Best Hotels & Lodges

Experience a unique, personalised accommodation experience at Kefi Hotel, with rooms complete with locally inspired décor, private porches for guests to relax and scenic vistas in a tranquil, lush forested surrounding. Kefi Hotel is a serene escape only about an hour from Blantyre city. An old colonial house converted into a charming hotel, Kefi Hotel is located at the foot of Zomba Plateau within walking distance from sights, scenes and shopping areas in Zomba.

Axum is one of those places that stops you in your tracks — ancient obelisks, the supposed resting place of the Ark of the Covenant, and a sense of history so dense you can almost feel it. The Atranos is the city's most ambitious hotel by some margin: a six-storey property that took 13 years to build and wears its ambition proudly. Rooms come with their own jacuzzi, there's a pool, spa, gym, and multiple restaurants serving everything from injera to Italian pasta. It's not polished five-star by international standards, but for Axum it's genuinely impressive — and the best base you'll find for exploring one of Africa's most extraordinary ancient cities.

One of, if not the top hotel in Axum, Atranos Fantasy Hotel & Spa is highly praised for its central location, offering spacious, carefully furnished rooms that blend charm with comfort. Known for its tasty, freshly cooked food and helpful, courteous staff, it is a recommended, pleasant choice for a memorable stay in the historic city.

Tucked into an 18th-century building on one of Porto's oldest and most photographed pedestrian streets, Pousada Porto brings together heritage architecture and contemporary design in a setting that feels distinctly modern. Part of the Pestana group's portfolio of historic conversions, this boutique property sits right where the action happens – artisan shops, street performers and riverside views are all moments away on foot. Vaulted ceilings and original stonework provide character, whilst floral motifs pay homage to the street's name. With a tranquil indoor pool for unwinding after city exploration, a breakfast spread showcasing northern Portuguese flavours, and that oh-so-central location, it's a polished base for discovering the Douro city.

Knysna Hollow Country Estate is set on a secluded 3-hectare country retreat just 5 minutes from the centre of Knysna, a quaint seaside town widely regarded as the jewel of the Garden Route. Knysna Hollow re-opened in October 2018 as a brand-new contemporary country estate offering stylish accommodation with warm personal service and authentic dining in our casual restaurant, Social Eatery. A standout amongst Knysna hotels, the 44 contemporary Garden Suites are situated in lush gardens and offer all modern amenities in a spacious and serene environment. The modern Cape Country Manor House is the focal point of the estate and houses a restaurant, bar, reception, sun deck and internet library - overlooking the gardens with two sparkling swimming pools.

Perched on the tip of Leisure Isle - a connected peninsula that feels decidedly more island than mainland - this boutique hideaway gazes directly at those famous Heads standing sentry over Knysna Lagoon. It's the sort of spot where you can paddle a kayak to breakfast, then cycle home for sundowners, all whilst feeling rather smug about your location choice. The property occupies prime waterfront real estate where the Indian Ocean mingles with the lagoon, creating a rather dreamy backdrop for doing absolutely nothing at all. With just 15 rooms, it manages that clever trick of feeling intimate without being claustrophobic, and the multi-award-winning status (Africa's top luxury guesthouse, no less) suggests they're doing something right beyond just the postcard views.