Best Hotels & Lodges

High on a clifftop where 17th-century Dominican nuns once contemplated life's greater meanings, this reimagined monastery now offers rather more earthly pleasures. The views alone are worthy of divine praise – sweeping vistas of the glittering Gulf of Salerno that stretch from a tiny fishing village below all the way to the horizon. Inside, vaulted ceilings and ancient stone walls whisper tales of the past.

A sanctuary that captures the city's essence. Its design deeply respects Kyoto's rich heritage, offering a warm, intimate atmosphere. Each detail, from the patterns to the weavings, tells a story of the local culture. The hotel is conveniently located, allowing easy exploration of historical sites and local life. The rooms, a blend of cosy modernity and traditional aesthetics, promise comfort and a touch of Kyoto's charm.

Five-star Camp Kuzuma lies on a small land concession in the 12,000-hectare (and very little-known) Kuzuma Forest Reserve in north-eastern Botswana. What makes this region especially important is its position, for this is the wildlife corridor between Chobe National Park (in Botswana) and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. At various times of the year, particularly in the dry winter months, the area sees as many elephants as anywhere in Africa, as the giants move between their two favourite parks. Additionally, the small, strategically placed camp draws wildlife to its own waterhole, making game viewing easy (if somewhat lacking in diversity).

Planet Baobab is a quirky oasis in the middle Botswana's lunar-like Makgadikgadi Pans, announced by a giant pink anteater statue on the road outside. Famous amongst the overlanding community (the camp sites are some of the best on the continent), the cool Baobab Huts make an excellent rest point for just about anyone looking to experience this strange slice of wilderness. It’s easy-going, festive and every likes a cold St. Louis beer, but rest assured that it’s also professional and well-organised with a host of accommodation options and a blockbuster of activities to suit all tastes and styles.

Welcome to Chongwe River House, a four-bedroom private house on the banks of the Chongwe River with more than a touch of the Fred Flintstone, accommodating a minimum of 4 people. Designed by renowned architect Neil Rocher, the house is a grand architectural medley of curving walls and enormous leadwood furniture – there’s barely a straight line in sight. But you’re not coming on safari for style we hear you say? Well that’s ok then as the house comes complete with a private guide, armed guard, vehicle, boat and kayaks for the ultimate exploration of all corners of the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Step through the doors of this grand dame and you'll be instantly transported to a time when Venetian nobility ruled the waves. Made up of three palaces – a 14th-century marvel, a 17th-century addition, and a 1930s newcomer – this architectural treasure chest sits just a whisper away from St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. The moment you sweep into the lobby, with its soaring ceilings and Byzantine elegance, you'll understand why generations of discerning travellers have chosen to rest their heads here. Plush furnishings and ornate details bring the glamour of La Serenissima to life, while the rooftop terrace offers views so spectacular, you'll need to pinch yourself to believe they're real. When the bustle of the canals becomes too much, retreat to your palatial chamber and revel in the sheer decadence of it all.

Created by a safari company thoroughly committed to preserving the pristine bush areas in which they operate, Ila Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of the mighty Kafue River, bordering the wilderness of the Kafue National Park. Welcoming guests of all ages, with a maximum number of 24 people, ensures unequivocal privacy. Easily accessible from both Lusaka and Livingstone, Zambia’s oldest and largest park is home to lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and wild dog and the diversity of the habitat also guarantees some of the best birdwatching in Africa.

Your very own treehouse in Tanzania, draped with netting (and with a glam en-suite bathroom); surrounding you, a 312-square-kilometre private reserve filled with rolling hills, extravagantly shaped baobabs and marula trees; and beneath you, some roaming members of Africa's largest herds of elephants. If that's your idea of an African safari, then Tarangire Treetops has everything you need and more. You're on the doorstep of fabulous Tarangire National Park, your safety is paramount, it's a malaria-free zone with temperate weather conditions, and the staff and food are terrific. You'll be back!

Elephant Pan is a comfortable and rustic small tented camp in a remote part of the huge Khwai Private Reserve. This vast wilderness area falls within some of Botswana’s finest game viewing areas, with Chobe National Park to the east, and Moremi National Park along the southern region. The camp overlooks a permanent waterhole, which acts as a magnet for a variety of species, particularly during the harsh dry season when water is scarce. Game viewing is superb, and the simplicity of the camp puts the focus firmly on a truly wild safari experience.