Travel

11 Hotel Rooms with Unreal Views

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Courtesy The St. Regis

When you’re on vacation, you should be reminded of it every second, starting with the moment you wake up and gaze out the window. Maybe tropical turquoise waters are your siren. Or, perhaps it's rugged mountain peaks calling you to conquer them or a buzzing downtown you’ve been meaning to tick off your travel list. Regardless, you’ve worked way too hard and traveled far too many miles to be sequestered to a standard hotel room overlooking a drab parking lot. Not only will these hotel rooms spoil you with spectacular panoramic views, but they also feature top-notch amenities so your time spent indoors or poolside is more than justified. As is maybe telling your boss your flight got cancelled so you can spend one more day in paradise.

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Courtesy Burj Al Arab Jumeirah 1 / 11

Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai

Built to look like the sails of a ship, this opulent hotel’s suites show off the Arabian Gulf with windows that stretch from floor to ceiling. You might recognize the hotel setting as its helipad has famously staged a fair share of sporting stunts: Andre Agassi and Roger Federer have played tennis on it, Rory McIlroy performed a bunker shot from it, and Tiger Woods has teed off atop of it. Of course Dubai is known for its grandiose nightclubs that would make Vegas look like Chuck E. Cheese's. But, turn your attention to an itinerary that’s more your style: Go windsurfing or kneeboarding in the gulf’s warm waters one day. The next, take to the sand dunes, strap a board to your feet, and try sandboarding, which is the desert’s smooth match for snowboarding.

Book this room: Gold-plated iPads come standard and chauffeurs will shuttle you from the airport to the hotel in Rolls Royces. The Royal Suite features a revolving bed so you can get a 360-degree view of the azure blue waters before you even lift your head from the pillow. (OK, make that the 14 pillows. Really. There’s a pillow menu.)

Courtesy of Morten Anderson - Aqua-Aston Hospitality & Portillo - 2 / 11

Volcano House Hotel in Hawaii

Sure, there are plenty of spectacular hotels in Hawaii with the Aloha state’s oceanfront resorts and signature palm trees swaying gently over lush landscapes. But falling asleep with the midnight glow of lava trumps mai tais, leis, and luaus. Take in the beauty of the backcountry and nestle up next to nature at the Volcano House, one of the most authentic ways to lodge in Hawaii. The historic hotel is the only hotel option in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Guests fall asleep with the fiery glow of magna bubbling from the Kilauea volcano, a lava lake inside the crater. By day, explore the park and go for a one-of-a-kind trail run along the jagged lava rocks that make up the Kilauea Iki Trail, a four-mile loop. You can also get guide books from an on-premise library and the property offers free bike rentals.

Book this room: Yes, the hotel keeps televisions out of its room to encourage guests to enjoy the park's natural beauty. No, we don't mind. The Crater View rooms overlook the Kilauea caldera, with most offering an epic light show put on by the volcanic plume and glow. Also outside your window are endemic ohia trees, with blossoming lehua flowers. The trees might partially obscure the views of the caldera from some rooms but, as part of the park’s natural ecosystem, are there to stay.

Courtesy Hotel Kazbegi 3 / 11

Rooms Hotel Kazbegi in Stepantsminda, Georgia

For a destination mostly unfamiliar to tourists, head to Stepantsminda, Georgia, a hedonistic playground with mountains to hike and hidden waterfalls to stumble upon. Check into Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, a handsome hotel outfitted with exposed brick, leather sofas, and wood-planked floors. The property's thoughtful extras like plenty of books to thumb through don't hurt its charm. Climbers, claw your way up Mount Kazbek, a dormant volcano. Or for a more leisurely agenda, book a paragliding tour or kayak in the Tergi River.

Book this room: The mountains are entrancing, so when you're not playing in them, gaze at them. The best way to do so is by booking the Executive Double Back View room, which has a window framing the peaks and a balcony. Enjoy the hotel's amenities, including a huge terrace next to the mountains and a roaring fireplace as you feel tucked away in your very own cinematic masterpiece, thanks to the fog rolling over northern Georgia's Caucasus Mountains, which bathes the countryside in an enchanted aura.

