Best Hotels & Lodges

Embark on a journey of timeless elegance and serene tranquillity with the Princess Farida Luxury Nile Cruise. This exquisite Dahabiya Nile Cruise, named after the iconic Egyptian queen, offers an unparalleled cruising experience on the majestic River Nile.

As you glide along the tranquil waters of the Nile, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of Egypt’s ancient landscapes, offering a unique blend of relaxation and exploration. The spacious, elegantly appointed suites provide a sanctuary of comfort and privacy, ensuring a restful night’s sleep to the soothing rhythm of the Nile.

The Mövenpick MS Royal Lily sends you on a trip connecting both land and water. Enjoy luxurious on-board travel while exploring the mysteries of 7,000 years of Egyptian civilisation. The Nile is one of the world’s most famous and beautiful rivers. Experience a fascinating way to travel and relax at the same time. This flagship cruiser comprises 56 cabins of approximately 22 sqm and 4 magnificent Royal Suites. These come equipped with a Jacuzzi and spacious facilities, ensuring you travel in style. Cruises leave from either Luxor or Aswan.

Explore the wonders of the ancient Egyptian world in luxury and historic charm on the SS Misr by Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. Originally built by the British Royal Navy in 1918 and later converted into a luxury Nile steamer for King Farouk, the SS Misr is a true time capsule that rekindles the nostalgia of a golden age, with true luxury accommodation, cuisine and service.

SS Misr offers 16 cabins and 8 suites along with a luxurious bar and lounge, restaurants, and a large sun deck with a swimming pool.

Not far from where chimps (and a dozen other primates) romp through the forests, Papaya Lake Lodge has a prime location beside Lyantonde, one of Kibale's many crater lakes. One of the most picturesque settings in a country famous for just that, your view also includes the majestic Ruwenzori mountain range and fertile valleys of vanilla, banana and coffee farms. The lodge's style is classic, calming and bright with uncluttered cottages, vintage decor and drinks in front of the fireplace. As a place to rest your tired tootsies after a day of trekking, Papaya doesn't disappoint.

“Between lake and sea” is probably the best way to describe Sentidos Beach Retreat that upholds a strong sense of social responsibility. Among mangroves inhabited by exotic birds and the deep blue ocean once travelled by sailors and pirates, this retreat is a true oasis of water and blue hues that soothe the ardour of the African heat.

Baia Sonambula holds pride of place at Tofo Beach on southern Mozambique's Inhambane Peninsula. Beaches don't come much more beautiful; here, golden sand meets the deep turquoise-blue of the warm Indian Ocean. Perfect right-handers peel off the point and, under the surface, the waters teem with marine life. This boutique guesthouse has only six bungalows, so it's never crowded. Service is always friendly and personal, and the homemade food is superb. When you add in the super-comfortable accommodation and lush emerald and bougainvillea-filled gardens, you've basically got the ultimate beach holiday.

Nestled in the breathtaking highlands of Lalibela, Hill Top Lodge Lalibela offers a serene and authentic Ethiopian retreat. Built in traditional Lalibela style, the lodge harmoniously blends local architecture with modern comforts, providing guests with an unforgettable experience in one of Ethiopia’s most sacred and historic destinations.

The impressive rock-hewn architecture of Lalibela's medieval churches draw pilgrims of many kinds – Ethiopian Orthodox and other religious worshippers, lovers of art and history, and the many repeat visitors entranced by Ethiopia's charms. The detail within the 11 monolithic structures is certainly mysterious and intoxicating. If you're looking for a reliable place to stay while examining the monuments, head to Mezena Lodge on the eastern side of town. Set on the foothills overlooking the fertile valley, Mezena's 30 spacious bungalows are appropriately respectful in design, combining tranquillity with modern amenities and good cuisine. Ideal for exploring this sacred place.

Set high above the surrounding plains, Nimali Ilaroi House is designed exclusively for private groups seeking the freedom to experience safari entirely on their own terms. With five private suites, a dedicated host team, private guide, and access to a vast private conservancy, every stay is tailored to the rhythm and interests of each guest. Whether enjoying wildlife encounters, sharing meals with family and friends, or simply taking in the expansive views, guests experience the rare luxury of space, privacy, and connection to the landscape.

Perched dramatically atop an escarpment overlooking the Tarangire River valley, this sophisticated safari lodge delivers front-row seats to one of East Africa's most unique ecosystems. With 15 luxurious tented suites positioned to maximise both sweeping views and cooling breezes, you're perfectly placed to watch vast elephant herds wander beneath towering baobab trees that have stood sentinel for centuries. Beyond the spectacular wildlife sightings below, the lodge itself impresses with its safari elegance, an infinity pool that seems to spill into the wilderness, and outdoor bathtubs where you can enjoy a soak whilst watching the sun set over the plains.

Borgo Pignano Florence is a Florentine secret—hidden on a hillside at the city’s northern edge, surrounded by 5 acres of gardens offering a quiet retreat from the sights that lie within reach. This is the Florence behind the walls, beneath the trees, and between the conversations. A place where time slows, nature leads, and every gesture feels personal. Like all authentic secrets, it’s there to be discovered.

With just 32 rooms and suites, Borgo Pignano Florence preserves a sense of intimacy and calm. Here, historical charm meets modern comfort amid lush Italian gardens and views of the Florentine hills. Across the estate, restored to the highest standards and adorned with fine artworks, classic elegance blends seamlessly with craftsmanship and contemporary ease. Each space is shaped by light, time, and the quiet rhythm of the land.

