Park Hyatt Johannesburg’s raised pool above a lily pond in front of the white heritage villa

The considered escape

hotels and spas

Beautiful places to swim, unwind and find a little space of your own.

Pictured: Park Hyatt Johannesburg, Johannesburg · South Africa

A shortlist, not a ranking

Places worth considering

Hotels featured in the journals, followed by further places to consider. Details draw on official property information, without ratings or rankings.

One breath at a time…

From the journals
Johannesburg · South Africa
Park Hyatt Johannesburg
A restored 1930s mansion in Rosebank, with residential-style interiors, courtyard dining and a heated outdoor pool — the setting of the journal’s welcoming dinner and long breakfasts.
Massages
Contact the hotel for current massage options and arrangements; a treatment programme is not confirmed here.
Pools
A heated outdoor pool provides a quiet pause within the landscaped hotel grounds.
Décor
Original arches, high ceilings and verandahs meet contemporary art and residential-style furnishings.
Privacy
An intimate 31-room hotel; ask about room position and courtyard access rather than assuming exclusive use.
Official hotel site
From the journals
Greece
Cavotagoo
The Greek poolside escape featured in the journal — floating daybeds, chilled drinks and an infinity edge that lets the sea become part of the afternoon.
Massages
Wellness facilities differ between the Mykonos and Santorini properties; confirm the chosen hotel’s current treatment menu.
Pools
Sea-facing infinity-pool settings; selected accommodation categories offer private pools or outdoor hot tubs, depending on the property.
Décor
Contemporary Greek-island design, open terraces and a deliberately uncluttered connection to the sea.
Privacy
Book a specific private-pool room category if that matters; main pools and lounge areas are shared.
Official hotel site
From the journals
Positano · Italy
HVF Hotel — Villa Franca
An art- and design-led hideaway high above Positano, where O’SPA, Li Galli dining and the panoramic rooftop pool make staying in feel as tempting as exploring the coast.
Massages
O’SPA offers the hotel’s wellness experience; confirm treatments and appointments directly before your stay.
Pools
The GOLD Sky Pool Club has a rooftop pool with views over Positano and the Mediterranean.
Décor
Minimalist-luxury rooms and suites, contemporary art and carefully considered design throughout the hotel.
Privacy
A boutique hillside setting; room terraces and views vary, and the rooftop pool is not a private room pool.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
From the journals
Positano · Italy
Le Sirenuse
The red-washed Positano hotel from the journal, with La Sponda dining, an Aveda Concept Spa and a sea-view mosaic pool terrace framed by lemon trees.
Massages
The Aveda Concept Spa offers massage treatments as part of its pool and wellness experience.
Pools
An 18-metre pool with a Nicolas Party installation in Bisazza glass mosaic, overlooking the coast.
Décor
The historic red façade, art, glass mosaics and lemon-tree terraces give the hotel its distinctive character.
Privacy
The Pool Bar is reserved for hotel guests; the pool terrace is shared, not exclusive to an individual room.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
From the journals
Rome · Italy
DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti
Home to the journal’s Mún Rooftop Bar, with an eighth-floor terrace above Rione Monti where cocktails, tapas and Rome’s domes carry the evening.
Massages
No spa is listed among the official amenities; the hotel offers a fitness centre rather than a confirmed massage programme.
Pools
No swimming pool is listed among the official amenities; Mún is a dining and cocktail terrace rather than a pool club.
Décor
THDP-designed interiors combine contemporary Italian design, natural light and leafy social spaces, with a rooftop framed by the city.
Privacy
Mún welcomes outside visitors as well as hotel guests; reserve for the terrace rather than expecting exclusive access.
Official hotel site
From the journals
Stellenbosch · South Africa
Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa
The Cape Winelands estate behind the journal’s Hōseki dining section — David Collins Studio–designed lodges with private heated pools, vineyard scenery and a dedicated spa.
Massages
The 2026 spa menu includes Botanical Warm Oil Massage, Manual Fascia Body Massage and Cryo Deep Tissue Massage.
Pools
Lodges have private heated pools; the spa’s separate 22-metre infinity pool is limited to residents and Spa Journey guests.
Décor
David Collins Studio interiors sit alongside original artworks, sculpture gardens and carefully landscaped outdoor spaces.
Privacy
Private lodge gardens and pools offer personal space; confirm the precise layout, and do not assume restaurant access includes spa facilities.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The massages pick
Marrakech · Morocco
Royal Mansour Marrakech
Private riads, intricate Moroccan craftsmanship and a spa worth building a stay around.
Massages
A dedicated spa with massage treatments, ten treatment rooms and hammam rituals.
Pools
An indoor heated spa pool for a quieter kind of swim.
Décor
A medina-inspired collection of riads, winding passages and carefully crafted interiors.
Privacy