Courtesy Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort 4 / 11

Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Go ahead, pinch yourself because perched atop a dramatic bluff on St. Thomas, this resort and its infinity pools almost seem unreal. The island is a destination worthy of every angler’s bucket list. St. Thomas’ waters offer tremendous offshore fishing experiences and have righteously earned the esteemed moniker “blue marlin capital.” Head to the island and fish for blue marlins, as well as mahi, tuna, mackerel, barracuda, and other large game fish. Don’t miss your tee time at Mahogany Run Golf Course, where Devil’s Triangle, a three-hole stretch on the coastal course is one hell of a challenge (the 14th hole will bring you 200 feet above a rocky inlet of the Atlantic Ocean). For a nightcap adventure, go kayaking in a clear-bottom boat with LED lights and spot marine life swimming beneath you.

Book this room: When you’re booking your escape, the hotel’s online “Choose Your View” feature will help you plan with maps of various rooms. Some prime real estate, though: The Morning Star Beach Club with villas right on the beach, with sunsets so stunning you'll want to plan your evening activities around them.

Courtesy W Resort Puerto Rico 5 / 11

W Resort Puerto Rico on Vieques Island, Puerto Rico

No passport required, but you’ll feel a world away at this island resort. Tranquil waves of the Atlantic will lull you to sleep after a day of exploration, whether that’s a 35-mile mountain bike trek around the island or kayaking (you can get both bikes and kayaks at the resort) through the still waters of the Caribbean. But what really sets this hotel’s views apart from other dreamy island vacations are the bands of Paso Fino horses that freely roam the island. The friendly horses are definitely not shy of hotel guests, either. You’ll catch glimpses of them wandering past your windows as the island’s coqui frogs orchestrate a chorus in the background.

Book this room: Get a front-row view of sunrises in one of the Wow Oceanfront Retreats, which is perched on the beach’s white sands. From there, you’re just steps away from the water. Test your gaming skills on the giant Connect 4 set that’s on the lawn while honing your strategy and clutching a cocktail.

Courtesy Las Ventanas al Paraiso 6 / 11

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort in Los Cabos, Mexico

Soak up every last bit of summer at the Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a luxe hotel with seemingly endless ocean views, a tequila and ceviche bar, and great nearby surf spots (unparalleled in late summer and early fall, when the crowds dwindle, but the swells don’t). Or, make a visit to Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses like Palmilla and Cabo del Sol. Consider your lunch plans covered: The hotel offers in-water tables at the swim-up bar, where you can order meals made with fresh herbs from the resort’s on-site garden.

Book this room: Gather up your friends. And your friends’ friends. Because at $35,000 per night, you might want to “go in” on this room together. The Ty Warner Mansion is a beachfront mansion that gets you as close as possible to the Sea of Cortez, framed by large glass doors. The rooftop terrace includes a glass-bottom lap pool, putting green, massive pool table, and whirlpool spa. Of course, the dozen Signature Beach Villas aren’t shabby either and present you with plenty of alluring scenery to take in.

Courtesy Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in Rome 7 / 11

Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in Rome, Italy

Whether you’re a history buff or a lover of architecture, traveling to Rome to visit the Colosseum, Pantheon, and famed piazzas is a must-do pilgrimage. Round out your trip with an equally impressive stay at the Waldorf Astoria that’s set high above Rome and is close to the city’s great monuments. The views from the resort are worthy of the gods: It’s enclosed in 15 acres of lush Mediterranean parkland, and you get a high-up view of the Eternal City. But it’s also got a badass edge: Hotel guests can learn ancient combat techniques, taught by instructors from Rome's Gladiatorial School. The course is set in a private park, and, yes, you get gladiator attire, including a tunic, Roman sandals, and a wooden training sword.

Book this room: The penthouse suite is the hotel’s crown jewel. It includes a private roof garden with a Jacuzzi that overlooks St. Peter’s Basilica, along with access to a private wine bar. Plus, guests in the suite will be treated to high-powered binoculars to get close-up views of Ancient Rome from their room.

Courtesy Hotel Portillo 8 / 11

Hotel Portillo in Chile

Add skiing or snowboarding to your summer (or fall) adventure checklist and do it in epic fashion by booking a room at Hotel Portillo in Chile, where the ski season runs June to October. From the hotel, you can set your sights on the Andes, the world’s second largest mountain chain. For the bonus round, you’ll get to see a sprawling lake, Laguna Del Inca, that offers breathtaking views of its own. Unlike American ski towns, Chile’s famed mountain chain doesn’t have resort towns. The closest thing you’ll find is Hotel Portillo, where only guests (and it’s capped at 450) get VIP access to the pastoral peaks. That means no time waiting in lift lines, and more time gliding down virgin snow in what feels like your own private resort.

