{"id":10183,"date":"2012-08-13T21:13:23","date_gmt":"2012-08-13T19:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/?p=10183"},"modified":"2012-08-13T21:13:23","modified_gmt":"2012-08-13T19:13:23","slug":"the-big-six-cool-cubes-news-advice-travel-the-independent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/?p=10183","title":{"rendered":"The Big Six: Cool cubes &#8211; News &#038; Advice &#8211; Travel &#8211; The Independent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/news-and-advice\/the-big-six-cool-cubes-7852158.html\">The Big Six: Cool cubes &#8211; News &amp; Advice &#8211; Travel &#8211; The Independent<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/news-and-advice\/the-big-six-cool-cubes-7852158.html?action=gallery\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Hotel Consolaci\u00f3n Spain\" src=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/incoming\/article7854423.ece\/ALTERNATES\/w460\/5411414.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/> <\/a> <a id=\"view-gallery\" href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/news-and-advice\/the-big-six-cool-cubes-7852158.html?action=gallery\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/skins\/ind\/images\/i_photos.gif\" alt=\"view gallery\" \/> VIEW GALLERY<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget relatedContents stories widget-editable viziwyg-section-1024 inpage-widget-7757798 RelatedArtTag\">\n<h5>Related articles<\/h5>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/asia\/travel-challenge-thailand-6274667.html\"> Travel Challenge: Thailand <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/hotels\/the-big-six-chic-thai-retreats-6271319.html\"> The Big Six: Chic Thai retreats <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/world\/asia\/thai-king-calls-for-cooperation-to-deal-with-floods-6272845.html\"> Thai king calls for co-operation to deal with floods <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/hotels\/the-big-six-european-wine-hotels-7808650.html\"> The Big Six: European wine hotels <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/arts-entertainment\/films\/reviews\/miss-bala-gerardo-naranjo-113-mins-15-2377634.html\"> Miss Bala, Gerardo Naranjo, 113 mins (15) <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"fullwidth\" class=\"widget ad google widget-editable viziwyg-section-1024 inpage-widget-7757805 googlead verticalgooglead RelatedArtTag clearBoth\"><a style=\"color: #125581;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.google.com\/url?ct=abg&amp;q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/adsense\/support\/bin\/request.py%3Fcontact%3Dabg_afc%26url%3Dhttp:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/travel\/news-and-advice\/the-big-six-cool-cubes-7852158.html%26gl%3DES%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dca-pub-5964551156905038%26ai0%3DBooR2MFIpULvpGsGZ0AWw0ICYDMndtaMCwemwuSih_ZfkPaDoOxABGAEg3eqxFCgDOABQn9LVjP7_____AWDVxdqCtCugAbvQwugDsgEVd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVryAEB2gFXaHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5jby51ay90cmF2ZWwvbmV3cy1hbmQtYWR2aWNlL3RoZS1iaWctc2l4LWNvb2wtY3ViZXMtNzg1MjE1OC5odG1sgAIBqQIsTPfjg1G6PsACAcgCoe7pE6gDAegDuSjoA9Ao6AND6APmA-gDFPUDAAAABPUDIAAAAA%26ai1%3DBAOSTMFIpULvpGsGZ0AWw0ICYDO301cgC7ZX_xS3AjbcBgMw6EAIYAiDd6rEUKAM4AFDetLHNAWDVxdqCtCugAaXSwewDsgEVd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVryAEB2gFXaHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5jby51ay90cmF2ZWwvbmV3cy1hbmQtYWR2aWNlL3RoZS1iaWctc2l4LWNvb2wtY3ViZXMtNzg1MjE1OC5odG1sgAIBqQJn17EL8OOwPqgDAegDuSjoA9Ao6AND6APmA-gDFPUDAAAABPUDIAAAAA%26ai2%3DBXhluMFIpULvpGsGZ0AWw0ICYDPOIpK4Cq-W2yiqRkdzHJ5C5hAEQAxgDIN3qsRQoAzgAUKX91JwDYNXF2oK0K6ABp9X59AOyARV3d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWvIAQHaAVdodHRwOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL3RyYXZlbC9uZXdzLWFuZC1hZHZpY2UvdGhlLWJpZy1zaXgtY29vbC1jdWJlcy03ODUyMTU4Lmh0bWyAAgGpAq4Kg9SP7qo-wAIByALL758ZqAMB6AO5KOgD0CjoA0PoA-YD6AMU9QMAAAAE9QMgAAAA&amp;usg=AFQjCNH_I9JSwIulUaXwS2u_PVSIr5PbGQ\" target=\"_blank\">Ads by Google<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a style=\"color: #125581;\" href=\"http:\/\/googleads.g.doubleclick.net\/aclk?sa=l&amp;ai=BooR2MFIpULvpGsGZ0AWw0ICYDMndtaMCwemwuSih_ZfkPaDoOxABGAEg3eqxFCgDOABQn9LVjP7_____AWDVxdqCtCugAbvQwugDsgEVd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVryAEB2gFXaHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5jby51ay90cmF2ZWwvbmV3cy1hbmQtYWR2aWNlL3RoZS1iaWctc2l4LWNvb2wtY3ViZXMtNzg1MjE1OC5odG1sgAIBqQIsTPfjg1G6PsACAcgCoe7pE6gDAegDuSjoA9Ao6AND6APmA-gDFPUDAAAABPUDIAAAAA&amp;num=1&amp;sig=AOD64_3I9_1BeHYVoeBACoUBfflv09Ginw&amp;client=ca-pub-5964551156905038&amp;adurl=http:\/\/www.qropschoices.com\/spain-expat\/%3F%3Fbc_ppc%3D100kpensioninwantincreasedbenefitsreturnsmovetoqropsfreeguideadviceadvert1g%26bc_keys%3Dqrops%23inner\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\u00a3100k+ Pension In Spain?<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\nWant Increased Benefits &amp; Returns? 