Best Hotels & Lodges

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.

Out past Oxford, just on the edge of the Cotswolds, Estelle Manor presides over 85 acres of its own and some 3,000 more of rolling Oxfordshire parkland, gardens and ancient woodland. It's both a country house and a private members' club, all done up in a maximalist swirl of vintage finds and beautiful 20th-century pieces, atmospheric lighting and soothing tones. Days here are busy in the best way: a Roman-style bathhouse, four restaurants, a long outdoor pool, a kids' club for the little ones, and a paddock kitted out for archery and axe-throwing. It's part grand country mansion, part grown-up playground – and absolutely fantastic.

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.

Located just where the sands of the Nubian Desert meet the shoreline meet a particularly sparkling, pretty stretch of the River Nile, the Old Cataract has been welcoming guests for over a century. Some of those visitors included Princess Diana and Agatha Christie, who was inspired to write a portion of Death on the Nile here! A makeover saw its selection of rooms cut in half, while increasing to an ample size, making it only more luxurious, although it hasn't lost an ounce of old-world glamour. From the alabaster and gold columns in the lobby to the ruby red chandeliers casting a romantic light, this is a hotel that has earned its place amongst Egypt's finest.

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.