Best Hotels & Lodges

After a complete refurbishment and new ownership, Tulela is both a world away from modern life and thoroughly steeped in luxury – not excessive, but discreet and respectful of its natural surroundings. Discretely tucked in the trees on a bend in the seasonal Ntsiri River on the western edge of the Greater Kruger region, Tulela sits in the Klaserie Private Game Reserve (one of the largest privately owned sanctuaries in South Africa), at the heart of the country's most iconic wildlife area. See the Big Five along with the other major players – wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, and a host of birds.

Narina Lodge is an intimate retreat along the banks of the Sabie River, in the private Lion Sands concession in southern Kruger. It shares an unfenced border with the infamous Sabi Sand region, and the game viewing in this part of South Africa is, quite simply, outstanding. The lodge is beautifully positioned beneath centuries-old riverine trees, and with just nine ultra-luxurious suites, exclusivity is guaranteed. Safari activities are varied, with the freedom to follow the game off road, and explore after dark, but a real highlight is the opportunity to spend a night out in the bush, on a magical treehouse platform with only the stars for company.

As the setting for some of the most iconic safaris in Africa, the Serengeti is a world all of its own. Dotted with gangly acacia trees and endless golden grass, what awaits are days spent exploring this wildlife-rich spot by foot and game drive. Set up in a private wilderness zone, your unfussy fly camp makes a welcome home-away-from home, and all with the promise of total seclusion. Begin your morning with coffee on a kopje as the sun rises over the plains and the scene before you comes to life. After a day of spotting lions lazing in the shade and grazing zebra, return to camp for a hearty meal by the fire.

Perched dramatically on the entrance to a former Maritime Republic, this 1956-born dream of Francesco Mansi has evolved into something utterly captivating. After his Mexican sojourn, Francesco returned to establish what his descendants have now transformed into a design hotel with serious personality. Mid-century magnificence reigns throughout the common areas, channeling those halcyon days of Italian design brilliance. The position is nothing short of extraordinary – hovering above the port, beach, and town, with that famous Cathedral and its colonnade commanding attention below. From the moment you step inside, you're enveloped in a world where contemporary elegance meets Mediterranean charm, and every window frame captures that impossible blue of the Tyrrhenian.

Without a doubt, Avani is one of the most fabulous places to stay in Bangkok. Sitting storeys above the city and its shimmering water highway, the River of Kings, Avani checks every box. From the incredible variety of dining choices, including an underground enclave where Bangkok's elite once feasted, to an never-ending menu of elixirs and massages at the spa, it's difficult to pick a favourite element! When you've been pampered enough (well, for a few hours anyway), the city's grand, historic sights await, beginning with a longtail boat ride down the Chao Phraya River, ready to stop and explore at any moment.

From the privacy of a coastal shelf in the North Malé Atoll, awash with lapping turquoise waves, Gili is a resort set almost entirely on water. Some villas are completely untethered to the mainland and come with their own boat to zip across the lagoon! Pass darting schools of fish as you stroll across the timber walkways to a breakfast on the sand and follow in the fins of dolphins as they leave the atoll to find dinner at sunset. At Gili Lankanfushi there are a bevvy of features that set the resort apart - from a private water garden at your villa to themed dinners from across the globe and days spent in the care of your private butler. Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is just located 20 minutes from Male International Airport by speedboat.

With the Virunga Mountains as your backdrop and the lush forests of Volcanoes National Park at your doorstep, this lodge brings you straight into the heart of Rwanda’s wildlife wonderland. Spacious rooms, cosy fireplaces, and sweeping views of the landscape ensure that relaxation comes as naturally as the mountain breeze. After a day's exploration, indulge in Rwandan cuisine paired with a side of breathtaking scenery.

Tucked between the aromatic spice stalls of Little India and the buzzing Bugis markets, this Albert Street (once known as the 'Gourmand Street of Singapore') hotel occupies a string of lovingly restored pre-war shophouses that hide stories of old Singapore. This isn't your gleaming Marina Bay high-rise – instead, you'll find Peranakan tiles, Indian carvings, and a peaceful courtyard that somehow manages to shut out the city's relentless energy (and noise!). With four dining spots and two MRT stations on the doorstep, it's the perfect launchpad for anyone who wants to experience Singapore beyond the tourist brochure.

Be inspired by Africa's majestic animals as they quench their first at Elephant Valley Lodge's waterhole overlooking the Lesoma Valley in the Chobe District of Zimbabwe. The area is known for having the largest population of African elephant in the world but it's also home to honey badger, giraffe, antelope, leopard, lion, hyena and more. Eight of the 20 tents overlook the waterhole; the remaining 12 face the lush forest lawn and swimming pool. When you're not watching animals, or listening to their cacophony of calls, take a game drive or boat cruise, and a day trip to Victoria Falls.

Ivory Lodge lies about 4km from Hwange's main gate in the Sikumi Forest Reserve, with easy access from the Vic Falls/Bulawayo road. It's a small lodge that keeps things intimate with good service standards and comfortable accommodation. It has its own large waterhole that attracts elephants in great numbers during the dry season, and though there is decent game viewing in the forest reserve, the lodge focuses most of its activities in Hwange National Park, where you can see all manner of wildlife including several predatory species and a myriad of antelope and birds.