Best Hotels & Lodges

If tree-lined streets and sunshine-dappled gardens are your cup of tea, then the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg's affluent suburb of Sandhurst is for you. Every bit of your stay will exude indulgence, from the delectable meals and scrumptious afternoon teas to the relaxing spa and comfortable suites and villas. Enjoy evening or morning walks around the 10 acres of beautiful gardens and, when you've had about as much relaxation as you can handle, head to the stylish Olive Bar for sundowner cocktails and a laugh with friends.

Perched dramatically on the edge of sun-drenched cliffs, this historic gem captures the essence of coastal Italian luxury with an aristocratic flourish. Step into the Hall of the Four Seasons, where frescoed female figures dance across walls that have witnessed centuries of distinguished visitors. The large, elegant halls sparkle with reflections from the sea beyond, adorned with soft oriental carpets, period statues and exquisite inlaid furniture crafted by ancient local masters. The meticulous attention to detail is apparent at every turn—from the intricate woodwork to the flowering gardens cascading toward the private beach below. Just a short stroll from bustling piazzas yet blissfully removed from the crowds, this is where the melody of "Torna à Surriento" was famously composed—a fact that feels perfectly fitting when you're sipping prosecco on that legendary terrace as the setting sun paints Mount Vesuvius in hues of amber and rose.

Thanda Tented Camp will be closed from January 2021 for the foreseeable future At Thanda Tented Camp, it’s nature all the way and a truly authentic safari experience. After the sun sets in a red glow, you’ll wine and dine around a crackling bonfire. Then, once night falls and you fall asleep to the distant cries of howling jackals, the only thing separating you from a galaxy of shining stars is the canvas of your safari tent. Wake to the dawn chorus of a thousand birds as you enjoy a steaming coffee, before heading into the reserve to watch South Africa’s wildlife in action – and of course, to fall in love with the bush.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve stretches across 54,000 hectares of arid and silent Little Karoo landscape. This is where San people lived for thousands of years, and where galleries of rock paintings illustrate their lives. It's a pretty inhospitable place, and yet it is rich in wildlife and indigenous flora. Tilney Manor is one of four lodges in the reserve, with interiors that are indeed manorial, combining warmth and comfort with true elegance. The food is glorious, the staff are attentive and the guest suites, just six of them, meet your every need. It's a glamorous base from which to explore this extraordinary wilderness.

The Busena Terrace is a beach resort that offers the ultimate island life vacation. Guests are invited to enjoy a variety of water spots activities that the island has to offer and or to relax on the white sandy beaches. Awaken to the sound of waves, and drift off to sleep with the twinkling of stars. Escape the everyday and enjoy a blissful holiday in a relaxed and luxurious space, where your mind and body can find peace. The eight unique restaurants await you. Enjoy exquisite cuisine crafted from the island's bounty in a charming setting surrounded by nature.

The Farmstead at Royal Malewane is an exceptional new addition to the eclectic collection of lodges and hotels that fly the Royal Portfolio Collection banner. It occupies an elevated perch in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, a wildlife sanctuary that shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, across which animals spill in great numbers. Just 12 kilometres away is Royal Malewane, one of the most prestigious lodges in the country. The Farmstead offers the very best in accommodation – perfect for honeymooners and visitors who can afford its exclusivity. Once you're there, expect five-star accommodation, cuisine, guiding and wildlife.

Kambaku Safari Lodge lies within the Timbavati Game Reserve on the western, unfenced border of South Africa's much-loved Kruger National Park. The 540-square-mile amalgamation of private reserves offers an exclusive game-viewing experience that is far less-crowded than the adjacent National Park. It is also home to the infamous white lion population, thanks to a naturally-occuring recessive gene which gives the lions their pale, pearly coat. Besides the spectacular, undulating terrain, ranging from savanna bushveld to various kinds of woodland, the region offers potential sightings of the Big Five, as well as wild dog, cheetah, and plenty of other animals.

Africa on Foot is an unfenced wildlife camp specialising in walking safaris - one of the most unique and exciting activities Africa has to offer. Guests are taken deep into the bushveld where they will encounter big game on foot. It is based in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, which shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park. This allows predators and other wildlife to roam freely throughout the reserves. To ensure that guests are truly immersed in the rustic bush experience and to keep things natural and eco-friendly, the camp is run on solar power, and lanterns decorate the camp.

The name comes from the Swazi word for the Kiaat tree — and the owner, Giel, cut and shaped that same timber into every door, cupboard, kitchen, vanity and piece of furniture in the house. That detail tells you most of what you need to know about umVangati House: it is a place built with genuine care, by hand, in one of South Africa's most dramatic natural settings. The property sits on Swadini Road in the heart of the Blyde River Canyon — the third largest canyon in the world and the deepest of its kind — with the Panorama Route and Kruger both within reach. Entirely solar powered and adults only, it is a guesthouse that has worked out precisely what it wants to be. Quiet. Personal. Unhurried.

Lying within a 765-hectare private bush estate near White River, Ndula Luxury Tented Lodge has it all – wide vistas, dynamic wilderness, wildlife, supremely comfortable contemporary accommodation, and breakfasts and dinners to linger over. Here, you're in the Lowveld, a region that incorporates the much-loved Kruger National Park, and overflows with sightseeing options, from rich wildlife to dramatic canyons and compelling history. Explore the estate to see giraffe, zebra, warthog, nyala, wildebeest, kudu, and a birder's wishlist of species. Need more? Kruger is a mere 45-minute drive away.

Casa Monti is the Rome you picture when you close your eyes — cobblestones, sage-green shutters, artisan workshops and gelato on every corner — yet inside, it's a different world entirely. An old 18th-century palazzo, Parisian designer Laura Gonzalez has turned it into a maximalist love letter to Roman craftsmanship. Think hand-painted frescoes, Murano glass, Pompeian-red tiles, artfully clashing fabrics and colour. All the colour! It's vivid and personal, and the location is just as fantastic. Slap bang in the middle of the city, on a quiet stretch of Via Panisperna, it's in the heart of the city's coolest boutiques, galleries and bars.

If you're after a Tokyo hotel that feels Japanese rather than just playing at it, this one hits the mark. A short walk from Shinagawa Station and split across 288 rooms, it sits on 20,000 square metres of landscaped grounds with over 210 cherry blossom trees - which is to say, this is less of a downtown hotel and more of an urban retreat (with a serious garden). The rooms deliver proper views and Japanese restraint - book the Executive Floor for lounge access and garden strolls. Two restaurants anchor the dining: Ciliegio does thoughtful Italian-Japanese cooking, whilst Nadaman Takanawa Prime trades in seasonal Japanese a short walk from Shinagawa Station. What sets it apart isn't the spa, pools or gym - it's that this feels like an real part of Japan's capital.