With approximately half a million bees on the property at Honeycomb Cottage MN, we take precautions seriously.

To minimize the chance of getting stung on your way into or out of the Honeycomb Cottage MN:

- Be "smell-neutral" (DO NOT wear perfumes, colognes, scented lotions, scented laundry detergents, essential oils, synthetic fragrances of any kind, deodorants, shampoos or anything fruity smelling etc.)

-Hang clothing outdoors or in the sun prior to your session to help reduce strong smelling fragrance lingering in the fabric.

-No scented products, smoking, or strong smelling foods on session day

- Shower/rinse off without scented soap; don't wash hair with scented products

- Use fragrance-free laundry detergent

-We are a Fragrance-Free Facility for the health and safety of all of our customers and our bees. Your risk of being stung increases if you do not adhere to this policy.

- Do not approach the entrances of the beehives.

- Approach the Honeycomb Cottage MN on the side of the front door only. 

- Walk away calmly if a bee approaches they are curious but they do not want to sting you! Honey bees die after they sting.

- Hold still if a bee lands on you, again they do not want to sting you and will generally only do so if there is a perceived threat to the hive.

- Avoid swatting or waving arms 

- If you do get stung, don't panic! Remove the stinger promptly and let us know. We're here to help and ensure your safety

No food or beverages allowed inside Honeycomb Cottage MN

Bees have a super powerful sense of smell - 170 odor receptors that are 100 times stronger than ours!

So, we require that participants are not wearing any type of scents or fragrances that might disrupt the bees or attract them to the entrance of the Honeycomb Cottage MN.

To ensure a wonderful experience for all, we require that you refrain from bringing or wearing perfumes, colognes, deodorants, essential oils, hand creams, hair products, food or beverages and anything else with a strong odor into the Honeycomb Cottage MN.

The pine on the inside of the cottage is a very absorbent wood, so it will absorb any fragrances from your skin or clothing. This may create issues for guests with high sensitivities to fragrances, breathing conditions or allergies to fragrances.

We will ask that you leave water bottles near the entrance to avoid spills on the benches.

Let's keep the air fresh and the bees buzzing with joy!

We are located just north of scenic Stillwater, Minnesota. Nestled in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley, a short drive from St Paul and Minneapolis.

The address to Honeycomb Cottage MN is 14747 Manning Trail North, Stillwater, MN 55082

Yes, you need to book your appointment at Honeycomb Cottage MN at least 3 hours in advance.

You can do so on the Appointments page.

Please feel free to email us with any questions at [email protected]

Please ensure you are arriving on the correct day and time for your appointment at Honeycomb Cottage MN!

You should arrive no more than 10-15 minutes early for your first experience of the Honeycomb Cottage MN! That allows us time to answer questions and tell you what to expect. We have full schedules and we live on the property, so please do not arrive earlier than 10-15 minutes prior to your appointment time.

Please arrive on time for your appointment. Our scheduled times are exact, so if you're running late, it may impact your experience.

If there's a booking immediately after yours, we'll still need to end your session on time.

We'll do our best to ensure you get the full Honeycomb Cottage MN experience. We want to make sure you have a wonderful time with our bees!

We love to talk with our guests after their session for a few minutes as well to hear about your experience and answer any questions you may have.

You can book a 45 or 90 minute Apitherapy Session at Honeycomb Cottage MN.

At your first session we will greet you and walk you into the Honeycomb Cottage MN and at the end of the session, we will come gently knock on the door when your time is concluded.

Honeycomb Cottage MN is a one-of-a-kind wellness experience in Stillwater that combines relaxation, nature, and science through a practice known as hive air apitherapy.

Inside the cottage, you rest comfortably on a bench positioned above two live beehives brimming with life. You are completely protected by a secure, double-screen barrier, while the space fills with warm, aromatic hive air rising naturally from below.

This air carries a complex blend of:

• Propolis-rich antimicrobial compounds

• Floral and resinous plant aromatics

• Pollen-derived nutrients and bioactive molecules

• Naturally ionized air from the hive environment

As you breathe, listen, and settle in, the gentle hum of the bees creates a steady vibrational soundscape helping many guests shift into a deeply relaxed, parasympathetic state.

Rooted in Eastern European apitherapy traditions and adapted into a modern, immersive setting, Honeycomb Cottage MN offers a rare opportunity to experience the therapeutic atmosphere of a living hive without any direct contact with bees.

This is a sensory, nervous-system-reset experience designed for people seeking:

• Stress relief and mental clarity

• Respiratory support and clean, aromatic air

• A unique wellness activity in the Twin Cities area

• A memorable, nature-based experience unlike anything else in the Midwest

Whether you’re visiting for healing, curiosity, or simply something new to do near Stillwater, Honeycomb Cottage MN offers a deeply calming and unforgettable way to reconnect with yourself and the natural world.