Individual private riads rather than conventional hotel corridors.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The pools pick
Johannesburg · South Africa
The Houghton Hotel
An urban resort in Houghton Estate set against the fairways of the Houghton Golf Club, with a flagship spa, four pools and suites that look out over the city.
Massages
Houghton Spa offers restorative massages, facials, body and hydro treatments, plus couples experiences and spa packages.
Pools
Four pools: a family pool, an indoor heated pool in the spa, an outdoor Zen pool for spa guests and an adult pool beside the golf course.
Décor
Clean, contemporary design with generous natural light, from king suites to signature penthouses with sweeping city and golf-course views.
Privacy
The spa's indoor heated pool and outdoor Zen pool are reserved for spa guests; penthouse stays add private balconies and butler service.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The décor pick
Sandhurst, Johannesburg · South Africa
Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa
A secluded Sandhurst retreat with elegant suites and villas, an infinity pool and Qunu dining. African-inspired textures, a sweeping staircase and a striking chandelier give the hotel its quiet grandeur, while the spa brings gardens, water and warm copper details together.
Massages
Holistic spa journeys and massage treatments begin with a mindfulness exercise; contact the spa for the current menu and couples options.
Pools
The hotel's infinity pool overlooks the koi pond; the spa adds a heated hydro pool and outdoor plunge pool alongside steam, sauna and hammam facilities.
Décor
Neutral African tones and textured interiors in the hotel; dark wood, copper, linen, water features and Himalayan-salt details create a restful spa setting.
Privacy
Suites and garden-set villas offer a secluded setting; entire stand-alone villas can be booked for greater privacy. Main hotel and spa facilities are shared.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The pools pick
Boka Bay · Montenegro
One&Only Portonovi
One&Only's first European resort, set at the entrance of UNESCO-protected Boka Bay — terracotta rooftops and colonnades, a private white-sand beach and the Chenot Espace wellness centre.
Massages
Chenot Espace pairs spa rituals with diagnostic-led wellness programmes, from weekend spa stays to multi-day detox and de-stress programmes.
Pools
An indoor pool at the wellness centre plus five outdoor pools around the resort, beside a private beach on the bay.
Décor
Riviera-style architecture with towering colonnades, terracotta rooftops and suites and villas facing the water.
Privacy
A private white-sand beach and villa accommodation offer seclusion; the main pools and beach club are shared resort spaces.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The privacy pick
Desroches Island · Seychelles
Four Seasons Desroches Island
An island escape with private villa pools, beach access and space to disappear for a while.
Massages
The Circle of Connection Spa offers massages, including ginger and lavender poultice treatments.
Pools
Choose a villa with its own pool and garden beside the beach.
Décor
Island interiors draw on Creole, French-colonial and European influences.
Privacy
Private-pool villas on a remote island; beach access is not a guarantee of an exclusive beach.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The pools pick
Kruger National Park · South Africa
Singita Lebombo Lodge
A striking pool terrace and glass-fronted safari suites overlooking the bush.
Massages
Spa and wellness treatments provide a slower interlude between game drives.
Pools
A lodge swimming pool; selected accommodation also offers private plunge pools.
Décor
Loft-style suites layer glass, wood, steel and soft fabrics, with elevated outdoor decks.
Privacy
Ask for the precise suite layout and pool arrangements before booking; not every suite has a private pool.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness
The décor pick
Volcanoes National Park · Rwanda
Wilderness Bisate
Sculptural forest villas inspired by Rwandan royal heritage, with a mountain setting and restorative wellness.
Massages
The Sanctuary offers massage and wellness treatments.
Pools
The Sanctuary includes a heated salt-water indoor lap pool, steam room and ice bath.
Décor
Six forest villas reinterpret Rwandan royal architecture in distinctive rounded forms.
Privacy
A small six-villa lodge; confirm treatment-room exclusivity and pool access directly.
Official hotel site Spa & wellness

Property information checked October 2026. Treatments, access and accommodation features may change. Confirm current spa menus, private-pool room types and privacy arrangements with the hotel before booking.

Photography: Cwengile’s journal photographs and the suggested properties’ official websites. A property appearing in a photograph does not imply an overnight stay. No prices or personal ratings are implied.

hotels and spas

Places worth considering

Park Hyatt Johannesburg

Cavotagoo

HVF Hotel — Villa Franca

Le Sirenuse

DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti

Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa

Royal Mansour Marrakech

The Houghton Hotel

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

One&Only Portonovi

Four Seasons Desroches Island

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Wilderness Bisate