There are truly some amazing hotels in the world.
Chisa Busanga, Zambia
Chisa Busanga Camp offers a unique and intimate safari experience in Zambia’s remote Kafue National Park. The idea here was to create accommodation that would be unique and unforgettable for guests and yet nonintrusive to the local wildlife. The challenge was to create a structure that could be built in the middle of a seasonal floodplain without harming the environment.
Its exclusivity, with just four luxurious ‘Nests’, inspired by the weaver bird nests that decorate the trees here. Chisa is perhaps the first property in Africa to adopt not only its shape, style, and structure from nature but also its materials and building processes.
Like its namesake, the weaver nest, each Chisa room has a large circular opening at the front that maximises its stunning view over the Busanga Plains.
Chisa Busanga Camp is entirely solar-powered and is the only camp in the Busanga Plains to operate Silent Safaris, where electric game-drive vehicles (which are also recharged with solar power) with no intrusive engine noises enable guests to get that much closer to the wildlife.
The Silo, South Africa
Rising above the V&A Waterfront, surrounded by the natural wonders of South Africa’s Mother City, The Silo is an exclusive five-star hotel. The Silo is a celebration of art, style, architecture, and design. A tribute to timeless glamor and contemporary luxury, it offers the highest level of personalised service.
`The Silo Hotel has over 300 pieces of contemporary African art. The Biden family have carefully curated the collection in collaboration with several local art galleries. The Silo Hotel’s Art Concierge offers wonderful, tailored art tours that allow guests the opportunity to learn about the incredible African art scene and visit the Zeitz MOCAA below.
The experience at and around The Silo Hotel is focused on the art and culture of Cape Town while celebrating its exquisite natural beauty. Cape Town, surrounded by dramatic mountains and sandy beaches, is consistently ranked among the Top 10 cities in the world to visit by the likes of Condé Nast Traveller and Travel Leisure magazine. At the hotel itself, guests can relax at the spa, take afternoon tea, quaff champagne at The Willaston Bar, swim in the rooftop pool, dine at The Granary Café or work off the city’s fine dining in the gym.
Chocolate Village, Slovenia
Chocolate Village, nestled within the scenic Natura 2000 natural park, offers a one-of-a-kind glamping experience infused with the essence of chocolate. Chocolate lovers can indulge in a variety of chocolate-themed activities, from soothing chocolate massages to savouring 100% natural desserts at Teta Frida’s Chocolate Cafe and participating in chocolate workshops. Accommodations include three distinct glamping houses, each named after a cocoa type: Forastero, Criollo, and Trinitario. Guests can choose to stay amidst rolling hills along the river or within the treetop canopies. A mere five steps away lies a chocolate factory, promising unlimited chocolate pleasures, especially enchanting during cozy winter nights by the open fire.
Include a specialised wine tour for an indulgent weekend. Learn all about these local wine and the wine-makers of the Štajerska Slovenia wine-growing district with a special tour. Go on a journey from the famous heart-shaped road among vineyards to one of the largest and oldest wine cellars in Europe and to the oldest grapevine in the world!
Located just outside Slovenia’s second-biggest city Maribor, you can easily visit this romantic town during your stay. While the riverside retreat is surprisingly quiet—thanks to its beautiful setting at the Natura 2000 Park. With the famed Drava cycling route, Drava river, Mariborsko Pohorje Ski Resort and hiking trails nearby; you can run, hike, sail, ski, plus enjoy lots of outdoor activities. (Which might come in handy if you want to work off some sweets.)
Chocolate and Wine Lovers from £450 per person for 3 nights
Amilla, Maldives
Quirky villas and residences abound in the Maldives, but at push this one is Carly’s favourite.
Head up from the soft sandy beach and ‘camp’ above the tree canopy in a 2 bed luxury treehouse with pool, sun-bathing deck and even a kitchen. Although we can’t imagine why you would ever use it for anything beyond chilling champagne when 7 incredible restaurants and cafes can be found on the island…
The other main features of the island are equally special – expect to find games rooms for the kids, lots of dining variety, a vibrant house reef and a busy activity schedule
Canvas & Orchid Floating Lodge, Cambodia
The Canvas & Orchid Floating Lodge is a unique, nature focussed experience in Cambodia, allowing you to float in your tent on the river by night (definitely glamping more than camping as you’ll find proper beds, bathrooms and soft furnishings) and explore the rainforest and waterfalls on foot (or by kayak!) by day.
By far our favourite part is that the camp is only accessible by boat. Embrace the solitude and disconnect for a few blissful days.
Ecocamp Patagonia, Chile
Ecocamp is great if you love hiking as they have some of the best guides and they have a real focus on trekking outings. Every day you can choose from a ‘menu’ of hikes of different difficulty, so there is something for everyone. The beauty of staying at Ecocamp is that you can start Torres del Paine’s most famous trek, the Towers trek, straight from the accommodation.
We do suggest upgrading to a superior dome at least, so that you have all the comforts of electricity and heating and your own en-suite faciliites.
Ecocamp is the first place we stayed in Torres del Paine and it still is one of the best experiences inside the National Park! Great food, great stuff, a cosy and sustainable accommodation choice, what more can you ask for?
Zentik Project, Mexico
Zentik Project is a Boutique hotel in Valladolid, Yucatan that has an impressive subterranean cave 6 meters underground adapted in a salt water pool with a combination of salts and hot water that have beneficial properties for the skin and health, it helps the physical and mental balance in addition to being beautiful and completely romantic.
