Best Hotels & Lodges

Step back in time at this exquisitely restored 15th-century villa, once the countryside escape of Florence's illustrious Corsini family. The dramatic Tuscan-style loggia that dominates the façade sets the tone for what awaits inside - an elegant boutique retreat that somehow manages to feel like the family home it once was. Wander through terracotta-tiled hallways to the central drawing room, where an honesty bar invites you to pour yourself a Campari spritz before dinner. The charming blue and white breakfast room opens onto a sun-drenched terrace, while beyond, a refreshing swimming pool offers respite from the Tuscan heat with views across undulating olive groves and vineyard-stitched hillsides. This is la dolce vita at its most authentic.

This little lodge is situated in the northern section of South Africa's Sabi Sand Reserves. Set on the edge of the unassuming Mabrak River, a hotspot for the surrounding wildlife, the camp is tucked beneath ancient ebony trees. It's an intimate, high-end retreat that provides all the creature comforts of home. Decor could be described as "safari chic", enhancing your sense of being immersed in the bush. Spend your days in a safari vehicle or on well-shod feet, tracking leopard, lion, elephant and rhino with an armed guide before relaxing beside your private plunge pool.

Southwest Sicily doesn't feature in most first-time itineraries, but that's exactly what keeps it interesting. Wedged between the archaeological wonder of Agrigento and the port of Sciacca, this stretch of coast is quieter, more rugged and considerably less photographed than its more famous cousins. And so, amid 230 hectares of olive groves and citrus orchards, Rocco Forte dreamed up his only purpose-built resort: a collection of low-rise terracotta-and-ochre pavilions that look as though they've always been here. Days tend to revolve around the Irene Forte Spa, eight restaurants serving food largely grown on the estate, two championship golf courses and a two-kilometre stretch of private beach. Bliss.

Referred to as the ‘place of plenty,’ this luxurious, famous tented camp is situated on Chief’s Island, within the Moremi reserve, in northern Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Mombo, big sister to Little Mombo, is renowned for its extremely dense concentrations of plains game and predators - regarded as some of the best big game viewing in all of Africa. Its accolades don’t stop there - it is also eco-friendly, solar-powered and involved in a number of conservation projects, including the reintroduction of the black and white rhino. This camp boasts rave reviews and is admired by guests and guides alike.

Although every Kenyan adventure starts or ends with a night in Nairobi, it doesn't have to involve a run-of-the-mill city hotel. House of Waine is proof of this. Set well outside the central business district on 2.5 acres of soul-satisfying gardens, this boutique hotel starts your vacation off on the right foot. Once the family home of the Waine family, it still retains the feel of a stately, yet homely place to rest and regroup, or plan and prepare. Rooms are individually decorated to make every successive trip something to look forward to.

In the vast, privately owned Shamwari game reserve, Long Lee Manor displays the stately charm of a bygone era. It offers a refined experience in the rugged Eastern Cape, easily accessible by road, just east of South Africa's famed Garden Route. Part restored farmland, part dense valley thicket with the Bushman's River meandering through it, this reserve is a conservation success story. Not only is it home to the free roaming Big Five, but it's a haven for other rare species such as brown hyena and aardvark. Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres allow for close encounters and hands-on participation in conservation.

Once a private residence reserved only for invited guests, Shimungwe remains one of the hidden gems of the Thornybush Nature Reserve. The stunning location, offering elevated views over the dry Timbavati riverbed, was hand-picked by the owners for its blissful, secluded nature and captivating array of wildlife ambling through the savanna's leafy marula and knobthorn trees. Beloved by all fortunate to visit in those early days, the decision was made to open up the magic of Shimungwe to the wider public in August 2022. Reborn as an intimate safari lodge, Shimungwe aims to retain its warm, family feel with an enchanting lounge, wooden walkways and an open-air bar and dining area encompassing the crystal-clear pool. Run by a passionate and close-knit team, our dream is to create an unforgettable home-away-from-home in the heart of the African wilderness.

Of all the beachfront hotels in Cape Town, the Last Word Long Beach is possibly the only one that opens directly onto powdery white sand. The sand in question is Long Beach, an eight-kilometre stretch of shimmering shingle in the sleepy village of Kommetjie, framed by the jagged turrets of Chapman’s Peak in the distance. The hotel is a white-washed sanctuary and a lovely place to relax, soak up the sun, and watch the bleach-haired surfer dudes take on the waves. Need some action? It’s an hour's drive to the city, 20 minutes to the penguins of Boulders Beach, and a short distance to nearby Noordhoek's restaurants.

Open during the peak of the migration action, from June to November, Mara Under Canvas is the perfect place from which to explore the remote reaches of Tanzania’s oldest and most renowned national park. Located in the most northern section of the Serengeti, this well-appointed mobile camp is set in a relatively open plain with sporadic acacia growth breaking up the golden grassy view. Simple comfort steers the focus towards what lies beyond the camp - the awe-inspiring natural phenomenon of the Great Migration.

Zambezi Dusk is a small lodge in Livingstone, set directly on the Zambezi River. It's about 30 minutes upstream from Victoria Falls: close enough for easy access, but removed from the pace of town. The size is deliberate. Fewer suites mean more privacy and uninterrupted views of the river. Days typically aren’t tightly scheduled. You settle in and find your own rhythm.

Boat safaris leave twice daily from the lodge. From the water, you can see the animals of Zambezi National Park, like buffalo and elephants, coming down to drink and plenty of birdlife. The rest of the day tends to take care of itself. A swim when the heat builds. A walk along the bush paths. Time with a book by the pool. Or heading out for one of the many activities on offer.