Rooms with a view: our top 6 scenic hotels around the world
With more and more luxury hotels opening their doors all around the world, alongside existing hotels continually upping their game and guests becoming ever-more discerning, the bar is set ever higher all the time, from accommodation to cuisine, and from spa facilities to unique activities. But whether all those boxes are ticked or not, often it is the views that make a hotel unique and memorable, whether it’s a perfect ocean vista, a view over a blissfully secluded beach, or a panorama of lush tropical rainforest or snow-capped mountain peaks. From Greece to Australia, we pick our top rooms with a view across the globe.
Myconian Avaton, Greece
For a quintessential slice of Greece, the Myconian hotels on Mykonos have it covered in style. Stay at the gorgeous Myconian Avaton, which is perched above the popular Elia Beach, and has spacious and luxurious suites and villas with expansive terraces overlooking the Aegean, where you can enjoy the views from your private Jacuzzi or pool. You need never leave your terrace, but if you can drag yourself away, you can also enjoy gourmet Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails by the infinity pool – one of the largest and most impressive pools on Mykonos.
Morgan’s Rock, Nicaragua
After a refreshing swim, a surf or some beachfront relaxation (unwind in a hammock with a drink from the beach bar), head up the private lamp-lit steps to your private villa nestled in the cliff to wake up to THIS view over the beach. The rather lovely Morgan’s Rock sits just up the coast from the surfing community of San Juan del Sur on Nicaragua’s beautiful Pacific coastline, and the luxury eco-chic villas have optimum positions to make the most of this stunning setting. Sit on your secluded terrace with a glass of local volcanic Flor de Cana rum, looking out over the beach, the ocean and the lush greenery.
Kasbah Bab Ourika, Morocco
Kasbah Bab Ourika has a spectacular setting in the Ourika Valley in the heart of the Atlas Mountains, where you can take in the panoramic mountain vistas alongside a slice of local Berber village life – all just half an hour from Marrakech airport. The rooms and suites are full of local character, with natural earth colours and carved-wood furnishings, while private terraces look out over the olive groves, fields of orange and lemon trees, the river and the snow-capped mountains beyond. Take in the sunset with a cocktail and do some stargazing in the vast starry night skies.
Amanoi, Vietnam
The Aman hotels have set the bar worldwide for sheer wow factor in the most postcard-perfect of locations – and the Amanoi in Vietnam is certainly no exception. Set in lush rainforest where the jagged mountains and rugged coastline of Nui Chua National Park meet the sweeping ivory sands of Vinh Hy Bay, its open-plan pavilions make the most of the panoramic views. Some have their own private infinity pool, while the villas come with their own living and dining areas, as well as your own personal chef and housekeeper for the ultimate luxury holiday.
Nita Lake Lodge, Canada
Canada is known for its natural wonderland of mountains, lakes and forests, and you can enjoy the exceptional scenery at its best at Nita Lake Lodge, which sits right on the shores of a glassy glacier-fed lake, framed by mountain peaks and dense forest. The Rainforest Suite adds an extra touch of luxury and romance, with its own elevator entrance, a plush four-poster bed, and supreme views. There are plenty of ways to explore the great outdoors on the doorstep, with complimentary kayaks, bikes and paddleboards on offer.
Sal Salis, Australia
The tents at exclusive safari camp Sal Salis sit in pristine white-sand dunes on a secluded stretch of beach in Cape Range National Park in Western Australia, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, with the colourful corals of Ningaloo Reef just metres offshore. The tents are raised on timber platforms so the coastal breezes naturally cool the rooms and the beach and sea views are maximised. After snorkelling on the reef and swimming with whale sharks, enjoy classic bush tucker by the sea as kangaroos and wallabies hop past.
Thomas Ryves is Marketing Director at Exsus Travel. Exsus Travel specialises in creating the very best luxury tailor-made holidays, honeymoons and family adventures in over 80 destinations worldwide.
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Quiz question: What have all of these rooms got in common?
