Best Hotels & Lodges

Here in Umbria, overlooking a romantic view of the Duomo of Orvieto, along the route of the ancient Via Francigena, where pilgrims refreshed themselves before journeying on to Rome, you will find elegant suites restored in the authentic style of the 14th century. At the Locanda Palazzone, surrounded by vineyards, guests can discover the flavours of Umbria in the Enoteca, dine on the terrace on summer evenings, and swim in the pool

With centuries of Portuguese, Dutch and Chinese influence, Nagasaki is a fascinating blend of cobbled lanes, varied food and architecture. Perched above JR Nagasaki Station with views stretching across the harbour to Mount Inasa, the sleek Nagasaki Marriott makes an excellent base for exploring. The Shinkansen platform is quite literally downstairs, there's a shopping mall next door, and the city's trams rattle past below. It's definitely on the larger side (there are 207 rooms in total), but the genuinely warm staff and thoughtful nods to Nagasaki's seafaring past give it more personality than you'd expect from a big-brand property.

If walls could talk, the frescoed ceilings of this 1870 grande dame would have stories that'd make your head spin. Picture this: Christian Dior taking his final breath in one of the suites, Grace Kelly swanning through the lobby, and a young Puccini composing at the piano whilst Marie Curie debated radioactivity over aperitivos. This isn't just any old Tuscan pile - it's where Italian Art Nouveau maestro Galileo Chini went properly wild with his paintbrush in 1901, creating celestial ceilings populated by floating cherubs and ethereal figures that still stop guests mid-stride today.Set bang in the centre of Montecatini Terme (yes, that's thermal springs central), the hotel sprawls across 20,000 square metres of century-old parkland. The 120 rooms maintain their period swagger with antique Liberty furniture and marble bathrooms that wouldn't look out of place in a Visconti film. But don't mistake all this historical pomp for dusty museum vibes - there's a thoroughly modern 800-square-metre spa lurking beneath all that Belle Époque beauty, complete with Rasul baths and enough treatment rooms to keep a small army of stressed executives purring.

Oita Prefecture pumps out more hot spring water than anywhere else in Japan — and handily, the Hokke Club is right in the centre of it. An eight-minute stroll from Oita Station and slap-bang in the Miyakomachi entertainment district, it's a practical springboard for soaking your way through Beppu's famous onsen (twenty minutes by train) and the gentler ryokan town of Yufuin. The rooms won't win design awards, but the Simmons beds are genuinely comfortable, and the top-floor bathhouse has views across the city. And then there's the breakfast buffet, laden with Oita's regional specialities and a treat every morning!

La Roqqa is a destination within a destination, a project of land regeneration, a luxury boutique hotel where "new simplicity" is the stylistic signature. The warm, welcoming hospitality and the extraordinary views invite you to immerse yourself in the beauty of the place, savouring every moment.

Casa di Langa is not just a place, but a philosophy: the belief that the truest luxury is born from a respect for the land and an authentic connection with its traditions. Immersed in the quiet of the Piedmont hills, among the vineyards of Barolo, Barbaresco, and Alta Langa, you will find a sanctuary where every detail is a tribute to the beauty of this region

Wonderful exclusivity in the wilderness

Modern life has deemed it normal to always rush from one place to the next. At Royal Malewane Lodge, you'll learn the opposite. It's not only the luxuries, plush interiors and personal service that remind one of a bygone era, but also the pace of life. Its location in the Greater Kruger National Park makes this a truly remarkable place to see wildlife, and the highly qualified guides will take you out in search of the Big 5, cheetah and wild dog. This exclusive lodge is a meeting of modern facilities and old-fashioned hospitality.

Tucked into the unfenced wilderness of Manyeleti, one of Greater Kruger's best-kept secrets, Khoka Moya lives up to its Shangaan name – 'Capture the Spirit'. And capture it you will. This is a camp that wears its heart on its sleeve: corrugated iron structures nodding to gold-rush pioneers, canvas tents open to the night sounds, and elephants wandering through to drink from the pool (yes, really). What sets it apart? The fact that children of any age can join game drives – a genuine rarity in this neck of the woods. With Big Five sightings pretty much guaranteed and a laid-back, sociable atmosphere, it's the sort of place where first-timers and seasoned safari-goers alike feel immediately at home.

Sitting on a small baobab-studded ridge near the Luvuvhu River, the private Baobab Hill Bush House is the stuff wild dreams are made of. It's surrounded by the 24,000-hectare Makuleke Concession, arguably home to more animal and plant species than anywhere else in Kruger. And with five different vegetation types: acacia veld, mopane woodland, sandveld, flood plain, riverine forests, all intersected with meandering rivers, there's certainly plenty to see. The house, once the ranger's quarters, has been renovated to become a stylish and comfortable property that's ideal for private family getaways incorporating equal measures of leisure and adventure.

Perched on the banks of the Olifants River in Balule Private Nature Reserve, Pondoro is the kind of place that makes you wonder why anyone would stay anywhere else. This family-run lodge, owned by Robbie and Lize Prehn since 1997, has racked up a trophy cabinet's worth of accolades – including a World Luxury Hotel Award for Best Safari Retreat – yet retains the warmth of a well-loved home. With just eight rooms accommodating a maximum of 16 guests, the atmosphere is refreshingly intimate. Expect Big Five encounters on open-topped game drives, an award-winning wine cellar, and the chance to sleep out in a treehouse overlooking a spotlit waterhole. It's proper safari romance done right.

Kapama River lodge is tucked away in the Kapama Private Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. A large scale, high-end affair, beautifully positioned for picturesque views across the seasonal waters of the Kapama River, it's a well-oiled machine, with the air of a city hotel yet all the benefits of its untouched wilderness setting. Enjoy relaxing at the spa, indulging in the wine cellar, or exploring the untamed surrounds either by open-top Land Cruiser or on foot. With a local guide and lady luck on your side, encountering numerous species and the Big Five is a real possibility, no matter what time of year you visit.

Set just metres from the sea, five-star Morukuru Ocean House is the perfect getaway retreat for a family wanting its own private slice of the wildly beautiful De Hoop Nature Reserve. The reserve itself is one of the Western Cape's most beloved wilderness areas, and the villa – well, it's five-star fabulous, with sleek accommodation (it sleeps 12), amazing views, outstanding service and top-class meals prepared by your private chef. There's plenty to do – take a guided, insightful marine walk, explore the dunes and rock pools and, between July and November, watch the whales and their calves.

Chituca Mountain Lodge is a rustic yet cozy lodge located on the Bolivian Altiplano, southwest of the Uyuni Salt Flats. Nestled in a remote Andean village, it offers stunning highland views and an authentic cultural experience. The lodge features simple yet comfortable accommodations, warm hospitality, and an intimate atmosphere, making it ideal for travelers exploring Uyuni’s breathtaking landscapes.