There are many reasons to pay “over the top” for a hotel. Some pay for the service, some for the brand name associated with it, some for the dining options at hand, while others to be a part of history in iconic hotels. But there are a select few who are willing to shell out for sweeping 360-degree panoramic views that can only be bought with the best money can buy. And in a city, that can mean towering over the hustle and bustle as if you were an albatross merely observing from high above, or serenely from far away.
Most of these cities have several other contenders for the title of the best view, but the hotels below have made their unobstructed and awe inspiring view their very selling point. Strategically placed, either in the heart of the city or from a distance offering a sweeping vantage point, these hotels pride themselves in making sure you wake up every morning with a sight to remember.
It is said that a picture paints a thousand words, so instead of describing in detail the views from the city, perhaps the photos can do the talking.
The Ritz Carlton, Hong KongShangri-La Hotel, ParisThe Standard, East Village, New YorkBanyan Tree, BangkokMandarin Oriental, TokyoFour Seasons, Mumbai
Have we made any glaring omissions? Which hotel in which city is your favourite to enjoy the city buzz from? Tell us in the comments below!
Chinmoy Lad is the CEO and Founder of The Suite Life.If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Chinmoy Lad is a luxury travel consultant, helping clients plan their special getaways. Enjoy exclusive Virtuoso benefits and special amenities at the world’s best hotels and resorts. www.thesuitelife.com.hk
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18 Comments
Mumbai s a dump, you look down on Sqalar and filth. Disgusting view, should e ashamed to ave included this.
Always a huge fan of the Quay facing views from the Swissotel the Stamford in Singapore. But have to admit, the views from the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong blew it away.
Thanks for your feedback Brett – yes, the Swissotel in Singapore is superb. In fact, there are quite a few contenders in Singapore, including Marina Bay Sands as well as the older Mandarin Oriental.
Thanks for your feedback Marti. Four Seasons is located in Worli, which is one of Mumbai’s higher-end districts. Due to the income disparity, slums are never far away. However, the hotel’s height and its position allow for an interesting sweeping view with the sea in the distance. The view is certainly unique…
The Park Hyatt in Tokyo has magnificent views over the city! The view from the bar is unmatched in Tokyo.
I would add the Sydney Park Hyatt. The view of the Bridge and the Opera House are incredible!
Hi Chinmoy – great post, enjoyed it very much. We’d like to incude the view from the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. The perspective of the water and the mainland of Hong Kong with the mountains in the distance and the glittering, pulsating lights of all those buildings is unforgettable! Plus, we’re on our way to Malaysia tonight, so we think we’ll be writing you to add the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur with it’s view of the Petronas Towers! Hope you’ll come to visit my unique & luxury travel blog, would love you to leave me a comment some time!
Shangri-la, Shanghai??
Roof top view from Four Seasons, Istanbul is pretty spectacular of the Pink & Blue Mosques and Bosphorus
Agree with Park Hyatt, Sydney and Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Personally, I can see concrete any day in the city. I would much rather have a view like that from the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, AB (Canada). It’s right at Banff National Park, and it’s a view of lake, forest, mountains…
Looking out at Table Mountain – one of the world’s new seven natural wonders and turning around, looking at Table Bay, and the mountains across. Cape Town should never be left out of these types of lists.
The Banyan Tree’s Vertigo Restaurant on the roof has a great view, great food and the waiters’ hospitality is amazing.
We liked our view of the Petronas Towers from Trader’s in Kuala Lumpur.
I would add the King David Hotel in Jerusalem . The views of the walls, minarets and domes of the Old City of Jerusalem.
We are posting some Million Dollar Views on our website right now as we have been experiencing Phang Nga Bay (home of the famous amazing limestone karsts towering up out of the turquoise waters) that were featured in “The Man with the Golden Gun” James Bond film, and are now in Bali, home to the expansive rice terraces and river gorges. Hope you will come to visit, and we will share our top views with you guys when we return home :( next week…
When it comes time to post your “Billion Dollar Hotel Views, you should include, at the top of your list, the view from the top of the Hotel Fasano in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The word “stunning” is an understatement here…
These really are some beautiful views! Colorado has some great views as well. Maybe something from the Stanley hotel?
