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Diesel's Creative Director Reveals His Brazilian Dream

Where: 10 Rue de Parque, Trancoso, Brazil

Wilbert Das, Creative Director of Italian brand Diesel, sure has the life. For one, he gets to flex his fashion muscles around the world with Diesel, but then he has the time and focus to bring a unique independent project to fruition deep in Brazil. Freshly opened this month, his Uxua Casa Hotel, pronounced oo-SHOO-ahh and meaning "marvelous," on the Bahian coast combines repurposed materials, traditional construction methods, and Bahia style to create something like a top secret rustic retreat.

True to a secluded nature of the property, there is no central building; instead, nine individual casas of different histories and personalities are anchored by an aventurine quartz swimming pool, restaurant, library, gym and spa, and the requisite beach access. Of the nine casas, three are restored fisherman houses while others range from a multi-level tree house to a 2-bedroom villa.

While it's apparent that Wilbert knows a thing or two about design, Uxua seems to be his creative outlet for experimentation as the hotel sets a standard for environmentally-friendly materials and awareness, even contributing to local preservation charities and patronizing native businesses.

For those enticed by the indigenous luxe aesthetic of the Uxua, we're luckliy entering the low season for Brazil, with nightly rates between $395 to $825 (add $100 or $200 more for the high season of December thru February). This makes us want to take a closer look at Bahia, which seems to be like a cheaper and less touristy Bali, and that's enough for us to love it.

[Photos: Uxua Castle Hotel]