They all have a view overlooking water.
It’s amazing how we pay extra for a sea view. There’s something in the human psyche that flicks a switch whenever we see some water that makes us want to sit and watch it. It’s not just the motion of the waves. People will sit and watch a still lake for days on end too.
Next quiz question what is the view referred to in E. M. Forster’s classic novel “ A Room With A View ?”
Yet again, the view being discussed is across water, across the River Arno.
Long ago, accidentally I stayed in that hotel in Florence. Only when I was there did I realise that it was THE hotel. Sadly, I didn’t get a room with a view unless you count overlooking a kitchen where a family ate vast amounts of spaghetti with dad, the patriarch, presiding in a less than fashionable off white vest.
Yes, there’s definitely something about water and waking up to a view overlooking the water – and Florence is such a classically beautiful place (sorry you missed out on a river view though Elizabeth!)
I know that it is wrong to have favourites but out of these I think I would go for the Kasbah Bab Ourika and probably for all the wrong reasons too. I just love what Moroccans do with colours and textiles. For me Morocco is one of the great natural design centres of the world. Oh and that view is not bad either.
We agree Maggie, Morocco’s vivid colours and designs are really inspiring, not to mention the views!
I have never been to Vietnam. It’s a destination that is now very close to topping my “Must visit” list. Nor have I ever enjoyed the indulgent luxury of my own private infinity pool. So the hotel on the sands of Vinh Hy Bay is the one that appeals to me the most. But of course everybody has their own tastes and different priorities. Just as well they do otherwise I wouldn’t get a room and certainly not one with its own infinity pool.
Hi Ben,
Vietnam should definitely be on your ‘must visit’ list! And it’s also definitely worth upgrading for the sheer luxury of your own private pool…But the beautiful rainforests and beaches are complimentary!
Yes, we all want a room with a view and yes, that view often includes water. Even better if that water just happens to be your own private infinity pool.
What else should be in that room? Perhaps that ought to make for a follow-up sequel piece one day. I have got to admit to being English so tea-maning facilities are essential. It is nice to have a coffee maker but please, small expresso cups are useless for tea. Also one English Breakfast Teabag and 15 camomile, rosehip and ginseng teabags isn’t really the right mix. So finally milk. If you provide creamer no one with a taste bud is going to drink the tea. Those little tubes of milk are OKish. If you’ve got a fridge most people would rather have a small bottle of milk in there than a choice of four whiskies.
Sorry, bit of a rant. What’s the use of a great view if you can’t have s decent cup of tea with it?
That opens up a whole can of worms. What do we expect from a really good hotel room? I suppose that it is going to vary from person to person. One thing I like with well designed hotels is a separate dressing area with plenty of cupboard and wardrobe space plus adequate room for shoes too.
Maybe one day we can have a follow-up feature on what makes for a good hotel room. Though I dispose the extra relaxing space you get with a Suite is going to be up there. Maybe then it should be a feature on Suites.
Hi Lydia and Claire,
Yes, everyone has different ideas on what makes a perfect hotel room, whether that’s a proper cup of tea or a decent space for your luggage – but when it comes to mini-bars we’ve certainly seen some pretty special mini-bars in our time, including those that feature gourmet local snacks and drinks – at Morgan’s Rock, for example, you can sample the country’s famous (and delicious) rum, Flor de Cana.
Having a nice view when you look outside your hotel room adds a relaxing vibe that would complete your hotel experience especially after a tiring day from walking around the area. Whenever I go on a vacation, I always make sure that I am close to nature because for someone who lives in a city, I do not get to experience that everyday. Among these six hotels, I surely love to stay for a day or two at Amanoi, Vietnam. Everything seems to be perfect especially the view from the infinity pool.
Hi Stacy,
Having an amazing view from your bedroom certainly adds to the hotel experience – and Amanoi is a good choice – it’s definitely one of our top picks!
Hey! one of the largest and most impressive pools on Mykonos.
Hi Abiha, it sure is!