One of the greatest things about traveling is getting the chance to take in the breathtaking scenery that you usually can’t find at home. If you want to really savor that experience longer, stay in a hotel that offers spectacular views right from your room. While there are countless establishments around the world in beautiful destinations, these properties offer some of the most stunning hotel room views you’ll find anywhere.
Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
This five-star luxury resort offers an exclusive, intimate adults-only retreat that’s popular among celebrities and couples seeking the ultimate romantic escape. One of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world, the luxe suites offer a magical setting that overlooks the glistening Caribbean Sea and St. Lucia’s Piton World Heritage site with its spectacular mountains that rise straight out of the water. Each guest room suite features an open floor plan with a bedroom, living area and private infinity pool, all providing breathtaking sea and mountain views.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge - Machu Picchu, Peru
The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located within the 15th-century ancient Incan site, Machu Picchu, which requires a four-hour trek by train and bus to reach, or, if you’re up for it, a 5-day journey on foot via the old Inca trail. The lodge offers easy access to the ruins, discovered in 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham, during early morning and late afternoon hours when most day-trippers and tour buses have departed. Mountain View Rooms offer incomparable views of the looming peaks of Huayna Picchu and the Urubamba River valley – if you’re looking for the very best, choose room No. 21.
Caesar Augustus Hotel - Anacapri, Italy
Set atop a cliff towering 1,000 feet above the Bay of Naples on the stunning island of Capri, the luxury Hotel Caesar Augustus combines modern conveniences with the most compelling aspects of ancient Roman architecture. Each of the hotels’ terraces, impeccably appointed rooms and suites offer sweeping views over the entire bay as well as Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius and the neighboring island of Ischia. Master suites are individually decorated with artwork and antiques from the owners’ private collection as well as upscale amenities like a luxurious marble bathroom, complete with Jacuzzi and a sun-soaked terrace.
Cavallo Point – the Lodge at the Golden Gate - San Francisco, California
With its prime location just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, guests enjoy incredible views of the San Francisco skyline and the bridge. The hotel’s spacious rooms and suites are set in restored turn-of-the-century Colonial Revival buildings, which once served as officers’ residences at Fort Baker. Historic King Suites offer dramatic, sweeping panoramas of San Francisco Bay along with gas fireplaces. The hotel also offers a number of healing arts services at its luxury spa, including everything from massage to energy work.
Hotel Hassler Roma - Rome, Italy
Known as one of Rome’s most famous luxury hotels, set atop the Spanish Steps besides the Trinita dei Monte church, Hotel Hassler Roma provides legendary views of the Eternal City from its amazing location. Room 501 may be the very best room with a view in all of Rome. This double room has a direct view of the church towers and a two-person balcony with a view of St. Peter’s and Janiculum Hill. Other fine choices include room 503, 506 and 620. Imàgo, the hotel’s 6th floor panoramic Michelin-starred restaurant also offers a commanding view over the city, along with exceptional Italian cuisine.
Katikies Santorini - Oia, Santorini, Greece
Set in an absolutely stunning location 300 feet above Santorini’s dazzling blue caldera in the picturesque village of Oia, guests enjoy incredible views from every point at Katikies Santorini. The hotel, made up of a complex of bridges, infinity pools and cubed-style cottages, is considered the crème de la crème of Santorini’s boutique hotels. White washed suites offer majestic views of the Aegean Sea, which can also be enjoyed from the open-air dining area, Jacuzzi and sun deck. The hotel’s Mikrasia restaurant offers an idyllic setting for romance as well, while Seltz Champagne Bar & Restaurant offers delectable Greek specialties, delicious sushi and fine cuvées.
Bianca Sands on Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
Bianca Sands on Grace Bay boasts a prime location right on Grace Bay, often named among the best beaches in the world, and it’s only about a minute on foot from some of the island’s top dining and shopping spots. Its oceanfront suites provide some of the world’s most incredible ocean views, with unobstructed vistas of the dazzling Caribbean waters. Kick back and enjoy colorful sunsets from large, private balconies. It’s going to be hard to tear yourself away, but you’ll be just steps from outstanding snorkeling and other water sports too.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Alberta, Canada
The legendary Fairmont Chateau is best known for its jaw-dropping setting at the edge of a pristine, glacial blue lake surrounded by snowcapped Rocky Mountain peaks. This grand 1892 resort in the heart of Banff National Park offers a number of view rooms, though its Lakeview Room offers the most breathtaking views of the lake and Victoria Glacier. In the summer, visitors can enjoy practically endless trails for hiking as well as canoeing and fishing. In the wintertime, a free shuttle is available to whisk guests away to nearby ski areas. Cross-country ski paths can be accessed just steps away from the hotel entrance, and there’s even a lakeside skating rink, complete with a hand-carved ice castle.
