For me, Free Spirit Spheres feels like stepping into another world — one where time slows, and the forest feels alive around you. It’s cozy yet wild, whimsical yet grounding.
It’s a reminder that sometimes the most luxurious experience isn’t about thread count or room service — it’s about feeling small, inspired, and completely connected to nature.
Whether you’re seeking quiet reflection, creative inspiration, or a once-in-a-lifetime stay, the Free Spirit Spheres offer something rare: a chance to float in the forest and remember your place in the wild.
Free Spirit Spheres offer one of the most unique and magical stays in the world — treehouse-style accommodations that literally hang in the forest canopy. It’s equal parts fairytale, engineering marvel, and deep reconnection with nature.
Designed and built by hand on Vancouver Island, each sphere is a suspended wooden orb, anchored high in the forest canopy with an intricate web of ropes. They’re crafted to blend seamlessly with the environment — sustainable, minimalist, and awe-inspiring.
Created by Tom Chudleigh, a local craftsman and visionary, the spheres were designed to invite people to see the forest from a new perspective — floating within it, rather than walking through it.
The Spheres
There are currently three spheres — each with its own personality, design, and energy:
Eryn – Made from yellow cedar, with curved windows and cozy interiors. Ideal for writers or solo travelers craving quiet reflection.
Melody – A fiberglass sphere with a clean, modern design and a large viewing window that lets sunlight pour in.
Luna – The newest addition, and the most luxurious. With warm wood tones and soft lighting, it feels like a floating cabin in the treetops.
Inside, each sphere features a comfortable double bed, built-in speakers for music, and gentle lighting that enhances the feeling of floating in a dream. The shared bathhouse below offers modern amenities while keeping the experience close to nature.
Staying at Free Spirit Spheres isn’t your typical hotel experience — it’s forest immersion at its finest.
You’ll climb a spiral staircase, step onto a suspension bridge, and enter your sphere high above the forest floor. As you move inside, the sphere sways slightly with your movement — a gentle reminder that you’re part of something living and breathing.
At night, you’ll fall asleep to the rhythm of raindrops on cedar and the creak of old-growth branches — a sensory experience that feels grounding, calming, and strangely otherworldly.
Nearby Things to Do
Little Qualicum Falls – Just a short drive away; an easy trail through lush forest and waterfalls.
Qualicum Beach Village – Charming cafés, boutiques, and bakeries.
Horne Lake Caves – Explore underground wonders with guided caving tours.
Cathedral Grove – Walk among 800-year-old Douglas firs in nearby MacMillan Provincial Park.
Coombs Market – Famous for its goats-on-the-roof and delicious local treats.
Free Spirit Spheres are designed to tread lightly on the land — suspended instead of built on foundations, leaving the forest floor untouched.
Each sphere’s engineering distributes its weight evenly, protecting the trees and allowing the forest to thrive around it.
This space is all about harmony — between design and nature, innovation and simplicity, human comfort and wild beauty.
Location
Address: 420 Horne Lake Road, Qualicum Beach, BC
Getting There: About 30 minutes west of Parksville and 2 hours north of Victoria.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round — rain or shine, each season brings a different kind of magic.
Tips for Your Stay
Pack light & layer up – It’s a rainforest, so moisture is part of the charm.
Unplug & unwind – There’s no Wi-Fi here, and that’s the point.
Book early – With only three spheres, they book out months in advance.
Embrace the stillness – This is a retreat for rest, reflection, and reconnection.
