Best Hotels & Lodges

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.

Welcome to Tiger Palace by Soaltee, a premier destination nestled in the heart of Bhairahawa, Nepal, in the lush and vibrant Terai region. Located just south of the majestic Himalayas, this luxurious resort offers an exceptional escape, easily accessible from both India and Kathmandu.

Paternoster Dunes is the perfect antidote to modern city stresses. The Guest House & Spa is nestled amongst the dunes on the beachfront in the quaint fishing village of Paternoster in the Western Cape. The Atlantic Ocean is literally on its doorstep. Paternoster is one of the last traditional fishing villages on the West Coast, famous for its pristine beach, whitewashed village charm, laid back lifestyle and friendly inhabitants. The stylish guest house has five luxurious bedrooms, some opening directly onto the beach. It also has a guest lounge, a heated swimming pool and a spa.

Liberty-style splendour awaits the moment you cross the threshold into this delightful time capsule of Neapolitan Belle Epoque. While the façade still proudly displays its 19th-century decorative elements, step inside and you'll be transported to a world of refined elegance that has attracted the glitterati for over a century. Originally designed as a residential building, this masterpiece by acclaimed architect Giovan Battista Comencini was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1906 and has been playing host to writers, musicians, actors and other luminaries ever since. The recently renovated rooms and suites offer a contemporary take on classic style, many boasting views that sweep across the Bay of Naples with mighty Vesuvius looming in the distance and the majestic Castel Dell'Ovo standing guard in the foreground.

A remote hideaway on the slopes of Mount Nyiro in northern Kenya.

Desert Rose Lodge was built to showcase Kenya's stunning Northern Frontier region. Perched some 1700 metres above sea level, the lodge is surrounded by the dense forest and jungle of Mount Nyiro's slopes, yet on the ground, there is nothing but semi-arid plains. The road leading up to the lodge (an exhilarating, twisting, heart-stopping track up a steep incline!) marks the beginning of your adventurous stay, and throughout, you'll be cared for by local Samburu staff. The only lodge in the region, and more remote than you can imagine, a stay at Desert Rose is remarkable in every way.

When Guilherme Rondon inherited his grandfather's cattle ranch in 1996, he could easily have sold it to developers. Instead, this passionate conservationist opened the doors to just 22 guests at a time... and the rest is history! Located 225 kilometres from Campo Grande, just where the Rio Negro meets the seasonal floodplains of Vazante do Castelo, it's one of the most protected areas in the Pantanal and the wildlife is abundant. In flood season, crystal-clear waters surround the lodge, turning morning coffee into a lakeside experience. Beyond, weathered pantaneiros still guide up to 1,000-strong herds of cattle, continuing traditions that predate your great-grandparents and adding to a truly authentic Pantanal experience.

Perched on a spiky promontory, the Modi River rushing below, Birethanti Lodge is the lowest lodge on the Annapurna circuit and an excellent start or end point to a trekking adventure. The suspension bridge entrance, draped with prayer flags, sets the tone beautifully while marigold-filled gardens and their resident butterflies remind you that opting for comfort doesn't mean sacrificing authenticity. Inside, you'll find handcrafted rooms with properly hot showers, and in the evening, communal dinners where trekkers swap tales over hearty meals grub. And outside, that sacred Fishtail Mountain practically poses for photos at sunrise...

Located in the historic center of Manaus, just a few steps from the Amazonas Theater, the hotel has 29 exclusive apartments, all facing an internal garden and a natural stone pool.

Those looking for peace, privacy, impeccable service and unbelievable views all tied up with a shedload of style need look no further than Goatfell. A boutique gem with just four rooms that gaze across a tea-country special of pretty plantations, forests and soaring peaks, this is a place to restore your soul. Previously an old colonial bungalow with bags of history, the interiors are a perfectly-chic mix of antiques and furniture that are beautiful and never stuffy. So, what to do with all this beauty? Relax, take in the unparalleled views and dine on sumptuous cuisine...

Manaslu offers guests accommodation options which include a variety of local lodges or teahouses. Although majority of these local lodges/ guesthouses are very basic, they offer comfort while you enjoy the beautiful Manaslu Circuit Trek and various trails.

A tiny Ligurian fishing village with a harbour full of superyachts and pastel buildings, Portofino is a postcard come to life. And looking down on all of it from a terraced hillside is Splendido, a 16th-century Benedictine monastery that the monks abandoned after one too many Saracen pirate raids. In the 1800s, Baron Baratta turned it into his summer pile, in 1902 it became a hotel, and, since then, it's been the Riviera's hideout for Hollywood, European royalty and everyone in between. A multi-year refresh by designer Martin Brudnizki came to an end in 2025, and today, the hotel is light, fresh, and irresistibly glamorous.

A tiny chunk of land in the Setouchi Inland Sea, aka the Mediterranean of Japan, Naoshima has become a living museum of sorts and its shores are scattered with striking art installations. Befitting of such a locale, Benesse House is the brainchild of noted architect, Tadao Ando, who has spent over 20 years crafting this unique hotel. It's actually four buildings in one, including the Park, Oval, Beach and Museum, all of which showcase works that wouldn't be out of place in the Guggenheim. Set right on the shoreline, you may never leave Benesse House, but the team is well-versed in island activities, just in case you do.