Tucked behind Piazza della Signoria, practically leaning on the Uffizi, the Hotel Bernini Palace is a 15th-century palazzo with hospitality in its bones. Back when Florence briefly served as Italy's capital in the 1860s, parliamentarians and senators would pile in for backroom dealings over dinner – and you can still feel that buzz of importance today. Now a polished five-star with 74 rooms adorned in antiques and Murano glass, it's elegant, un-showy and thoroughly Italian. The concierge team (Les Clefs d'Or, no less) know every cobblestone in the centro storico, and the location genuinely couldn't be better for getting to know Florence on foot.

Away from the crowds, and just a short stroll from the Tuscan capital’s iconic landmarks… In the district of Oltrarno, Florence has kept its soul.

Discover the art of Florentine living, in the intimacy of an authentic Renaissance palazzo. This gem has been fully restored by interior design duo Gilles & Boissier. Your apartment’s décor pairs contemporary refinement with the grandeur of historic architecture. La Réserve Firenze reimagines Florence as something deeply personal and privileged.

Perched in the lush hills above Florence overlooking the Arno Valley, Villa San Michele stands as a masterpiece of Tuscan heritage that is tied to the soul of the city itself. A work of art, inside and out with a history tracing back to the 15th century and breathtaking views overlooking Florence, it’s an immersive retreat into the romance of this Renaissance wonder. Honouring the hotel’s heritage, reimagined rooms and suites combine contemporary comfort with enduring grandeur.

Beginning life as a monastery in the 15th century, the hotel’s facade is attributed to the School of Michelangelo, while the surroundings hills were the testing grounds for Leonardo da Vinci’s flying machines. The terraced gardens, originally tended to by monks, have seen the centuries shift through the seasons.

In the heart of Santiago, Debaines Hotel is a sanctuary of style and comfort, blending refined boutique hospitality with classical grandeur. The rooms and public spaces invite you to explore a unique fusion of Chilean heritage and design that whispers rather than shouts.

Stay in luxurious, imaginatively furnished netted tents at eco-friendly Elephant Watch Camp. Set in the Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya, the camp is small but perfect, with not a single fence to separate you from the animals that live here. Watch and listen to an elephant scooping nutritious Acacia tortilis seeds from your roof. (You're quite safe, so simply enjoy the experience.) Then wake in the morning to birdcalls, step outdoors to explore the camp, satisfy your appetite with five-star meals and tread softly with your Samburu guide as you discover the wildlife and learn the ways of the bush.

Estancia Pilolil offers outstanding fishing options within a unique and magnificent Patagonian landscape. This family property is located on the banks of the prolific Aluminé River in the Province of Neuquén, Argentina.

The rich legacy and history of Estancia Pilolil dates back to the late nineteenth century. This unique family ranch owes its name to an antique local community a few kilometers downstream the Aluminé River. Pilolil means holed stone in the Mapuche language, a unique rock formation from the Quaternary period, with towers, caves and natural bridges, that dominates a section of the Aluminé River.

Back in the 70s and 80s, the popular El Casco hotel, owned and hosted by a German aristocrat couple, exuded European glamour and attracted visitors from all around the world. It then went through a series of owners and even closed its doors for a few years before being taken over by an avid Argentinian art collector. Nowadays, while preserving its original spirit of elegance and hospitality, the renovated version of El Casco is all about the 500+ original paintings and sculptures by Argentinian artists, impeccably decorating every last room. Coupled with the dreamy surroundings, this is one unforgettable experience.

For a unique African safari holiday take a private-guided safari into top wildlife areas. Each authentic mobile tented safari is tailor-made to guests preferences and time frame and offers affordable African holidays in some of the best wilderness areas in Botswana.

Guests can enjoy an exclusively guided private mobile safari at a rate cheaper than a busy lodge in the peak season.

Machaba Camp is tucked away on the sycamore fig-sheltered bank of the Khwai River to the east of the Okavango Delta. Here, 10 stunningly luxurious tents provide tranquil comfort to visitors returning from a day in the delta. The camp overlooks the river to Moremi Game Reserve, where thick wooded areas are the perfect habitat for leopard and abundant wild dog. From the tent, watch predators and plains game wandering down to the river to drink, and inspect the diverse birdlife in the surrounding lagoons.

An old Edwardian summer house from 1901 and now the Lake District outpost of South Africa's Leeu Collection, Linthwaite House sits high on its own hill with gorgeous views across Lake Windermere and the Coniston Fells. Inside, it's very much a scene of modern, 21st-century luxury - think bold prints and wild colours, sumptuous armchairs and a fine selection of African art, all from the owner's personal collection. It's surrounded by 14 acres of garden and woodland that keep the rest of the world at arm's length, and when you're finished exploring, there's always a crackling log fire somewhere to cosy up to. Frankly, Wordsworth would have approved.

The X-Float at The X. River Kwai offers a unique floating accommodation experience in Kanchanaburi, designed for travelers seeking a peaceful connection with nature and the calming rhythm of the river. Floating directly on the River Kwai, the cabin combines contemporary comfort with immersive riverside living, allowing guests to wake up surrounded by panoramic water views and serene natural scenery. Whether escaping Bangkok for the weekend, enjoying a romantic getaway, or simply slowing down beside the river, the X-Float creates a stay experience that feels relaxing, scenic, and unforgettable.