Imagine the most luxurious Hotels and Resorts in the world as a wide set of rare pearls. They’re too many to catch, to experience, to live. So, now, imagine focusing on a single continent. Then, imagine Africa, the scorching hot, the savanna, the wild and unspoiled nature, the purest escaping. Turn your attention slightly right in the Middle East. You can almost touch the desert sand, the Persian carpets, listen (hear) the street music, feel the charm. Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, for many of us it looks like only imagination is left. But we have to stay positive and, if it’s only a dream, we have to dream big. Here are the best 20 Hotels and Resort you can find in these two amazing geographic areas: Africa and the Middle East. Let’s start!
1. Gibb’s Farm
In Tanzania, around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, there are several luxe options. But if history, character, and genuine hospitality are what are you looking for, then (then) you must check out Gibb’s Farm. This farmhouse on the wooded slopes of the Ngorongoro crater, originally built as a coffee plantation in 1929, follows the gentle rhythms of days as they pass by. From a picnic overlooking the crater by the rim to a G&T on the lawn at sunset, at Gibb’s historic lodge you can find the perfect antidote to the polluted western life. Doubles from $660.
2. La Mamounia
There are few hotels embracing entirely their destination’s spirit, among them a special place is taken by La Mamounia, in Marrakech’s medina. Surrounded by palm trees, gardens and fountains, in this opulent hotel you will feel like a sultry. Don’t miss its hammam, a blue/red/pine-green tiles temple where indulge yourself with several treatments, or the pool, where sipping a Moroccan rosè or a perfectly mixed Old Fashioneds by it. But the best is saved for the night: in La Mamounia’s incredible bedrooms. Here you will fall asleep in a symphony of mosaic walls and gold-framed, with their terraces perfumed by jasmine and roses. Doubles from $410.
3. Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp
If you want to feel alive, this place is for you. Why? Because there’s something we need to tell you before introducing Hoanib: Namibia’s Skeleton Coast National Park is one of the most unwelcoming places on earth. It’s so inhospitable that it’s hard to say it’s on earth at all. So, even if Hoanib is not for the budget-conscious, you surely won’t come here only to relax in one of the camp’s eight stylish tents, neither to sip an afternoon rooibos tea. You choose to come to Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp to feel alive, to seat on the back of a four-wheel-drive over river-bed laid, looking for paw tracks in this tough environment. So, pick Hoanib for a masterclass in survival in a truly remote location and never for the camp itself. Nightly rates from $864
4. Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort
With his pure escaping essence, the Al Jabal Al Akhdar of Anantara Resorts is a perfect example of off-the-map tourism, a vanguard of Hotels places in unexpected extreme locations. In fact, this Anantara Resort set on Oman’s frontier mountains, features chasm-facing pool villas, majlis-style courtyards, and a tailor-made service fit for a sultan. Whether you’d love to relax with a hammam ritual or play tennis in one of the highest courts on earth, you won’t regret choosing this Resort. You will be speechless viewing canyons directly from your bedroom. Doubles from $400.
5. Beldi Country Club
Moving back to Marrakech’s Medina, the Beldi Country Club is another gem you have to visit for a serious reset. Nothing of the Beldi Country Club looks too primped or precious, and yet everything refined and cozy. A green oasis of charm, but with prime access to Marrakech’s urban treasures. In its stylish swimming pool, you will see reflections of the ancient olive trees, palm trees and stretches of the sky: 35-acre grounds of ways to relax. The hotel’s 38 suites are a charming blend of Moroccan tradition and French chic. No pretenses, just magic. Doubles from $215.
6. Singita Grumeti – Sabora Tented Camp
For a perfect balance between modernity and safaris, you have to visit the Singita Sabora Tented Camp, right on the Serengeti plains. Besides several community projects to protect Africa’s wildlife, you’ll have the chance to see in Tanzania’s Grumeti Game Reserve (and we’re not underestimating the importance of their dedication and bravery), this tented camp is built for luxe-sake: each suite offers sweeping views and cushions from were watching a zebra or an elephant while sipping Krüg. A side-bonus? The whole camp will be in the palette with your khaki chic shirt or Hermès scarf. Not bad, uh? Doubles from $2,950, all-inclusive.
7. L’Hôtel Marrakech
If we’re naming the third Hotel in Marrakech’s Medina, it’s because you can’t miss the chance to die without visiting this amazing place on earth. Now it’s L’Hôtel Marrakech’s turn: ax extremely stylish Hotel that shows the signs of Yves Saint Laurent’s passage. A luxury dimension in which you fall walking from a dark hallway into a turquoise pool surrounded by a garden scented by figs. This historic Riad and its five suites enriched by antique furniture offer a wonderful combination of phenomenal food, deluxe comforts, and attentive yet discreet service. If we should put all that in one word, it would be “elegance”. Doubles from $400.
