Seaside escapes have become a form of wellness for me. Pre-Covid, I’d never consider a UK holiday, but when it was slim pickings, I began venturing beyond the M25 and found myself pleasantly surprised. My vague memories of trips to the coast as a child were rather bleak, but the UK has really stepped up their game with ‘staycations’ becoming chicer than ever. Albeit, you can’t always rely on the weather, but when it does cooperate, it almost feels like a bonus!

The Kent coast is one of the places that’s had a spruce up, with a new wave of gentrification in towns like Deal and Margate. Further South of Kent, in sleepy St Mary’s Bay, is CABÜ by the Sea. Perched as close to the shore as could be, CABÜ taps into the off-grid travel trend that’s gained momentum. 

Launched in 2019, CABÜ blends eco-conscious living with contemporary design to redefine the cabin experience. CABÜ captures the joy of outdoor adventures, the luxury of cabin comforts, and the art of slow living, offering the perfect coastal retreat getaway. Greeted with the fresh sea breeze, wellness takes shape alfresco, with cold water dips into the sea, long walks along the coast, bike rides and R&R sessions in the outdoor nature spa. Perfect for families with children, pet-friendly, and utterly divine for a romantic couples trip, works well for every type of staycation.

The 19 dark timber cabins are spaciously scattered across the coastal meadow, ranging from ‘Beach Hut Studios’ to one-bedroom ‘Loft Houses’, and ‘Bigger Beach Houses’ that sleep up to six people. There’s something I find irresistible about a cosy cabin; that notion that smaller spaces are inherently charming. However, I was surprised by just how roomy the cabin was when I arrived. To put it into perspective, it’s much bigger than any one-bedroom flat you’ll find in London! Designed with tall ceilings, oak wood flooring, matte black panelled French doors, and minimalist furnishings, the Scandi-meets-seaside aesthetic gives CABÜ’s cabins a luxurious edge. Each cabin is complete with a sumptuous Loaf bed, kitchenette, waterfall shower, log fireplace and BBQ.

The Sitooterie is the central hub of CABÜ, adding a social element to the destination. The communal barn-style space has tables and comfy seating sprawled around a strip flame perfect for toasting marshmallows. Eyes lit up when I caught a glimpse of the outdoor kitchen, with large scale professional barbeque and pizza ovens. Each evening I’d come equiped with my ingredients to make full use of the space, picking up fish from the local fishmongers caught fresh that day or fresh dough I managed to scout for in village to make pizzas! 

An array of vintage wooden games encourage time away from tech, better spent revisiting Jenga, in a lifesized version which made it all the more fun, or finding my mojo with table tennis again. Beyond the Sitooterie, the heated outpool pool is surrounded by plush daybeds and stripped sunloungers. Should luck have it and the weather is onside, this idyllic spot is a total suntrap for basking in the sun with a good book, sipping on a cocktail!

CABÜ’s Nature Spa, houses two wooden hot tubs and a barrel sauna, bookable for hour slots so you have the space to yourself! This Insta-worthy wellness haven is secluded into the shrubs and draped in a canopy of fairy lights. Tucked around the back of the hot tubs, CABÜ have revamped a rustic gypsy caravan into a tinky treatment room, facilitating indugle massages and facials inside. 

Sitting adjecent to the seafront, CABÜ lends itself to cold water swimming. While I’m not the bravest when it comes to the sea, I’ve come to appreciate the exhilarating thrill that a brisk plunge offers. Without giving myself a chance to back out, I headed to the beach early in the morning, bathing suit on and towel in hand. The low tide gently acclimatized my body to the chilly water, a process I find more challenging than a sudden dive. With the sound of the waves grazing the pebbles and seagulls squawking in the distance, I felt that elusive sense of escapism I often chase. Cliché as it sounds, it’s the free, simple things in life that make our hearts sing! Feeling more grounded and a little chillier, I sat on the beach, soaking it all up and feeling grateful for this little slice of heaven.

CABÜ by the Lakes in Killykeen Forest Park in Ireland is the 2nd location, following suit with the signature luxe cabins, Sitooterie, Nature Spa and CABÜ Corner, the concept store with a curated edit of brands for outdoor living and Scandi clothing, along with convenient essentials for your stay.  CABÜ In the Cotswolds is coming soon, repurposing a patch of land in an area of outstanding natural beauty, situated in Langley. This new site is set to feature a Cabin Club, indoor swimming pool and spa as well as all the signature elements that bolster CABÜ’s ethos. 

Excited by the roll-out of CABÜ’s cool cabin concept, I’m fully embracing this caliber of staycation—it’s laid-back yet still has a lavish edge. Committed to low-impact construction and surpassing eco-standards, CABÜ’s hideaways have mastered the art of wild luxury!

Click here for more information

words by Isabelle Shury