Best Hotels & Lodges

Damaraland in north-west Namibia is an ancient, boulder-strewn landscape of heat, dust and extraordinary beauty. This is the middle of nowhere, so finding tranquil Mowani Mountain Camp, tucked among the giant ochre rocks, is a real surprise. The lodge's organic design has earned it an architectural eco-design award, and the interior decor combines elegance, earthiness and tranquility. The accommodation is spacious and comfortable, the food is great, the game drives are rewarding and you could lose yourself in the views. Desperate for some peace? You'll find it here in spades.

Occupying a corner position on the Grand Canal, this extraordinary Gothic edifice has witnessed more than five centuries of Venetian history flow past its windows. Once the private residence of Doge Andrea Gritti, it has hosted an impressive roster of literary luminaries and global elite. The meticulously restored interiors exude an intimate grandeur with low ceilings and a series of reception rooms that lead to charming hideaways, creating the distinct feeling of being welcomed into a sophisticated private home rather than a busy hotel. Step onto the terrace to witness one of the most enthralling vistas in the floating city - from San Giorgio Maggiore past the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection - all while gondolas glide silently below.

In the far southwest corner of Tarangire National Park, under a canopy of umbrella-shaped acacia trees strewn along the edge of the Gursi Swamp, is Swala Camp, an A&K Sanctuary. And what a camp it is. The 12 beautifully furnished tents are really rather glamorous and the setting is idyllically peaceful, but it’s the nearby waterhole that really bowls you over. Here, families of plodding elephant stop to drink whilst lion keep a lazy eye on the clusters of skittering antelope. And with all the action so close-by, we wouldn’t blame you for perhaps missing a game drive or two…

Built directly opposite the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, the Holiday Inn has the goods to make your stopover before jetting in or out of Santiago a comfortable one. The interiors are slick and stylish with high ceilings and well-appointed amenities. If you have a little time to spare, Chile's capital city is certainly worth exploring. Take a stroll up the historic Cerro Santa Lucia (with views of the Andes spread out beyond the city), visit the museums and beautiful gardens along the Parque Forestal, or grab a coffee in one of the artsy neighbourhoods.

We've noticed recently that something strange is happening in the world of safari camps: Wi-Fi when you should be tuning your senses to the bush? Three course meals with all the queen's cutlery when you should be eating a finger-licking meal around the fire? Not at the Skybeds! Located northeast of the Okavango Delta in Khwai Private Reserve, bordering Moremi Game Reserve, these rustic platforms are the ultimate immersion in the wilderness. Head to the top of your three-storey platform for uninterrupted views over the vast, unfenced reserve and then fall asleep under a star-splattered sky. Here, there's nothing to worry about and everything to enjoy.

Tucked away under a canopy of trees and overlooking the Sand River below, Londolozi Varty Camp offers visitors something unique: an authentic, luxury safari experience for the whole family. Its prime location in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and its unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park make for some of the best game viewing in Southern Africa. Considered one of the prime spots to view the elusive leopard, here guests will have the opportunity to explore the best the area has to offer, in five-star luxury.

This stylish eco-conscious tented camp is situated in the bountiful Linyanti concession, near the source of the Savute Channel, in northern Botswana. Set amongst swamps, floodplains and mopane woodlands, Duma Tau is surrounded by lagoons teeming with hippo and water birds. Duma Tau means ‘roar of the lion’ and, as its name suggests, the camp offers great big cat sightings. Predators aside, it is also known for its large concentrations of elephants, as well as a rich variety of other game. Overall, a high quality facility that roars with offerings.

Perched high above the glittering Mediterranean, this elegant hideaway sits pretty amidst rolling vineyards and wild gardens on a UNESCO-listed volcanic isle. The white-washed buildings peek out between tangles of bougainvillea and swaying palms, while the heady scent of Malvasia grapes ripening on ancient vines fills the air. Let yourself be drawn into the rhythm of island life, where mornings might find you practicing sun salutations on the rooftop, afternoons call for lazy dips in the freshwater pool, and evenings are best spent sampling estate wines as the lighthouse beam sweeps across inky waters.

We guarantee the words "Out of Africa" will pop into your head as you enter Legendary Lodge Arusha, a luxury destination that's popular with visitors beginning or ending their Tanzanian odyssey. Its one fault, most say, is that they wished they'd booked a longer stay. And they have a point. The lodge sits within lush gardens, with a beautiful frangipani tree at the entrance, in the heart of a working coffee farm, and is the perfect place to unwind. Just minutes from Arusha and the nearest airport, you'll be pampered with excellent accommodation, intuitive service and fabulous food.