Best Hotels & Lodges

Monaco runs on luck and nerve, and nowhere proves it better than the Place du Casino where François Blanc built a casino and then, sensibly, a hotel grand enough to match it. And that hotel was the magnificent Hôtel de Paris, the anchor of the square ever since and an icon of Monaco. Instantly recognisable by its cream Belle Époque front and stained-glass dome (and usually a line of Ferraris and Rolls-Royces outside), it's the only hotel in Monaco to hold Michelin's top rating of Three Keys, and it earns every one of them.

Just when you think you've seen every iteration of the Tuscan spa hotel, along comes this Belle Époque beauty to prove you wrong. A stone's throw from Montecatini Terme's train station (the proper one, mind you - there are two), this Art Nouveau palazzo has been keeping the same family busy for over a century. And when we say family, we mean it - young Fabio used to play hide and seek in these very corridors whilst mamma Luciana worked, and now here he is, running the show with the same enthusiasm he had as a kid racing through the halls.

The 81-room property occupies a handsome 19th-century building that wears its Liberty-style credentials with proper pride - think high ceilings, period furniture that's actually from the period, and enough architectural flourishes to keep your eyes entertained over breakfast.

Gondwana Game Reserve sits on South Africa's southern coast in the topographically blessed Western Cape. Located within the Cape Floral Kingdom and edged by the spectacular Outeniqua and Langeberg Mountain Ranges, the natural beauty of this place is brought to life with the storybook wildlife and you'll find most of the major mammal species ambling around. Kwena Lodge's uniquely domed and thatched architecture is a nod to the region's original inhabitants, the Khoi-San, but the accommodation has come on leaps and bounds since then! Think plenty of modern comforts with a touch of understated class.

Maison Perumal is a period bungalow that has now been turned into a distinguished boutique hotel. Located in the Tamil quarter of Pondicherry, this 18th-century house exudes a legacy that reflects the French colonial aura of this small seaside town, known for its alluring history, spiritual culture, imaginative crafts, trendy shopping and last but not least, gourmet food!

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Heroldsbay on South Africa's renowned Garden Route, Oubaai Hotel Golf & Spa offers a luxurious sanctuary mere minutes away from George Airport. The resort seamlessly blends the thrill of links golf with the breathtaking vistas of the Garden Route, providing guests with an unparalleled experience in opulence and comfort.

The hotel sits five minutes from the station in the middle of Kagawa's capital, the kind of city most visitors treat as a ferry terminal for the art islands of the Seto Inland Sea. That's a mistake, and this hotel is part of the reason why. The whole place runs on what its designers call Takamatsu Art Deco: 1920s New York bones dressed in bonsai motifs and locally woven rugs, then handed the full club-floor treatment usually kept for a hotel's top few rooms. Kaiseki dinners happen behind sliding doors in one of six private rooms at Nishiki. Miss the last ferry to Naoshima and you'll hardly mind.

The vast temple grounds, covering a total area of about 45,000 square meters, are divided into two parts: the East Wing, called the Garan, and the West Wing, called the Tanjōin. The Garan, where the Kondo, the five-storied pagoda, and other buildings stand, has been part of the temple since the temple's foundation. The Tanjōin, with the Mieido at the center, is the site of the Saeki family's former residence, where Kobo Daishi was born. Together, they show Zentsūji’s connections with Kobo Daishi’s birth and family life.

Villa d'Amelia is more than just a hotel. It's an ideal retreat for those who want to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Langhe, amidst elegance and a warm welcome. With refined rooms and suites, a gourmet restaurant, a spacious relaxation area, and many other exclusive services , the Relais promises moments of pure relaxation and well-being amidst the evocative panorama of the Piedmont hills

From Sanbona's main gate, drive for just over an hour across the Little Karoo plains and you'll reach Bellair Dam and, on its shoreline, the thatched, Karoo-homestead-style Gondwana Lodge. This family destination has 12 generously proportioned luxury suites, never-ending views and plenty for everyone to do. Stay in super-comfortable style, see the Big Five on game drives, watch out for the reserve's impressive white lions, get close to hippos on a boat safari and enjoy the silence, the smiles and the starry moonlit skies. Children will have fun on the action-packed Kids on Safari programme.

