Uxua Casa Hotel

Four of the property's 12 casas are completely integrated within the Quadrado itself, while the remaining casas are set behind in the lush acre of garden.

The property is owned by Wilber Das, Diesel's former creative designer, and his incredible eye and impeccable taste are instantly recognisable - Uxua is rustic modernism at its best. Local artisans were employed to build the hotel using traditional building methods and reclaimed materials to help retain its authenticity. The detail in the furnishings and fixtures is second to none, and overall the hotel feels homey and earthy yet sophisticated and luxurious at the same time. The 17 rooms in total are spread out over three, two and one bedroom casas and provide the perfect combination of villa-style privacy with the slick service expected of a luxury hotel.

The latest hipster bolthole within the complex is the three storey Casa Terraço do Céu, complete with fish mosaic floors and custom built furniture by Wilbert Das (including a desperately cool Bose sound system built into a beautiful block of jackfruit wood). The icing on the cake, however, is Trancoso's only rooftop pool, with beautiful views of the Quadrado and the sea beyond.

The hotel chefs and bartenders can rustle up delightful Bahian specialities to enjoy by the pool or delivered directly to each casa, or guests can cook at home in fully-equipped kitchens and assisted by expert local chefs if and when required.

The Uxua Spa offers a full range of beauty and wellness treatments in relaxing surroundings, and there is a pool in the Uxua garden constructed from 40,000 pieces of aventurine quartz, a local stone that supposedly has powerful healing qualities.

A gentle 10 minute stroll brings you to one of Trancoso's beautiful wide beaches, were Uxua's beachfront lounge, formally a fishing boat, has pride of place. Guests can relax on sun loungers or day beds, whilst sipping on a sun downer.