Best Hotels & Lodges

You'll find easy-going hospitality and the utmost in professionalism at Nata Lodge. There's something for every class of tourist - from the budget-minded to those seeking a more civilised bush experience. The main draw to this region is the Makgadigadi Salt Pans - a vast, barren, occasionally palm-flecked site of an ancient mega-lake (37 000 sq km). However, this is also a bird-haven with over 165 species in the vicinity. Where the Nata River delta feeds the Sua Pan it forms a breeding ground for multitudes of water fowl, including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands, which appear as a shocking mirage of pink amidst this muted landscape.

Perched on the bustling Riva degli Schiavoni promenade, this elegant time capsule has been welcoming the curious and discerning since 1853, with a guest book that includes one Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (who composed bits of his Symphony No. 4 within these very walls). Step through the historic façade and discover a world where Venice doesn't end at the threshold – it seeps in with the ever-changing light that plays across the lagoon, filtering through windows to illuminate interiors that are at once cultured salon and private retreat. Just a gondolier's call from San Marco, yet a world away from the tourist throngs, this is the insider's gateway to the authentic floating city that casual visitors rarely glimpse.

Perched atop a 13th-century medieval tower, this striking mansion whispers tales of centuries past while offering a rather spectacular vista of the city's architectural treasures. Step through the doors and find yourself transported to a world where historic grandeur meets modern sophistication - think carefully curated artworks adorning historic walls and designer touches that wouldn't look out of place in the fashion houses that line the street below. And speaking of that location - darling, it really doesn't get better than this. Pop out for a spot of window shopping at the glittering boutiques, stroll across the Santa Trinita bridge, or simply gaze at Brunelleschi's magnificent dome from your privileged viewpoint above the city.

On the northern fringes of the Okavango Delta, there is a beautiful private reserve called Khwai. Currently, there are only three tiny camps in the almost half a million acres of wilderness – and Tuludi now makes four. The camp itself is stylish, sophisticated and refined but the real luxury is the space. From the iconic Delta floodplains, stretching as far as the eye can see in all directions, to the enormous rooms (100 square metres, just for you), to the vast tracts of land reserved for game drives and walking safaris, Tuludi is the place to be for a refined Okavango Delta experience with all the trimmings.

The pretty town of Knysna is a highlight of any Garden Route trip, and, if you're looking for somewhere to stay that isn't quite in the hubbub of the town, try Belvidere Manor Hotel. Situated in a quiet, upmarket suburb on the outskirts of Knysna, the 28 pretty cottages are surrounded by lush gardens and the most beautiful views of the lagoon. It's a laid-back sort of place, and the historic manor house (dating back to 1834), has kept its gracious Georgian style and luxurious yet homely feel, whilst the cottages are modern and stylish. The perfect combination, really.

A luxurious perch on one of Sicily's most captivating coastlines where two worlds - and two star ratings - collide in spectacular fashion. Nestled in the Caldura bay just a stone's throw from Cefalù's UNESCO-protected historic centre, this boutique resort has been beguiling visitors for over half a century. The Mediterranean architecture follows the natural contours of the coastline, with whitewashed buildings that tumble down the rocky slopes towards the crystalline waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.