Best Hotels & Lodges

Created from the restoration of an ancient 13th-century building, renovated in the 16th century by Florentine architect Camillo Camilliani, the Hotel Foresteria Baglio della Luna features a central building with an adjoining medieval watchtower.

The interior spaces are furnished in a classic style, bringing a centuries-old tradition to life through refined period furniture, precious decorative objects, and paintings on the walls, contributing to an atmosphere of timeless charm.

Nairobi Tented Camp is an authentic tented camp in boasting an uneatable location. Set beneath an indigenous canopy in one of Nairobi's most peaceful, forested neighborhoods, and just minutes away from the airport, Nairobi's biggest attractions are never far. The camp is on the doorstep of Nairobi National Park, a wildlife haven with guaranteed rhino sightings. Offering guests the opportunity to really get to know this unique destination and its wildlife, you'll enjoy the luxury of en-suite living ‘safari style’ in their comfortable tents.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is one of the best known private reserves in South Africa’s malaria-free Eastern Cape, and tucked away in a secluded part of the rolling landscape is Riverdene Family Lodge. The elegantly-restored homestead is surrounded by manicured gardens, and views of the scenic Bushman’s River Valley are beautiful. As the name suggests, Riverdene is geared toward families and there's plenty of space for kids to play out on the (fully-fenced) lawns, and an epic "Kids on Safari" program. Game viewing is excellent, in particular cheetah and black and white rhino, and there’s the opportunity to visit the wildlife rehabilitation centre for something a bit different.

Keeping things simple, professional and classy, DaVinci Hotel & Suites offer travellers a consistent go-to in the greater Johannesburg metro area. Located in Nelson Mandela Square, a half-hour train ride from O.R. Tambo International, it's the perfect option for businessmen, travellers en route to region's more remote areas, or anyone in need of a good night's rest and reliable service. With excellent restaurants and exclusive shopping just an easy stroll from its front doors, there are several urban attractions nearby. Touted as four-star, the hotel's amiable staff and meticulous attention to detail push it all the way to the top.

To the west of Kruger National Park is a lovely, and world-famous, private reserve. Its landscape is dominated by undulating acacia scrub, several seasonal rivers and streams, and animals that roam freely across the unfenced border with Kruger. The reserve is Timbavati, of white lion fame, and home to Kambaku River Sands. This luxury lodge, named for a famous (now sadly dead) elephant known for its huge tusks, sprawls along a dry riverbed with superb views of the bushveld and its animals. You'll see the Big Five here, and much, much more besides. No wonder we love it so...

The Mount Nelson is an iconic landmark in the fashionable Gardens district, and is one of Cape Town’s favourite luxury hotels. The splendid entrance driveway lined with magnificent palm trees sets the scene for the colonial grandeur of the hotel itself, which oozes old-fashioned maritime style and traditional high society flair. With almost 200 rooms to choose from, this resort is a vintage gem with something for everyone, capturing the romance of days gone but sympathetically updated to include all the mod cons. A peaceful retreat just a short stroll from buzzing Kloof Street and the downtown city scene.

The quintessential bush camp, Luwi occupies an enviable location in the heart of the South Luangwa National Park. Aside from sister camp Nsolo, Luwi is the only camp in the area and activities focus on walking through the untouched and pristine bush. With the nearby lagoon drawing animals from the surrounding plains there is never a shortage of wildlife to discover and the birdlife is an ornithologist’s dream. Quite simply, Luwi is secluded luxury at its best and a stay here is intimate and very, very exclusive.

White sandy beaches, turquoise water, balmy weather and unrivalled land-and-underwater excursions are some of the reasons visitors flock to the Seychelles. The luxurious Eden Bleu Hotel is situated on Eden Island, a residential marina development connected to mainland Mahé by bridge. Eden Bleu offers easy access to spectacular beaches, a marine reserve, boating excursions and neighbouring islands. A few days at Eden Bleu -with its modern finishes, rim pool and views of super yachts - will leave you feeling like royalty. This is a holiday that combines exquisite natural beauty with pampering fit for a queen.

Staying at Hotel Onda Verde means immersing yourself in the colours and scents of the Amalfi Coast, fascinated by the beautiful nature and getting lost in a glowing sunset over the sea.

Praiano sits roughly seven kilometres from both Positano and Amalfi, but stays mercifully out of their crowds. Hotel Onda Verde is built into the cliff here — five former villas, 25 sea-view rooms with hand-painted Vietri tiles, and a pool tucked among terraced gardens. The Milano family runs it, and it shows in the welcome. A path drops to La Praia's pebble beach below, and a small jetty makes water taxis to Positano and Capri delightfully easy.

Just 24 kilometres (15 miles) upstream from Victoria Falls, Chundukwa River Lodge is set on, and above (the buildings are stilted), the wide, fast-flowing Zambezi. Here you can have your cake and eat it – enjoy the tranquillity of the riverfront position, knowing that, just a short journey downstream, the Victoria Falls thunder into their gorge, offering activities galore for nature-lovers and adrenalin junkies alike. Tracing the reed-lined banks and surrounded by old-growth trees, the lodge is ideal for spotting birds and other water-loving wildlife like hippo, croc and, during the dry months, elephants in large numbers.

Named after Zanzibar's local moniker, Spice Island, the resort is a collection of over-the-water bars, thatched bungalows and a dazzling white coastline. Set in a tropical garden of fragrant shrubs and scarlet flamboyant trees, Spice Island Hotel isn't far from Jambiani Beach, a top spot for kitesurfing and snorkelling. Walk along the jetty to nose out a cocktail (you can even jump straight into the sea from the bar!) or relax with a book by the pool. Zip over to Zanzibar's Old Town for a taste of the island's history or simply soak up all the 'vitamin sea' you can.

Nestled amongst a lush grove of trees in the 200,000-hectare Xudum Concession of the Delta, Mokolwane feels like the only camp around for miles. It's a real wildlife haven — NatGeo filmmaker Brad Bestelink has even based himself here — and the area boasts impressive numbers of leopard (the third highest density in Africa) and elephant who love to snack on the abundance of palm nuts, berries and wild fig. The camp is simply but beautifully designed with the ultimate goal of framing the stunning views of the Okavango Delta beyond.