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Ten timber-clad &#8220;kubes&#8221; are poised on a hilltop with uninterrupted views of the Teruel backdrop through the floor-to-ceiling windows, while inside there are black slate baths, suspended chimneys and crisp white Egyptian cotton on the beds. The centrepiece of this modern assemblage is the 18th-century &#8220;Ermita&#8221;, with a further two bedrooms decorated in period style, a restaurant (the perfect place to try local Serrano ham) and a 14th-century church. The Camino de Santiago passes by the front door.<\/p>\n<p><em>Hotel Consolacion, Carretera Nacional 232 km 96, Monroyo \/ Mont-roig, Teruel. Spain (00 34 978 85 67 55; consolacion.com.es). Doubles start \u20ac155, including breakfast.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Endemico Resguardo Silvestre, Mexico<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>An hour and a half&#8217;s drive south of San Diego, lies a little-known wine-producing region in Mexico&#8217;s Baja California. Scrubby hillsides plunge down to vivid streaks of vines in the Valle de Guadalupe, where the eye-catching Encuentro Guadalupe winery is taking shape. A new addition, opening next month, will be Grupo Habita&#8217;s &#8220;luxury camping hotel&#8221; \u2013 20 stilted cube rooms overlooking the winery. Expect a glossy finish, with wine coolers in the rooms and a restaurant using only local produce.<\/p>\n<p><em>Endemico Resguardo Silvestre, Carretera Tecate-Ensenada km75, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico (001 866 978 7020; www.grupohabita.mx). Double rooms start at US$175 (\u00a3117), room only.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Casa de la Flora, Thailand<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>60km north of Phuket in the resort of Khao Lak, Casa de la Flora is a pocket of unapologetic modernism sandwiched between the Andaman Sea and lush tropical forest. The 36 concrete, cube villas maximise the views via their plate-glass ocean-facing walls. The scene is softened and warmed by tropical hardwoods, natural stone and luxurious fittings, including private pools for each guestroom.<\/p>\n<p><em>Casa de la Flora, Khuk Khak, Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Thailand (00 66 76 428 999; casadelaflora.com). Doubles start at 7,757 baht (\u00a3160), room only.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hotel Palafitte, Switzerland<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The peaceful panorama of Lake Neuch\u00e2tel is enjoyed in quite seclusion by guests at Hotel Palafitte \u2013 each cuboid room here stands on stilts over the water or on a walkway teetering at the lake&#8217;s edge. Ladders invite you down into the sparkling water directly from the room&#8217;s balcony, while the peaks of the Alps beckon for mountain hikes in the distance.<\/p>\n<p><em>Hotel Palafitte, Route des Gouttes-d&#8217;Or 2, Neuch\u00e2tel, Switzerland (00 41 32 723 02 02; palafitte.ch). Doubles start at Sfr525 (\u00a3355), room only.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Carre d&#8217;Etoiles, France<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Translating as &#8220;square of stars&#8221;, this collection of timber cubes invites its guests to make the most of the stunning Ardeche gorges by day, then marvel at the night sky after the sun has set. Each cabin is constructed with a clear dome above the bed to watch the nocturnal spectacle in comfort, while telescopes and stellar charts offer a more detailed view.<\/p>\n<p><em>Carre d&#8217;Etoiles, Saint Cerice, Vogu\u00e9, Rhone-Alps, France (00 33 2 48 77 59 31; carre-detoiles.com\/saintcerice\/). Doubles start at \u20ac95, room only.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Loftcube, Belgium<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Tucked away in the woods surrounding the Chateau de la Poste, Loftcube is a modern counterpoint to its late 19th-century host. The sleek modernist pod has been conceived as a customisable open-plan space, with glass walls and louvred windows that reveal the sylvan setting outside. The d\u00e9cor is sleek and contemporary, and guests can also make use of the chateau&#8217;s hotel facilities (restaurant, tennis courts, mountain bikes and more) a short walk away.<\/p>\n<p><em>Loftcube, Chateau de la Poste, Ronchinne 25, Maillen, Belgium (00 32 81 411 405; chateaudelaposte.be\/loftcube). The cube starts at \u20ac250, including breakfast.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Big Six: Cool cubes &#8211; News &amp; Advice &#8211; Travel &#8211; The Independent. &nbsp; VIEW GALLERY Related articles Travel Challenge: Thailand The Big Six: Chic Thai retreats Thai king calls for co-operation to deal with floods The Big Six: European wine hotels Miss Bala, Gerardo Naranjo, 113 mins (15) Ads by Google \u00a3100k+ Pension [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10183","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-matarranya"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10183","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10183"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10183\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10184,"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10183\/revisions\/10184"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10183"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10183"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lafranja.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10183"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}