Best Hotels & Lodges

A dozen tumbledown village houses have been stitched into one hotel here, joined by lanes and stone bridges, with Mont Ventoux filling the end of every terrace. Lunch at La Table du Ventoux runs long over the vineyards, and the kitchen will happily teach you to cook it. The village has five hundred-odd residents and no shops to speak of, and takes its name from Henri IV's favourite soldier. The king's famous line to him, 'Hang yourself, brave Crillon; we fought and you weren't there', is probably apocryphal, but nobody here minds. Nothing much happens up on this hill. That's the appeal.

Slap bang in the heart of the stunning Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren is one of the oldest working farms in South Africa. With an emphasis on sustainability and organic produce, the owners are bringing an elegant and very contemporary twist to the old adage ‘farm to table’ and boy, do they do it well. From the award-winning restaurant and vineyard to the home-grown spa, every aspect of a stay here is led by the bountiful gardens and hubbub of edible delights within. And then there’s the cottages; white-washed Dutch gables transformed into sanctuaries of graceful simplicity and sophistication, worthy of a visit in themselves.

Lake Manyara Green Camp lies on the tree-lined banks of the dry Endabash River in western Lake Manyara National Park. Cliffs rise behind the camp, with a pretty waterfall that tumbles onto boulders, forming small pools that are perfect for midday swims with great views of the lake. This rustic fly camp keeps it simple, with open-air dining and large pillows for lounging on the dry riverbed. But this is only half its charm. The location is one of the sanctuary's best for wildlife, so animals (especially elephants) visit frequently. Expect great service and thrilling encounters.

Most Venice hotels are planted deep in the maze of canals... But the Belmond Hotel Cipriani does the exact opposite. Located on the eastern tip of Giudecca Island, the hotel looks back across the lagoon at St Mark's Square, with three acres of fragrant gardens, a working vineyard and the only Olympic-sized swimming pool in central Venice. Opened in 1958 by Giuseppe Cipriani (the man behind Harry's Bar and the Bellini cocktail), it has been a favourite Venetian bolthole of Hollywood, royalty and the Biennale crowd ever since. Many of the staff have been there for decades and it really does show.

Desperate for some tropical sunshine, long hot beaches, great water activities and the chance to explore a mind-blowing marine reserve? Throw in good accommodation, great food and super-courteous staff (and a turtle-shaped pool), and Waterlovers Beach Resort fulfils all your criteria. The lodge lies 35 kilometres south of Mombasa on Diani Beach, a stretch of unbelievably white sand and water of every shade of blue. All the adjectives used to describe a tropical beach holiday are completely appropriate here. Pure paradise.

The all-inclusive Aguas Arriba Lodge is truly one-of-a-kind. Sitting on the banks of Lago del Desierto, 37 kilometres from El Chalten, it's the only man-made structure on the lake and surrounded by nothing but gorgeous southern beech forest to one side and the vastness of the lake and Vespignani Glacier to the other. It will come as no surprise that the secluded spot is accessible only by boat - unless you want to hike. Accompanied by one of the lodge’s guides, a three-hour walk through the forest will lead you to the front door, whilst your luggage travels comfortably by boat. If you’re up for it, it’s certainly worth it!

Tapping into an incomparable spirit of safari adventure, Beagle Expeditions offers unmatched access to the Kweene Trails. This region of the Delta is extremely remote, set along a system of waterways that boasts a thriving ecosystem. As well as being exclusive use, the camp is accessed exclusively by helicopter. Promising endless discoveries, this once-in-a-lifetime expedition will introduce you to the wild and wonderful landscape of the Delta. This modest mobile camp offers the ultimate authentic safari experience.

Buried deep amongst the terraced, shamrock-green crops and mountains of the 'Tonkinese Alps', Topas provides an idyllic gateway to the area's famous trails. Scattered like pebbles along the hillside, the bungalows are all built from white granite carved out of the mountains, giving them a bucolic, natural feel. The lodge's foundations lie in travel that benefits and protects the environment and local community and it has even received accolades from the National Geographic as one of the best eco lodges in the world. After a day of footing it into the mountains, return for a cocktail in the pure, alpine air at sunset - they're exquisite!

Just nine miles from Balmoral, Braemar is one of Britain's highest, coldest villages. Its grandest old coaching inn, built in 1856 and once a place where Queen Victoria swapped her horses, stood shabby for decades until art dealers Iwan and Manuela of Hauser & Wirth spent four years (and many millions) reinventing it. The result? A Highland inn that's part traditional village pub, part serious art gallery (there's a Lucian Freud and a bronze Bourgeois spider among the 16,000 works), and part psychedelic Highland dream. Nothing else in Scotland comes close... In fact, possibly nowhere does!

Having occupied adventure films for decades, the Amazon needs little introduction. Ecuador holds only 2% of this vine-entangled wonderland but its biodiversity is astounding. Housed in a 5000-acre ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge taps into this untamed spirit. Here, giant sloths dangle from branches outside your cabin and you'll enjoy barbecues on the Balsa - an on-the-water deck where caimans peep over the inky surface and otters dive below. Armed with a lifetime of knowledge, your guide will introduce you to the forest wildlife on walks and canoe trips down sequestered waterways. With all the creature comforts, the lodge is a restful spot to return to after a day of exploring.

The Delight is a large bed and breakfast establishment with a big hotel feel, with 55 rooms set around a cleverly landscaped courtyard garden. It has a modern and fun character, with vivid décor and artwork inspired by the Namibian scenery. This is a fine spot for exploring Swakopmund and the wealth of activities on offer, and is within a few minutes’ walk of the main part of the town, with plenty of restaurants to choose from. Service is very personal, and the staff are always happy to help with restaurant bookings and suggestions for activities during your stay.

In the company of northern Thailand's remote and rejuvenating hideaways, Tatvani gives new meaning to the word 'exclusive'. Only two residences sit on a lush 29 acres where waterfalls bubble nearby as you enjoy a tension-dissolving massage and dining on a menu of your own making is a daily occurrence. Looked after by a personal team of staff, there's little need to leave your villa, which each have a solar-heated pool overlooking tranquil lotus ponds and a well-stocked entertainment hub. Take a scenic cycle through sleepy villages and tea plantations (or a more adventurous meander up mountain trails) and visit the centuries-old temples of Chiang Rai.

Sitting on the scalloped, red ridges of the Ourika Valley, the Kasbah Bab Ourika is blessed from breathtaking views everywhere you turn - the everchanging hues of the Salt Natural Park to the east, the lush terraces of olives and citrus trees to the west, and the snowy Atlas Mountains before you. Tres magnifique, no? In the blissful silence, you'll feel transported to somewhere quite magical, where the Morocco heat softens, the sunsets are exquisite and every room reflects the timeless Berber traditions. The sienna walls are made with rammed earth, the ceilings from palm trunks and the traditional meurtriere-style windows let in the view at every chance.