Best Hotels & Lodges

This lodge is currently closed due to recent flooding Madikwe River Lodge is situated on the banks of the Groot Marico River in the heart of the 75,000 hectare Madikwe Game Reserve. Located between Sun City and Botswana, and only 350 km from OR Tambo International Airport, this is an easily accessible safari experience that is certainly easily enjoyable. Choose one of 16 split-level river front chalets, all with incredible views of the surrounding landscape and snuffling wildlife, add fine-dining, superior service and excellent safari drives in the Big Five reserve, and this is an all-round wonderful safari for families, couples or small groups.

Right on Puglia's Adriatic coast, near the fishing village of Savelletri, is the dreamily beautiful Borgo Egnazia. Built by the Melpignano family from scratch to resemble a traditional Puglian village, the hotel opened in 2010, and is all flawless tufo limestone, hidden pools and blooms of rosemary and jasmine around every corner. There are of course, some spectacular added extras too, including a Michelin-starred restaurant, a spa rooted in ancient Puglian wellness traditions, an 18-hole championship golf course and two private beaches. It's big (183 rooms across three different areas), but the winding alleyways, candlelit corridors and bougainvillea-draped piazzas make it feel surprisingly intimate.

A boat ride across the aquamarine Bay of Hiroshima will transport you to the ethereal Miyajima Island, known as one of the most picturesque places in Japan. Just minutes away from its pretty shores, the Iwaso Ryokan is enveloped by lush gardens that change shades with the seasons. One of its best features is the bubbling onsen baths, which you can enjoy indoors or amongst the foliage, where deer wander by. The original ryokan opened in 1854, giving it a cherished heritage that remains at the forefront of the decor and atmosphere. When you're not soaking the day away, take in the island's famous sights including the striking Torii Gate.

A collection of bucolic wooden cabins on the shore of Lago General Carrera, Mallin Colorado is as eco-minded as they come. Built sustainably from native woods and all on stilts, the flora grows uninterrupted underneath you - and don't be surprised if a horse wanders up to your veranda. The hotel's location in the Southern Carretera Austral of Patagonia receives an unusual (and very welcome) amount of sun, and remains fairly free of tourists. Explore this surreal setting on foot or horseback, where you'll soak up views of serene lakes, glaciers and waterfalls, as your guide shares his expert knowledge.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, sprawled across 65,000 acres (263 square kilometres) of Laikipia wilderness, is top of many people's game reserve wish list for its legendary wildlife viewing. With more than 70 recorded mammal species, the conservancy is home to lion, leopard and jackal, the largest concentration of Grevy’s zebra in the world, more than 130 black and white rhino, and too many bird species to list. To the south rises snow-capped Mount Kenya, to the north are the arid lands of Tassia and Il Ngwesi. Between them lie areas of pristine forest, fertile grasslands, extensive springs and acacia woodland.

Hacienda Concepción sits deep in the heart of the Amazon, exactly where Inkaterra’s commitment to ecotourism and sustainability first began. Originally a cacao and rubber plantation in the 50s, fast-forward a couple of decades and you'll find this luxury haven amid 800-plus hectares of lush, juicy rainforest, complete with a natural oxbow lake. The location - between Tambopata National Reserve and the shores of the Madre de Dios river - makes this a unique spot and an ideal place to immerse yourself fully into the wonders of the Amazon.

The crystaline waters, green-capped karsts and world-class beaches make Krabi a one-of-a-kind destination. And amidst the dancing palms, Rayavadee holds all the allure of an island getaway! Its natural surrounds are reflected in the bamboo-themed feature walls, sea life murals and mushroom-shaped villas. Chattering monkeys can be heard overhead as you stroll to the beach and, being in the heart of a marine reserve, schools of fish paint the water with colour as you snorkel off nearby reefs. Whether you spend all day on the beach, do as many water sports as you can, or zip across the bay to picnic on a sandbar, the view is sweet as coconut milk.

In 48 acres of palm-studded gardens, the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh is a palatial resort and the picture of seaside bliss. With their striped walls, the suites are scattered across the grounds, each with uninterrupted views of the Red Sea. Speaking of which, these waters hold an incredible collection of marine life and you'll have the chance to see it in full technicolour while diving along the reefs. It may be tempting to never leave your lounger nestled on the private beach, but there is a desert to explore on horseback and islands to discover on an idyllic cruise across the bay.