Best Hotels & Lodges

Set in Thornybush Private Game Reserve on the western edge of the Kruger Park, family-run Tangala Safari Camp's rustic charms have been augmented by the addition of a solar farm, which powers the lodge. It's an intimate camp that focuses on solid game viewing (great Big Five sightings!) and good hosting. And, despite the fact that Tangala is one of 12 lodges on this mid-sized (14,000-hectare) reserve, the landscape feels satisfyingly uncrowded and authentically wild. Just a five-hour drive from Johannesburg, Tangala is an easy weekend getaway for locals, or a good option for international travellers looking for a well-rounded safari experience.

RockFig Safari Lodge is the product of a long romance, conceived over two decades. It is the expression of family's love affair with South Africa's Lowveld region, specifically the 530-square-kilometre Timbavati Private Nature Reserve on Kruger Park's western edge. The absence of fences separating this reserve from the national park means that wildlife roams freely between them, and that guests reap the rich rewards. You'll see all the Big Five here, including Timbavati's famed white lions. Round it all off with exceptional guides and superb staff to care for you in camp, and you have a thoroughly good safari.

It may take pride of place in Cape Town's Church Square, surrounded by the views that make the city famous, but it's the attention to detail that will make you fall in love with Labotessa. Beyond the hotel's 17th century facade, it has history woven into its design and you'll find a space infused with elegance, comfort and a feeling of homeliness quite unexpected in a hotel with such an aristocratic flair. Feature walls and intriguing artworks join forces with plush furniture and a tour-de-force of hospitality to create a hotel that leaves the word 'immaculate' hanging in the air - along with the scent of their fabulous all-day breakfast.

In the pedestrianised heart of one of Italy's most photogenic coastal towns sits this hidden gem, lovingly maintained by generations of the same family. The ancient splendour of this once-private villa has been meticulously preserved through careful renovations, resulting in a residence that feels both authentic and luxurious. The property's two distinct buildings house an array of rooms – some nestled in the historic original structure, others in the more contemporary addition.

Located on the banks of the river from which it takes its name, Sand River Masai Mara lies within Kenya's flagship reserve, close to the Tanzanian border. This is where the wildebeest cross the river in search of better grazing later in the year, so you couldn't be closer to the heart of the action. There's profuse resident game too, so there's lots to see year round. The camp itself is charming. Decorated in authentic 1920s colonial safari style, with plush leather seating, travel chests and a well-stocked library, the camp makes you feel like an extra in Out of Africa.

In a city that combines gleaming sky scrapers with gold-spired palaces, The Siam is regal to its core. A butler takes care of every detail, the design is sumptuous and sleek, and with a home next to the River of Kings, you'd be forgiven for thinking you're royalty. Set in Dusit, the historic heart of Bangkok, the quiet lanes make for an interesting walkabout. That is, if you can pull yourself from the comfort of your plush suite or the pool with a view of longboats idling by. Venture into Bangkok's Old Town to see its honored and eye-catching temples or visit one of the city's famous night markets.

Tlouwana Camp lies in northern Botswana, at its intersection with three other nations – Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Set just outside Chobe National Park, famous for its life-giving waters and its impressive numbers of elephants (said to be the greatest on Earth), this is an ideal base for exploring the park's varied habitats. Chobe's vast green floodplains lead to dry savannas, woodlands to riverine forests – all forming a complex ecosystem that supports a wealth of species. With modern tented accommodation, excellent guides and a range of activities at a very fair price, Tlouwana is definitely an option to consider.