Drive just an hour south of the San Diego/Tijuana border and you'll arrive at the wine-growing region of Valle de Guadalupe in Mexico, a landscape that's seductively secluded and punctuated by boulders and wrapped in dreamy skies. And opening next month ona hill in this unique spot is a design-dream of an eco hotel made up of 20 bungalows set across a remarkable 235 acres of peaceful mountainous land.
The upscale camping - as in sipping boutique wines next to a roaring clay fire before hopping into crisp white linen - concept is all about being at one with the environment. The lodges are set on stilts so as to have minimal impact on the soil, and they're built with corten steel which will naturally rust over time so that the exterior will blend in with the landscape, becoming even more camouflaged. The monochromatic living spaces are uncluttered, yet still decidedly cool and fresh.
While many may just want to spend time admiring the vast surrounds from their private patio and breathing in the crisp, temperate air, the hotel also has a slow-food restaurant, easy access to the local vineyards and both a hot tub and pool. It's also worth saving time to explore the surrounding region - which is known as El Otro Mexico, or ‘The Other Mexico' - and is scattered with villages that blend the modern and traditional and are home to the country's most creative, forward-thinking artisans.
Inside info
While in the area, make sure to visit the gorgeous small winery Mogor-Badan. It's very local - and you'll be treated to the finest salsas and tortillas you've ever tried,a magical arroz con leche (rice pudding) and fresh, crisp and fine cabernets,abadan@cicese.mx
Rooms cost from Dh640 a night | Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico | designhotels.com
D.O.M, Sau Paulo
The San Pellegrino 2012 list of the world's 50 best restaurants has just been released, and while the top three - Noma in Copenhagen, El Cellar de Can Roca in Girona, Spain and Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain - remain unchanged, the restaurant at fourth place, the 50-seater D.O.M. in São Paolo, has jumped up four spaces. Helmed by Brazilian chef (and former DJ) Alex Atala, the menu champions produce from Brazil and the Amazon. You'll find palm heart formed into noodles, cambuca fruit, manioc root and tucupi juice. It's haute cuisine witha rainforest twist.
Rua Barao de Capanema 549 Jardins | +55 11 3088 0761 | www.domrestaurante.com.br
LN-CC Boutique, London, UK
In the beyond-hip London area of Dalston, which caters to those who think Shoreditch is too mainstream, you'll find this appointment-only store. Yes, you read right, you'll have to email or call beforehand with the time you'd like to come and then be invited to visit. Once there you can explore unisex-style clothes from quirky Japanese brands like Sasquatch, and more established designers like Rick Owens. We wonder if they'd get back to us if we emailed them from our embarrassing teenage-years email id supercoolchick45@hotmail.com - maybe they'd think we were being ironic?
18 Shacklewell Lane, Dalston, London | +44 203 174 0727 | ln-cc.com