This is also the perfect jump off point to visit Chichen Itza and the perfect place to relax afterwards.
Kanopi House, Jamaica
The ultimate return to nature: A collection of eco-chic treehouses nestled high amongst 100-foot Banyans and rooted deep in Jamaican culture. You’ll find them tucked along a secluded hillside overlooking the famed Blue Lagoon and surrounded by winding bamboo and ginger lily-drenched pathways.
Kanopi House is the perfect escape for those in search of a little adventure and a lot of relaxation. Then finish the holiday by enjoying white sand beaches at one of our boutique beachfront hotels…..
Memories Aicha, Jordan
Nestled in the heart of Wadi Rum with breathtaking mountain vistas, Memories Aicha Luxury Camp stands as a truly exceptional retreat. Its strikingly Mars-like landscape sets it apart, yet this unique hotel firmly resides on Earth, in the Jordanian desert.
Comprising 40 generously sized canvas tents against the backdrop of the mesmerizing Arabian desert, this extraordinary hotel invites you to awaken amidst wild nature without sacrificing life’s luxuries. It’s a harmonious blend of the untamed and the opulent, offering an unforgettable experience in the heart of nature.
Douar Samra, Morocco
Nestled in the heart of the Imlil valley, Douar Samra is a picturesque gem in the Tamatert village.
The property, lovingly restored by Jacqueline, is enveloped by a lush garden, bursting with vibrant flowers and homegrown vegetables, all shaded by the embrace of fruit and nut trees. From three sun-drenched terraces, guests are treated to breathtaking mountain panoramas. For moments of serenity, the garden boasts quiet corners for relaxation.
The dining room, featuring a grand open fireplace, provides the perfect space for unwinding. As an added delight, guests can indulge in the wood-heated Berber hammam. Douar Samra even boasts two unique treehouses, making them a rare find in Morocco.
Tugu, Lombok
At the heart of Tugu’s philosophy lies a deep reverence for history, particularly within the context of Indonesia’s incredibly diverse and vibrant past. The founders and owners of Tugu recognize that a nation’s history is its very soul, and Indonesia boasts one of the most diverse, rich, and colorful histories in the world. It’s a melting pot of cultures that have intertwined to create a unique and powerful narrative.
To showcase this history and bring it to the world’s attention, Tugu has amassed an extensive collection of Indonesian arts. These artifacts, painstakingly collected over decades, serve as witnesses to the forgotten tales and legends of Indonesia. They are a tribute to a history that the modern world has yet to fully discover.
Tugu is a living embodiment of 100% Indonesian tradition, offering guests immersive experiences rooted in the country’s culture and heritage. Each Tugu property reflects the distinct local culture and traditions of the island on which it resides, all against a backdrop of majestic landscapes. In essence, Tugu serves as a cultural ambassador for Indonesia, celebrating its rich heritage with every visitor.
Luxury Sailing, Greece
Okay, we are not strictly a hotel and in fact all our accommodation is unusual…after all it floats and takes you to beautiful different locations at least once a day (maybe more if you squeeze a lunch stop in too!). The added bonus…there is no need for repetitive unpacking and repacking as your ‘hotel’ moves with you.
Wake up in your Master Cabin to the sound of the Ionian gently lapping against the hull and take a pre-breakfast dip in the turquoise waters without having to run for that sun lounger. Your chef will bring you your morning coffee and a fluffy towel.
As if that isn’t enough it is more than acceptable to fall asleep under the stars on the comfy cushions on the bow of your own private yacht. Now that’s accommodation done well!
Argos in Cappadocia, Turkey
Imagine waking up in your very own cave room before embarking on a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the other-worldly landscape of Cappadocia, an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience…
Each of the 51 rooms at Argos in Cappadocia is unique, delicately carved from the soft, porous volcanic rock known locally as ‘tufa’. The hotel oozes rustic Turkish charm, yet is one of the most luxurious in the region and offers top notch service, a fine-dining restaurant, gorgeous infinity pool and the most mesmerising views over Uçhisar Castle and beyond.
Discover the underground cities, fairy chimneys and remarkable scenery of Cappadocia before heading back to the hotel for a dip in the pool, sampling some of the many local fine wines from the extensive cellar, or perhaps try the cookery workshop and make your very own delicious Anatolian dishes using produce from the hotel’s organic garden.
Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge, Sri Lanka
Situated in the most picturesque of locations up in the rolling green hills outside Kandy, Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge offers guests the most tranquil of stays in their private secluded lodges with incredible vistas from all of the Lodge’s buildings and facilities.
Go for a hike or bicycle ride through the tea plantations and hills or a tour of the plantation, sampling the most perfect of teas or simply relax in the infinity pool looking out over the mountains, play a game of croquet or sample the delectable cuisine in the restaurant with a jaw-dropping view.
Ladera Resort, St Lucia
Situated on one of Soufriere’s oldest and most famous cocoa plantations and on a volcanic ridgeline 1000 feet above the turqouise warm waters of the Caribbean sea, Ladera Resort offers the most magnificent of settings for forging a connection to the romance, beauty and lifestyle of St Lucia.
Where else in the world can you relax in your own personal plunge pool or patio with epic vistas of dormant volcanoes and the Caribbean sea? In line with the resort’s eco-friendly philosophy, each room is constructed from local woods and materials and the furniture is crafted by local artisans.
The award-winning Farm to Table Restaurant offers an authentic St Lucian culinary experience and yet again, the most incredible views.
