These Stunning Hotels Offer the Most Jaw-dropping Views in the World

Greece is back in a big way, and there’s no better place to celebrate that fact than at the Grace Hotel in Santorini. The whitewashed hotel overlooks the black and red sand beaches along the island’s coast. The views are so beautiful from the hotel that, according to the Grace, Euphemus, son of Poseidon, created the island following a dream where he made love to a nymph. Experience that dream-like state for yourself by booking a room overlooking the hotel’s infinity pool that itself overlooks the Caldera.

This a room with an ever-changing view. Ecoventura, a luxury small yachting company in The Galápagos, takes a maximum of 20 guests around the islands for week-long adventures at a time. No matter which of the 10 identical rooms onboard you book, you’re in for a treat. Every day, you’ll wake up at eye-level with the ocean so you can take in all the sea life, islands, and sunrises in different corners of the gorgeous paradise. But, if you can, wake up for sunrise and head to the boat’s top deck to get a 360-degree view of The Galápagos coming to life in the morning.

There’s really one main reason to head to Paris. And that is, to see the Eiffel Tower. Luckily for guests of the Hotel Duquesne Eiffel, they don’t even need to leave their room to get it. Located midway between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides, each room comes with a unique view of the city. But, some of the rooms come with a direct eyeline to the tower, making for both romantic mornings and even more romantic nights. Watch the tower’s lights glow by booking the Premium room.

The Four Seasons Hotel New York, an American Express Fine Hotel & Resort property, is another truly lucky hotel because it’s located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, a place where you couldn’t find a bad view if you tried. The modern Art Deco hotel is located mere steps from Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping, and some of the best dining the city has to offer. And, out of each and every window, guests can see the grandeur that is old New York. Take in the best cityscape by booking the Midtown Junior Suite, which comes with both city and park views.

If natural views are more your thing try heading to Zambia. The under-the-radar safari destination is home to some of the best views on Earth. For the ultimate emersion into the environment, book a trip with the Bushcamp Company. With the company, guests can stay a few nights at one or many of its bushcamps located in the South Luangwa National Park. But, if you can only book one make it Bilimungwe camp. Each of the luxury camps overlooks the bright green lagoon. And inside you may be lucky enough to encounter Harry the Hippo, the camp’s resident greeter. He may even snort loud enough to wake you up for breakfast in the morning.

Hotel Kia Ora already has an advantage when it comes to spectacular views. It is, after all, located on Rangiroa, one of the most beautiful islands in French Polynesia. But, each morning, guests can peek outside each and every window to be greeted by the pastel colored sky and the clear blue waters surrounding the island. Book an overwater bungalow for the ultimate view.

Helena Bay Lodge, located on the north island of New Zealand, may provide the most tranquil views out of any hotel on the list. Situated along the water on 800 acres of private land, the hotel—which only allows 10 guests at a time—gives every single person a wall-to-wall view of the water and mountains surrounding the resort. On the property, guests can roam freely to take it all in, but make sure to pack some tissues as the landscape is so beautiful it will undoubtedly bring you to tears.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, another American Express Fine Hotel & Resort property, has the edge when it comes to mountain views as it’s located at the foot of Alberta's Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thanks to the hotel’s work toward environmental conservation and sustainable tourism, the views from the year-round luxury mountain resort will likely be preserved for generations to come. At the resort, guests are treated to views of the soaring mountains and bright blue glacier-fed lake below. For the best view opt for any of the suites with a lake view.

Architect owner Nick Troubetzko knew exactly what he was doing when he constructed American Express Fine Hotel & Resort property Jade Mountain Resort. Located on St. Lucia’s south-western Caribbean coastline, the hotel was built purely to celebrate the stunning scenery surrounding it. At the hotel, guests are greeted by sweeping views from every room, including from the private infinity pools in each room. The one thing you can’t expect? A fourth wall. Every room opens completely up so you can take in the glorious scenes from nature around you.

L'Auberge de Sedona, American Express Fine Hotel & Resort property, keeps things simple when it comes to the views. The property, located in Sedona’s legendary Red Rocks, placed oversized picture windows in every room of its Vista Cottages to provide guests with unobstructed 180-degree, panoramic views of Snoopy Rock, Giants Thumb and Elephant Rock. In each room, patio doors open to expansive redwood decks where guests can enjoy a coffee (or a cocktail) in total peace and solitude.

At The Dream Hollywood, guests have unobstructed views of the Hollywood sign from the rooftop restaurant, The Highlight room. But, if hanging by the pool is more your thing that’s OK too. There, guests also get broad views of the rolling Hollywood Hills right from their poolside cabanas. Of course, the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling windows in each of the guestrooms isn’t too shabby either.

The Hoshinoya properties around the globe would all be a wonderful fit for this list, but the Hoshinoya Kyoto takes the cake with its stellar landscaping and placement on the Oi River. In the hotel, guests can relax inside their own quarters that come with massive doorways and picture windows to overlook the river. It’s truly a property that can be enjoyed throughout the year, but grabbing a reservation over the cherry blossom season will undoubtedly yield the best views of all.

The petite but wildly luxury hotel Es Princep is perfectly positioned in Palma to give guests views of both old town and the sea. For the best view head to the rooftop lounge, Almaq, to watch the sunset over the sea. Or, for a bit more solitude, guests can also take a dip in their own tubs, which sit directly next to massive windows overlooking the city below. Don’t worry, nobody has a view of you in your birthday suit.