Head north from Naha and Okinawa's usual postcard beaches give way to the Yanbaru forest. It's here, wrapped in the fairways of the Kanehide Kise Country Club, that you'll find The Ritz-Carlton. The hotel wraps around three sides of the course, an unusual footprint for a Ritz-Carlton, so nearly every balcony gets a slice of green fairway, blue sea, or often both. Inside, expect handmade ceramics dotted about, low slate-grey furniture, and a spa that disappears into the trees, complete with a coral-tiled steam room. There's Kuroge Wagyu sizzling tableside at dinner, and a restaurant named, rather sweetly, after a rainbow.

Tokashiki Marine Village is a resort accommodation boasting one of the finest locations on Tokashiki Island in the Kerama Islands. Snorkeling and scuba diving, which can be enjoyed all year round, will welcome you with coral reefs and colorful fish that stretch as far as the eye can see. It is also a great chance to encounter sea turtles. In winter, whale watching, where you can see humpback whales up close, is popular. This resort hotel allows you to enjoy Okinawa all year round. Come and visit Tokashiki Island, a paradise just a short distance from Okinawa Main Island.

Hoshino Resorts Iriomote Hotel sits where the jungle simply refuses to stop – 4,850 species crammed onto a UNESCO-listed island, with Tsukigahama Beach as your front garden and the elusive Iriomote cat somewhere out there in the dark. Kayak the mangroves at dawn, chase waterfalls by day, and in June and July, cruise out to watch sagaribana flowers bloom and vanish before sunrise.

No in-room TVs, no toothbrushes left lying about – small, deliberate nods to the wild you came for. Evenings mean stargazing and sparkling wine on the sand. Come for the jungle, not the pool.

Superlative views of the Vindhya Range welcome you to Pashan Garh, A Taj Safari. Tucked into a rocky outcrop and set amid 200 acres of private forest, the dramatic lines of our safari resort envelope you in luxury while reminding you of the untouched wilderness outside. Stone masonry exteriors give way to refined interiors in the guest area accompanied by a spacious courtyard.

Enter a world of adventure and enthralling experiences at Pashan Garh, A Taj Safari, close to Panna National Park. The intuitive service, plush accommodation, exciting safaris and delicious food ensure you make the most of your stay.

Situated at the heart of Sun City Resort, this hotel is a hub of excitement and luxury, offering direct access to the resort’s myriad attractions. With its lively atmosphere and proximity to the Pilanesberg National Park, it combines the thrill of adventure with the comfort of modern amenities. Its vibrant design, featuring a bustling casino and vivid interiors, makes it perfect for those seeking an energetic stay. Catering to families, couples, and adventure-seekers alike, the Sun City Hotel provides various room options, ensuring you experience the essence of Sun City’s dynamic spirit.

Saseka Tented Camp enjoys a privileged vantage on a curve of the seasonal Monwana River in Thornybush Private Game Reserve. Thornybush is one of the sanctuaries whose border with Kruger Park is unfenced, so there's a constant stream of wildlife wandering and munching freely. You'll find the Big Five, for sure, but also a host of other charismatic species such as endangered wild dogs (always a thrill to see these active creatures). Saseka was built with an emphasis on clever, efficient design and comfort that's subtle. We know you'll have a great stay, and great sightings too.

If you've ever dreamed of sleeping in a treehouse surrounded by wild Africa, nThambo delivers on that fantasy without the premium price tag. Set on the open plains of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve – one of the largest private reserves bordering Kruger – this unfenced camp puts you genuinely in the bush rather than observing it from a distance. The five chalets are raised on stilts among the trees, with the Drakensberg mountains shimmering on the horizon. It's simple rather than slick, and the experience is more rustic than refined, but for those happy to trade marble bathrooms for elephants drinking from the splash pool at breakfast, it offers something that fancier lodges can't replicate.