Best Hotels & Lodges

With just eight chalets, guests at Okonjima Bush Camp are assured of a personalised experience. The decor and design, clay and thatch open-fronted chalets and main areas, is atmospheric and warm with an abundance of rich African colours, textures and artwork. Days will be spent exploring the Okonjima reserve either in 4x4 vehicles or on foot. We would recommend a 2 night stay here to ensure you are able to tick off all the educational and excellent activities on offer. Children over the age of 12 years are welcome.

Perched high on a ridge overlooking the Buffalo River Gorge and the historic Rorke’s Drift, with Isandlwana glinting in the distance, Fugitives’ Drift is nothing short of spectacular. It was on these lands that the Zulu war was fought in 1879 and the property is dedicated to sharing the fascinating history of both the battles and the people of the area. Established by David and Nicky Rattray who pioneered Heritage Tourism in South Africa and have extensive experience in the hospitality industry, the lodge itself is tranquil and intimate, and after an emotionally-charged day on the battlefields, you’ll feel like you’ve come home.

Right on the main boulevard, in an enviable position opposite the cathedral, the Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni occupies an 18th-century palazzo commissioned by a cardinal who'd later become Pope. Beneath the lobby, a stretch of Roman road from 187 BC is still visible, proof that this city has layers, quite literally! It opened as a hotel in 1912 and has been the undisputed address in town ever since, with its exquisite Renaissance frescoes, Murano chandeliers and sumptuous suites. Even the restaurant has stunning Carracci school frescoes adorning the walls - and it's recently become a foodie destination in its own right, no mean feat in a city known for its memorable cuisine.

A city at the very bottom of South America, Punta Arenas has a fascinating history, represented throughout its plazas and museums. Breathing new life into a 1920s English-style home, La Yegua Loca (translated as the crazy mare!) has combined decades of influence into one elegant package, sunshine yellow walls and all. The hotel honours its heritage with the serving of recipes handed down by their grandmothers and naming each room after old-fashioned Chilean trades and traditions. When you're not sampling a tangy porto sour or admiring the views of the Magellan Strait, do a little exploring of Punta Arenas and delve into its historic highlights.

Designed by Isay Weinfeld and Márcio Kogan, Fasano São Paulo Jardins embodies the century-old dream of the Fasano family, who arrived from Milan in 1902 and built Brazil's most respected culinary empire. In fact, the hotel occupies the historic site of Gero Fasano’s flagship restaurant, its English-brick facade and 1930s flair setting a timeless tone. Inside, the 60 rooms feature intricate Venetian mirrors, Persian rugs, linen curtains, and stunning Murano glass vases, while downstairs, two acclaimed restaurants, Fasano and Nonno Ruggero, channel Italian culinary excellence - and it's all set in the leafy surroundings of the elegant Jardins neighbourhood of the city.