Ten hotels with jaw-dropping views

A room with a view…no, not the romance novel by E.M. Forster, but high up on many a traveler’s list when choosing a hotel. Whether you prefer waking up to a skyscraper or an azure ocean, these ten hotels have some of the best views around.

Glitz and glamor at Hong Kong’s finest

See the Hong Kong skyline from the floor-to-ceiling windows at this hotel. “Occupying arguably the finest waterfront position in the territory, the InterContinental tilts at modernity while bowing to colonial traditions” (Lonely Planet).

Take in the beauty of Central Park without leaving your bed

Gaze towards Central Park from one of New York City’s best hotels. “The luxurious rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to make the most of the spectacular views” (Time Out).

Oh hello, Sydney Opera House

No hotel offers better view of the Sydney harbor: “You’ll be able to spot this superbly-located high-rise hotel from many vantages. Inside, the higher the floor number, the better the view.” DK Eyewitness

Channel your inner SJP

Sex and the City fans, you may remember this hotel as the setting for Carrie’s big move to Paris. Wake up to the sight of the Eiffel Tower majestically in the foreground while you savor a croissant and cappuccino on your private balcony. Constructed at the height of Art Nouveau in the early 1900s, the Plaza Athénée “may be a classic but it is no museum” (Table)t. It’ll cost you a pretty penny (make that $1,200+ a night), but that view? Priceless.

Luxury meets Berlin’s most iconic monument

Berlin’s symbol of unity and peace is your personal view. “Berlin’s most storied sleep right by the Brandenburg Gate, with Michelin-starred dining, yoga and an indoor pool” (Jetsetter).

Toast to the Hagia Sophia from the rooftop bar

“A regular entry in ‘Best Hotel in the World’ lists, this place oozes quality and comfort,” says Lonely Planet. OMG views of the Hagia Sophia don’t hurt, either.

Amalfi Coast…Mafioso

Teetering high above the Amalfi Coast, Frommer’s says “this striking red-and-white 18th-century villa with terraces overlooking the bay is a picturesque sight.”

Beat the crowds to Taj Mahal from your bed

Less than a half mile from the Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas is not only the top hotel in Agra, but one of the most luxurious in India. Fodor’s says “one of India’s best resorts emulates the opulent lifestyle of the Mughal emperors—complete with your own butler.” Five star service coupled with 360 degree views of the Taj make for one unforgettable experience.

Rugged mountain meets ocean views

Of this drop-dead gorgeous resort on Chapman’s Peak Drive, DK Eyewitness says “sandwiched between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, this secluded five-star retreat has uninterrupted views of the pristine coastline.”

Luscious views in St. Lucia

Perched 1,100 feet above the sea, Ladera Resort in St. Lucia is not for everyone. But if you’re hoping for jaw dropping views of the Pitons, this 5-star resort will just about do it. “Anticipate “the experience of a lifetime” at this eco lodge built with Caribbean timber, local stone, and terracotta tiles on the site of a former cocoa plantation” says Conde Nast Traveler. It’s also the only resort in St. Lucia located on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.