The World Of One&Only Resorts: Unique Collection Of One-Off Properties

Been to both locations in Rwanda, and Cape Town; if you can afford them, each is incredible. Very curious how the new one in Montana goes; will be waiting for reviews from others first.

Many of O&O properties are also on Amex FHR, so that'd be a good way to use the new semi-annual $300 credits, and the far superior *guaranteed* 4PM late checkout (better than Virtuoso, honestly.)

This has been a very entertaining series. Thanks, Ben. I'm sure you have a list, but there are so many more I would also love to see (in particular, the history/overview). Rocco Forte, Peninsula, Belmond, Oberoi, Mandarin, Dorchester, Auberge, Six Senses, Fasano, Maybourne, Faena, Capella, Rosewood... Plenty more that I forgot in the moment. You've got your work cut out for you!

Agreed. Add Singita, &Beyond, Wilderness, etc., too.

Hi Ben, stayed at O&O Desaru for my honeymoon, great property. FYI, the property has been acquired by Mandarin Oriental so it is no longer part of O&O.

Ben, you've rather skipped over the early, icky history of the group. Sol Kerzner made his early big money by catering to white South Africans going to resorts in so-called Bantustans set up to corral black South Africans in separate "homelands." He paid a lot of rand to the leaders of those Bantustans to get want he wanted and was the target of endless corruption investigations. His prize was Sun City, which was attacked mercilessly in the '80s anti-apartheid anthem "Sun City" ("I ... I ... I .... ain't gonna play Sun City....") Kerzner leveraged the success of Sun City to expand internationally, starting with Atlantis and then later going very high end with One&Only (into which he group the long-operating Le Saint Geran).

I stayed at the Gorilla's Nest before One&Only took it over in 2018. In looking at August 2026, they're showing US $8,600/night on their website.

I don't know what they can possibly provide that warrants that kind of cost.

Then again, back in 2006, the park fee was US $350/day to see the gorillas; now it's in the neighborhood of US $1,500 for the park fee.

oh cool, let's play everyone's favorite game re-litigate the past! in today's episode we talk about the founder who has been dead for 5 years and what he did 35+ years ago!

Respectfully, you're comparing apples to oranges. The original 'Gorilla's Nest' was a rustic lodge (a completely different concept in the same location). O&O completely rebuilt the villas for a 5-star experience.

For the Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park area, there are far more affordable options nearby; however, that O&O, Wilderness' Bisate, and Singita's Kwitonda are the most lavash and expensive in the entire world ($5K/night is more the average for those three).

And, if you want to see the gorillas 'on-the-cheap,' consider Uganda (but it is not up to the same standards as Rwanda). For most of us, DRC is off-limits (like, seriously, do not go there.)

Yeah, wait till you hear about Germany... and Japan... and Italy... and the Ottomans... and... (slavery, Jim Crow, Trail of Tears, internment...)

Then again, the people from those places have also done a lot of good things... but ignore that. History. Bad. Boo... (they're not saying 'boo'... they're saying 'boo-urns!')

I know what the original Gorilla's Nest was - I stayed there, remember? I'm also extremely familiar with southern and eastern Africa, and I'll leave it at that.

My point is not "Gee, that's expensive." I've been staying at Wilderness properties for two decades, and those are expensive, however the experiences they offer more than justify their prices. Wilderness's ability to exceed expectations is well known amongst those who spend a large amount of time in southern Africa, as is Wilderness's work with the local communities they serve; this work is measured/quantified and published by Wilderness (or at least used to be).

My point IS, however, that I cannot imagine anything in Africa warranting a rate of $8,600/night (I'm excluding North Island in the Sychelles, because that is, well, an ISLAND, and villas there run 800 m2). Full disclosure: part of this revulsion is due to Sol Kerzner's involvement in One&Only, and he is someone I hope the brand is able to distance itself from. His corruption is legendary in South Africa, and for good reason. His association with Jeffrey Epstein further stains his legacy. And unless some giant portion of that nightly rate goes into land and habitat preservation in Rwanda and/or community growth and assistance initiatives, then I have even less understanding of that rate.

I believe you when you said you’d stayed at the old one… yet, you haven’t stayed at the new one… and, my point remains, it’s a completely different property; so, to compare new vs. old, then to complain about price, isn’t a valid comparison.

If you prefer Wilderness, then you’re likely already well-aware of Bisate, nearby (with its little nests; and, better views of Bisoke and Karisimbi, anyway), though, it is similarly outrageously priced, maybe slightly less than Gorilla’s Nest, but still around $5K/night average. If combined with Magashi (Akagera) and O&O Nyungwe can see Big 5 and primates (Gorillas at Volcanoes, chimps in Nyungwe), again, very impressive for just one country the size of New Jersey.

Likewise, Singita’s Kwitonda nearby has epic views of Sabyinyo, and is similarly priced. That’s the wild thing. Three $5K+/night properties with at least 5-10 villas each, in that country, which 30 years ago was hell-on-earth. How they have come so far. Hope it lasts.

Stayed at the Royal Mirage a few years ago. Definitely a more classic style, but incredibly well kept for an older hotel with wonderful food, service, and accomodations. Highly recommend!

It’s odd to introduce this chain and not acknowledge Sol Kerzner…

My aspirational stay is at Palmilla, although several luxury brands now operate in Cabo. Palmilla seems to have a following amongst celebs too.

As for me, I am anxiously awaiting the One & Only Myrtle Beach, which I understand is in the works.

I can’t speak higher of Reeti Rah. Went in 2009 for my birthday. It’s amazing; people will say is a “man-made” island which is true; that doesn’t take the beauty and attention to details of the personnel working there.

2 years later the Beckhams went there… and so many actors in Bollywood and Hong Kong which I never heard of. Is big but you don’t see anyone so privacy is great. Kids club is amazing, food is great. Definitely the key of all this, is that you don’t need to get an extra airplane to enjoy; a 45-min in a nice boat with cold towels, juices and water and you are at your villa.

I was at Virunga Lodge in March this year in Volcanoes park. It was exceptional and significantly less expensive than either one of those properties. Amazing service, beautiful lodging, delicious food, stunning views. Still was a very expensive trip (the fee is now $1,600 a day to see the gorillas in the park) but totally worthwhile and I thought Virunga delivered an amazing, high quality experience. Would recommend.

Wow, several guests have provided interesting information that would normally be found on certain "informational" websites. Sol Kerzner and Epstein. I didn't think I would see that here, but it is certainly appreciated comments.

We will steer clear of these properties.

Jason, glad you had a great experience! Agreed, Virunga Lodge is a more 'reasonable' alternative (and does have beautiful views of both the lakes and the mountains.)