Best Hotels & Lodges

A sublime Winelands sanctuary with jaw-dropping interiors and more than a touch of French grandeur, La Residence is an ideal getaway for wine buffs in search of some seclusion (and a whole lot of luxury). Overlooking the spectacular Franschhoek valley with its rows of perfectly tended vines and towering mountains, the chateau-style estate wins every prize for an Instagram-worthy location – there’s even peacocks strutting around the exquisite grounds! And with Franschhoek village, South Africa’s gastronomical capital, only a 5 minute drive away, there’s a host of mouth-watering delights on the doorstep. We dare you to drag yourself away…

Lake Manyara in northern Tanzanaia is most well known for its huge flocks of flamingos and its tree-climbing lions, but there's much more that makes it well worth a visit. There's an abundance of other wildlife too, including an impressive list of more than 400 bird species and a wildly varied landscape on the edge of the Great Rift Valley, from the mahogany and acacia forests and woodlands to the grass floodplains and the lake and its shore. The best way to visit this region is to stay at the stunningly opulent Tree Lodge in the national park where luxury is a way of life and true class elevates an experience of the wilderness around you to the next level.

Of the hundreds of palazzi lining Venice's canals, only eight earn the title palazzi monumentali — and Aman occupies one of them. Set on the Grand Canal in the quieter San Polo sestiere, the 16th-century Palazzo Papadopoli has belonged to the same noble family, the Arrivabene Valenti Gonzaga, for over a century. And the count and countess still live above those beautiful Tiepolo ceilings! This was Aman's first Italian outpost (opened in 2013), and the interiors are pure Jean-Michel Gathy: pared-back, considered, and completely in harmony with all the Baroque excess. Completely the entirely luxurious picture are 24 exquisite suites, two private gardens, and a team who learn your coffee order overnight.

Opening its doors at the end of 2021, El Chalten is the latest of Explora’s luxurious lodges, where adventure is the name of the game and disconnecting from the modern world is encouraged - and with a setting in the private 14,000-acre Los Huemules Conservation Reserve, neither of those are hard to achieve! Within easy reach of the iconic peaks of Mount Fitz Roy, it's the ultimate HQ for exploring this incredible, glacier-filled corner of Argentina and a great base for exploring the Southern Ice Field. The all-inclusive model means endless excursion opportunities with the world-class guides and puts some of the wildest corners of Patagonia at your fingertips.

It may not seem like you could step any further off the beaten track than the Okavango Delta, but how does a private island sound? Welcome to North Island, a gorgeous lodge on an island ensconced by the boughs of ebony, mangosteen, leadwood and fig trees, and watched over by a lagoon that's popular with the ample wildlife. With only three enormous tents, it's incredibly exclusive and the views and surrounding landscapes are sublime. During the day, discover the Okavango by land, water or from the sky, and in the evening, plonk yourself down and listen to the symphony of bell frogs as fireflies blink above the water. Magic.

Situated in an area justifiably known as 'Eden', Musekese tented camp is managed by a team with intimate knowledge of, and passion for, the Kafue region. The camp sits nestled on the edge of a flood plain amidst mature, riverine trees and overlooking a permanent lagoon which attracts prolific wildlife year-round. The atmosphere is relaxed and down-to-earth, quite literally, whilst special care has been taken to ensure a comfortable, exciting and highly informative experience.

Mysterious? Yup. Magic? Oh yes. Ecuador's slice of the Amazon Basin has to be seen to be believed. The biodiversity is staggering, with thousands of weird and wonderful creatures from pink freshwater dolphins to tiny neon frogs hidden under the leaves. Within the incredible Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, La Selva is a jungle oasis on the shores of Lake Garzacocha. A leading eco-lodge, its design was inspired by authentic thatched bamboo cabanas, which are sprinkled amongst the trees and have tranquil views over the water. Speaking of which, you'll have ample chance to explore on kayaking adventures and hikes into the forest - day or night!

Since its opening in 2015, the Strand Hotel has been making some serious waves. Situated right on the peninsula in Swakopmund, where the Namib dunes melt into the Atlantic, the hotel's location is hard to beat. And the decor … it’s like a trendy metropolitan hotel combined with a light and breezy seaside ambiance. Did we mention there’s a brewery on site? You’ll find locally crafted beer, effervescent sunsets, a lovely spa and seafood by the boatload at this sparkling Swakopmund gem.

Where craggy-faced mountains, abundant valleys and relics from Thailand's ancient kingdoms meet, Chiang Rai is a picturesque village to relax for a few days. Perched along the river, The Legend was inspired by textured Lanna design while bringing its style a few centuries forward with breezy tropical rooms, manicured lawns and a freeform infinity pool (with a whirlpool hot tub!). There's plenty of rustic charm to go around with scenic hikes in search of a waterfall to swim below and the chance to spend time with members of a local hill tribe. After a day of temple-spotting, settle on the riverbank for a cocktail while the sun sets.

As Costa Rica's coastline turns to lush slopes and reaches higher and higher towards the sky, you'll enter the mystical Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Described by National Geographic as the 'jewel in the crown of cloud forests', the trees are home to a menagerie of rare and elusive creatures... And in the middle of it all is Senda. Built as an unpretentious mountain home, the lodge takes every chance to showcase its spectacular vistas, whether it's from your private terrace or on a walkabout through the grounds as howler monkeys call overhead and butterflies pass in a flurry of colour. And how about going zip-lining in the very forest it was invented?

The story of how this place came to be is almost too good. In the late 1860s, when Florence was briefly Italy's capital, a German banking baron built an outrageously opulent villa for his Florentine bride — then very nearly burned it to the ground in a jealous rage. He didn't, thankfully, and Villa Cora is today one of the city's finest spots to stay. Tucked into rose-filled gardens on the south side of the Arno, a short stroll from the Boboli Gardens and Piazzale Michelangelo, it feels a world away from the tourist crush of the Duomo. The staff are genuinely lovely, the interiors are gloriously eclectic, and there's a heated outdoor pool. In Florence. Year-round.