Hotel Hofgut, Bavaria, Germany

In a serene spot in Lower Bavaria, a two-hour drive from Munich, ten snug, larch-clad cabins and a restaurant form Hotel Hofgut. Launched as a cookery school 15 years ago by chef Erwin Rückerl and his wife Anja, the venture has now been transformed, instead, into a slick getaway for Munich's well-heeled population. Seven cabins built in 2005 by Studio Lot are now complemented by three new additions from Format Elf Architekten, with minimal, airy interiors. Activities include hiking and cycling, while there's also a wellness centre. The restaurant serves a Mediterranean menu by Rückerl, and the local farm shop gives guests the chance to cook the same delicious ingredients in their cabin kitchens.