Best Hotels & Lodges

Perched on the popular Matemwe beach, just opposite the magnificent Mnemba Island, a lush and leafy Zanzibarian hideaway called Sevi Hotel Zanzibar exists. About an hour from central Stone town, on the north-eastern side of the island, the scene is relaxed and rustic with local villages dotted along palm fringed beaches. Designed around an oasis of beautiful gardens, this boutique lodge is a low-key haven for those seeking to escape and unwind without distractions. Good food, welcoming service, and of course that view, are a few of the foundations that this lodge prides itself on.

One of the most iconic 5-star hotels in Venice, a magical and secret place in the heart of the Santa Croce district, which tells a centuries-long story, beginning when—under the name Palazzo Bacchini delle Palme—it was a former private residence.

The soul of the palace lies in its very name, a portmanteau of the words "Venice" and "Art," and it encapsulates the charm and essence of the history of this city, an emblem of world art since the Renaissance.

You'll find Duke's East on private island concession along the shores of a beautiful seasonal lagoon. Created by the same family behind Botswana stalwart, Jack's Camp, it's full of vintage artefacts, eye-popping colour palettes and knick knacks collected by the Bousfields whilst travelling across the world. Named after the island's longtime custodian, 'Duke' Sarefo, the camp is perfectly in tune with the unique beauty of this corner of the Okavango Delta. You also don't have to venture far to find the wildlife, as elephant and red lechwe are common visitors. And with just four tents, you won't have to share these moments with many others...

It is a farm, first and foremost, run by a family who pledge themselves to an enduring care for the land, with a true passion for hospitality and the dream of a place to share with friends and travellers, with an authentic love and respect for the Sicilian countryside. Mandranova brings together agriculture, hospitality, catering, oleo tourism and culture to communicate and spread the deep-running values that they believe in.

Tuningi Safari Lodge is one of the few ultra luxurious camps created with families in mind. A maximum of sixteen guests can be accommodated in the wonderfully spacious rooms and suites, which are split between the main area and the smaller and totally private Little Tuningi for optimum exclusivity. Traditional safari style flows throughout the camps – the use of natural materials, chunky timber furnishings, thatched roofs and exposed beams blend perfectly with the rugged landscape. The lodge is situated in a private section of the vast Madikwe Game Reserve, and this region is renowned for its exciting game viewing.

Set in the Waterfall (Waterval) Valley, dramatically ringed by the flat-topped Waterberg escarpment, Marataba Mountain Lodge is a luxurious, Scandinavian-sleek safari destination that sets the bar. There are just five elegant, modern suites, serviced by a small team of extremely capable staff and guides. With sweet savanna grasslands, sour veld, and riverine forests, the varied habitats sustain wildlife that ranges from all of the Big Five, to cheetah, bat-eared fox, hyena and giraffe, and the world’s largest colony of endangered Cape vultures: around 800 breeding pairs. It's wild, it's super-stylish, and it's well worth a visit.

Ngala means 'lion' in Shangaan, the traditional language of the local people, and it's an apt name for this beautiful lodge set in the heart of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, known for sightings of the Big Five, wild dogs and a host more species. Decorated in chic minimalist style, Ngala Safari Lodge is an exclusive destination sheltered by spreading mopane and tamboti trees beside a well-frequented waterhole. The lodge and its sister tented camp are perfectly placed to explore this wild region adjacent to Kruger National Park. Experience excitement, Africa-style, on game drives and walking safaris.

Welcome to the 5-star luxury that is Hotel Santa Caterina of Amalfi. Renowned for its hospitality and position on the Amalfi Coast, this is a resort for those in search of excellence. Classic interiors, Mediterranean design, and the style of a typical Amalfi villa: each room at Hotel Santa Caterina, uniquely appointed, is spacious and bright, featuring hand-painted majolica floors, marble bathrooms, and balconies overlooking the sea or garden.

With its picturesque view of the sea, the hotel is located a short distance from Amalfi town centre and is perfectly positioned for visiting nearby towns such as Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii and Herculaneum and Naples

The 74,00 acre Mara Conservancy may be home to a mass of lodges, but Offbeat has managed to carve out their own unique spot in this abundant wildlife wilderness far from the masses. A small tented bush camp tucked very discreetly along the banks of the Olare Orok River, unfenced and unpretentious, it's location away from the airstrip and collection of other camps in the area allow you a bit more privacy as you look out from your neat tent onto the plains beyond. They even have their own resident lion pride!

Meet nature at its finest, where vivid turquoise sea meets clear blue sky, white sand and rich green vegetation. Within this tropical setting is Seychelles' glamorous Constance Lémuria Resort, a getaway that's worth every cent. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, the food at its various eateries is five-star and the suites and villas are fit for royalty. The lodge is set around a golf course, with buggies available to transport you wherever you wish to go. Don't miss the three beaches though, all of which are typical of the islands, with soft white sand, huge granite rocks and palms.