Best Hotels & Lodges

Marrakech rewards a good base, and this one has the location right: sitting at Bab Doukkala, a short walk from Jemaa el-Fna Square and the souks, yet separated from the noise by walled gardens and a generous pool. The hotel runs to 85 rooms and suites plus 26 private ryads, each with its own plunge pool - making it an equally strong choice for a couple wanting a pool terrace or a large family who'd rather have their own front door. Interiors by Pascal Desprez weave carved plasterwork and warm ochre tones with something crisper and more French. The food is taken seriously.

As Morocco's cultural hub, Marrakesh is a terracotta-hued city of dynasty relics, souks that fill your head with legends, and gorgeous riads - grand homes-turned-hotels. One of the most luxurious is La Sultana, which actually happens to be a complex of five riads, each designed to represent a different period in the city's thousand-year-old history. From its wonderful location in the royal Kasbah district, La Sultana is close to just about everything; from the gold-gilded Saadian Tombs to the iconic Djemaa El Fna square - a whirlwind of tantalising food stalls, snake charmers and storytellers. We'd happily raise a 'Midnight in Marrakesh' to that!

Experience the magic of the Red City from Nobu Hotel Marrakech. Moroccan craftsmanship meets Japanese simplicity and iconic Nobu cuisine at our serene sanctuary, nestled at the heart of the city’s luxurious Golden Triangle district, steps from the Marrakech Medina.

Standing like a gleaming mirage between twin Nile City towers, this Art Deco stunner rises 25 floors above Cairo's delightful mayhem. It's all about the views here – whether you're gazing at feluccas drifting past from your rainfall shower or watching the Pyramids shimmer in the distance from the legendary Sky Pool. Seven restaurants keep the culinary adventure rolling, from Asian fusion at Saigon to proper Italian comfort at L'Uliveto. The Willow Stream Spa channels desert vibes for serious pampering, whilst the Fairmont Gold floors offer butler service for those who prefer their luxury with a side of complete spoiling.

With a view of lapping, turquoise waters and powder-fine sand, the resort feels like your own piece of paradise. Azura believes every day should be different and it's a promise they have no trouble keeping with activities like island-hopping, snorkelling and cocktails on the beach. Living up to Azura Retreat's reputation, the resort takes care of its seaside world - the villas were built by local people using sustainable materials and most furnishings were hand-crafted by communities across Southern Africa. Wake up to the sound of the surf from your private villa in a place where nothing is hurried.

Sitting just out of reach of the Orchard Road bustle, Ascott's flagship Singapore property hits the sweet spot between urban and residential. From studios to penthouse suites, each fully-serviced apartment comes with a proper kitchen and washing machine – especially brilliant for longer stays. There's a distinct nod to fashion throughout, from mannequin installations to the Fendi-furnished penthouses, while that covered bridge to Paragon Mall means you can shop till you drop (nearly) straight back into your apartment. Add in a 33-metre pool and you've got yourself a very smart (and stylish) base for exploring all the Lion City has to offer.

Sitting within an acacia woodland on the Ngorongoro Crater's north-eastern rim, this Tanzanian-owned beauty offers 15 tented suites with views that'll have you glued to your private deck. But here's the real kicker: you're just a four-minute drive from the Lemala gate, meaning you'll be among the first vehicles descending to the crater floor each morning. Combine that privileged access with gas fireplaces for chilly highland evenings, crater-floor picnic lunches, and a commitment to eco-conscious design, and you've got yourself a rather impressive base for exploring one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders.

Perched dramatically on the edge of the world's largest intact volcanic caldera, Melia brings a good helping of luxury to Tanzania's most iconic natural wonder. This is where you'll wake to views that most visitors only glimpse from crowded viewpoints – the sweeping 600-metre-deep crater stretching endlessly below your window. With 52 rooms and suites decorated with Maasai-inspired touches, two excellent restaurants serving everything from wood-fired pizzas to gourmet African fusion, and an infinity pool that seems to spill into the caldera itself, this is a safari done exceptionally well. And honestly, you might struggle to tear yourself away from that terrace.

Right at the heart of dreamy, pastel-coloured Positano is Le Sirenuse, a Pompeii-red palazzo that the Sersale family opened to guests back in 1951. What started as a summer abode has become one of Italy's finest and most recognised hotels, though it still feels wonderfully like someone's home, albeit one filled with Neapolitan antiques, contemporary art and the family's own fragrance line. With a Michelin-starred restaurant lit by four hundred candles and complimentary boat trips along the coast, this really is la dolce vita done properly.

The Blossom Kyoto offers you rooms, which incorporate a "Japanese" design throughout, and are composed of 10 types that correspond to your travel style. Spend a peaceful time in the bustling city that makes you forget about time.

Kyoto is a city that transforms beautifully with each season. Traces of the past still linger throughout this place. As you pass through the narrow passage reminiscent of a traditional machiya townhouse, you’ll be welcomed by soothing sounds and gentle aromas that fill the air. This is your peaceful home in Kyoto.

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.

Dusit Thani Kyoto is located in the temple town area surrounding the World Heritage site "Nishi Honganji Temple." In this setting, which blends seamlessly into the Kyoto townscape, you can enjoy the finest hospitality, a fusion of Japan's delicate traditional culture and the elegant hospitality of Dusit Thani's home country, Thailand.

Beyond the beautiful and comfortable guest rooms, Dusit Thani Kyoto offers a restaurant where you can savor the essence of traditional Thai cuisine and colorful teppanyaki, a secluded bar, the "Devarana Wellness" center for nourishing mind and body, and experience programs that capture the very essence of Kyoto.

Kyoto's Shinmachi Street retains the strong charm of traditional Kyoto townhouses. This location is the perfect setting for a welcoming and hospitable bathhouse. Perhaps it would be nice to reflect on your Kyoto trip in the tranquil bathhouse, nestled amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. The large public bath on the first floor also features an artificial carbonated spring, known for its skin-beautifying effects, making for a truly delightful environment...

UNAI is more than a hotel; it is a refuge in the heart of the desert, a place where the landscape sets the rhythm and everything invites you to slow down. Here, luxury is not excess. It is the silence that surrounds you, the sun on your skin, the star-filled sky stretching endlessly above, the vastness that awakens something ancient—almost wild—that still lives within us. It is the freedom to be yourself, to move without haste, to reconnect with that untamed and genuine part that the desert naturally reveals. Welcome to UNAI. Welcome to experiencing the desert at your own pace.