Nestled in the easternmost state of Mexico, Quintana Roo is the stunning hotel Boca de Agua. Designed by Mexico City architect Frida Escobedo, who is the winner of the 2024 Charlotte Perriand Award, the hotel is located next to the Bacalar Lagoon which is defined by clean blue waters that instantly invite you in. The crystal clear waters of the lagoon seem like an instant relief from the heat of the Mexican environment! The Boca de Agua is a family of minimal wooden treehouses that are surrounded by lush greenery and foliage.
Designer: Frida Escobeda
The holiday destination is brimming to the top with greenery in an effort to have a positive and calming impact on the guests’ mental health, while also positively affecting the natural environment. “Since my early twenties, I started suffering from crippling anxiety,” said Boca de Agua’s founder Rodrigo Juarez. “The only times I was able to get out of this frustrating loop was when I would spend extended periods of time in nature. Since this realization, I began a long journey to try to develop a project in the intersection of natural conservation and mental health – and Boca de Agua was born.” Juarez wanted to extend that calming sensation he experienced in nature to others, providing them with a peaceful haven of sorts.
The hotel includes 22 raised structures, some of which are one-bedroom, while others are two bedrooms and two restaurants. One of the restaurants features a stargazing platform on top. The property also includes a lagoon deck, a petanque court, and a spa with four mature chaká trees surrounding it.
Besides being a lush and relaxing location, the Boca de Agua hotel also aims to engage local small businesses and provide employment to emerging professionals from underrepresented groups. The design of the hotel is also sustainable and is highlighted by an Escobedo staple, which is latticework. The latticework ensures natural ventilation and shade while providing the space with an artisanal and charming vibe. At the same time, it ensures that the site utilizes timber, and employs local labor and construction techniques, irrespective of its modern design.
If you’re looking for a stunning little cabin in the woods to get away to and simply relax, then you’ve reached the right place. Cabins are by far the best type of vacation I’ve come across. They’re a peaceful and tranquil option to abandon your urban life and woes, and simply unwind in nature. If you’re wondering where to head for your next cabin retreat, then you can refer to this collection of beautiful and super cozy cabins that we’ve gathered. They’re the perfect safe haven nestled in the midst of nature, providing you a break from your everyday hectic life. From a tiny cabin with a unique layout that makes it feel larger than it is to an elevated cabin in the Brazilian forest – these mesmerizing and surreal cabins are the ultimate retreat, you’ve been searching for. Plan your next vacation in one of them!
1. Kjerringholmen
Called the Kjerringholmen Cabin, this unique cabin is located in the Hvaler archipelago, a true island paradise in Norway. The cabin occupies 63 square meters in size and has an incredibly spacious and airy vibe.
Why is it noteworthy?
Kjerringholmen is proof “that large houses don’t necessarily mean more quality of life. In just 63 square meters, with smart planning, it still has plenty of usable space,” said the studio. Occupying 63 square meters, the cabin is supported by steel pillars and surrounded by a dusky rocky landscape.
What we like
Blends perfectly with the natural landscape, creating a surreal ambiance
Designed extremely efficiently and consciously to support a smart way of living
What we dislike
Birds may not notice the home and could crash into it since it merges so perfectly with its surroundings
2. The Hideaway House
If you’re in search of the picture-perfect cabin getaway, then look no further! The Hideaway House is a lovely little haven nestled away in the midst of nature, and you can only access it via a tucked-away road at the base of the mountain!
Why is it noteworthy?
It is a blackened timber cabin that is nestled on a 52.7-acre private mountain and is completely surrounded by lush ancient forests. A 700-meter drive through the ancient forest leads you to the summit of a vast natural reserve 500 ft above sea level, which accommodates this reclusive modern residence.
What we like
Has access to picturesque views of British Colombia’s Gulf Islands
Facilitates a lovely indoor-outdoor connection
What we dislike
The home is quite difficult to get to since only a tucked-away road leads to it
3. The Nest
Nestled in Hocking Hills, Ohio, The Nest is a beautiful property to enjoy the natural beauty of the hills. The home is comfy and cozy, especially the living room which is great for movie nights!
Why is it noteworthy?
The outdoor patio has a DIY suspended bed made with a recycled trampoline, which makes for a great spot to lounge about in. The Nest has a unique layout that makes the home feel much larger than it is, allowing it to stand apart from typical tiny homes on the market.
What we like
Unique layout that makes it seem much more spacious and airy than it actually is
What we dislike
Not everyone may like the barn-style door since it is quite old-fashioned and doesn’t provide much privacy
4. Casa Monoculo
The Casa Monoculo is a beautiful contemporary Brazilian home designed by Alan Chu. It is located above the densely forested area of Eldorado, and is in fact, elevated above the ground, and a unique twist on the concept of treetop living.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is not simply an ordinary treehouse, it is spacious and modern, no different than any of the finely done villas you see today. It provides expansive views of the beautiful surroundings while creating a luxurious living experience.
What we like
Offers a luxurious treetop living experience with a twist
What we dislike
It doesn’t seem like the house can accommodate a large number of guests, better suited for smaller parties
5. The Hide Cabin
The Hide Cabin is designed by Inclume Architects and is a compact little cabin in the remote woodlands of Thetford, England. The cabin functions as a protective enclosure for bird watchers, nature lovers, and walkers.
Why is it noteworthy?
It allows visitors to completely immerse themselves in the woodlands, allowing them to truly reconnect with nature, and observe the wildlife, without disturbing the land in the least.
