Best Hotels & Lodges

Tucked away on Shinmachi-dori, the very street that hosts the Gion Festival each July, Hotel Vista Premio is a rare blend of contemporary convenience and traditional Japanese hospitality. With 84 rooms designed around warm wooden accents and thoughtful bathroom layouts (yes, your bath, loo and washbasin each get their own space), it's a practical base with a fantastic location - Nijo Castle and Nishiki Market are within strolling distance and for anything further afield, you're a seven-minute walk from the subway. And when you return, the the lobby's beautiful tsuboniwa garden is the perfect spot for some R&R.

The gateway to the driest sand desert on Earth, San Pedro de Atacama is a town with such deep-rooted history and scenery, you’ll be reaching for your camera as soon as you arrive. One of the latest additions to this corner of Chile is Our Habitas, a beacon of sustainability that gives a donation to cultural and environmental initiatives for every guest that stays. It is also a wonderful base for exploring the Atacama Desert on hikes across the Valley of the Moon, paragliding adventures above the burnt-orange dunes, and visits to sites of significant pre-Columbian history.

Tucked beside Buenos Aires' most fashionable cemetery (yes, really), this urban hideaway puts you at the heart of the action while keeping things delightfully serene. The winter garden's soaring glass atrium provides a rather spectacular spot for your morning medialunas, while the surrounding neighbourhood reads like a who's who of Argentine culture.

Tucked into a cluster of old teak trees and overlooking a busy waterhole, Verney's Camp is the newest addition to the Machaba Safaris collection. Set in a 10,000-hectare private reserve in an extremely remote region of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, the camp offers access to one of the area's most productive game regions. Verney's is intimate and smartly designed, classic in its simplicity, with modern touches that give it a fresh feel. Here you have every benefit of an expansive national park, with the added bonuses of a private concession – guided walks, night drives and exclusive access.

Backed by the towering Namib-Naukluft Mountains, Hoodia Desert Lodge overlooks the ephemeral Tsauchab River, with open gravel plains stretching into the distance as far as the eye can see. This comfortable oasis has just 11 thatch and canvas chalets, all decorated in a rustic and easy-going yet luxurious style. The design makes the most of the sense of space in this secluded part of the Namib Desert, and the lodge is a perfect base camp for exploring Sossusvlei's magnificent sand dunes. Expect a warm welcome, genuine hospitality and delicious food at this family-owned and -run establishment.

Lux resort with 22 stunning villas nestled in a picturesque beach setting

Kisiwa on the Beach is a secluded luxury resort in an idyllic setting. It is surrounded by tall palm trees, endless white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, offering guests the opportunity to experience barefoot luxury at its very best. The area is well known for its amazing watersports. Guests at Kisiwa on the Beach are greeted with welcoming Swahili smiles, and they can happily relax throughout their holiday in Zanzibar. Kisiwa on the Beach offers its guests well-appointed private villas offering amazing views of the sea. The hotel also has spa and wellness center facilities .

When the grandfather of the present owners of Borana arrived in this spot, 17 miles (27 kilometres) north of the equator and 6,000 feet (1,830 metres) above sea level, he simply fell in love with its isolation and wildness. Now his descendants have built a lodge on the land that he adored. Made of local, sustainable materials, Borana Lodge sits subtly on this malaria-free landscape, with panoramic views across the Samangua Valley and the Lewa Plains to the Ngare Ndare Forest and Mount Kenya beyond. Inside, all is luxurious and plush. A perfect breakaway location in a splendid setting.

The very essence of Argentine charm, Posada Verde Oliva is a 19th-century home-turned-hotel set on a working vineyard and olive farm. From the wrap-around veranda, gaze out upon the ripening grapes and olives, the latter of which are turned into remedies used at the spa. Set in the heart of the Maipu Valley, there is plenty to see and do including vineyard-hopping tours, scenic bicycle rides, and horseback sojourns amongst the vines. Laidback and homely, you'll be welcomed warmly back to the Posada Verde Olivia after every excursion, when you can settle down in the firelit lounge or recline poolside.

Intrepid and fully immersed in nature, Etendeka Walking Trail takes you into the wild spaces of Damaraland, with the Grootberg Massif as your ever-present guide. The expert team knows every crag, animal and plant in the 500 km2 Etendeka Concession - and they'll passionately share their knowledge with you on this three-day trek. Set off from Palmwag Lodge leaving your main luggage to be delivered to your next stop, a camp overlooking a lively waterhole. Day two is the most strenuous, where you'll walk a distance of 15 - 20 kilometres - but at the end you'll be rewarded with a night atop the beautifully-named Crystal Mountain. Just imagine the stargazing...

Sitting beneath the dangling boughs of a 100-year-old rain tree beside the serene Ping River, Na Nirand Retreat captures the charm and whimsy of Chiang Mai. The entire hotel was constructed with Chiang Mai's heritage in mind and aims to preserve the authentic knowledge of its people, evidence of which you'll see throughout the hotel. Built in a Colonial-Lanna style, the rooms feature beautiful textiles, teak pieces and original art, all the handy work of local artisans. Bicycles are always ready and waiting whenever you feel like exploring more of the city, its historic sites, and ornate temples.

Sitting proudly on a hill above the New Town of Fez, Hotel Sahrai is the picture of Moroccan refinement. Once the summer palace of Marshal Lyautey, it is a minimalist blend of exposed Taza sandstone, floor-to-ceiling windows, and contemporary Italian furniture. After a morning meander through the 12th century labyrinth of the Fes el Bali medina, return for a dip in the infinity pool (the views of Mount Zalagh are scenic to say the least) and afternoon tea under the Fassi arches. Understated, stylish, and designed for the utmost comfort, the rooms are just where you want to be following a day in the souks of Fez.

Built in the 1950s, and then abandoned for half a century, Chobe Safari Lodge has been renovated to become a welcome and very comfortable retreat in the wilds of Uganda's rich and varied Murchison Falls National Park. The isolation here is complete, despite the lodge being just four hours by road from Kampala, as humans rarely ventured here in the intervening years and the wildlife has been left to thrive. The panoramic views, coupled with the sounds of the Nile's tumbling rapids, set the scene for an experience that will satisfy all your African adventure-loving dreams.