Best Hotels & Lodges

Ca Maria Adele is without a doubt one of the world's most romantic boutique hotels. Set in a 16th-century palazzo at the tip of Dorsoduro, just beside the Salute basilica, the hotel was opened in 2004 by brothers Alessio and Nicola Campa. Heirs to a Murano glass-making dynasty (their grandfather built the largest chandelier in the world), they named the hotel after their grandmothers and designed every inch themselves. The 12 rooms are draped in Venetian velvet and gold leaf, with plenty of Moorish carvings and Asian antiques in a nod to the city's old trading routes. It's adults-only, deeply intimate and fabulously, outrageously theatrical.

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.

One of the most astoundingly biodiverse areas on the planet, one-hectare of Yasuni National Park contains more living organisms than all of Europe. Nestled amidst the tangle of mahogany trees and jungle vines, Napo Wildlife Centre is entirely managed by the Anangu Kichwa community, offering a unique chance to see the Amazon through their eyes. Sitting beside the inky black waters of Anangu Lake, you'll spot a menagerie of birdlife (there are over 600 species in Yasuni alone) and on canoe rides down sun-dappled creeks, you'll learn to decipher the call of a howler monkey or the playful splash of a giant otter. Pure magic? Absolutely!

Sitting at a heady 1820 metres, Conde Nast Traveller reckons the Kasbah du Toubkal has the best rooftop views in north Africa - and we wouldn't argue with that! Nestled at the base of Mount Toubkal, entering the Kasbah feels like taking a step back in time; a plate of dates dipped in milk to welcome you and open-air lounges in rich colours to rest your babouches. Then, over a cup of mint tea and freshly-picked almonds, you'll gaze over verdant, green valleys, charming Berber villages and the sky-brushing peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. Tibet, eat your heart out.

What better way to see the long-told-of sights and scenery along the Nile than by riverboat? No, we can't think of one! Across its three storeys, the Sanctuary provides well-appointed sun decks to do your ogling whilst catching some rays, or enjoying an afternoon tea on the way to your next historic stop. Once you leave the comfort of the air-conditioned cabins, you'll be led from ancient temples to larger-than-life statues by the in-house Egyptologist. Choose between the four-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan (or vice versa) or the eight-night round trip. Blending modern Egypt with millenia of tradition, the decor is plush and stylish.

Hospitality is an art, and Portrait Firenze has made of it a masterpiece. In a new concept of bespoke tourism, Portrait has taken uniform luxury and turned it into spontaneous personalisation. Portrait is not a luxury hotel in Florence; it is an incredibly personal place, an all-suite property, where discerning travellers find the exclusivity they relish

Behind an unassuming facade lies a delightfully eccentric treasure trove that would make Wes Anderson proud. Every nook tells a story through vibrant colours and charmingly peculiar decorative pieces - spot the vintage Chilean movie posters if you can. The building's clever transformation has preserved delightful architectural quirks, with original 1950s terrazzo floors playing host to an utterly modern sustainability ethos. Rather refreshingly, the owner still pops by for morning coffee with guests, sharing sworn-by secrets about hidden art galleries and the city's best empanada spots (hint: skip the tourist-packed Mercado Central).

Sable Alley is a recent addition to Botswana’s luxury safari camp portfolio, in a stunning and remote part of the private Khwai Concession alongside Moremi Game Reserve. This part of northern Botswana has an incredible diversity of landscapes, with the permanent waters of the Okavango Delta providing a vital lifeline in this otherwise arid wilderness. The camp overlooks a lagoon with fabulous views across the lily-covered waters and Moremi beyond, with twelve elegant safari tents stretching along the waters’ edge on either side of the main lodge. Game viewing is excellent, the level of guiding is first class and you get it all for a very reasonable price.

Living homages to Hue's art, architecture and history, the Garden Houses were once the homes of nobility. Having been lovingly restored, each house is inspired by a specific marker of life in Hue during the Nguyen dynasty. You might see the royal, floral motifs in one and the grand fashions in the next, while another is a museum to Hue's musical traditions or its most famous poets. As you can tell, this is no 'cookie cutter' hotel and nestled next to the sweet-smelling Perfume River, it feels timeless. The Garden Houses aren't far from Hue's Imperial Citadel, so a deep-dive into its history is a must.