Best Hotels & Lodges

This mid-sized, owner-run lodge is located in the hills of rural Karatu, about halfway between Ngorongoro Conservation Area and Lake Manyara National Park - and a short drive to Tarangire National Park and the extraordinary Serengeti. Set in 10 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, Plantation Lodge offers a great mix of lush surroundings, lodge comfort, excellent food, spa pampering, aesthetically pleasing African style and access to Tanzania's most scenic national parks.

While the rest of the Amalfi Coast leans into terracotta, bougainvillea and old-world romance, Casa Angelina does something refreshingly different. Sitting on the cliffs of Praiano, the hotel's white-on-white minimalism feels more gallery than grand palazzo... And that's totally the point. Clean lines, contemporary art and a pared-back palette let the real star of the show take centre stage: the staggering Tyrrhenian Sea views that stretch from Positano to Capri. Add a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, a holistic spa and the hotel's own private boats, and you've got one of the most distinctive stays on this magnificent coastline.

A city filled with ancient and fascinating structures, serene gardens and hundreds upon hundreds of temples, Kyoto is a feast for the eyes. You’ll stroll down quaint alleyways where Geisha hurry from one function to the next in a wave of colour, discover the peace of and splendid architecture of the city’s most famous temples and delve into Japanese cuisine, declared UNESCO Intangible World Heritage at Nishiki Market. Located on Oike Street in the centre of the city, the Royal Park Hotel is well-placed to explore the many facets of Kyoto. Inspired by traditional townhouses, the hotel’s design retains a sense of heritage.

Like all the Elewan Collection of lodges and camps in Tanzania (including Joy's Camp, Elsa's Kopje, Kitich and Lewa Safari Camp), Tortilis is set in an iconic location. In this case it's the western Amboseli, where game viewing is fruitful, accommodation is first-class, the food is Italian-style delicious, the guides are local and there's a responsible attitude towards conservation and the local communities. Here, overlooked by Mount Kilimanjaro, you can see a elephants (lots of them), hippo, lion and other big cats, and plentiful birds.Tortilis is Kenya's first eco-lodge and has won the Tourism for Tomorrow award.

There’s a reason the Alvear Palace is Argentina’s most emblematic hotel and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Located in Buenos Aires’ most stylish neighbourhood, Recoleta, it opened in 1932 as a luxury hotel for ritzy European travellers and diplomats, sparing no expense. And although it has undergone a series of renovations and additions since then, it’s still a model of the highest expression of refinement. We're talking flawlessly-suited bellboys complete with white gloves, Louis XVI style interiors, enormous ballrooms, and high tea fit for royalty. It will come as no surprise that notable guests range from Walt Disney and Nelson Mandela to Orson Welles, Karl Lagerfeld, Sofia Loren, European kings and queens… you get the picture.

To the west of Chobe National Park is Chobe Forest Reserve, home to one of the few remaining natural timber forests in Botswana. Lying in a private concession in this off-the-tourist-track reserve is Muchenje Safari Lodge, a laid-back retreat set high on an escarpment with views across a seasonal floodplain to the distant river. The lodge is owner-run and -managed, so every detail has been carefully considered, from the comfortable main area and lovely chalets to the fresh, homely meals, prolific wildlife (the region is one of the richest birdwatching areas in Africa) and top-quality guided drives and nature walks.

Sitting pretty in Hanoi's dapper French Quarter, Hotel de l'Opera strikes a graceful figure. Its pristine walls of white and mirror-like windows are just the beginning, concealing interiors that are theatrical, plush, and all-around gorgeous. From the gold-gilded lobby to the lantern-lit, nine-storey atrium and the jewel tones and pink velvet couches in the suites, Hotel de l'Opera is a feast for the eyes. And, with the iconic Opera House on its doorstep and the scenic Turtle Lake a short walk away, it's in prime position for enjoying the historic sights of Hanoi.

In Edinburgh's West End, Charlotte Square is the grand finale of Robert Adam's New Town, and The Kimpton occupies seven of its beautiful, honey-sandstone townhouses. A stroll from George Street and the boutiques, cafes and restaurants of the New Town, it's an eminently stylish abode - just like the locals that you're sharing the square with. Inside, the mood is cosmopolitan clubhouse: deep velvets, oxblood leather, layered tartan and some fantastically oddball art. There's also an underground spa with a 12-metre pool, a Levantine restaurant doing proper charcoal-grilled mezze, and a glass-topped courtyard everyone gravitates to.

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.