Best Hotels & Lodges

All of &Beyond's Phinda lodges are in different locations, and Phinda Rock Lodge is no exception. Here, six Mexican adobe-style buildings perch dramatically on a rocky cliff, each completely private with world-class accommodation. Guests have exclusive views across the lush bushveld vegetation in the valley below and the wildlife that roams the untamed surrounding slopes. This is Big Five country, with lots to see, from the largest mammals to the smallest antelope, and good birding. Explore on game drives, foot safaris or seasonally by boat, track black rhino or see Africa's wild cats up close at a rehabilitation centre.

Somewhere in the rolling countryside southwest of Siena, down a long gravel drive lined with cypresses, sits an 800-year-old villa that once nursed medieval pilgrims back to health. Today it performs a similar service, albeit with Michelin-starred dinners and a spa that produces its own skincare line. Danish owners, Claus and Jeanette Thottrup, have spent two decades transforming the estate into a 300-acre working farm with vineyards, an artisan dairy, kitchen gardens and even alpacas. The result is a place is lived-in rather than designed, where the flowers on your bedside table were picked that morning and the cheese at breakfast was made down the hill. And it's all effortlessly lovely.

Founded in 1887, Kagetsu is one of those rare city hotels with genuine historical roots and a soul to match. Set on a quiet street barely five minutes' walk from Matsumoto Castle, it's steeped in the mingei philosophy that defines this old furniture-making town: the idea that everyday objects, crafted by unknown hands, hold a particular kind of beauty. That spirit runs through the Kagetsu, from the handmade Matsumoto furniture in every room to the restaurant serving Nagano's finest produce surrounded by original artworks. It's not flashy or particularly modern, but it's warm, authentic and lovely.

Sitting on the wonderfully-named Cerro Alegre (meaning 'Cheerful Hill'), Casa Higueras began as a 1920s mansion, which was restored and upgraded to fit the growing cosmopolitan changes in Valpariaso. Casa Higueras is five storeys of polished rooms, breezy balconies and interiors decorated with flowering orchids, vintage furnishings and luxury amenities. Once a stop-over port for 19th-century ships, Valpariaso was honoured as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ripe with history and a deep appreciation for the arts. And the best way to experience the city in its renaissance? Undoubtedly on foot, admiring the colourful merchant houses and street art that lines the streets at your leisure.

There’s something about Kenya. The rich heritage, perhaps? Or the promise of wildlife, always just around the corner? Or maybe it’s the people, whose unwavering smiles welcome you to this beautiful country? Whatever it is, Loldia House has it all in spades and even a little bit more. A traditional homestead perched on the Western shores of Lake Naivasha, the house was built in the 1930s and perfectly captures the charm and character of early Kenya. Days are spent spotting wildlife grazing around the lakeshore, and evenings cosied up by the fire in the drawing room. Kenya in a perfect nutshell.

Mere steps from the shore, the sherbet-yellow abode looks like a slice out of time - the 1920s to be exact. Refined French overtones mingle with mellow island charm, and breezy verandas provide pretty views across the Gulf of Thailand. Beach attendants rake powder-fine sand to perfection where drinks are served on canopied day beds. And it wouldn't be true R&R without a sea salt scrub at the incense-infused spa. Away from any mention of a crowd, Phu Quoc island has stellar hiking, diving and sunning spots to enjoy - and watching the sunset over a beach BBQ is a winning end to the day.

CIRQA Relais & Chateaux is the only hotel of its calibre in the city of Arequipa. Located just a block away from the Main Square and part of a UNESCO protected site, this gorgeous sillar stone restored monastery dates back to 1540, the year the city was founded. Inspired by the dedicated hospitality of the monks and paying homage to its heritage, CIRQA is the perfect marriage between past and present, and in all areas, minimalism meets the utmost refinement. If you’re seeking a bespoke experience in this wonderful city, look no further - you could come to Arequipa just to check into this beautiful hotel.

Over the years, the Galapagos Island have reached an almost mythic status, their shores the home of adventure, surreal landscapes and an array of endemic wildlife that will have you grasping for your camera. And let us say, the 'Enchanted Isles' never disappoint. The only beachfront hotel in Puerto Ayora, Finch Bay is a little slice of heaven. Built to mimic its rugged, natural surrounds, the hotel is understated and eco-friendly - even the spa is built from volcanic rock. And then there are the activities. With every manner of water sport you could dream of, including snorkelling at one of the archipelago's top spots and island hopping on the Sea Lion, it's a perfect Galapagos adventure.

Don't be put off by Wallawwa being only a 20 minute drive from Colombo's international airport, for this serene spot really feels like a world away from planes, trains and automobiles. In fact, we really don't think there's a better spot to recharge your batteries before you start to explore, or to decompress after an adventure. The 200-year old country house hotel is set in lush tropical gardens, filled with gorgeous flowers, and with a beautiful pool to laze by, delicious food to eat, and a spa to work on tired muscles. Add a cool drink and a warm smile, and you may never leave.

On Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Aguas Claras is a work of art. In fact, we wouldn't expect anything less from the team of well-known mother-daughter artists who restored this collection of Victorian bungalows (the swishy lobby even has a turreted tower), adding a distinctive flair to every space. Aguas Claras is also a few sandy steps away from two of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean - snorkelling is a must! The dining options are fabulous and include the cool-as-a-cucumber DaLime, right on the beach and overflowing with Puerto Viejo's Calypso charm - and if you're craving more of it, the vibrant town is a bicycle ride away.

There's something alluring about the Sahara Desert that has attracted visitors for centuries, with an aura that is both timeless and fleeting. If you're on your way to Merzouga, you'll travel across the sand sea of Erg Chebbi to the fluttering, white camp, surrounded by pure silence and packed with whimsical charm. Wake at sunrise for a lilting wander amongst the dunes on camelback, take your lunch in a lush oasis, and, as night falls, lie back on a plump cushion to gaze at the stars - the in-house astronomer will give you plenty of interesting tidbits.

Fynbos gardens fringe stylish Garden Lodge, whose stone, timber and thatch buildings blend beautifully with their surroundings. Once inside, you're struck by the warmth of the staff and drawn to the views across the fynbos to the whale-watching haven of Walker Bay. Grootbos has carved a niche in the upmarket eco-lodge sector by specialising in the Cape's fynbos and faunal biodiversity. There are 760-plus species of plants here, along with a large variety of birds, and the nearby marine life includes dolphins, whales and sharks. Take peaceful strolls, visit pretty villages and taste local wines and farm produce. Pure pleasure!

Built into the hillside of Anacapri, this is the kind of place that makes you want to don your biggest sunglasses and order an Aperol spritz, pronto. Think white-washed walls that could tell a thousand tales of Hollywood starlets, contemporary artwork that wouldn't look out of place in a gallery, and views stretching across the glittering Med to Ischia and Procida that will stop you in your tracks. The whole place positively oozes Italian elegance, from the gold chandeliers and antique wooden furniture to the mosaicked pool that winks at you through peekaboo windows as you float through reception.