Skip to content

Have you slept at a house atop a balete tree?

The treehouse atop a balete tree was my home for a few days in Isla Gigantes
The treehouse atop a balete tree was my home for a few days in Isla Gigantes

When I first heard about the treehouse atop the balete tree in Isla Gigantes, I got excited. I should stay there, I declared. That was when I solidified my plans to spend a few days during my birthday week last February in these beautiful islands. The treehouse at the Gigantes Hideaway Tourist Inn was available and I had it reserved.

The treehouse was rather small. If in case you think that the balete is one huge and creepy tree, no. It’s a smaller one and the structure was well ensconced at the center, securely built. The space was rather small for me that you have to lift the double cushion just for the door to be closed. But I wasn’t complaining.

The treehouse is made from various parts and cuts of wood and bamboo with native bamboo weave for the walls and nipa for the roof. You have to climb a steep ladder made from cut branches but there’s a wooden railing made from another branch for you to hold on as you ascend or descend.

There was an electric fan, plush pillows, a blanket and mosquito nets for those nights when those pesky insects make a buffet drink out of you. Outside, is a small veranda where its nice to spend breezy afternoons. When the wind is strong, expect the treehouse to shake. The comfort room is down below that sometimes, in the middle of the night, I have to go down, still drowsy and hope I won’t slip.

Below the treehouse is a sort of an open hut where you can sit, laze or just sleep. It was a great experience. Up there in the trees, airy and cool. I can just retire to my room or look to the sea from the veranda. Other than this lone treehouse, there are also fan and airconditioned rooms around the property.

The rather small space but just enough for me
The rather small space but just enough for me
Veranda of the treehouse, another view
Veranda of the treehouse, another view
Ladder made from branches
Ladder made from branches
The veranda of the treehouse
The veranda of the treehouse
Gnarled roots gives it some appeal
Gnarled roots gives it some appeal
At the back of the balete tree and under the treehouse
At the back of the balete tree and under the treehouse
The open structure where you can laze or sleep, especially in the afternoon
The open structure where you can laze or sleep, especially in the afternoon

Isla de Gigantes Hideaway Tourist Resort
Mr. Joel B. Decano
Tourism Officer & Owner
+639184685006 +639155796612 +639479954296
isla.gigantes@yahoo.com

Tags:

1 thought on “Have you slept at a house atop a balete tree?”

Tell me what you think

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.