Best Hotels & Lodges

Nagasaki is one of those Japanese cities that catches you off guard. Centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese influence have left their mark on everything from the churches to the noodles, and the whole place has a cosmopolitan energy that feels unlike anywhere else in Japan. Perched in the Minamiyamate district at the base of the famous Glover Garden hill, the Crowne Plaza makes its case almost entirely on location. It's a reliable IHG property — clean, well-staffed and recently spruced up — and while it won't win any design awards, having Nagasaki's two UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Gunkanjima tour boats practically on your doorstep is hard to beat.

Elba may be only an hour's ferry from mainland Tuscany, but the island has its own character: less polished than the Amalfi Coast, wilder than Sardinia, and laced with beaches the Italians have long kept quiet about. Biodola Bay on the north coast is one of the best, a pale sandy stretch bookended by low cliffs and backed by scented Mediterranean maquis. The Hotel Hermitage has occupied it since the 1960s, when the De Ferrari family built a scattering of cottages through a 50-acre park running down to the sea. Still family-run today, it's built for the long, slow Italian summer with three seawater pools, four restaurants and a private beach.

Fukuoka is Japan's under-the-radar culinary capital – the birthplace of tonkotsu ramen and home to over a hundred yatai food stalls that light up the streets each evening. Sitting right beside Hakata Station (connected by an underground walkway, no less), Miyako Hotel is a polished, modern base with a few tricks up its sleeve. Opened in 2019, the hotel is wrapped in glass and greenery, with natural hot springs feeding a rooftop spa that looks out over the city skyline. Rooms are generous by Japanese standards, the food leans into Kyushu's seasonal produce, and Fukuoka Airport is a mere five-minute subway ride away.

Part of the LHP Hotels empire (they of the "made in Italy style and design" manifesto), this 62-room property takes itself rather seriously as Montecatini's first proper design hotel. Built in 1910 but given the full monochrome makeover, it's all geometric patterns, chrome furnishings, and that black-and-white aesthetic that screams "we hired an expensive interior designer and by God you're going to notice." The whole thing reads like someone's mood board for urban sophistication came to life - water cascades at the entrance, a rooftop pool with 360-degree views, and a spa they've christened Monté that promises "exclusive wellness". But here's the thing: despite the try-hard design speak and occasional pretentiousness, they've actually created something rather special here, especially when you're floating in that rooftop pool watching the sun set over the Tuscan hills.

Tucked into the forests above Beppu, Japan's undisputed onsen capital, Showaen is a near-century-old ryokan with a backstory as rich as its mineral-laden waters. The site was once a thriving Edo-era gold mine, and when the diggers struck hot spring water instead of ore, a rather wonderful Plan B was born. Today, nine standalone villas are scattered across a sprawling 6,000-tsubo estate of manicured Japanese gardens, each with its own private onsen fed directly from the old gold veins below. Seasonal kaiseki dinners are served course by course in your room by a dedicated attendant, and the quiet is so complete you'll hear nothing but birdsong and trickling water.

Kissed by the Tuscan sun and surrounded by the pristine blue Tyrrhenian sea, Hotel Il Pellicano is a timeless Mediterranean hideaway, home to all things slow, stylish and creative. Come embrace your sense of wonder and experience 'la dolce vita'. The best place to experience 'la dolce vita.' Guests can experience a taste for 'sprezzatura' – an Italian word that captures an offhand, casual elegance and Il Pellicano is the epitome of that.

Ischia is often overshadowed by its flashier neighbour Capri across the bay - but that's exactly how regulars prefer it! It's the Bay of Naples' volcanic sibling, laced with thermal springs and chestnut forests, and moving at a noticeably slower pace. The quietest corner is the tiny fishing village of Sant'Angelo and, set right on the edge in a mountain of volcanic stone, is the Miramare Sea Resort & Spa. The work of Neapolitan architect Giuliano dell'Uva, it's a rare piece of contemporary design on an island more often done up in terracotta and tile and a private beach, sea-view rooms and access to a proper thermal park are the perfect finishing touches.

Perched majestically atop rolling hills, this restored 18th-century castle is the stuff of fairytales – but with a deliciously modern twist. Originally built as the passion project of an aristocratic amateur architect (who clearly had impeccable taste), today it's a masterclass in preserving historical opulence while adding just the right touches of contemporary luxury. From the moment you step into the medieval living room, with its original furnishings and artwork, you'll feel like you've wandered into an especially well-appointed museum where you're actually allowed to touch the exhibits – and better yet, sleep in them.

A hidden gem in the heart of Robertson town (located on South Africa's famous Route 62), the Robertson Small Hotel is fabulous in every sense of the word. Housed in a beautiful Victorian manor house straight from the pages of a storybook, there are various rooms scattered throughout the gardens, the majority of which overlook aquamarine swimming pools. Inside, the decor wonderfully personal and immaculately thought out - think fynbos-inspired linens, whacky artworks by Cape Townian artist Michael Taylor and stunning signature pieces that will make you want to unpack your suitcase and move right in.

Serondella Game Lodge, one of 12 lodges in the Thornybush Luxury Game Lodge Collection, lies within the 14,000-hectare Thornybush Private Game Reserve. A mere four suites accommodating a maximum of eight guests give Serondella a highly exclusive edge, while the pool and boma make it a great destination for a small group or a family. There are other plusses too – the near-perfect climate year round means you can visit at any time; its proximity to Johannesburg (it's an easy five-hour drive); and now that the fences between Thornybush and neighbouring Kruger have been removed, great sightings are almost guaranteed!

Tintswalo Manor House on the banks of the seasonal Nwaswitsontso River is the perfect choice for families or a group of friends travelling together. Situated within the Manyeleti concession which borders the Greater Kruger Park, guests can look forward to world class game viewing in this exclusive private reserve. This home-style safari villa is fully catered for up to ten guests, with dedicated staff and its own game viewing vehicle, so you'll have total flexibility when planning your adventures. Understated luxury and plenty of space makes you feel completely at home, right from the start.

The Karongwe Game Reserve in Limpopo is blessed with a rich abundance of birds and wildlife, thanks to the four rivers that give life to its 21 000 acres of dense vegetation. A perfect habitat for Africa's big cat species, Chisomo Safari camp is tucked away in thick bush, with a series of spacious canvas tents overlooking the Makhutsi River. Warm and inviting Chisomo takes camping to another level, with charming tents on stilts and an atmospheric outdoor boma with a 'braai'. Its prime location near the Kruger National Park and Blyde River Canyon is an added bonus.