One&Only Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa

The One&Only Cape Town is in the heart of Cape Town’s fashionable V&A Waterfront area, with views of Table Mountain and the sea as well as easy access to the bars, shops, and restaurants of the Waterfront. Spacious rooms in the main hotel or on a manmade island feature balconies that face Table Mountain or the marina. The hotel has a large gym, pool and a spa which offers some of the best treatments in the city. One&Only Cape Town is ideal for families with younger children and offers a package of activities specifically designed for children. Restaurants here include the world-famous Nobu, which serves Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine; Vista Bar & Lounge, where cocktails or tea can be taken in a sophisticated setting with incredible city views; and Isola, which offers lighter fare at the poolside.

Number of nights: 4

Lion Sands River Lodge

Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

Set on the banks of the Sabie River in a private game reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park, Lion Sands River Lodge offers a contemporary take on a traditional safari lodge. The original of the Lion Sands lodges, River Lodge recently underwent an extensive renovation. Its 18 elegant suites feature soaring thatched roofs, canopy beds, private decks, folding glass doors, and some also feature a private plunge pool. Wooden walkways lead off to a spa, gym and pool, and back to the main lodge, where inviting common spaces include a boma with a fire pit. The lodge’s connected water features give the impression of floating on the river.

Number of nights: 3

Royal Livingstone Hotel

Livingston, Zambia

The Royal Livingstone is a grand hotel in a prime location on the banks of the Zambezi—so close to Victoria Falls that you can hear the thundering water and glimpse the falls from the gardens. The hotel’s interiors incorporate local design elements with a sense of Old World grandeur, with elegant common areas and tastefully appointed rooms and suites. From the swimming pool or the gardens, zebras, warthogs and impalas can often be seen grazing on the sweeping lawn. The spa offers a range of treatments al fresco, in a secluded spot along the banks of the Zambezi. A number of restaurants and bars range from the stylish riverside Kubu, a scenic spot to enjoy cocktails as the sun sets, to The Old Drift, which offers a mix of Zambian and European fare.

Number of nights: 2