‘An amazing place’: Kansas City-area treehouse is one of Airbnb’s top destinations
If this Airbnb outside Leavenworth is any indication, a love for treehouses doesn’t wane in adulthood.
The front door to Graham’s Treehouse Tree Cabin is accessible only by a steep staircase — guests must wind their way into the branches before entering a space filled with wood paneling and countertops.
A tree trunk shoots through the treehouse’s wraparound deck. Inside, a wall of windows reveals a high-up view of leafy tree tops.
The sky-high cottage in the woods has become so popular, in fact, Airbnb took notice. This month, the short-term rental company named the owners of Graham’s Treehouse, Stan and Denise Wood (perhaps fitting that’s their last name), the most “Hospitable Hosts” in Kansas. The honor is given to owners whose vacation rentals received 100% 5-star reviews for cleanliness, check-in and communication, with a minimum 100 reviews.
Graham’s treehouse is one of three at the Hidden Valley Wilderness Retreat Site at 19190 Logan Road in Easton, northwest of Kansas City and 15 minutes from Leavenworth.
Surrounded by trickling streams and two miles of hiking trails, the site was the brainchild of a nature-loving priest, the Rev. Edward Hays, who discovered the 32-acre property in the ’80s and wanted to turn it into a spiritual getaway for priests.
Hays built a retreat house with three units for other clergymen to stay. There, he entertained guests, reflected on spiritual concepts and wrote several books about his musings.
The Woods purchased the property in 2016 — Hays was no longer affiliated with it. The couple had a vision that elevated the retreat — one that allowed visitors to become even more immersed in nature.
“It’s a place to relax, renew and reconnect with those you love,” Stan said. “Almost all our guests experience that renewal when they’re here.”
The couple built Serenity Creek Treehouse in 2017 and Graham’s Treehouse in 2018. Both are one-bedroom suites and accommodate two guests. Visitors must be over 18.
In 2021, they finished their biggest project, the Whispering Elm treehouse, which sleeps four. Each is fully furnished and equipped with a bathroom, kitchen, heating and (sometimes limited) Wi-Fi.
Stan joked that they built the three treehouses for each of their three children, one of whom is named Graham.
“That’s the only one that’s named after one of our kids,” he said. “But we just couldn’t come up with any other name, and it kind of stuck.”
The original retreat suite still sits on the property, though the Woods have renovated it.
Stan said he’s been overwhelmed by the positive comments from guests. People tell him how refreshed they feel after leaving, he said All three treehouses have a near five-star rating on Airbnb, with customers raving in the reviews.
“Graham’s Treehouse exceeded our expectations. It was an amazing place to rest, connect and re-charge,” wrote one guest.
“We loved having breakfast on the back porch and listening to the birds, the fountain, and the wind rustling the leaves in the trees,” said another.
The host of Red Mule Ranch, northwest of St. Louis, was crowned Missouri’s most hospitable. The rental features a one bedroom bunkhouse on an 85-acre horse farm.
The treehouses book quickly. To stay the night, find the Woods’ listing at airbnb.com or visit hiddenvalleywilderness.com. Graham’s Treehouse and Serenity Creek Treehouse cost roughly $199 a night, while Whispering Elm costs $299.
This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 3:22 PM.