Casas Karen

Esther Selsdon

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An isolated series of independent buildings inside a spiritually enlightened complex up an endearingly rural road. Organic and white-washed, this is Andalucia's answer to the yoga retreat.

In the middle of nowhere, this is a residential complex that hopes to re-define the meaning of the word 'relaxed'. Los Canos de Meca, the nearest village, is a summer resort near Cape Trafalgar, most notable as the place where Nelson took his final breath in 1805. Washed by wild Atlantic waves and an hour from the nearest big town, Cadiz, means no-one's going to turn up here for the nightlife.

Up a private track, off a B road, this is a middle-of-nowhere place which is clean, low-key and simple. The nine, smallish white-washed houses of slightly varying sizes all have minimalist, anti-chic, décor since this is the kind of place where guests would rather lie on hammocks than sunbeds.

It's self-catering and any extravagance is reserved for the gorgeous roof terraces with great views of the Atlantic and the wild countryside. Anyone who's not staring at the stars or the Bougainvillea is likely to be undergoing their free life-coaching session, taking a Tai Chi class, dolphin-watching or simply going for a walk. The houses have their own kitchens and dining areas but shopping for groceries might be tricky without a rental car. Finding the key, however, ought to be the most stressful thing that happens to you all week.

Room rates : €66 a night for two (mid-season)

Number of rooms : 9

Phone : 00 34 956 437 067

FAX : 00 34 956 437 233

Address : Fuente del Madrono 6, 11159 Los Canos de Meca, Cadiz, nr Vejer de la Frontera, Andalucia, Spain

Website : www.casaskaren.com

Map : link to Multimap

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