Best Hotels & Lodges

Tswalu Private Game Reserve lies in the arid Northern Cape, and is one of South Africa’s largest private reserves. Tarkuni is an elegant small camp, with just five suites, and perfect for families or groups of friends travelling together. The lodge was formerly the private residence of the Oppenheimer family, and has since been transformed into a fabulous oasis of luxury in the Kalahari Desert. This area is known for its unusual wildlife and vast stretches of rugged wilderness, and as this is one of only two lodges on the reserve, it has a true feeling of isolation and exclusivity.

Ensconced by lush foliage on the banks of Lake Koggala, Tri Lanka is unique in every sense of the word. Designed to mimic the shape of a spiral shell, Tri places great import on wellness and reconnecting with nature. The resort was created with hefty eco-credentials including living walls, roof gardens of dwarf bamboo, and villas built with 100% recycled wood. Dotted across the impressive hillside property, you'll find a secluded yoga venue in a glade of trees and utterly private villas with idyllic lake views. Explore the lake by boat, visiting scenic islands and watching out for flashes of birdlife as you glide by.

Standing proudly on Naples' seafront since 1882, this iconic establishment has been welcoming illustrious guests through its stately doors for generations. Positioned in the heart of the city with unrivalled views of Castle dell'Ovo and the glittering Bay of Naples, you'll be immersed in both history and luxury from the moment you arrive. Belgian financier Oscar du Mesnil was so captivated by Naples' beauty that he built this waterfront gem during the city's grand urban transformation. Today, the hotel maintains its heritage charm while discreetly incorporating modern comforts. Whether you're sipping prosecco at the panoramic Sky Lounge as the sun sets over Mount Vesuvius or enjoying a morning espresso on your private balcony, you'll understand why celebrities and travellers alike have made this their Neapolitan pied-à-terre for over a century.

Sapporo is one of Japan's most liveable cities – spacious, grid-planned, and blessed with excellent food, craft beer, and easy access to both ski slopes and seafood markets. Opened in December 2025, the hotel sits just a four-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station, with direct access to the underground walkway that keeps you sheltered from winter's bite. The design threads Hokkaido's earthy tones throughout, and facilities punch above typical city-hotel weight: a grill restaurant showcasing local produce, a guest-only public bath, and a Premium Lounge with terrace views for those in higher-tier rooms. It's a polished base for exploring the city's ramen alleys, craft breweries, and – come February – the famous Snow Festival.

Corvara is the epicentre of Dolomite tourism. In 1938, Italy's first ski lift was built here, the very same year that the Pezzei family opened their doors. Nearly nine decades on and not much has changed in terms of hospitality and heart. The hotel is right in the centre of the village, a short stroll from the gondolas that connect to the legendary Sellaronda circuit and over 1,200 kilometres of slopes. And it's not just about snow either: in summer, swap your skis for hiking boots or a road bike and tackle the same jaw-dropping passes. The Ladin culture in this corner of South Tyrol is also fascinating — three languages, a fiercely proud identity and food that borrows from neighbouring Austria and the Italian classics.

Marataba Lodge offers a super-luxurious safari experience within an exclusive private concession in the Marakele National Park. This vast wilderness area spans a staggering 75,000 hectares of spectacular terrain at the far western range of the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo Province—an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg. A private airstrip offers a fly-in option. Renowned for superb game viewing, this malaria-free Big 5 reserve covers some of South Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, with soaring mountain ranges, wide stretches of savanna, dense indigenous forests and permanent waterways.