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Singita's African Getaway is T+L Readers World's Best Hotel

Where: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa

In Travel + Leisure's 11th Annual World's Best Awards, the Singita Private Game Reserve in South Africa won the World's Best Hotel, an award they won back in 2004. (We should probably thank the Jolie-Pitt family for making Africa cool again.)

This luxe getaway is located west of Kruger National Park in Sabi Sand Reserve, which is described as "a vast expanse of pristine wild Africa that thunders to the sound of the migrating herds."

There are four types of lodging options available for guests. Ebony Lodge is styled after a traditional safari getaway with the luxury of colonial times. The Boulders Lodge is "unperturbed refinement"with thatch and coarse stone stacks against white leather, linen and "highly shone floors."

If the Jolie Pitt family were to return to Africa, they could stay in the Castleton Lodge which is an opulent farmhouse that can hold twelve guests. Or Daddy Brad might enjoy the Lebombo Lodge with its glass, water, steel and timber cliff-side lofts.

Lastly, the Sweni Lodge offers guests respite with its dark timber, smooth textures, and colorful decor. Hardly a "roughing it" type of safari getaway. Indeed, the staff here takes care of all your needs. When you arrive on the Sabi Sands landing strip, rangers will take you to your lodge where staff will greet you with refreshments and show you to your villas. Safari drives are offered in the morning and at around 6:30pm and the hotel has food ready and waiting for you each time you return.

Inside the villas you can expect:

A foyer with a half bath to the right. The foyer had a chest with a refrigerator, filled with soft beverages and juices. On the table in front were liquers, liquor, wine, snacks...all included. The wall facing the entry was a long, full wall of continuous glass. The living/dining room must have been 1000 sq feet capped off by a 16-20 foot cathedral ceiling.

The living roon was decorated with a zebra skin rug, a comfortable chair, a built in leather couch and a round dining table and chairs. A coffee table in front of the couch had books on birds, mammals and magazines as well as a large hurricane candle. There were 10 votives on the dining table. The decor was modern and elegant, with lovely artifacts scattered throughout the room.

Some more signs that this is not just a plain safari lodge? Outside the villas are plunge pools, amenities include binoculars, spa services are offered and you can order room service.

You do pay a premium price for it with villas going for about $1,000 a night which includes your safari drives, food and drinks, and laundry.

Hmm...a $1,000 a night that doesn't include airefare? Looks like we'll just have to go to our local zoo again to see some wild animals.

Related Stories:
· Singita Private Game Reserve reviews [TripAdvisor]
· World's Best 2006 [Travel + Leisure]