Good to see Hong Kong included in this list – it’s often overlooked, but I have to say the Upper House, W Hotel and ICC top floor bar (the highest bar in the world from ground level) are my top 3. Jonny
Great list! the Banyan Tree Bangkok looks almost like a cruise ship. I do have to add to the list the iconic Hyatt Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi , where all rooms have floor to ceiling windows.
Just so you know, my roommate works at the Standard hotel, and it’s actually in the West Village, or more specifically, the Meatpacking district. The views ARE spectacular, though.
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Shangri-La Hotel, Paris
Shangri-La Hotel, Paris
The Standard, East Village, New York
Banyan Tree, Bangkok
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Four Seasons, Mumbai
Have we made any glaring omissions? Which hotel in which city is your favourite to enjoy the city buzz from? Tell us in the comments below!
Chinmoy Lad is the CEO and Founder of The Suite Life.
If you would like to be a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, please contact us.
Mumbai s a dump, you look down on Sqalar and filth. Disgusting view, should e ashamed to ave included this.
Always a huge fan of the Quay facing views from the Swissotel the Stamford in Singapore. But have to admit, the views from the Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong blew it away.
Thanks for your feedback Brett – yes, the Swissotel in Singapore is superb. In fact, there are quite a few contenders in Singapore, including Marina Bay Sands as well as the older Mandarin Oriental.
Thanks for your feedback Marti. Four Seasons is located in Worli, which is one of Mumbai’s higher-end districts. Due to the income disparity, slums are never far away. However, the hotel’s height and its position allow for an interesting sweeping view with the sea in the distance. The view is certainly unique…
The Park Hyatt in Tokyo has magnificent views over the city! The view from the bar is unmatched in Tokyo.
I would add the Sydney Park Hyatt. The view of the Bridge and the Opera House are incredible!
Hi Chinmoy – great post, enjoyed it very much. We’d like to incude the view from the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. The perspective of the water and the mainland of Hong Kong with the mountains in the distance and the glittering, pulsating lights of all those buildings is unforgettable! Plus, we’re on our way to Malaysia tonight, so we think we’ll be writing you to add the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur with it’s view of the Petronas Towers! Hope you’ll come to visit my unique & luxury travel blog, would love you to leave me a comment some time!
Shangri-la, Shanghai??
Roof top view from Four Seasons, Istanbul is pretty spectacular of the Pink & Blue Mosques and Bosphorus
Agree with Park Hyatt, Sydney and Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Personally, I can see concrete any day in the city. I would much rather have a view like that from the Rimrock Resort Hotel in Banff, AB (Canada). It’s right at Banff National Park, and it’s a view of lake, forest, mountains…
Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town V&A Waterfront.
https://capegrace.co.za/#/en/Gallery/CapeGraceExterior
Looking out at Table Mountain – one of the world’s new seven natural wonders and turning around, looking at Table Bay, and the mountains across. Cape Town should never be left out of these types of lists.
The Banyan Tree’s Vertigo Restaurant on the roof has a great view, great food and the waiters’ hospitality is amazing.
We liked our view of the Petronas Towers from Trader’s in Kuala Lumpur.
I would add the King David Hotel in Jerusalem . The views of the walls, minarets and domes of the Old City of Jerusalem.
We are posting some Million Dollar Views on our website right now as we have been experiencing Phang Nga Bay (home of the famous amazing limestone karsts towering up out of the turquoise waters) that were featured in “The Man with the Golden Gun” James Bond film, and are now in Bali, home to the expansive rice terraces and river gorges. Hope you will come to visit, and we will share our top views with you guys when we return home :( next week…
When it comes time to post your “Billion Dollar Hotel Views, you should include, at the top of your list, the view from the top of the Hotel Fasano in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The word “stunning” is an understatement here…
These really are some beautiful views! Colorado has some great views as well. Maybe something from the Stanley hotel?
Good to see Hong Kong included in this list – it’s often overlooked, but I have to say the Upper House, W Hotel and ICC top floor bar (the highest bar in the world from ground level) are my top 3. Jonny
Great list! the Banyan Tree Bangkok looks almost like a cruise ship. I do have to add to the list the iconic Hyatt Capital Gate in Abu Dhabi , where all rooms have floor to ceiling windows.
Just so you know, my roommate works at the Standard hotel, and it’s actually in the West Village, or more specifically, the Meatpacking district. The views ARE spectacular, though.