The Most Luxurious Hotels in the World You Can Stay at With Culture Trip

| Courtesy of Gondwana Kwena Game Lodge
Gethin Morgan

Content and CRM Executive

From island resorts to modern five-star hotels and luxurious country retreats, we all deserve some indulgent R&R from time to time. With that in mind, here are the most luxurious hotels, resorts and lodges you can stay at on a Culture Trip adventure.

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Elephants drinking from the infinity pool at Gondwana Kwena Game Lodge (Western Cape Game Lodge)

Gondwana Kwena Game Lodge, South Africa

It’s hard to top safari luxury, especially when you have 11,000ha (over 27,000 acres) of private wilderness to play with. That’s the case on Gondwana Game Reserve, undoubtedly the highlight of our 11-day South Africa trip. You’ll get to go on multiple morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Five, as well as having the option to rent bikes to explore the area. Pamper yourself with treatments at the Bush Spa, indulge in fine dining at indoor and outdoor restaurants, or simply wind down in the comfort of your luxury suite, styled like traditional Khoi-San huts, with stunning 190-degree panoramas of the surrounding mountains. Keep an eye out for passing elephants, especially if you’re going for a dip in the infinity pool – that’s their favourite spot. Our South Africa trip also features stays in a gorgeous wine region guest lodge and Surval Boutique Olive Estate, near Route 62.

From US$2129

Next available from 2nd Dec 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cape Town, South Africa

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ENDS AT

Cape Town, South Africa

DURATION

11

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Internal shot of the massage room at Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor

Steigenberger Nile Palace, Egypt

Luxor – it’s in the name, right? This city on the bank of the Nile is lined with luxurious hotels that have welcomed some of the most esteemed guests imaginable. Among the impressive collection of east-bank hotels is the Steigenberger, an imposing structure standing tall on the riverside. Two gorgeous outdoor pools overlook the river, while a variety of pampering treatments are offered in the spa and sauna. Hungry? Take your pick from an incredible selection of eight different onsite venues, including Nubian, Lebanese, Thai and Italian restaurants. Our favourite? It has to be the Nile Bar and Lounge, which has spectacular sunset views over the world’s longest river. That’s what luxury in Egypt is all about.

From US$2116

Next available from 11th Jan 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Cairo, Egypt

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ENDS AT

Aswan, Egypt

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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The beautifully maintained gardens of Paradise Hotel looking out over the coast in Busan, South Korea

Paradise Hotel Busan, South Korea

This spectacular seaside hotel on the northeastern coast of Busan is an oasis of calm on the outskirts of South Korea’s second city. You can soak up the sun at the infinity pool, treat yourself to a soothing massage at the Sundari Retreat spa and sip cocktails or freshly made smoothies at the Crystal Garden. There’s also an on-site casino, a boutique bakery, florist and three superb restaurants overlooking Haeundae Beach. You’ll spend two nights here on our 10-day Korea trip, plenty of time to sample the highest quality Korean beef at Born & Bred and bask in the stunning seaside vistas of Busan.

From US$2414

Next available from 8th Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Seoul, South Korea

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ENDS AT

Seoul, South Korea

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

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STYLE

Discovery

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Flash Sale
Outdoor pier restaurant at The Placencia Resort, Belize

The Placencia Resort, Belize

The entirety of our five-day beach retreat in Belize will be spent staying at this luscious resort on the Caribbean peninsula of Placencia. Not only is the hotel home to one of the largest pools in Belize – fit with swim-up bar – but there’s also a gorgeous private beach exclusive to patrons of the resort. Picture pristine white sands, bordered by a row of wavy palm trees on one side and bright blue ocean waters on the other. Usage of kayaks and paddleboards are complimentary, while there are three stunning restaurants to keep you well fed during your stay. Enjoy farm-to-table cuisine at Capriccio Restaurant, grab light bites for lunch at the Azure Pool bar and enjoy a dreamy Caribbean waterside dinner at sunset from the glorious Pier Lounge Restaurant.

From US$1094

Next available from 7th Oct 2023

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Belize City, Belize

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ENDS AT

Belize City, Belize

DURATION

5

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Culture

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Outdoor pool at Hotel Cefalù Gli Alberi del Parasiso, Sicily

Hotel Cefalù Gli Alberi del Parasiso, Sicily

The idea of luxury in Sicily has become a particularly attractive one since season two of The White Lotus wowed visitors with a taste of Sicilian grandeur. Our eight-day trip around Italy’s largest island is an indulgent experience, full of cooking classes, wine tastings, fine chocolate and gelato. In terms of accommodation, the highlight is without doubt our dreamy Cefalu hotel, which you’ll call home on night three. Expect panoramic ocean views throughout this little slice of country paradise, set in a vast park space with three ancient water mills. Highlights include a dreamy swimming pool hidden amid the trees, the outdoor terrace at Al Capone restaurant, the Gardens of Paradise spa and easy access to the beach and reef bar at sister hotel, Le Calette.

From US$

Next available from 1st Jan 1970

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Palermo, Italy

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ENDS AT

Siracusa, Sicily

DURATION

8

GROUP SIZE

14

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Courtayrd of Rawla Narlai Luxury Heritage Hotel at night, Rajasthan

Rawla Narlai Luxury Heritage Hotel, India

This 17th-century country manor in the heart of Rajasthan is a magnificent eggshell-white period building with splashes of colour and beautifully landscaped gardens, which has been converted seamlessly into a luxurious boutique hotel. There are terraces overlooking the twinkling village lights, and tree-shaded courtyards perfect for sipping tea and snoozing. Rooms are grand, spacious and intricately designed, while you can also soak in the picturesque outdoor pool or relax in the tented spa. The onsite cafe and bar are both rather lovely, but don’t miss out on a truly unique dining experience at the Step-Well Dinner – a mystical dining experience, consisting of four Rajasthani courses served in a scenic open-air space, lit by hundreds of oil lamps and accompanied by soulful chants performed by a local Jogi on a tambura – now that’s luxury dining done India style.

From US$

Next available from 1st Jan 1970

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Delhi, India

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ENDS AT

Udaipur, India

DURATION

10

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Light

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STYLE

Discovery

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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