Best Hotels & Lodges

This intimate and service-focused lodge is set in a group of leadwood trees in the southeastern corner of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. Overlooking the plains and a bustling waterhole frequented by elephants, zebra, giraffes and rhinos, Jamala Madikwe will indulge you with safari drives that bring you face to face with wild dogs, lion, cheetah, buffalo and a host of other species, excellent birdwatching and award-winning cuisine.

Palazzo Brunaccini is a 17-room boutique hotel with a restaurant, an interior courtyard and a meeting room. The maison is located in the heart of the historic center of Palermo. It was belonged to Princess Lucrezia Brunaccini and thanks to a careful work of recovery, today is a modern structure where the charm of history and the elegance of design find a perfect and wise harmony. The hospitality and professionalism of the staff, the strategic location behind the market of Ballarò and a short walk distance from the main UNESCO sites of Palermo, make this hotel the ideal choice for those who want to visit the city on foot, discovering the most vital and cosmopolitan part. Comfort, modernity and small luxuries: the chic and romantic details, the Deluxe rooms with Jacuzzi and the creative traditional cuisine make Palazzo Brunaccini the perfect hotel also for a romantic getaway or for honeymooners.

On the southern shore of Lake Naivasha, Sopa Lodge enjoys the best of views, surveying a scene of fish eagles and pelicans in flight, snorting hippos, and wildlife grazing on the banks. The lodge was built to invite nature inside and the expansive windows, high ceilings and central garden in the lobby do exactly that. Cottages are hidden amongst a forest of Euphorbia cacti and on a walk through the grounds, you're likely to spot giraffe, waterbuck and colobus monkeys, which more than whet your appetite for the boat rides, game drives and bush walks that await...

Leopard Mountain is a 5 Star, Multiple Award winning, Big 5, Family Run Safari Lodge situated in the 58 000 acre Manyoni Private Game Reserve. It is located high up in the hills and has spectacular views overlooking a vast area of unspoilt bush veld and riverine forests, from the river meandering below to the distant mountains. The sought after chef will prepare tantalizing meals for you while the picture perfect backdrop makes an intimate setting for a romantic wedding, honeymoon or a well deserved break. The lodge offers peace and tranquility with friendly hospitality.

Umlani Bushcamp is situated within the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger Park, and is renowned for its world-class game viewing. The camp has been designed to operate in an eco-friendly manner, and reflects the traditional African style - simple, yet comfortable, with just the right degree of rustic. Accommodation ranges from reed and thatched huts for couples and families, to the slightly more luxurious Eco Hut, plus a secluded treehouse a short distance from camp if you feel like a sleep-out. The extra feel-good factor of being environmentally responsible is what makes this camp so special.

Expect nothing but luxury at Mara Plains, a camp so highly regarded it's been added to National Geographic's list of Unique Lodges of the World. Set in the private 35,000-acre (14164-hectare) Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the northern boundary of Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve, the camp allows you to explore an area far larger than that offered at any other camp. Mara Plains is planted inconspicuously along wooden walkways in a copse of riverine trees on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River. The interior reminds you of Hemingway and all you've ever dreamt about African exploration in bygone times. And yet, the atmosphere is unassuming.

The Kempinski Seychelles is a luxurious tropical retreat in a stunning and secluded setting located in the exclusive south-west of Mahe Island in Seychelles. The resort is spread across large tropical gardens. The lagoon-like white sand beach is protected by a reef and is bordered on all sides by granite hills and lush, verdant tropical foliage. There are 150 rooms and suites with a choice of hill-view, or sea-view. The picturesque surroundings will make you want to relax and enjoy them but there are loads of activities to keep you occupied too, if you so wish.

Romantic yet classic, cosy but perfectly stylish, Acacia Farm Lodge is an excellent addition to the Karatu Ngorongoro safari scene. Situated on a working coffee plantation, the beautifully manicured rows of green bushes create a relaxing oasis in the wilds of the Crater Highlands – the perfect respite at the end of a dusty African day. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy too, with mountain biking, nature walks and cultural visits all on offer. And with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire all within 2 hour’s drive, northern Tanzania is, quite literally, on the doorstep.

Palazzo Avino is an elegant hotel located in Ravello, in the heart of the scenic Amalfi Coast. Housed within Palazzo Sasso, a former noble residence dating back to the 12th century, the property was meticulously restored and reopened in 1997 after a complete renovation. Its forty-three rooms, including ten suites, are furnished with refined antiques and exquisite details that embody authentic Italian charm.

Breezes lies along Bwejuu Beach, a pristine and untouched beach on the South East coast of Zanzibar island, which also happens to have been voted as one of the top 30 beaches in the world. With a dedicated water sports centre and a wonderfully relaxing spa, there really is something to keep everyone happy. Cultural trips to Stone Town are a wonderful way to experience the diversity that Zanzibar has to offer. Breezes is a family owned and run resort which has cleverly combined luxury with attention to detail.

This exclusive eco-retreat is one of the most unique safari offerings in all of Africa, combining luxury with an exceptional cultural experience within a veritable wilderness. Segera Retreat is set upon the Laikipia Plateau in north-central Kenya - an area which encompasses the second highest concentration of wildlife in the country. Fine dining, wine tasting, a highly regarded spa and the largest private contemporary African art collection on the continent, all combine for an off-the-charts experience. As you might expect, any stay here is personally tailored and utterly exclusive, complete with your very own personal attendant to look after your every need or simply leave you be. The grounds are exceptional as well - an alluring mixture of modern and traditional with thatched roofs and stylish furnishings and a garden dotted with African sculptures. But indeed this is a conscientious eco-retreat of the highest order - solar-powered and water-wise.