Best Hotels & Lodges

The name Tanimanga says it all. Its meaning derives from clay, but the term in the figurative sense conveys the idea of ​​pleasant, beautiful, perfection or purity, in short, something out of the ordinary and exceptional. The design lends itself to this meaning as well. Warm and soothing, the wooden finishes create pleasant acoustics and aesthetics. An authentic brick house, Tanimanga House is open to nature, with neat materials that marry warmth and expression. A cosy lounge leads through to rooms that offer comfort and relaxation. The house itself is like something out of a storybook.

As sleek, stylish and eminently cool as a James Bond villain’s hideaway, Birkenhead House is the ultimate Cape escape. Perched high on a cliff just outside Hermanus, the country’s whale-watching hotspot, this boutique bolthole is just the ticket if you’re looking for a tranquil escape away from Cape Town’s hustle. The view from the terrace will leave you speechless, and from June to November, breaching Southern right whales are thrown in for free. And if you can drag your eyes away from the scenery, feast them on Liz Biden’s stunning modern minimalist interiors, guaranteed to make you feel like the ultimate Bond girl….

Tucked into 140 hectares of undulating fynbos on the banks of the Klein River Lagoon, Perivoli is a sleek, ultra-modern villa that somehow feels entirely at home in one of South Africa's most biodiverse landscapes. Designed to hug the terrain with its wave-like roofline mirroring the distant mountains, the exclusive-use property accommodates up to eight guests across four individually styled bedrooms – ideal for families or groups of friends looking for a private slice of the Western Cape. With a dedicated chef, nature guide, butler and 4x4 safari vehicle at your disposal, days unfold at your own pace: kayaking on the lagoon, whale watching from the beach, or simply doing nothing at all.

Hotel La Palma, Oetker Hotels' first hotel to open in Italy, was exquisitely reimagined by interior designer Francis Sultana as a unique, elegant 5-star Mediterranean retreat for the modern traveller. It brings the timeless and warm hospitality for which Oetker Hotels is known and loved to the fabled Italian island of Capri.

Built in 1822, Hotel La Palma sits at the epicentre of Capri's social scene, just steps from the Piazzetta. An elegant luxury hotel of 50 rooms and suites, it also has three restaurants and bars, its own private beach club, a pool deck overlooking the boutiques of Via Vittorio Emanuele and a signature spa.

Manzili Ndoto is a beautiful secluded courtyard house hidden in the leafy suburbs of Karen. It shares the property with Manzili Main House. Both houses overlook the beautiful courtyard boasting a lush swimming pool for a cool-off. Manzili Ndoto can be rented Exclusively and is comprised of a two-bedroom ensuite. The house also offers you a cozy beautiful lounge to unwind with a lovely fireplace to keep you warm in the evenings and overlooks the swimming pool courtyard.

At Radisson Blu Hotel Nairobi Upper Hill, every stay combines style, exceptional comfort, and convenience. Just 10 minutes from Wilson Airport and 20 minutes from Nairobi National Park, this hotel is ideal for business trips, safaris, and city escapes.

Sitting pretty in the leafy Westlands neighbourhood, this polished city hotel manages to feel like an urban oasis despite being minutes from downtown. The formula's simple: European elegance plus Kenyan hospitality, served up across 200 rooms and suites. Seven restaurants mean you'll never tire of dining options (from Italian classics at Lucca to rooftop Middle Eastern fare at Tambourin), whilst the spa leaves guests afloat on Cloud Nine with its Kenyan coffee scrubs and baobab oil massages. With complimentary minibars (yes please!), a heated pool and impeccable service, it's the perfect launching pad before heading off into the wilds of Kenya.

A retreat nestled in the idyllic suburbs of Karen, with childhood memories in every path from home to the forest and back. Take time and enjoy a distillery tour, or a tasting, or stay a while, sprawl out and imbibe the snug informal atmosphere.

Maun is the well-established gateway to the Okavango Delta, where tiny planes depart every few hours, filled with eager travellers. Set in a 250-hectare private reserve on the outskirts of the main town, Thamo Telele offers an amuse-bouche before the real safari begins. Meaning 'long neck' in Setswana, the lodge is named after the youngest of its resident giraffe who wander the grounds - the staff will teach you how to identify each one based on their pattern! Thamo has an easygoing feel and families are very welcome - the gardens are big and lush, and the reserve is predator-free.

High on a clifftop, with sweeping views over tea-covered hills and forested valleys sits Uga Ghiri, a luxury hotel in Ella. Down below, framed by tall pines, the iconic Nine Arch Bridge curves through the landscape – a timeless sight. The old colonial manor that watched time pass by, is now thoughtfully renewed, bringing together the charms of the past with the comforts of today, without losing its sense of place. In this private escape of 15 villas – each with its own jacuzzi; an elegant, old-world bar, and spa with unforgettable views, you can settle in, slow down, simply feel the luxury and forget the world.

Welcome to Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa, an exquisite oasis where the serene beauty of nature meets the pinnacle of luxury and comfort. This hotel is designed to provide an unparalleled experience for discerning travellers seeking a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion.

The hotel offers luxurious accommodations, state-of-the-art amenities, and serene spaces for relaxation, including breathtaking views of the Annapurna range and Phewa Lake. Whether you’re here for leisure or adventure, Temple Bell Boutique Hotel & Spa ensures that every moment is steeped in the warmth of Nepali values and the excellence of world-class hospitality.

Hog Hollow Country Lodge and Villa is set on the edge of an indigenous forest, with breathtaking views of Natures Valley and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. It's also just 18 kilometres away from the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, making it a perfect place to experience the best of both worlds. At the lodge, expect soft green lawns, flower-covered cottages, turquoise pools, wooded valleys and wonderful views. It's also an excellent destination for families with many activities available in the vicinity, as well as the amazing hiking trails and nature walks in Natures Valley.

Katambuga House lies on the edge of Mringa Coffee Estate in Arusha, Tanzania, with gorgeous, panoramic views of Mount Meru. It opened its doors in 2017, positioned as the perfect 'home-away-from-home' for weary travellers. A destination in its own right, and a springboard for an epic North Tanzanian safari. Bring your family and your friends as the main house has four spacious ensuite bedrooms, and a nearby family cottage features an additional two ensuite rooms. Marvel at the intriguing African photography and art that adorns the walls or take a dip in the large pool surrounded by wide open spaces.