Kasbah Bab Ourika, Atlas Mountains, Morocco

The hotel Kasbah Bab Ourika was brought to my attention by the consistently amazing blog 1 Kind Design.

I have been wanting to feature a Moroccan hotel for a while but haven't come across anything that speaks to me.  Having spent a little time in Morocco and a whole lot of time in the Arabic-speaking world, I have overdosed on the traditional Moroccan design excess that is typical of most high-end, European-owned Moroccan hotels.  

The Kasbah Bab Ourika is in the spectacular Atlas Mountains and seems like the perfect antidote to urban Moroccan mosaic over-stimulation.

Photos:  Alan Keohane

Hoshi Onsen Chojukan, Central Japan

A delicious bowl of steaming ramen at Shin-Sen-Gumi last night left me dreaming of a cozy fall destination in Japan.  This ryoken (Japanese inn) is situated in central Japan about an hour from Tokyo.

I think the best possible description of this place is from the site, explomondo.com, where I found all these beautiful photos.

"The place is tucked away very deeply in the Japanese forests. Your trip will most likely involve a few hours by train, followed by a two very scenic bus drives. Once you finally step out, the entire staff will be out there to welcome you.  The staff takes your shoes and luggage, and provides you with traditional japanese clothing. That means both indoor and outdoor yukata [a Japanese garment]. During your entire stay you will be assisted by the same personal guest lady. Breakfast and dinner are served in your own room. Every dish will be brought to your room the moment it’s ready in the kitchen. There are many possibilities to walk around in nature, but the absolute highlight are the various hot springs, the so-called onsen. This ryokan has both indoor and outdoor onsen. The indoor onsen is famous throughout Japan, as it has remained virtually unchanged since its construction in 1870. There is a strict ritual of entering the bath, but once inside the water, the world seems to flow away. The overall experience in this ryokan was so authentic, it almost felt unreal."   

Whitepod, Valais, Switzerland

Another 80 degree weekend in Los Angeles has left me even more hungry for cool weather.  I cleaned out my closet and realized that the only things I own that don't have holes are the sweaters that haven't been worn in 8 months.  And to top it off, all this news of early snow on the east coast has got me dreaming of a white winter. 

Check out these impressive winter pods, otherwise known as Whitepod, in Switzerland.  The video at that link is also pretty sweet (and weirdly haunting).  The resort is made up of 15 geodesic-dome pods, an authentic mountain lodge with a traditional Swiss restaurant, and a wooden chalet/base-camp with a fancy new restaurant.  Whitepod opens for the season on December 20th.
 
Thanks again to Welcome Beyond for bringing this resort to my attention.

Camp Wildwood, Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles

Dear Universe,

Please send me a check for $8,000,000 so I can buy this newly listed real estate property and turn it into the most incredible Los Angeles resort ever.

It's 13 acres of dreamy California coastal mountain summer camp built in 1923 with an Olympic size pool and cute little bungalows. And listen to this, Universe. It's already zoned for resort usage so there really shouldn't be anything stopping you.

Thanks!
Rachel

Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Did you guys watch The Daily Show last night?  Jon interviewed Mark Adams about his new book Turn Right at Machu Picchu.  Every time anyone brings up Peru, I feel a totally unjustified sense of entitlement, despite having never set foot in the country. When I was 19, I spent the summer living in a small village called Rio Bonito in southern Ecuador.  It's very close to the Peruvian border.  That should count for something, right?

Anyway, I've been admiring the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for a while now and would love to visit.  It looks excessively inviting and great after a long day of hiking/gasping for breath.