Best Hotels & Lodges

There's something really quite special about staying in a home that's been in the same family for five generations, especially when that family descends from Napoleon's sister. Perched on the Quirinal Hill, a short stroll from the Trevi Fountain, the intimate Villa Spalletti Trivelli was built in 1901 for Countess Gabriella Rasponi, a formidable woman who turned her drawing rooms into a salon for Rome's intellectual elite. Today, her descendants welcome guests into a world of honesty bars, heirloom antiques and the family's own organic wines from Umbria set the tone. The result is less hotel and more family home... and one with impeccable taste.

Made infamous by the dropping of the Atomic Bomb during World War II, Hiroshima has been nearly entirely rebuilt, blossoming into a beautiful city filled with tranquil shrines, parks and riverside cafes. Well-positioned right in the hub of the action, the Sheraton is a fantastic hotel that checks every box. We're talking plenty of dining options, an indoor pool and the Sheraton's signature beds that ensure a superb night's rest. But by no means will you spend every moment inside; remember the tragic loss of life at the Peace Memorial Park, take in a Samurai performance, or make a day trip to the sublime Miyajima Island.

Within just 10 minutes of an assortment of world-class wineries, Awasi Mendoza boasts one of the best locales in Mendoza. Set on a 55-acre vineyard under the gaze of the snow-capped Andes mountains - views of these spectacular peaks never elude - the lodge showcases the joys of Argentinian wine whilst also offering up some seriously idyllic accommodation. Set in gardens of weeping willows and eccentric statues, the Moorish-inspired patios ooze charm and warmth, while the team's personal service make you feel genuinely looked after. The food is exquisite, the spa is decadent and there is no shortage of activities - including some of Mendoza's 1,500 vineyards to get your fix of tastings. You won’t want to leave!

Found on the remote shores of a private concession in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Kalahari Camp offers up a an ideal base for those looking to experience a unique area of Botswana in traditional safari camp style. The Makgadikgadi Saltpans stretch as far as the eye can see through the Kalahari Desert in the dry season, while rains in the wet season brings herds of zebra and wildebeest though the plains. Camp Kalahari nestles there, between the bush and the desert where the lack of electricity allows you to release your inner explorer.

Living up to its name (‘amanzi’ means ‘water’ in the local Tonga language), this charming camp is tucked away in the waterways of the Zambezi River on the beautiful and secluded Ngwenya channel. Whether you choose to discover the wildlife of this watery paradise by boat, canoe, vehicle or on foot, a safari from Amanzi is intimate, exclusive and highly personal. And with only 4 perfectly stylish tents, the same can be said for the camp too.

Down the road from the time-worn temples and lofty pagodas of the Old City, this hotel sits behind walls of greenery that keeps the buzz out. Named after the 200-year-old tamarind tree at its centre, a tunnel of arched bamboo leads from the outside world to fragrant foot baths, jasmine garland-making and a restaurant that draws patrons from miles away. When you're ready to extract yourself from the comforts of Tamarind Village, the head-turning sights of Chiang Mai beckon. The city's plethora of shrines, museums and markets are in walking (or cycling) distance. In the company of snazzy resorts, Tamarind is a timeless classic.

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.

Just off the main road in El Chalten, Hosteria El Puma is one of the most charming lodges around town, offering amazing comfort and a down-to-earth atmosphere. It might not be overly fancy, but the lodge has been very well thought out and, owned by a mountain guide, it's ideal for travellers who enjoy nature and the outdoors. On top of that, the service is outstanding, the laid-back and welcoming vibe is soothing and the location, right next to the start of many of the park’s trails, is unbeatable. If you’re not one for overly ritzy, resort-style hotels, Hosteria El Puma is calling your name.

Set in its own private concession just 18km south of the renowned Chitabe area, Gomoti Plains Camp embodies the seasoned expertise of the Machaba team. Drawing on their success with Machaba and Little Machaba camps, the owners have created an intimate retreat that captures the essence of an authentic Botswana safari experience. This chic, modern camp pairs perfectly with the beauty of the region and the diversity of activities on offer.

This back-to-basics camp relies on skilled and passionate guides and warm Zimbabwean hospitality, rather than hotel luxuries and chic decor. Rhino Safari Camp offers an intimate, rustic experience on the edge of Lake Kariba, within Matusadona National Park. It is defined by unique geography - when water levels are low, the island links to the mainland via a narrow bridge of land which enables the free-flow of game to and fro; when levels are high it’s cut off by a narrow channel. This camp rewards the adventurous with a more personalized, truly authentic safari experience - something of an endangered species these days.