Book this room: The double rooms on the hotel’s sixth floor have stunning views of Laguna del Inca and come with balconies to make you feel even more immersed in the scenery. Hotel Portillo is one-of-a-kind, with a 1:1 guest-to-employee ratio. Order a Pisco Sour (a Chilean cocktail made with white Brandy) from the hotel bar and watch the Ski School perform a torchlight parade down the Plateau Run on Friday nights.

Courtesy the Art 9 / 11

the Art, a hotel, in Denver, Colorado

Denver’s skyline and snow-capped Rocky Mountains stretching across the West are picturesque, and rooms at this relatively new hotel pay homage to both cityscape and mountainous views. But, when it comes to amazing views, this hotel scores extra credit because it doubles as an art gallery, surprising the eye from the moment you pull into the porte-cochère where 22,000 white LED nodes coordinate an ever-changing light display. Before you hit the slopes (the EPIC pass just got much better), spend a day in Denver doing a beer crawl and taking in some of the city’s culture. Note: It’s OK to hit every button in the hotel’s elevator because 40 major art installations — including main pieces outside of the elevator on each guest floors — decorate the hotel. That’s in addition to the 200-some lithographs and prints in the guest rooms. One of the best ways to take in the views is as the sun sets, preferably stationed next to the outdoor fire pits and accompanied by a cocktail from the hotel’s FIRE lounge.

Book this room: Amenities in this hotel will delight your kids, or your own inner child — yup, there’s a candy bar and coloring books suited for grown-ups. When booking a night here, you’ve got several rooms-with-a-view options. But in true Colorado style, check out the Mountain View Suite, which overlooks the Rocky Mountains to the west (you'll also get to soak in sweeping views of the city).

Courtesy St. Regis Bora Bora 10 / 11

St. Regis Bora Bora

Two words (or, okay, one word, twice): Bora Bora. Enjoy some R&R in the French Polynesia island by booking one of the iconic bungalows perched on paradise’s turquoise lagoon waters. The signature bungalows feature pandanus-leaf thatched roofs and glass-bottom panels on the floors so you can spot the tropical fish inhabiting the waters beneath you. From your floating villa, you’ll soak up 360-degree views of the intensely blue waters. The St. Regis’ bungalows are on the secluded northeastern side of the lagoon, and the hotel group offers some of the largest and most luxe villas in the area. The shallow, clear waters are ideal for snorkeling and spotting schools of tropical fish. Or, you can explore via a rented jet ski or zen out and do your morning stretching or yoga routine on a paddleboard in the middle of the serene waters.

Book this room: To do this right, book the Royal Estate, where you’ll be surrounded by coral walls and your room will open to a private beach that overlooks the sparkling Bora Bora lagoon. A private chef is also available, or you can head to the famed Bloody Mary’s restaurant to order daily catch from local fishermen, cooked to order. When you're ready to unwind, you’ve got plenty of watering holes to choose from at your island accommodations, including sunken bathtubs, rainshowers, and a whirlpool. The room also comes with a sauna, steam room, and private gazebo.

Courtesy The William Vale 11 / 11

The William Vale in Brooklyn, New York

Book an urban getaway to New York City and check into The William Vale, a newly opened hotel where each room comes with a private balcony so you can get panoramic views of Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline. Local artists’ pieces are prominently displayed throughout the hotel, and, at 60 feet, the hotel claims that its pool is the longest hotel pool in New York City. Stick around for dinner: Restaurateur Andrew Carmellini, a two-time James Beard winner, oversees he hotel’s main restaurant, Leuca, featuring Southern Italian fare with a focus on coastal cuisine and wood-fire cooking.

Book this Room: Take in the city’s views from a fully furnished patio and open-air Jacuzzi in the hotel’s most prized suite, the Vale Garden. The expansive living room includes a built-in bar that comes fully stocked with top-shelf drinks and spirits if you need a break from swimming and chilling at the pool's surrounding Vale Terrace — a pristine landscaped area with 5,000 square feet of open space.

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