Blanket Bay - Glenorchy, New Zealand
Blanket Bay is a luxurious alpine lodge nestled among the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. Framed by crystalline Lake Wakatipu, it’s known as New Zealand’s finest lodge, one of the world’s very best, and the ultimate place for relaxation. Located 45 minutes from the resort town of Queenstown, guests enjoy a wealth of outdoor adventures from heli-skiing, hiking and fly-fishing to kayaking and horseback riding, as well as picturesque vineyards and wineries for sampling fine wine after a long day at play. You’ll also enjoy retreating to your room or suite with its sumptuous furnishings, each placed to take complete advantage of the amazing lake and mountain vistas.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Set upon an idyllic, otherwise uninhabited island of Kunfunadhoo in the Maldives, a stay at this dream resort means waking up to nearly every shade of blue imaginable, from the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean to the bright azure skies. Open up your shutters and breathe in the fresh, salty air, watching a little hermit crab making tiny prints in the sugary white sands. Enjoy tranquil privacy from your thatched room hidden among the lush foliage along with unsurpassed amenities offering the ultimate in rest and rejuvenation, including comfy canopy beds and elaborate garden bathrooms opening onto a rambling stone walkway and outdoor shower.
The Omnia - Zermatt, Switzerland
The Omnia is a boutique, luxury ski lodge located in the center of Zermatt. The car-free village is known for its breathtaking surroundings and is a popular base for skiing and mountaineering, including the Matterhorn which towers above the village. The property is set nearly 150 feet above the rooftops of Zermatt, providing grand views of some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet. Due to its cliff-side location, all rooms offer beautiful views, but by choosing an upper floor suite, you can enjoy gazing at the Matterhorn and taking in a panoramic view of the entire valley.
Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa Los Cabos - Los Cabos, Mexico
Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa Los Cabos is a high-end hotel that allows guests to enjoy the naturally striking beauty of Baja, California without the noise and chaos of the party crowd. It offers a peaceful reprieve with pristine grounds and spacious rooms with stunning views of the distinctive rock formation at Land’s End, located where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez meet. Seals and sea lions are frequently spotted soaking in the ever-present sunshine, and guests can also enjoy taking a refreshing dip in the infinity pools with waterfalls and grottos as well as 24-hour concierge service and private chefs.
Aman Canal Grande - Venice, Italy
The Aman Canal Grande is housed inside a regal 16-century palazzo, with reminders of Venice’s opulent heritage, built to demonstrate the wealth and artistry of the city in its heyday. It offers sumptuous interiors along with views of what is arguably the city’s most iconic feature, the Grand Canal. Many of its rooms overlook the canal, offering some of the most striking vistas in all of Venice, including its signatures rooms that include views of the water, chandeliers, authentic silk wall covers and painted ceiling frescos.
Post Ranch Inn - Big Sur, California
Post Ranch Inn is an adult’s only hotel nestled on the cliffs of Big Sur in Central California, high up on a ridge overlooking the Pacific. By booking a Pacific Suite, no matter where you are in the room, you’ll be exposed to the ocean, but unseen by other guests. Even the lavish, tiled bath large enough for two offers a commanding vista, while the floor-to-ceiling windows can be opened to let in a gentle breeze and the pleasant scent of the salty sea air. Other perks include binoculars, an outdoor stainless steel hot tub, heated floors and mini bar with complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
Plaza Athenee - Paris, France
Plaza Athenee is a five-star property located on prestigious Avenue Montaigne, home of Parisian Haute Couture. It’s just steps away from the River Seine and the Eiffel Tower, with its Classic Eiffel Suites typical of 19th-century Paris offering breathtaking views of the city’s most iconic landmark. Suite 750 is a duplex apartment with a terrace that provides unrivalled views of the City of Lights, including the majestic Iron Lady. The hotel has multiple restaurants and a bar, each with a different atmosphere, along with its Dior Institute, offering an extensive selection of body treatments and facials.
Corinthia Hotel - London, England
Located on the doorstep of London’s top attractions, including the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Leicester Square, the Corinthia Hotel provides unrivaled luxury along with the largest room sizes in London. Guests enjoy sweeping views of the city with its stylish rooms housed inside a magnificent Victorian building including original, restored Victorian columns and tall windows letting in an abundance of natural light. The selection of penthouse suites offer personal butlers as well as some of the best views in the city from rooftop terraces, including the London Eye and the River Thames.
