Best Hotels & Lodges

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!

Established 20 years ago on the very same site it sits today, Chada is a camp of pioneering spirit, simple luxuries and genuinely astonishing safari. Hidden in the shade of fragrant tamarind trees, the six tents are some of only a handful in the million acres of National Park, making it one of the most rewarding places to visit in East Africa. It is said that Katavi receives fewer visitors in a year than the Serengeti does in a day, but with a hauntingly beautiful landscape and seemingly endless herds of game, we strongly suggest that you are one of the few...

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.

Right at the southernmost tip of Japan, where the country meets the azure waters of the East China Sea, is the sleepy Ryukyu Archipelago. The main island, Okinawa, is a blue zone known for its incredible quality of life, and it's a theme that runs throughout every stay at HOSHINOYA. After a scenic journey through fields of sugarcane and chrysanthemums, you'll arrive at the sanctuary and its lush gardens of cherry and papaya trees and colourful bougainvillaea. Step inside the high white walls, inspired by ancient Japanese castles, and discover sensational sea views around every corner — the perfect setting for a journey of discovery.

With its prominent twin gables and broad porch, this boutique property is unmistakable. Karen Gables delivers all the warmth and charm associated with its classic Cape Dutch facade – mornings on the veranda sipping coffee, delicious breakfasts with homemade breads and jams, evenings by the fire. Set in the upmarket suburb of Karen in southwest Nairobi, the hotel lies peacefully in its surrounding greenery, undisturbed by the traffic jams and chaos of other parts of the city.

Like a secret held between the forested mountains and the lapping turquoise water, Six Senses has all the castaway appeal without losing any of its signature luxe. One part of a constellation of islets in the South China Sea, Con Son is just the place to swap fast-paced for easy-breezy. Take unlimited walks along the beach, enjoy lavender oil baths at the spa and laze on a leather swing as you sip on a Con Dao Sunrise. The resort sits inside a marine reserve so there's no shortage of beauty spots either. Go diving with green sea turtles or hike through the jungle where long-tailed macaques frolick.

An oasis of urban style might not be what you expect from a family hotel in Phuket, and whilst it's certainly unusual, somehow The Slate just works. The space is perfectly suited to both adults and kids, with plenty of pools to splash in, a spa for parents to retreat to, a restaurant with exciting cuisine for big and small - and a bar for when the little ones are asleep! It's also very close to the airport, so there shouldn't be too many 'are we there yets?' from wriggly kids after a longhaul flight! But don't worry, the lush walled garden blocks most airport noise, and the private gate leading to silky Nai Yang beach and completes the holiday picture.

If you've read anything about Sri Lanka's tea trade you will surely have come across the glamorous bungalows from times past - and now, why not stay in one? Nine Skies is an exquisitely-restored property that dates back to a bygone era and remains a part of a working tea estate. Whilst the foundations might be old, everything else is brand spanking new - think gorgeous, modern rooms, incredible service, tantalising food and a pool with a jaw-dropping view. It's also superbly located near to all sorts of attractions, namely the iconic arched bridge.

Veiled from the world by swathes of palms and miles of dunes, Dar Ahlam is a 200-year-old kasbah, which was brought back to life in order for the owner to live his dream of sharing the 'old' Morocco with guests. A well-hidden getaway between the Sahara and snowy mountain peaks, the hotel centres every day around you. Meals take place wherever you'd like: breakfast in the Berber ruins, lunch beside tranquil Ouarzazate Lake, or dinner in the candlelit gardens. With its high turrets of champagne-coloured earth, dreamy suites and views of the far-away Atlas Mountains, it's easy to see why Dar Ahlam means 'House of Dreams'...

Perched a thousand feet above Pokhara Valley, Tiger Mountain delivers views that make you temporarily forget your own name. Three 8,000-metre peaks – Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Manaslu – dominate the horizon, while the sacred Fishtail mountain peeks through the morning mist. This isn't your typical mountain lodge however, but a stone village dreamt up by Harvard architects and blessed by Sir Edmund himself back in '98. The staff, most who have been here since day one, know every butterfly by name (there are 275!) and can spot a Himalayan griffon before you've finished your cup of tea. It's the perfect spot for pre-trek acclimatisation or simply hiding away from the world with a good book and even better views.