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.

This gorgeous camp sits neatly in a prime location on the West coast of Pemba Island, just Southeast of Tanzania itself. The camp is set in a tropical wilderness, ensuring privacy and a wonderful Robinson Crusoe authenticity. Styled to be fashionable, but functional, Fundu generally attracts honeymooners and other younger folk to its azure beaches. Enjoy discovering underwater mysteries with the island's exceptional diving, meeting locals on cultural excursions, water sports and relaxing with a spa treatment or on the beach.

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.

Chobe Water Villas lie along the banks of their eponymous river on the far eastern edge of Namibia’s Caprivi Strip (now called the Zambezi Region), close to where the waterway meets the Zambezi River. Here, where four countries – Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe – meet, game thrives. The lodge's 16 thatched chalets, set beneath trees on the riverbank, all overlook magical Sedudu Island, which is a haven for wildlife, especially elephant, buffalo and red lechwe. Part of the adventure lies in reaching the lodge – it’s only accessible by boat from the Botswana border town of Kasane.

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.

Lama Hotel is a huddle of cosy teahouses at 2,480 metres in the Langtang Valley, named for the langur monkeys in the surrounding forest — a perfect first-night stop where dal bhat by the fire and the chance of spotting red pandas in the ancient woodland make for a gentle, enchanting introduction to Nepal's trekking trails.

The Pizzinini family have been welcoming guests to the little village of San Cassiano since 1939. Tucked into a quiet Ladino-speaking pocket of the Italian Dolomites, the hotel spent decades earning a devoted following under the Rosa Alpina name before a top-to-bottom Aman renovation by architect Jean-Michel Gathy. And whilst the bones might be sparkly and new, the warmth remains: Hugo and Ursula Pizzinini still greet guests in the lobby, the resident pianist still plays nightly, and the mountains still turn pink at sunset. In winter, you're 11 minutes from some of the finest skiing in Europe and in summer, the hiking is endless. Oh, and the spa is exceptional, year-round!

In 2017, the owners acquired this enchanting Villa, originally built in 1909 by merchants hailing from Hamburg, Germany. With utmost care and dedication, they embarked on a journey of renovation and restoration, breathing new life into this exquisite property while preserving its timeless beauty. Today, the Villa stands as a testament to its storied past, lovingly rejuvenated to capture the essence of its former glory.

Indulge in a captivating journey as you step into our enchanting abode, where every room has been thoughtfully and individually decorated, exuding its own unique charm and character. Prepare to be whisked away into a realm of captivating beauty and immerse yourself in the allure of each carefully curated space

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.

Four hours' downhill from Lukla's goosebump-inducing runway, Phakding Lodge catches trekkers completely off-guard with its Scandinavian-inspired luxury. In fact, the Sherpa family behind the Mountain Lodges of Nepal collection have somehow wedged top-notch comfort into the Khumbu valley – think electric blankets, happy hour cocktails and vegetables grown in organic gardens. Massive riverbank boulders form the bones of the lodge and it's literally built into the landscape rather than on top of it. With a selection of coveted amenities (including hot showers – bliss!), Phakding Lodge has become the first-rate first-night stop for trekkers who've decided that reaching Everest Base Camp doesn't have to be uncomfortable.

Serenity personified, Munduk Moding sits within 12 idyllic acres on a working coffee, clove and chocolate plantation. On some days, it's made even more magical by the whisps of cloud that float by, and on the clearest of days, you can see all the way down to the Java Sea. Spread across the property, there is a collection of suites and villas, all of which are wonderfully private. Out and about, you'll really appreciate the quintessential beauty of northern Bali as you explore on bicycle, riding horseback to nearby crater lakes, or wandering through the tranquil plantations.

While most Pantanal lodges promise wildlife encounters, Araras Pantanal Eco Lodge delivers them with the kind of consistency that has guests returning time and time again. The famous ‘Jaguar Express’ day trips down the Transpantaneira to Porto Jofre offer fabulous big cat viewing - and the guides will turn every excursion into a wildlife masterclass. The lodge itself is set in 3,000 hectares of private land in the heart of the world's largest wetland, and owners Andre and Jerneja have created something that feels more like staying with naturalist friends than checking into a commercial lodge. Highlights include farm-to-table dining with honey, milk, cheese and meat, all sourced on-site, and unparalleled wildlife viewing from the three iconic observation towers.