no longer simply spaces to rest your head at night after a long day of adventuring, hotels are transformative spaces in and of themselves, ripe for daydreaming and deep reflection. from luxury retreats in the wild west to japanese guesthouses set atop snowy slopes, these are the 10 best hotel views across the world.
image credit amangiri resort
son rullan, mallorca
nestled in the hills above the valldemossa/deia coast road, son rullan is a converted 13th century monastery with breathtaking views of the mediterranean. the family owned residence retains the serenity and spirituality of its past, with modern detailing that makes for a luxe stay. holiday makers can rent the entire residence on airbnb, which comprises 5 double bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and spacious living spaces. in the wintertime, an inglenook fireplace creates a cosy atmosphere perfect for fireside reading, and in the summertime an open plan living space leading out to a terrace with infinity pool is ideal for late night dinners and morning swims.
with the pristine waters of playa los muertos less than 100m from its front door, hotel amapa is the ultimate beach escape. situated in the historic cultural hub of puerto vallarta, hotel amapa provides stunning views of both the town’s architecture and beachside and jungle surrounds. interiors are refined and modern with mexican touches that are a nod to its surroundings, with rooms outfitted with mexican textiles. the resort’s most opulent room offers a king sized day bed right next to its an expansive window that frames the oceanscape beyond.
brought to you by the aman hotel group, amanigiri blends seamlessly into its red rock surroundings. sitting on 600 acres of the colorado plateau, amanigiri is nestled amongst sprawling canyons, ridges, mesas, and gorges. the retreat’s on site restaurant provides a high end dining experience with dishes that showcase the country’s navajo heritage. its luxury suites feature private pools and floor to ceiling windows that frame the wild west perfectly.
zaborin ryokan is a contemporary twist on the traditional japanese guesthouse. dreamily situated in the mountains of hokkaido, guests are treated to snow white hills in the winter, and a gilded forest of birch trees in the autumn. made up of the zen meditation word for ‘sit and forget’, the name zaborin tells us everything we need to know about the ryokan; a place that’s custom built for reflection. the fit out is minimal yet warm, with plenty of slick dark wood and floor to ceiling windows that showcase the environment. guests can choose between ‘washitsu’, suites with traditional japanese tatami mats, or ‘yoshitsu’, if they prefer a western-style sleeping arrangement. all villa suites feature two private onsen - one inside, one outside - filled with free flowing spring water that will nudge you into deep reflection.
at atix, la paz, bolivian heritage design meets a contemporary state of mind. its facade is constructed from bolivian wood and comanche stone, the same traditional materials that you’ll find the houses of la paz from the 20’s and 30’s constructed from. the art of bolivian artist gaston ugalde (dubbed the ‘andy warhol’ of bolivia) line the walls of the hotel. floor to ceiling windows are a key feature of the hotel, highlighting its prime location in the beautiful andean valley - dine at their onsite restaurant to enjoy the stunning views, or head up to the rooftop bar for a cocktail.
mason pattaya is just 15 minutes from the cosmopolitan centre of pattaya, but the hustle and bustle of the city could not feel further away at this beach retreat. its luxury pool villas sit atop a rock hill, offering stunning views of the ocean below and the perfect place for a sunset dip, cocktail in hand. its name is a nod to the community of stone masons that have perfected their craft nearby, and it was constructed in consultation with these local artisans. each villa offers its own private saltwater pool and sundeck - simply perfect for reclining with a good book or podcast.
iki kairi retreat is a floating paradise in the genkai sea. rooms range from in style from traditional japanese to western, and each comes with its own private open air onsen with stunning views of the serene ocean. the onsen flow with a very special kind of hypertonic spring water that set them apart from others around the country. the high iron content of the water means it takes on a stunning gold hue, and has been hailed for its numerous health benefits. the tiny island occupies a mere 20 square metres, and is home to over 1000 shrines that have lead iki to be referred to as the ‘island of gods’ since ancient times. since 2019 the retreat has held 5 michelin stars.
slow beam tasmania showcases the best of australian ingenuity. the gorgeous bushland and natural sandstone views would be enough to warrant a stay here, but the house itself has also been beautifully designed by the team at hearth studio. black timber walls create a moody ambience, cut with brightly coloured retro wallpaper and plush green carpet. designed to accomodate for two people, guests can enjoy australian artwork, fully functioning kitchen, and wood fireplace to weather them against the tassie winter. the house is set on a steep, quarter acre block that provides guests with full access to bushland filled with native wildlife and views of the derwent river.
fancy a night amongst the lush rainforest of thailand? keemala is a luxury forest retreat in phuket with views of the andean ocean. embracing a thai cultural philosophy of the four clans of keemala, the retreat offers a mala spa experience and holistic living retreats. guests can choose to stay in a clay pool cottage, shaded by the verdant rainforest canopy, or luxuriate in one of their signature bird’s nest villas with their own private outdoor pool and terrace.
explore one of the most secluded parts of indonesia at bawah reserve. 300km north of singapore, bawah reserve sits in the anambas archipelago, a previously uninhabited marine conservsation area surrounded by coral reefs brimming with aquatic life. the retreat offers a range of luxury accomodation from which to experience the island : choose to stay in your own beach suite with the beach on your doorstep and full ocean views, or one of their overwater bungalows jutting out over turquoise waters.