Of course, there is a Best Western nearby, tucked along the northernmost reaches of the Baltic Sea, along with the Comfort Hotel Arctic and other conventional options for business travelers. But none of them share the allure and adventure of Treehotel – or the latter's creative use of environmentally friendly materials.

Treehotel, according to the owners, was inspired by a Swedish film called "The Tree Lover," about three friends with a dog who decide to build a treehouse, and whose story underscores the importance of living in harmony with one's surroundings. The Treehotel owners connected with some of Scandinavia's leading architects to design a small forest of hotel rooms that are suspended between 12 and 20 feet above the ground, using ecologically friendly materials consistent with the owners' values and mission.

The six rooms are a short walk from the main hostel, where guests share meals and enjoy a fireplace or sauna. The Mirrorcube is built on an aluminium frame that takes advantage of the strength, durability and sustainability of the material – especially important in a climate of ice, snow and cold temperatures. The foundation serves a space that offers a double bed, bath, lounge, rooftop terrace and access bridge.

The base is wrapped around the tree trunk, with the same care to avoid harming the trees during the room's construction and routine use as was true of all six units. The cube's mirrored exterior walls reflect the natural surroundings, giving it a hidden-in-plain-sight feel. Other sustainable materials and practices include energy-efficient water systems powered by hydroelectricity, and LED lighting systems.

Treehotel is a work in progress, with architects invited to create new rooms that keep the hotel and conference space as alive as the boreal forest on which it rests. That makes for some unique issues. For example, the trees grow – so the brackets for the base and walls need to be adjusted to grow with them. As Lindvall says in the Forbes piece:

The Treehotel chooses local suppliers and green products, including cleaning solutions, because sustainability means better business. Lindvall, whose background in both firefighting and adventure tourism lends itself well to the Treehotel ecotourism business, has also explored the potential for selling Mirrorcube or similar treehouse kits.