Five Best: Converted Hunting Lodges

Live like the lord or lady of the manor at these country retreats

Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa, South Africa

Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa, South Africa

The Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa at White River near the Kruger National Park's western frontier is a former hunting lodge set in 30 acres of private gardens. The main building is an old farmhouse whose wide verandah is the perfect place to sit and sip a sundowner, while the lodge's elegant interior is decked out in sumptuous fabrics. There are 13 studios, cottages (with private pools) and suites, and the whole property is in the middle of some great riding, fishing and walking territory. After a day in the wild guests can treat themselves to a massage in Cybele's new Spa in the Forest.

Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa, White River, Mpumalanga, South Africa (00 27 13 764 9500; www.cybele.co.za). Cottages start at R1,375 (£123) for a minimum two-night stay

Mena House Oberoi, Egypt

This former hunting lodge once belonged to the king of Egypt, Khedive Ismail. Extensively refurbished in the 1970s, it is set in 40 acres of jasmine-scented gardens while every room and suite has a balcony with a view of the pyramids. The lodge's traditional furnishings, carved wooden doors and antique Persian rugs help to retain the sense of royal history. There are five restaurants, two bars, a nightclub and a casino on the premises, while those who want to explore can opt for horse or camel rides or a trip into Cairo.

The Mena House Oberoi, Pyramids Road, Giza, Cairo, Egypt. (00 20 2383 3222; www.oberoihotels.com). Doubles (with garden view) start at $223 (£131), without breakfast

Palazzo Belmonte, Italy

About 90 minutes' drive from Naples, the 17th-century Palazzo Belmonte sits on a hillside overlooking a glorious stretch of unspoilt Cilento coastline. The palace was once the hunting lodge of the country's kings who stalked pheasant and wild boar in the area. It now has 20 spacious suites across three wings - each named after a different flower or herb found in the surrounding five acres of parkland. Some of the rooms have private terraces with idyllic views of the sea and the rooftops of the neighbouring fishing village of Santa Maria di Castellabate.

Palazzo Belmonte, 84072, Santa Maria di Castellabate, Salerno, Italy (00 39 0974 960 211; www.palazzobelmonte.com). Open from May until November; doubles start at €175 (£125) with breakfast

Ramgahr Lodge, India

Built in 1835, Ramgahr Lodge was once used by hunters tracking tigers, leopards and the regional bird, the great Indian bustard. The lodge was converted into a palace for the Maharaja of Jaipur in 1925, and, as a result, is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Restored with its regal history in mind, today the airy verandahs overlook courtyards, fountains and manicured gardens. Set in 47 acres of lush tropical gardens with views of Ramgahr lake, the lodge is a great base from which to explore the nearby jungle and spectacular forts. From the lodge, guests can take a jungle drive, fish in the lake or play a game of croquet on the lawn.

Taj Ramgahr, Jamwa Ramgahr, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India (00 91 1426 252 217; www.tajhotels.com). Doubles start from $346 (£204), without breakfast

Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello, Canada

On the shore of the meandering Ottawa River, the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello is a vast red cedar chateau built in 1930. The central log building, from which the rooms branch out in a star shape, has a three-storey atrium with a huge six-sided chimney in the centre. The former private hunting retreat of the elite Seigniory Club, whose members included Canadian prime ministers and foreign royalty, the decor is rustic yet luxurious while the roaring fires keep the hotel cosy. Situated next to the Laurentian mountians and in prime hiking territory, this is a good base from which to explore the Canadian wilderness.

Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello (001 819 423 6341; www.fairmont.com), 392 Notre Dame, Montebello, Quebec, Canada. Doubles start at C$219 (£98), without breakfast