site only occasionally, mowing the grass and checking on the treehouse when time allows. Even the key handover is contactless – guests receive an access code through the accommodation platform.
While the treehouse can't compete with the landscapes of the High Tatras or Malá Fatra, Hrobárik believes its strength lies in something far rarer: unspoilt, untouristed nature.
"It's a bit like the shelters you find along hiking trails. I'm that kind of traveller myself – I’ve spent a week in the mountains before. And this is basically the same thing."
©My Žilina
Spectacular Slovakia travel guides
A helping hand in the heart of Europe thanks to our Slovakia travel guide, with more than 1,000 photos and hundreds of tourist spots.
Our detailed travel guide to the Tatras introduces you to the whole region around the Tatra mountains, including attractions on the Polish side.
Lost in Bratislava? That's impossible with our City Guide!
See some selected travel articles, podcasts, traveller info as well as other guides dedicated to Nitra, Trenčín Region, Trnava Region and Žilina Region.
