Best Hotels & Lodges

It might seem that Rome really doesn't need another luxury hotel, but the Six Senses brought something the Eternal City was genuinely missing — a place to properly decompress without leaving the centro storico. Tucked into the 15th-century Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini on a quiet piazza just off the Via del Corso, you're a five-minute stroll from both the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon, yet the moment you step through the discreet entrance, the chaos evaporates. The interiors are warm and peaceful, whilst suspended greenery and plenty of natural light keep things fresh. The spa, centred around a reimagined Roman bathhouse, is a real draw — and it's absolutely superb.

Anyone who's ever flipped through a Japan guide book will likely have heard of Hiroshima. Once the site of deep destruction, Hiroshima has risen, renewed, into the city it is today - and the Granvia is in the perfect spot for exploring the city. Situated along Hiroshima's main boulevard, Hiroshima Station is in fact just next door! At the hotel, there are plentiful dining options from teppanyaki to Chinese cuisine, and rooms are kitted out with every comfort including Tempura neck pillows and a deep hinoki tub for a good soak after a day of exploring the historic sites of Hiroshima.

While Easter Island (Rapa Nui) needs no introduction, the civilizations that were isolated for centuries on the volcanic formation in the South-Pacific Ocean still remain a mystery to many. Taking full advantage of the dramatic isolation, the Explora is well positioned to uncover some of this intrigue, and explore the craters and plateaus and come face-to-face with the famous moai sculptures. The staff and local guides are all experts on their locale and there are over 30 activities on offer, all designed to showcase the uniqueness of the island. On one day, you might hike to the 'Nursery' where the Easter Island 'heads' were carved, whilst the next could have you snorkelling with the endemic marine life.

Tucked beneath tall, yellow-barked acacia trees in the heart of Ol Pejeta’s wilderness area are the Safari Cottages, established in 2012 by a family whose combined experience in the wildlife industry exceeds 65 years. So you're in capable hands. Enjoy the silence, the space, the uninterrupted views, your personal chef (or you can self-cater), great accommodation and plenty of game. Here, in the southern sector of the conservancy, there are animals at every turn, from elephant (which often file past the cottages), lion, leopard and cheetah to black rhino, birds galore and other creatures great and small.

Jack's Camp is set on a palm-clad island on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The pans are one of the largest salt flats in the world, so the camp feels like an oasis of luxury in a truly inhospitable environment. Inside its 10 traditional-style safari tents, the sumptuous furnishings and attention to detail transport you back to the early days of travel in East Africa. Guests can explore the vast salt pans by quad bike, on foot or in a vehicle.

Lower Zambezi National Park is well-loved for its diverse landscapes and, at its heart, the majestic, life-giving Zambezi River. This region of southern Zambia is a pristine wilderness, home to large numbers of Africa's animal icons, especially lion, elephant and leopard. And it's the setting of Anabezi Camp, a truly lovely place that provides everything you want from a safari holiday and more. The hospitality and guiding are first-rate, the array of activities both on ground and the river are exhilarating, the tented accommodation and interiors are quietly elegant. And the food – it's good, very good.

Amidst the Tolkien-esque landscapes of Cotopaxi National Park, Chilcabamba embodies a passion for nature, appreciation for indigenous culture, and the adventurous spirit Ecuador is known for. The entire lodge was built from locally-sourced and recycled materials, its thick adobe walls keeping out the chilly night air and its style is rustic and authentic. In every room, there is a wood-burning stove to keep you toasty after a day spent delving into the rapturous surrounds with Chilcabamba's resident chagra (an Ecuadorian cowboy), Rafael. And there are horseback rides across the grasslands, hikes along trails of petrified lava, and kayaking in a crater lake to get stuck into as well.

After sitting dormant for over a quarter of a century, this splendid 17th-century palace has opened its doors to share its story with the world. Restored to former glory, the interiors tell quite the history, not unlike the lineage of Fez itself. From the Iraqi stained-glass windows to the delicate Moroccan tiling, from the Fassi cuisine served under citrus trees in the courtyard to the storytelling evenings, the whimsical mystery and charm of Fez is ever-present. Then, one step outside the grand, cedar doors will have you in the middle of soaring minarets, tanneries and all the street food you could ask for.

Stopovers in Kigali tend to be dominated by big chain hotel groups. And they're certainly fit for purpose. But there's a new inn in town. One that'll make your stopover a whole lot more glam. So we're rather pleased to introduce Hemingway's Retreat Kigali. This fresh, contemporary boutique hotel has been built with both sustainable principles and comfort in mind, and blends them perfectly. With just 20 luxury rooms surrounded by mature gardens, a good restaurant and a wellness centre, The Retreat is as heavenly as it claims to be, in that appealingly down-to-earth way.

A mere 20 minutes from the airport, ferried by your private driver, you enter the villa through a domed walkway surrounded by forest, manicured lawns and swaying palms. Privacy and sanctuary are the only words you will be uttering during your stay as you lap up the incredible vistas over the coastline just north of the Bazaruto Archipelago. Whether you are with the family or looking for a romantic couple escape you can't beat the sweet serenity of Santorini.

A sublime Winelands sanctuary with jaw-dropping interiors and more than a touch of French grandeur, La Residence is an ideal getaway for wine buffs in search of some seclusion (and a whole lot of luxury). Overlooking the spectacular Franschhoek valley with its rows of perfectly tended vines and towering mountains, the chateau-style estate wins every prize for an Instagram-worthy location – there’s even peacocks strutting around the exquisite grounds! And with Franschhoek village, South Africa’s gastronomical capital, only a 5 minute drive away, there’s a host of mouth-watering delights on the doorstep. We dare you to drag yourself away…

Lake Manyara in northern Tanzanaia is most well known for its huge flocks of flamingos and its tree-climbing lions, but there's much more that makes it well worth a visit. There's an abundance of other wildlife too, including an impressive list of more than 400 bird species and a wildly varied landscape on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, from the mahogany and acacia forests and woodlands to the grass floodplains and the lake and its shore. The best way to visit this region is to stay at the stunningly opulent Tree Lodge in the national park where luxury is a way of life and true class elevates an experience of the wilderness around you to the next level.

Venice's Dorsoduro district is the city's arty, quieter side that the Venetians prefer to keep for themselves. And right at its southern tip, where the Grand Canal opens into St Mark's Basin, sits this top-tier palazzo with one of the most enviable waterfront positions in the city. Built in 1892 for the Genovese family on the site of a medieval monastery, its Gothic facade now conceals boldly contemporary and fabulous interiors. With the Peggy Guggenheim Collection next door and the Basilica della Salute as a neighbour, the location alone is worth the visit... But the food and the staff seal the deal.