Bal Harbour

48 BAL HARBOUR HOLIDAY 2023 SPECIAL EDITION P H OTO G R A P H Y: CO U R T E S Y O F M I AVA N A BY T I M E + T I D E; CO U R T E S Y O F A N GA M A TIME & TIDE MIAVANA, Madagascar Half-squint in one of the 14 villas here and it could be mistaken for Saint-Tropez, and no wonder, as the property is owned by French Mauritian private equity exec Thierry Dalais. The mostly white villas have touches of the hotel's signature aquamarine, with modish furniture and curving walls that evoke the Côte d'Azur's 1960s heyday; the striped pillows by each private pool are certainly ready for a close-up with Bardot. Come for lemur-spotting in the surrounding jungles, or to take to the waters, which are ideal for surfing and sailing. For active families, opt for Villas 1, 2, or 3–they're the closest to the aquatic activities center–and make sure to book the hotel-operated transfer from Johannesburg's Fireblade FBO, a painless three-and-a-half-hour shuttle in a plush Learjet to nearest airport before a quick chopper ride to the beach. miavana.com African nations emerge as distinct and vibrant travel destinations, often luring adventurous, barefoot-luxury types to sample the dierent safaris on oer across the southern continent. It's disappointing, then, that so many upscale lodges retain such an outdated approach to designing their rooms —call it fauxlonial, all artfully thatched roofs, pith helmets, and steamer trunks. A few smarter properties, though, are more forward-looking, and oer travelers the chance to sample the best of contemporary African design. Here are six standouts across the sub-Saharan region. A new crop of safari lodges oers the best of contemporary African design, from South Africa to Madagascar. BY MARK ELLWOOD INTO THE WILD WANDERLUST ANGAMA MARA, Kenya This lodge's location already sets it apart, sit ting on a Great Rift Valley cli– top overlooking the wildlife-filled basin of the Mara like a glamorous Bond villain's aerie; the best spot in the entire property is the sundowner-ready fire pit right at the edge. The 30 standalone tented rooms here, each with floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize the views, are heavy on scarlet and gold, with rich textures of leather and canvas. The interiors ooze a glamorously retro vibe, but one that's more akin to African-accented Art Deco than anything faux colonial, a remarkable achievement given that it was this same region where many scenes from 1985's Out of Africa were filmed. Founders Nicky and the late Steve Fitzgerald, who helped establish CC Africa— or Conser vation Corporation Africa, now known as And Beyond—were committed to uplifting local communities via the luxury lodge, and in 2021, Nicky appointed Kenyan Azei Lago as its GM, a rarity among lodges across the continent. angama.com A Maasai guide looks out over the Maasai Mara. The Miavana Villa, one of 14 at the island resort, is just steps from the sea.

• Cover