What we like
It causes minimal disturbance and damage to nature and habitats of wildlife
The rustic cabin draws inspiration from its natural surroundings
What we dislike
The cabin is quite small, and can’t accommodate more than one person
6. Cabin Anna
Called Cabin Anna, this modular cabin is located in the De Biesbosch National Park. It is the latest version of the Cabin Anna which became extremely popular in 2016.
Why is it noteworthy?
It is designed to be utilized as a small compact home. It features a ground floor, mezzanine sleeping areas, a kitchen, a bathroom, and an outdoor shower. “In wintertime, Anna’s insulated wooden shell keeps the warmth inside like a thick winter coat. In spring or autumn, the glass keeps the rain outside or lets the sun in to warm up the space,” said the architect.
What we like
The sliders can be manually operated, allowing residents to experience a sense of closeness with the surrounding environment
What we dislike
They don’t offer an electronic opening version of Anna
7. Iwi Cabin
The Iwi Cabin is really an innovative and unique design! It features a space-maximizing design that can be easily compressed and expanded. It is essentially an accordion-shaped shed, that allows city dwellers to expand space in urban apartments.
Why is it noteworthy?
When the Iwi Cabin is fully expanded, it unfolds and occupies almost 91 square feet, and when it is folded and compressed, it occupies only 26 square feet. The Iwi Cabin is super easy to operate since owners can push and pull the shed, owing to the wheel system that allows it to be swiftly and efficiently handled and stored away.
What we like
The cabin is resistant to rain, wind, and sunshine
The interiors are outfitted using cork and sheep’s wool which provides insulation to the cold
What we dislike
The cabin features only one door/window, hence it is the only source of ventilation in the cabin
8. Cabins in Farouche Tremblant
A series of A-frame buildings populate the Devil River’s Valley with the Mont-Tremblant National Park in the background. The Farouche Tremblant agrotourism site includes four rental micro-cabins, a cafe, and a farm.
Why is it noteworthy?
Designed by the Canadian architecture studio Atelier l’Abri, the buildings are meant to “recede in the landscape”. The studio designed that function as a basecamp for visitors who want to visit Devil’s River and Valley.
What we like
Features outdoor decking and a glazed gable end which enables visitors to truly make the most of the vistas of the surrounding natural landscape
What we dislike
The aesthetics of the cabins are a bit old-school
9. Bathhouse
This bright red cabin on the seafront in Hankøsundet, Østfold is called the Bathhouse, and it is inspired by traditional Norwegian boathouse aesthetics. It features a red color exterior to pay homage to the same.
Why is it noteworthy?
The cabin was built for a client who lives near the coast and aims to be a ‘modern reinterpretation’ of traditional Norwegian boathouses. The studio used contemporary materials and techniques to create this lively-looking cabin since the client wanted a space that was both modern and traditional.
What we like
The cabin perfectly mimics a traditional boathouse
The living area is covered by a second layer of timber planks, angled at 45 degrees, which aim to create a sense of privacy
What we dislike
The open panels in the living room aren’t the best option for those who like arranging the angle and privacy of their windows
10. ‘A House’
‘A House’ is a minimalist Nordic cabin located in the stunning wooded region of Lilla Kilskäret, an island of the Swedish archipelago near Stockholm. It was designed as a cozy summer home for a young couple.
Why is it noteworthy?
‘A House’ beautifully captures minimalist Nordic architecture, and its picturesque surroundings help to create a space that is truly calming and peaceful. The site and local building regulations were quite challenging, and hence the home needed to occupy a tiny footprint, and perfectly blend in with its surroundings
What we like
The single open merge perfectly merges with the surrounding landscape, creating the sensation of being at one with it
What we dislike
The home may not be private enough with its 3 walls being made of glass
Porsche is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic 911 series with the launch of the 911 S/T special edition model limited to just 1,963 units. Such is the status of this timeless sports car that every automotive pundit swears by its charm.
Just like the sports version, the German marque has quite a few successful race track-oriented versions of 911 like the GT3, Carrera GT, 718 RSK and 550 Spyder. While most of the race circuit-specific models are two-seater versions, a hyper racing MPV with a 5-seater capacity wants to fuse things for a new era of motoring.
Designer: Zhe Huang
This is the Mission S concept, just in time for the celebrations, reviving the memories of the successful Porsche racing era that put this brand on the A list of influential advertisers and every fat-pocketed millionaire. The hyper racing car’s body shape is a dynamic amalgam of the Porsche 937 and Vision Gran Turismo. According to Zhe, the concept is inspired by the droplets (unmanned spacecrafts) shown in the 3 Body Problem series on Netflix that’s based on a science fiction novel written by the Chinese writer Liu Cixin.
The core idea of this creative project is to bridge the gap between casual motorheads and professional racers. For this, the Mission S supercar brings hyper racing MPV in the form of a 5-seater car that’s spacious and comfortable while not compromising on high performance and speedy character in any way. One thing is for sure, this Porsche hypercar is not for the faint-hearted passengers as it can easily touch dizzying speeds.
Just like the Porsche 908 and 935 with the long tail design optimized the performance at high speeds, the Mission S gets an elongated tail. It’s got one added benefit of extra room for as many as five people including the driver. Those Le-Mans-styled doors and the high-performance electric drive follow in the lines of the successful classics from the Porsche house. All this while keeping in mind the future vision of the brand.
Those streamlined curved of the hypercar flow from the front to the back, optimizing the overall range of the performance EV. The ride height of the Mission S is kept high to ride the public roads with speed bumps and potholes without any issues. In a true sense, this hyper racing MPV is a hybrid racer good enough for city commutes.