8. Burj Al Arab Jumeirah
In Dubai, it’s as iconic as the Eiffel Tower in Paris. We’re talking of the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab Jumeirah Hotel. The luxury competition in Dubai is undeniably fierce, but the Burj with its audacity doesn’t fear any rivals. Crystal ceiling, silk wallpaper, a fleet of Rolls Royce, the Hermès toiletries: everything here is made of luxe. Not to mention the infinity pool terrace or the 590 feet grand atrium. So, book a suite, don’t look upward unless you want your head spinning, and enjoy this incredibly well designed Hotel. The real treat? You’ll have a pillow menu for your king-size bed! Doubles from $400.
9. Wilderness Safaris Mombo Camp and Little Mombo
Back to the tent, back to Africa. This time to the word “luxury” we will add the word “responsible”. It’s the Mombo Camp by Wilderness Safaris we’re talking about. Set in the middle of the Okavango Delta, it’s considered one of the best areas for game viewing in Africa. Rebuilt in 2018, this historic camp has maintained or even improved its level of facilities and luxury. Last but absolutely not least: the Mombo Camp is run totally on solar power. From about $1,800 per person per night.
10. Royal Mansour
Just a few steps away from the famous Jemaa El Fna square, the Royal Mansour is a city sanctuary that defies hotel excellence. The Marrakech’s Medina chaos will be far in this resort founded by King Mohammed VI to show the best of Moroccan hospitality and decorative art. In each of the 53 riads, you will enjoy a sumptuous living room, a sil-covered walls bedroom, all the bath amenities you can think of and a small courtyard. If you think it’s not enough (can you?) the best is left to talk about. The attentive staff will spoil you almost without a trace: as a matter of fact, the butlers and the rest of the staff travel unseen via an underground tunnel system. Doubles from $1,200.
11. Bisate Lodge
If we have already named Wilderness Safaris is because they know what they’re doing in the luxury market. In fact, their Bisate Lodge was the first luxury hotel opened in Virunga Mountains, Rwanda. After it, many first league operators have opened their luxury structure, but the Wilderness Safaris’ vision and beauty can’t be beaten. Like giants (giant) birds’ nest (nests) on an eroded volcanic cone, the six forest suites have swooping ceilings and huge windows viewing the peaks where Dian Fossey studied gorillas. Ready for a bucket-list gorilla trek? You will never forget Africa’s most immersive wild primate experience. From $1,575 per person, full board, including lodge activities.
12. Ellerman House
Moving down south, we can’t name Ellerman House. This is a timeless fantasy in Cape Town. Perfectly halfway between the best South African beaches or the Table Mountain cableway and the dynamic city. From outside, Ellerman House seems like a private residence and this is certainly a bonus. Here you can take an informal (and still very fascinating and interesting) tour of the impressive art collection of its owner: Paul Harris. Besides that, a huge and full of indigenous plants garden you can walk by and a massive wine cellar, with more than 75 hundred rare wine bottles. In Ellerman House you can choose a (an) individually-styled bedroom or a private villa built into the granite mountainside, either way, you won’t regret choosing this Hotel. Doubles from $752
13. One&Only Le Saint Géran
Built-in 1975 but renovated a few years ago, One&Only Le Saint Géran is still the best five-star hotel in Mauritius’s best spot (fearing no competition in an island that may have the greatest concentration of luxury hotels in the Indian Ocean). The amazing makeover and the unbeatable location make this One&Only Hotel adored by the guests: here you can indulge yourself in the spa, or the new pool, or in one of the sophisticated rooms they offer. Doubles from $500.
14. andBeyond Benguerra Island
As a natural retreat, the AndBeyond Benguerra Island in Mozambique is hard to beat. Recently and wonderfully renovated (but keeping his low-key soul), at the AndBeyond you can have the best birdwatching activities, snorkeling, and diving in the world. Choose one of the casinhas or a cabana and then enjoy its refreshingly intimacy. You can enrich your travel seeing a flamboyance of flamingo during a “castaway picnic” in a completely secluded beach. Doubles from $1,250.
15. North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles
Last but not least (at all), the paradise. A splendid lick of white sand, and then tropical palms, a tacamahac trees forest, and giant granite peaks: this is North Island, in Seychelles. A 20-minute helicopter ride from the capital, Victoria, on this island you will experience luxury, privacy, and nature at their maximum. The 11 villas on the property make this island a whole and very private resort, in which your footprints will be the only evidence of human passing.