Best Hotels & Lodges

Nkwichi Lodge lies on the pristine Mozambican shoreline of Lake Malawi, in a beautiful secluded setting beneath the Great Rift Valley escarpment. The lodge has been cleverly designed using natural materials to blend in with the surrounding boulder-strewn lakeshore, and offers superb accommodation, with a choice of five unique chalets, and two impressive fully staffed villas for the ultimate private experience. Activities are focused on and around the lake, with a good mix of water-based activities, and guided bush walks along the shores. This remote location is a perfect spot to relax, far from the distractions of modern life.

This modern yet bush-stylish lodge is a wilderness away, though easily accessible along South Africa's well traversed Garden Route. Tucked into a deep ravine in the rich Eastern Cape thicket, the lodge cultivates luxury and intimacy while capturing the best of African expansiveness. With a high likelihood of seeing free roaming Big Five and the rare brown hyena, the game viewing rivals any in the region. Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres allow for close encounters and hands-on participation in conservation. Blending comfort, a big game experience and the highest of conservation ethics, this is truly one of the most well-rounded safari experiences.

From the moment a personal lifestyle manager whisks you to your room, it's clear this isn't your typical luxury hotel. Housed in a 1930s architectural gem, this seventh-floor urban eyrie offers sweeping views across the city's terracotta rooftops through walls of glass. The aesthetic is pure minimalist chic – think illuminated white onyx, leather-clad walls, and an almost obsessive attention to detail that extends from the perfectly pressed linens to the precise angle of each cushion.

As soon as you arrive, Sakeaya's philosophy of nurturing connections with their guests is evident, beginning with a sweet treat and cup of green tea. From there, you'll be shown around the ryokan including the idyllic, steaming onsen, kept away from prying eyes by a grove of bamboo. This charming spot fits right into Yudanaka, where the onsen culture as been an integral part of daily life for centuries. The Snow Monkey Park is just a few minutes away, where the primates enjoy a soak of their own. In fact, the ryokan's onsen is partially fed by the very same spring.

At Timbuktu, far-flung, one-of-a-kind places are what makes us tick - and The Singular certainly fits that bill down to a tee! Arriving at the hotel, it'll feel like you've reached the end of the world... The hotel flawlessly integrates its industrial past with contemporary luxury. Outside, the extremes of the Patagonian climate juxtapose the sheer beauty of the landscape. And boy, is it worth exploring.

On approach by speedboat across the Andaman Sea, Yao Noi lies like a hidden paradise and you might just feel like you've fallen into a movie scene. After all, the famous James Bond Island is just a reef or two away. Six Senses pulls no punches in its design, sitting somewhere between a mansion and a treehouse, the villas are nothing short of gorgeous. Every one of them comes with an utterly private infinity pool! Rejuvenation flows throughout, from specialised sleep programs to coconut body scrubs in the hillside spa. The resort also has a robust collection of island activities - kayaking past picture-perfect scenes is just the tip of the iceberg.

From the verandah of your private villa, it might seem like you're in the middle of the jungle with swathes of lush trees as far as the eye can see. Kahanda Kanda happens to sit in a 12-acre tea estate, which you can saunter through to your heart's content - you may even spot chattering monkeys and a peacock in full colour. Begin your mornings with a spot of yoga at the secluded pavilion, enjoy meals under an ancient mango tree and start your evenings with the resort's signature cocktail - rum, lychee and passion fruit. After enjoying the views at Kahanda, venture out to see the plentiful beaches nearby and float past fishermen on Lake Koggala.

After a meandering drive down Morocco's west coast, La Sultana stands like a sand castle on the edge of a private slice of Oualidia's golden shoreline. Surrounded by a garden of olive, jacaranda, orange and palm trees, the hotel is the perfect antidote to fast-paced life, whether you find your peace in the sunlit spa or dining on ocean-fresh oysters at the jetty restaurant. Embrace the serenity of Oualidia on scenic bicycle rides, wanders down the beach and dips in the blissfully calm lagoon - and your personal host is always on hand to make sure every detail is taken care of.

Up a slope from Balapitiya Beach, awash with frothing waves, Kumu Beach has unbroken views of the Indian Ocean. In shades of white and blue, unfussy but elegant furnishings fill the communal areas - whimsical art like giant copper globes and abstract floral paintings. With just 10 bedrooms, the hotel feels quite intimate and you'll rarely see another soul on the powdery beach. The south coast of Sri Lanka is a collection of picturesque bays, which warrant endless strolls, and the Madu Ganga River is a lovely spot for a boat trip.