Research and long standing practices in parts of Eastern Europe suggest that regular exposure to hive environments may support:
• Respiratory comfort and sinus health
• Reduced inflammation and seasonal allergy symptoms
• Nervous system relaxation and stress reduction
• A deeper sense of calm through rhythmic, natural vibration

At Honeycomb Cottage MN, this experience is designed to help you slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with a more natural sensory environment.

No effort required. Just rest, breathe, and let the hive do the work. Honey Bees embody a sense of wonder and enchantment, offering a glimpse into the magic of nature.

The bees are on the outside, you are on the inside!

Indulge in the sweet serenity of our apiary!

Spend a session surrounded by the intoxicating aromas of pine and honey, crafted by our busy bees as they collect nectar from over 1,000 flowers daily. As the bees work a mesmerizing vapor is released, carrying amino acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.

The soothing hum of tens of thousands of wings creates a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for meditation, relaxation, and even a rejuvenating nap.

Let the stress melt away and your senses come alive in the enchanting Honeycomb Cottage MN.

Apitherapy is a broader term that encompasses various bee-related therapies.

While beehive air therapy is a specific type of apitherapy that involves breathing in the air from a beehive to potentially reap health benefits.

This is what we do at the Honeycomb Cottage MN.

Honeybee therapy, also known as apitherapy, is a nature based wellness experience offered at Honeycomb Cottage MN where you rest above live honeybee hives and gently breathe in the natural air of the colony.

Each session is designed to be effortless. You simply lie down on a screened platform above the hives, safely separated from the bees, while your body is immersed in their natural vibrations, sound, and hive air.

This experience combines elements of sound therapy, breath based relaxation, and environmental exposure to create a calming, full body reset.

Beehive Air Therapy, also known as Bee Air Therapy or Api-Air Therapy, is a specific type of apitherapy.

It involves inhaling the air from an active beehive, which is rich in aerosolized bee-derived compounds, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), terpenes, and phenolic acids.

These compounds are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, which may contribute to potential health benefits.

In eastern European countries, hive aerosol therapy is prescribed by doctors to assist with conditions such as asthma, allergies, COPD, anxiety and PTSD.

As you relax, you naturally inhale hive aerosol. This is the warm, aromatic air produced inside an active honeybee colony.

Hive air contains a complex mix of naturally occurring compounds from bees, plants, and the surrounding ecosystem, including:
• Antimicrobial plant compounds from propolis and floral resins
• Volatile organic compounds that may support immune balance
• Trace environmental microbes that interact with the respiratory system
• Pollen based flavonoids and polyphenols associated with reduced inflammation
• Naturally ionized air often linked to improved breathing comfort

Unlike synthetic scents or essential oils, hive air is a living, dynamic environment that reflects the biology of the bees and the landscape around them.

Breathing beehive vapor, or "Hive Aerosol Apitherapy," is a recognized medical treatment in several countries for respiratory issues like asthma and bronchitis.

We're not medical professionals, but we want to share the magic of bees with you!

Research suggests many potential health benefits.

Here are some other links that provide more information on the positive benefits of breathing beehive air:

- Study from Saudi Arabia

- Healthy With Honey

- Hey Sweet Drop

- "How Slovenia uses the sound of bees to relax"

- The Bee Therapy House

Remember, if you're considering using Bee Huts like Honeycomb Cottage MN, consult your doctor or medical professional first if you have health related questions.

Honeycomb Cottage MN does not claim to be or replace medical treatment.

At Honeycomb Cottage MN, sessions are either 45 or 90 minutes.

We offer single sessions for one person.

Double sessions for two people.

Small group sessions for 3-7 people.

Our small group package is capped at 7 people providing the opportunity to accompany families and groups large or small.

If you have a group of a different size or questions regarding sessions please feel free to reach out!

Guests of all ages are welcome to join us, and we kindly ask that you respect the peaceful atmosphere.

To aid in the experience of serene beauty, we try to maintain a quiet environment to help you fully connect with the bees and nature. 

We do not run power to the Honeycomb Cottage MN as it disturbs the bees. This means no air conditioning or WiFi is available.

We provide a Faraday box for you to place your cellphone in if you would rather not leave it in your car. The bees are disrupted by large amounts of NNEMF exposure, so we attempt to mitigate that exposure however we can. You are encouraged to take photos and videos if you wish and after doing so you can place your phone in the box to enjoy your session distraction free!

On a warm, sunny day, the temperature in the Honeycomb Cottage MN will be at least 10 degrees warmer than the outdoor temperature. So, if it is 4:00 pm on a sunny 79 degree day, it will likely be at least 89 degrees inside the Honeycomb Cottage MN.

Please try to book at a time when you will be most comfortable. If you are seeking a sauna-like experience, a warm sunny afternoon will be the perfect time to book your session!

If you do not tolerate heat well and would not enjoy higher temperatures, we advise that you book in the morning or on a cloudy, cooler afternoon to have the best experience.