Best Hotels & Lodges

Expect nothing but luxury at Mara Plains, a camp so highly regarded it's been added to National Geographic's list of Unique Lodges of the World. Set in the private 35,000-acre (14164-hectare) Olare Motorogi Conservancy on the northern boundary of Kenya's Masai Mara Reserve, the camp allows you to explore an area far larger than that offered at any other camp. Mara Plains is planted inconspicuously along wooden walkways in a copse of riverine trees on the banks of the Ntiakitiak River. The interior reminds you of Hemingway and all you've ever dreamt about African exploration in bygone times. And yet, the atmosphere is unassuming.

You will be provided with meeting spaces, accommodation, and other services for individuals and groups. Every detail about this retreat experience is designed to facilitate connection, to inspire engagement with openness and joy in awe of nature – what is called the Power of Place.

Victoria Falls is amongst one of the most dramatic and iconic scenes on Earth. Here, the Zambezi River rushes over a 1.2 kilometre wide gorge, deafening and stomach-stirring till it hits the bottom, 111 metres down. Mpala Jena Camp is just a short drive upstream from this spectacle, in a private concession in Zimbabwe's Zambezi National Park. The four exquisite tents are surrounded by wilderness and wildlife, offering a sophisticated base from which to explore the concession and all its four-legged creatures, as well as the Falls. And at 16 kilometres inside the park, it's a tranquil sort of place, where nothing will disturb your peace and quiet but the twitterings of the birds overhead..

The Kempinski Seychelles is a luxurious tropical retreat in a stunning and secluded setting located in the exclusive south-west of Mahe Island in Seychelles. The resort is spread across large tropical gardens. The lagoon-like white sand beach is protected by a reef and is bordered on all sides by granite hills and lush, verdant tropical foliage. There are 150 rooms and suites with a choice of hill-view, or sea-view. The picturesque surroundings will make you want to relax and enjoy them but there are loads of activities to keep you occupied too, if you so wish.

The J.K. family made their name in Florence and this former embassy is their first hotel outside Italy. Set on the the Rue de Lille, a serene, tree-lined avenue filled with ministries and antique dealers (and the Musée d'Orsay is a few doors along at number 62), the location is desirable and sophisticated - much like the rest of the hotel. Interiors are dressed in plum velvet, marble fireplaces and flea-market finds hauled back from Saint-Ouen, with plenty of black and white tiling and steel-framed windows for the contemporary touch. Downstairs is a marble lap pool, sauna and steam room, and restaurant Casa Tua does a cacio e pepe that ruins you for other versions.

Romantic yet classic, cosy but perfectly stylish, Acacia Farm Lodge is an excellent addition to the Karatu Ngorongoro safari scene. Situated on a working coffee plantation, the beautifully manicured rows of green bushes create a relaxing oasis in the wilds of the Crater Highlands – the perfect respite at the end of a dusty African day. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy too, with mountain biking, nature walks and cultural visits all on offer. And with the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire all within 2 hour’s drive, northern Tanzania is, quite literally, on the doorstep.

Palazzo Avino is an elegant hotel located in Ravello, in the heart of the scenic Amalfi Coast. Housed within Palazzo Sasso, a former noble residence dating back to the 12th century, the property was meticulously restored and reopened in 1997 after a complete renovation. Its forty-three rooms, including ten suites, are furnished with refined antiques and exquisite details that embody authentic Italian charm.

Breezes lies along Bwejuu Beach, a pristine and untouched beach on the South East coast of Zanzibar island, which also happens to have been voted as one of the top 30 beaches in the world. With a dedicated water sports centre and a wonderfully relaxing spa, there really is something to keep everyone happy. Cultural trips to Stone Town are a wonderful way to experience the diversity that Zanzibar has to offer. Breezes is a family owned and run resort which has cleverly combined luxury with attention to detail.

This exclusive eco-retreat is one of the most unique safari offerings in all of Africa, combining luxury with an exceptional cultural experience within a veritable wilderness. Segera Retreat is set upon the Laikipia Plateau in north-central Kenya - an area which encompasses the second highest concentration of wildlife in the country. Fine dining, wine tasting, a highly regarded spa and the largest private contemporary African art collection on the continent, all combine for an off-the-charts experience. As you might expect, any stay here is personally tailored and utterly exclusive, complete with your very own personal attendant to look after your every need or simply leave you be. The grounds are exceptional as well - an alluring mixture of modern and traditional with thatched roofs and stylish furnishings and a garden dotted with African sculptures. But indeed this is a conscientious eco-retreat of the highest order - solar-powered and water-wise.