Best Hotels & Lodges

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.

Lake Como's western shore — the so-called Riviera delle Azalee — has long been the lake's most sought-after address. And gazing across the water towards Bellagio's sparkling promontory, sits the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, an Art Nouveau palace built in 1910 and still family-owned today. Greta Garbo summered here and Clooney's been spotted on the terrace, but for all the celebrity connections, it's the personal warmth of the De Santis family that lingers longest. Five restaurants (including one honouring Italy's first three-Michelin-star chef), three pools and a Santa Maria Novella spa in an 18th-century villa make it rather difficult to leave.

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.

This luxurious lodge is located in the game-rich Sabi Sand Reserve in the northeastern corner of South Africa. Built around the enormous boulder for which it is named, the lodge lies on the banks of the Sand River. No expense has been spared here: the lodge has been sympathetically built of wood, stone and thatch to blend with the environment, and incorporates modern and traditional influences in its design. It's a wonderful place to enjoy excellent service, accommodation, food, views and, most of all, diverse wildlife. Meet the stars of the show, the Big Five, particularly leopard.

With two rather lovely camps in Ruaha under their belts, the clever chaps at Asilia Africa have expanded to the Nyerere National Park ('The Selous'). Combining Nyerere and Ruaha make an excellent combination in Tanzania’s slightly more off-the-beaten track southern circuit, and this spangly camp is as good as ever. It’s in a waterside spot in one of the best game-viewing areas in the reserve and you can expect funky, stretch-canvas tents, all with views out to pods of harrumphing hippos, a good array of water- and land-based activities and a healthy dose of that genuine Asilia charm. Sounds good to us!