Best Hotels & Lodges

Tau Pan is a simple but comfortable camp perched on the ridge of an ancient sand dune, giving it wonderful views over the limitless plains of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The Kalahari is known as a thirstland because for much of the year there is very little standing water – Tau Pan, however, is built beside a permanent waterhole. The camp has been constructed with the environment in mind, utilising only solar power to generate electricity, pumping water from deep beneath the desert and treating waste water before returning it to the ground.

Hacienda Concepción sits deep in the heart of the Amazon, exactly where Inkaterra’s commitment to ecotourism and sustainability first began. Originally a cacao and rubber plantation in the 50s, fast-forward a couple of decades and you'll find this luxury haven amid 800-plus hectares of lush, juicy rainforest, complete with a natural oxbow lake. The location - between Tambopata National Reserve and the shores of the Madre de Dios river - makes this a unique spot and an ideal place to immerse yourself fully into the wonders of the Amazon.

The crystaline waters, green-capped karsts and world-class beaches make Krabi a one-of-a-kind destination. And amidst the dancing palms, Rayavadee holds all the allure of an island getaway! Its natural surrounds are reflected in the bamboo-themed feature walls, sea life murals and mushroom-shaped villas. Chattering monkeys can be heard overhead as you stroll to the beach and, being in the heart of a marine reserve, schools of fish paint the water with colour as you snorkel off nearby reefs. Whether you spend all day on the beach, do as many water sports as you can, or zip across the bay to picnic on a sandbar, the view is sweet as coconut milk.

Located in the heart of Santa Marta , the Hotel Boutique Don Pepe is a haven of elegance and tradition where every space has been designed to offer a unique experience. Here, colonial architecture blends seamlessly with contemporary comfort, creating an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere that invites relaxation and escape.

Just steps from the sea and surrounded by history, Don Pepe is the ideal place for those seeking to experience the essence of the Caribbean with style, privacy, and personalized attention.

In 48 acres of palm-studded gardens, the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh is a palatial resort and the picture of seaside bliss. With their striped walls, the suites are scattered across the grounds, each with uninterrupted views of the Red Sea. Speaking of which, these waters hold an incredible collection of marine life and you'll have the chance to see it in full technicolour while diving along the reefs. It may be tempting to never leave your lounger nestled on the private beach, but there is a desert to explore on horseback and islands to discover on an idyllic cruise across the bay.

The overnight city stay: an essential part of most African safaris and so often disappointing in the company of dazzling safari lodges. But not if you find yourself at The Boma. Located in a tranquil suburb of the Entebbe, the friendly guesthouse is perfectly located for minimal-fuss travel to and from the international airport – definitely a bonus. The 1940s stone and tile building might not look like much from the outside, but don’t let that fool you. This is a cosy and charming B&B with beautiful flower-filled gardens, a rather lovely swimming pool and second-to-none service. What a way to ease gently into African life…

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.

Right on Puglia's Adriatic coast, near the fishing village of Savelletri, is the dreamily beautiful Borgo Egnazia. Built by the Melpignano family from scratch to resemble a traditional Puglian village, the hotel opened in 2010, and is all flawless tufo limestone, hidden pools and blooms of rosemary and jasmine around every corner. There are of course, some spectacular added extras too, including a Michelin-starred restaurant, a spa rooted in ancient Puglian wellness traditions, an 18-hole championship golf course and two private beaches. It's big (183 rooms across three different areas), but the winding alleyways, candlelit corridors and bougainvillea-draped piazzas make it feel surprisingly intimate.

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.