Enchantment Resort - Sedona, Arizona
All rooms and suites at Enchantment Resort offer spectacular views of Sedona’s red rock country. Made of adobe casitas in the Boynton Canyon, it blends into the fiery red rock cliffs, with views from its Southwest-style rooms and suites featuring interiors that are inspired by the surrounding terrain, looking out onto undulating canyon walls and green cottonwood trees. The property’s Native American program pays tribute to the canyon’s original inhabitants and allows guests to explore the scenic hiking trails and ancient ruins in the region. You’ll also find a number of pools, tennis courts and a massive destination spa, Mii Amo.
Ambassade Hotel - Amsterdam, Netherlands
No two rooms are the same at Ambassade Hotel, a boutique hotel made up of 10 17th-century canal houses on the aristocratic Herengracht in the heart of Amsterdam. Its unique location offers peace and quiet, yet it’s within walking distance to many of the city’s popular attractions, including museums and restaurants. To enjoy one of the best views on the planet, choose a room that overlooks the famous canals which span more than 62 miles.
Explora - Patagonia, Chile
This magnificent lodge is located in the heart of Chile’s extraordinary Torres del Paine National Park on the banks of the Salto Chico waterfall, providing impeccable views of untouched landscapes, including the Paine Massif mountain range. Guests can enjoy a day of hiking or horseback riding and then return to soak their cares away in an open-air Jacuzzi with stunning vistas of Lago Pehoe and Macizo del Paine. All rooms offer amazing views, but for the very best, ask to face the Cordillera Paine Room or Exploradores Suite where you can enjoy gazing at the lake, towers and snow-covered peaks.
Le Sirenuse - Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Once a private summer home, Le Sirenuse is a small, elegant hotel. It is an ideal spot for enjoying everything that Italy’s Amalfi Coast and the picturesque resort town of Positano, known as the pearl of the coast, has to offer. Most rooms overlook the bay of Positano and also have a private terrace or balcony. During the day, views of the Mediterranean are absolutely mesmerizing. After dark, with all the other villas lit up, you’ll also enjoy enchanting views of the hillsides.
Fogo Island Inn - Fogo Island, Newfoundland
Sometimes referred to as the hotel at the end of the earth, Fogo Island Inn, set on the windswept coast of a small island off northeastern Newfoundland, is an all-inclusive resort with expansive ocean views from every room. Cuddle up next to the wood-stove fireplace, set against the dramatic background of the waves crashing into the rocky coastline, just beyond the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Watch for passing whales and blue-hued icebergs with the in-room binoculars or soak in the massive tub without having to miss a beat. There is plenty to do outside your room too, including indulging in the rooftop sauna and browsing the on-site art gallery.
Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary Lodge & Spa - Dakhla Oasis, Egypt
Al Tarfa Desert Sanctuary Lodge & Spa is a remote, luxury lodge deep in an uncharted corner of the Sahara. It’s set within a date-palm-filled oasis in a barren landscape across the shifting sands of the Western Desert. All of its beautiful suites and rooms are situated to allow for magical views, with Dar Award, the farthest from reception, providing the most exceptional views of the austere white plateau, which is transformed into a pink hue at sunset, along with a plunge pool. Each offers a Provence meets “Out of Africa” vibe with open fireplaces, comfy armchairs and wrought-iron canopied beds. At the end of a day of camel trekking or temple viewing, you can enjoy a gin and tonic that seems to magically appear on a silver tray, as well as a dinner served under the stars.
Grecotel Mykonos Blu - Mykonos, Greece
The five-star Mykonos Blu sits atop a bluff with its own private stretch of sand at the edge of the sparkling Aegean Sea. Securing a Waterfront Bungalow offers guests dramatic sea views of the infinite blue horizon from a romantic bed, draped in filmy voile, along with a stucco ceiling with cloud effects, extending the Cycladic sky indoors. Décor reflects the azure and aquamarine shades of the sea, set off by a brilliant, crisp white, that’s the hallmark of traditional Cycladic architecture.
Siwandu Camp, Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
The Selous Game Reserve, twice the size of the nation of Belgium and home to half of Tanzania’s elephant population, is where you’ll find Siwandu Camp. Offering an intimate, uninterrupted bush experience Selous has over 2,100 species of plants, in excess of 400 varieties of birds, more than half of Tanzania’s elephant population and over 120,000 buffaloes. The spacious octagonal tents enable guests to gaze upon the animals and observe them while reclining on the king-sized bed or from the open-air stargazer. The elevated lounge and dining area offers panoramic views across the lake.
