Best Hotels & Lodges

Perched on the bustling Riva degli Schiavoni promenade, this elegant time capsule has been welcoming the curious and discerning since 1853, with a guest book that includes one Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (who composed bits of his Symphony No. 4 within these very walls). Step through the historic façade and discover a world where Venice doesn't end at the threshold – it seeps in with the ever-changing light that plays across the lagoon, filtering through windows to illuminate interiors that are at once cultured salon and private retreat. Just a gondolier's call from San Marco, yet a world away from the tourist throngs, this is the insider's gateway to the authentic floating city that casual visitors rarely glimpse.

Midway between Mombasa and Kenya's southern boundary, Kinondo Kwetu sits on a pristine beach with the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at its shore. Although the lodge can accommodate nearly 40 guests, it feels more like a boutique hotel, with an abundance of private spaces and a focus on quality, personalised service. The real luxury, however, is in the sense of crowd-free peace and quiet. Do as much or as little as you'd like, with an impressive list of activities available and some indulgent spa treatments to enjoy. Lie back on your own stretch of sand, and chill.

Ring the doorbell and wait to be greeted as if arriving at a friend's particularly stylish townhouse - albeit one with impeccable taste in Tuscan wines and a knack for artful décor. This elegant hideaway feels distinctly un-hotel-like, with its shelves adorned in an "artfully haphazard" array of hardback books, fresh flowers, and artistic sketches. The warm, informal atmosphere creates an instant sense of belonging in a city that can sometimes overwhelm with its artistic grandeur. Perfectly positioned for immersive exploration, you're just moments from iconic Renaissance treasures, yet tucked away enough to feel like a local rather than a tourist. This is Florence experienced as it should be - intimate, personal and utterly authentic.

On the northern fringes of the Okavango Delta, there is a beautiful private reserve called Khwai. Currently, there are only three tiny camps in the almost half a million acres of wilderness – and Tuludi now makes four. The camp itself is stylish, sophisticated and refined but the real luxury is the space. From the iconic Delta floodplains, stretching as far as the eye can see in all directions, to the enormous rooms (100 square metres, just for you), to the vast tracts of land reserved for game drives and walking safaris, Tuludi is the place to be for a refined Okavango Delta experience with all the trimmings.

The pretty town of Knysna is a highlight of any Garden Route trip, and, if you're looking for somewhere to stay that isn't quite in the hubbub of the town, try Belvidere Manor Hotel. Situated in a quiet, upmarket suburb on the outskirts of Knysna, the 28 pretty cottages are surrounded by lush gardens and the most beautiful views of the lagoon. It's a laid-back sort of place, and the historic manor house (dating back to 1834), has kept its gracious Georgian style and luxurious yet homely feel, whilst the cottages are modern and stylish. The perfect combination, really.

This small safari lodge is situated in an exclusive concession of the vast Madikwe Game Reserve, which spans a staggering 75,000 hectares in the remote northern reaches of South Africa. The reserve is known for its rugged scenery, permanent waterways and pockets of lush indigenous forests, with open plains and a truly isolated wilderness feel. Makanyane lies on the banks of the Marico River, and this beautiful bush retreat has a natural feeling of laid-back luxury, with clever eco-friendly designs that make the most of its wild riverine setting.

Hotel Villa Belvedere is a delightful and charming boutique hotel, located at just a few minutes from Taormina’s lively town centre and from the world-famous Greek-Roman Theatre, which are both reachable by walking through the inspiring and panoramic Duca di Cesarò Botanic Gardens. The hotel benefits of wonderful views over the sea, the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna.

The hotel has always been owned and managed by the Bambara-Pècaut family and welcomed its first guests back in 1902. Villa Belvedere has all the discrete elegance and friendly welcoming atmosphere of a traditional Sicilian private villa, standing in its own, well cared-for gardens, with spectacular views of Mount Etna and over the Bay of Naxos.

The Marine Hotel is a fabulous landmark on the clifftops of Hermanus, a popular coastal holiday town about an hour and a half’s scenic drive from Cape Town. Hermanus is renowned for being one of the best land-based whale-watching locations in the world, and The Marine, in its spectacular setting overlooking the Indian Ocean, puts you right in the heart of the action during the winter season. Its origins date back to 1902, and since its modest beginnings, the hotel has blossomed into an elegant boutique hotel renowned for its classy design and excellent hospitality, and definitely the best views in town.