Best Hotels & Lodges

Welcome to the Lido Palace on Lake Garda, a historic structure in the Belle Époque style, which the famous architect Alberto Cecchetto has reinterpreted in a contemporary theme, both in terms of design and architecture. Located near imposing sheer rock cliffs that fall into the blue of Italy's largest freshwater lake and surrounded by a landscape that welcomes both Alpine influences and Mediterranean scents, this 5-star luxury hotel is in a location that redefines the concepts of beauty, well-being and la dolce vita.

Perched directly above Osaka's main train station like a city within a city, Hotel Granvia Osaka has a staggering 726 rooms across a towering complex that's equal parts convenience and controlled chaos. With the Shinkansen just minutes away and underground shopping labyrinths at your feet, you can quite literally plug straight into Japan's famously efficient transport network - both Kyoto and Kobe are a direct 30-minute train ride away. The hotel itself splits its personality between the practical Standard Floors and the rather more polished Granvia Floor suites at the top. Eight dining venues span everything from teppanyaki theatrics to French-Italian fusion, whilst the executive lounge offers a breather from the station buzz below.

When Thailand's Dusit brand planted its flag in Nepal's capital in 2023, it brought something refreshingly different to Lazimpat's leafy streets. It's certainly not your typical Kathmandu crash pad and instead you've got an infinity pool gazing at Himalayan peaks (it's the highest in Nepal), rooftop shisha lounges pulsing with DJ sets, and Thai masseurs working their magic twelve floors above the city's bustle. The whole place feels uncluttered and calm – all clean lines and peaceful corners, and it's quickly become a clever choice for travellers who want their dal bhat served with a side of high-end sophistication.

Hamiltons Tented Camp overlooks the seasonal Nwaswitsontso River, within one of the original private concessions in the western Kruger Park. This unique camp harks back to turn-of-the-century colonial safaris, and gets the balance of vintage elegance and modern comforts just right. Predator sightings are a feature in this region, with excellent all-round game viewing across scenically diverse landscapes. Guided bush walks, plus special treats like champagne breakfasts, bush dinners and spa treatments offer a well rounded safari experience with fine hospitality and a generous helping of luxury.

Perched as the tallest hotel in the Hokuriku region, this luxurious destination offers an exceptional blend of modern amenities and cultural richness. Guests are treated to breathtaking views of Kanazawa's historic and cultural landscape from the 17th floor and above. The proximity to Kanazawa Station makes it a perfect base for exploring the city's famed gardens, art museums, and traditional neighbourhoods. Its unique location and offerings provide a seamless blend of comfort, convenience, and cultural immersion.

Where a curve of the bay hugs the sandy shoreline, Kizingo Lodge nestles, tucked into the dunes and surrounded by beachside scrub. A short boat ride from Shela village and main town Lamu, it’s located right on a spectacularly-deserted 12-kilometre beach and it’s almost absurd not to kick your shoes off and run wild in the sand. Considering the more remote location, food is exceptionally good, and much of the ingredients are sourced from the lodge gardens. Enjoy your morning coffee on your private veranda that has views right over the sand and into the waters, admiring the fishing dhows as they sail past.

Pousada Seis e Meia is a charming, family-run, bohemian-style guesthouse in Trancoso, Brazil, operating since 1983. Located near the town's main attractions, it features 14 to 20 rustic-chic apartments set within lush, tropical gardens, each with a private terrace and hammock. The pousada offers an outdoor pool and a relaxed, natural setting, perfect for switching off from the outside world.

Okonjima Reserve serves as a convenient stop-over for families en-route to Etosha National Park as it sits halfway between there and Windhoek, Namibia's capital city. This private 55,000 acre reserve is home to top-quality luxury accommodation and the much reputed AfriCat Foundation. Here, you'll have the opportunity for up-close encounters with some of Africas most iconic felines in a relatively natural environment. For those interested in engaging with the important and difficult work of rehabilitation, this is one of the best places to do so. But besides all that, the Okonjima Villa is a stunning, four-bedroom, top-quality offering that comes complete with your own chef and private safari vehicle.

Tucked beside lush forests with the famous Chitwan National Park as your playground, this lodge has cracked the code on making wildlife encounters both thrilling and ethically sound. The traditional Tharu longhouse architecture, crafted with locally-sourced materials and time-honored building techniques, creates an authentic immersion into village life without requiring you to rough it. Whether you choose one of the 12 spacious traditional rooms or opt for the full jungle experience in one of 9 safari tents, you're guaranteed front-row seats to nature's nightly symphony. The lodge's small scale means your experience takes priority over everything else - a refreshing approach in a world where bigger often masquerades as better.