WHY I’LL ALWAYS CHOOSE AN OWNER-RUN HOTEL OR SAFARI LODGE
Having spent more than twenty years in luxury travel, including managing safari camps in Botswana and Zambia, I have been fortunate enough to stay in some of the world’s finest hotels and safari lodges. Whilst there are many exceptional international brands, I find myself returning time and again to privately owned and family run properties. They possess something that is difficult to define, yet instantly recognisable the moment you arrive. They have personality, authenticity and heart.
Every owner-run property tells a story. It reflects the vision, passion and values of the people behind it. Rather than following a corporate blueprint, every detail has been carefully considered, from the architecture and interiors to the food, gardens, artwork and guest experiences. The result is somewhere with genuine character and a true sense of place.
The biggest difference, however, is often the people. I really believe that it’s the people that make a place. Owners are frequently on site, welcoming guests, chatting over breakfast or quietly ensuring that every detail is exactly as it should be. Their enthusiasm filters through the entire team, creating an atmosphere that feels warm, relaxed and genuinely personal. Staff are encouraged to be themselves and guests are treated as individuals rather than room numbers.
One of my favourite examples is The Goring in London. Still owned and run by the Goring family more than a century after opening its doors, it perfectly demonstrates how traditional hospitality never goes out of fashion. Despite welcoming royalty and international dignitaries, it remains wonderfully warm and unpretentious. The service is polished without ever feeling formal, and there is an unmistakable sense that everyone genuinely enjoys looking after their guests.
In Umbria, Reschio offers a completely different experience, yet shares the same philosophy. Created by the Bolza family, this magnificent estate has been lovingly restored into one of Italy’s most extraordinary hotels. Every building, piece of furniture and landscaped garden reflects the family’s vision, creating somewhere that feels more like staying at a beautiful private home than a luxury hotel. It is impossible not to admire the passion and attention to detail that has shaped every corner of the estate.
Thailand’s The Siam is another wonderful example. Nestled beside the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, this boutique hotel is owned by the Sukosol family, whose love of Thai art, antiques and culture is woven throughout the property. Despite being in one of Asia’s busiest cities, it feels remarkably peaceful and intimate, offering guests an experience that could never be replicated by a large international chain.
Perhaps nowhere does owner involvement make a greater difference than on safari. A safari is about so much more than beautiful accommodation. It is about exceptional guiding, meaningful conservation, local communities and creating unforgettable moments in the wild. When owners remain closely involved, these values become part of the lodge’s identity rather than simply words in a brochure.
Londolozi, in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Reserve, is a perfect example. Still owned by the Varty family, it has spent decades pioneering wildlife conservation, photography and community projects. Guests become immersed in the family’s philosophy of reconnecting people with nature, and many return year after year because the experience feels so personal.
In Kenya, Cottar’s 1920s Safari Camp represents more than one hundred years of safari heritage. The Cottar family has guided safaris for generations, and their knowledge, storytelling and commitment to conservation create an experience that feels authentic rather than manufactured. It is luxury with history, character and soul.
Closer to my own heart is Walkers Beach in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, owned by the Walker Family. Overlooking one of the country’s most spectacular beaches, it proves that genuine luxury has little to do with size. With only a handful of beautifully designed rooms, every guest receives thoughtful, attentive service and the warm welcome of a private home. It is exactly the sort of place I love recommending because I know clients will leave wishing they had stayed longer.
One of my more recent discoveries is Louma, nestled in the Dorset countryside. Created by South African owners with a genuine passion for hospitality, Louma combines elegant accommodation with vineyards, horses, beautiful gardens and outstanding food. During my stay, what impressed me most was not simply the setting, but how every experience reflected the owners’ vision. Nothing felt corporate or over designed. Instead, it had the atmosphere of a stylish country home where guests are welcomed as friends.
Italy is home to another of my favourite privately owned hotels, Passalacqua on Lake Como. Under the guidance of the De Santis family, this historic villa has become one of Europe’s most celebrated boutique hotels. Staying here feels less like checking into a hotel and more like being invited into an elegant family residence, where every experience has been designed to delight rather than impress.
Equally iconic is Le Sirenuse in Positano. Originally the Sersale family’s summer home, it remains family owned today and has retained the warmth and charm that first made it famous. The views may be breathtaking, but it is the family’s hospitality and attention to detail that guests remember long after they return home.
Finally, Lewa Wilderness in Kenya perfectly captures what makes owner run safari lodges so special. Created by the Craig family, it combines exceptional wildlife, conservation and heartfelt hospitality in a way that feels completely natural. Guests quickly realise they are staying in a family home that happens to overlook one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife conservancies.
What all ten of these properties share is not a particular style or destination, but a genuine sense of identity. They are shaped by passionate owners who care deeply about their guests, their staff, their local communities and the landscapes around them. Decisions are driven by long term vision rather than quarterly results, allowing these properties to evolve while never losing their character.
These are the places I most enjoy recommending through Albee’s Travel because I know they offer something that cannot be manufactured. Long after the holiday has ended, my clients rarely talk first about the room or the facilities. Instead, they remember the people they met, the conversations they had and the feeling of having discovered somewhere truly special.
That is why I will always choose an owner-run hotel or safari lodge where I can.
