Best Hotels & Lodges

Amaidiyana is the Tamil word for peace, and you will find it in abundance in this haven, where ideas take form in nature’s gentle embrace. Nestled on the peaceful edges of Auroville, Sanctuary Amaidiyana embodies a soulful blend of creativity, wellness, and conscious living.

Discover a destination where creativity finds purpose, mindfulness deepens with serenity, and every moment rejuvenates. Let the soothing therapies and curated activities replenish your inner rhythm and offer a refreshing break.

A charming manor nestled at the foot of the world-renowned Swartberg Mountain Pass is perfect for anyone that wants to get away from it all and soak up the peace of its tranquil surroundings. The extraordinary panoramic views of the Swartberg Mountains from the veranda of the original farmhouse inspired the creation of the manor and its grounds, which you'll find is a peaceful getaway beauty and relaxation. But this isn't just an endearing home-away from-home. The world-renowned Cango Caves are nearby, and it’s only a 15km drive to the top of the Swartberg Pass for unparalleled views of the Cango Valley.

Deep in the Yanbaru Forest on Okinawa's mountainous Motobu Peninsula, 11 concrete villas sit scattered across twenty hectares of subtropical woodland, so spread out that other guests barely cross your path. The name comes from the tea once grown here to send to Nakijin Castle, the Ryukyu Kingdom's ruined mountain fortress just up the road (now a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for growing Japan's earliest cherry blossoms). Inside, raw concrete collides with warm hardwood, and every villa comes with its own pool, a private BBQ at dusk and a bathroom roughly the size of a studio flat. Don't expect to bump into anyone else before breakfast.

Safari lodges often promise family-friendly experiences, but few deliver quite like this newcomer on the Kruger fringe. Located at Elephant Point with sweeping views over the Sabie River toward the national park, Shiviko takes a refreshingly different approach – one where families actually do things together rather than being separated into adult and kids' programmes. Each of the four villas tells a different South African cultural story through its art and décor, while your dedicated butler, private chef and nature guide take care of everything from dawn game drives to candlelit dinners on your terrace. The clubhouse – complete with water slides and a soundproofed cinema – seals the deal for younger guests, though the adults-only bar upstairs has rather impressive sunset views to keep everyone happy.

Built high atop an old anthill, Nambu Camp is entirely elevated, offering soaring views across the Olifants West Nature Reserve. Sharing an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, wildlife is free to roam in their numbers and the camp's guides have a real talent for finding just what you're longing to see. With only six chalets, the camp has an exclusive and intimate feel, and there's ample space to relax and soak up the view – this includes a well-loved waterhole below where herds of elephant arrive to drink. The team is highly efficient and treats you like family, always ready with a smile.

This intimate permanent tented camp is ideally positioned to catch the best of the Serengeti action along the Mara River, yet delightfully tucked away from the throngs of visitors. Set in the remote area around Kogatende, in the park's northern section, Nimali Mara sits on a small rise, tucked between boulders and a dappled forest. Expect elegance that in no way interferes with the raw beauty of the bush, and service and guiding so good that this could well be be your one-stop shop for exploring what's often regarded as one of the world's most magnificent wildlife-viewing destinations.

Palazzo was transformed into a cabinet of Italian art and beauty, where curious travelers quickly find themselves very much at home. Located just minutes from Piazza del Popolo, guests pass through the doors straight into the vibrant swirl of the centro storico. Once enriched by the city but in need of refreshment, they are welcomed back to a stylish sanctuary featuring a secret garden, a rooftop bar, and the highly inventive San Baylon restaurant

A city within a city, Roppongi Hills is a glamorous corner of Tokyo where tourists rub shoulders with expats and businessmen. Of course, this was the perfect spot for another Grand Hyatt in Japan. With an incredible 10 dining spots, you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to where to eat, from intimate Teppanyaki-style meals to some of the finest sushi in the city, prepared with market-fresh ingredients and served alongside artisanal sake. The hotel has over 380 rooms, all exceedingly spacious, and the higher you go, the better the view, with some looking out to Tokyo Tower and distant Mount Fuji.

The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the most iconic safari settings on the planet, not least for being at the heart of the Great Migration when more than two million animals traverse borders and rivers in search of good grazing. Refurbished and better than ever, Ilkeliani Camp sits beside the Talek River, just a few kilometres beyond the official boundary of the famous reserve. Surrounded by woodlands, water, and the wildlife that draws so many travellers to the region, it's the perfect spot to camp out for a while. Expect spacious tented accommodation, warm Kenyan hospitality and of course, excellent game viewing.

In the popular Botafogo neighbourhood, the hotel offers spectacular views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado (Christ the Redeemer). Reach the shops, bars, artisans, and restaurants of Arnaldo Quintela Street in a short drive. Botafogo Beach is within walking distance. Enjoy the rooftop bar or locally-inspired cuisine in the extremely popular restaurant.

In strolling distance of Ho Chi Minh City's sweeping boulevards and jam-packed markets, Fusion Suites is a finely-tuned home away from home, where the interiors are cosy and casual and the suites pristine and pretty. The in-house bakery provides cakes fresh out of the oven (flavours range from red artichoke flowers to rich chocolate - tell us more!), and after a day of exploring the city, a rooftop cocktail is the only way to top it off. Speaking of which, there are plenty of historic sights to discover and a whole lot of shopping to be done all in a stone's throw from the hotel.