This Treehouse Is the Perfect Upstate New York Getaway

Matador:How did the treehouse come to be — what’s the story behind it?

Photo: Airbnb Photo Community

Avner Ronen: It started with the idea of building the traditional American “treehouse in the backyard” for the kids to play by the pond, but then we made the mistake of searching for Treehouse designs on the Internet, which made us more ambitious about making it bigger, 4-seasons ready, with sufficient space for adults to hang out as well, etc. We ended up falling in love with aspirational treehouse sketches from a London-based designer named Antony Gibbon. We reached out to Antony, connected with a local builder from Kingston, and got going on a much bigger project than we initially planned for.

The wood-burning hot tub is unusual — most guests have never used one. What do you tell people about it when they arrive?

We wanted the Treehouse experience to be as connected with nature as possible, so choosing a wood-burning Scandinavian hot tub felt natural. Lighting the fire is indeed challenging for inexperienced people, so we provide detailed instructions, but we sometimes start it for the guests ahead of time.

No wifi, no cell service — most hosts would see that as a problem to solve. What made you decide to lean into it?

Photo: Airbnb Photo Community

It is actually one of the things that makes the stays more special for guests. We always confirm with guests when they reach out to ensure they understand there is no service. For some, this is a deal breaker, but for most people, being disconnected from the Internet means being more connected with each other, having a more relaxing time, and being more aware and connected with the nature around them. We strongly believe that people need a break from the constant stimulation of modern life.

The record player and vinyl come up constantly in reviews, guests mention bringing their own records. How did that become part of the experience?

Music plays a role when people cook, play, or just hang out. Most people nowadays are streaming their music from Spotify, Apple, or YouTube, and given that there is no Internet connection, we thought that having a traditional record player with some of our favorite albums could be a refreshing experience, and consistent with the overall “simple life” experience of the treehouse.

The skylight above the bed is one of those details that doesn’t fully land in photos. What’s it actually like at night?

Photo: Airbnb Photo Community

People used to look up at the sky often. Nowadays, we are more likely to look down at our phones. Most of us live in areas where light pollution means that even if you look up, you are unlikely to see the awe-inspiring stars and constellations. We are lucky that the treehouse is remote enough to give people the opportunity to lie down and look up at the night’s sky.

The pond is swimmable and shared with your main house. What does the property look like across the seasons — winter versus summer?

Each season has its charm and unique experience. Late Spring and Summer are great for reinvigorating swims and being surrounded by lush greens. When the leaves change in the fall, the entire Catskills are painted with so much color, and the view of the pond and the mountain from the Treehouse window is mesmerizing. In late fall and winter, we highly recommend firing the hot tub and doing quick cold plunges into the icy pond.

Most of your guests seem to come from New York City, two hours away. What do you think they’re actually looking for when they book this?

We think they are looking for a different type of getaway, rather than the usual Hotel or Airbnb experience. Something memorable.

Woodstock is 15 minutes away. Where do you send people when they head into town?

Photo: Airbnb Photo Community

We have a list of recommendations that covers restaurants, bars, galleries, and shopping. We love Silvia and Tinker Taco for food. Small Talk and Station Bar for drinks. Woodstock Meats, Sharkies, and Bread Alone for quick bites. Picking up a book to read at the Treehouse from Golden Notebook.

How has your approach to hosting changed over the years, and what have you learned that you didn’t expect?

I believe our approach has not changed much over the years. We are maybe better at pre-stay communications, guidebook, etc. We learned that hosting on Airbnb opens up opportunities to connect with guests. We continue to meet interesting people from all walks of life.

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