The most immaculate and splendiferous of rooms can be ruined by a view of a wall. Then again, a simple room with a perfunctory bed can be turned into an amazing stage, if the scenery is just right. Give me the most luxurious hotel room, a Victorian-era bathtub and 24-hour room service and if I open the window and see a disappointing view, I might as well be sleeping in a basement. I believe that deep down, we are all in search of a perfect view. Here are some of the best views that I have encountered in my recent travels.
Novotel. London, Canary Wharf
Accessible for any residents in the hotel, the ceiling-to-floor mirrors of the bar area provide a 360-degree view of London. The view comes from 39 stories up and the decor is very trendy and comfortable. The drinks are reasonably priced as well and they have a fully working telescope that you can use to spy on the city below. Novotel prides itself on being suitable for both business and pleasure and it has to be said that it’s hit the nail right on the head. The rooms may be simple and straightforward, offering exactly what you need and little else, but the views are remarkable.
Penthouse On The Burg. Cape Town. Green Point Market
On a recent trip to South Africa, I got the chance to stay at the “Penthouse On The Burg“. On AirBNB this is advertised as an artist’s loft penthouse. It’s a three storey penthouse pad of such an incredible standard that it was quite mesmerising. The top floor has been converted into an open air cinema, complete with hammocks and an unbelievable view of the Mother City. It was here that I was introduced to the secondary world that is rooftop living; a world somewhat separated from the roads below where millionaires enjoy lofty penthouse apartments at the very top of sky scrapers. Cape Town is of course a destination for many international property owners and this has turned the rooftop landscape into one of luxury and stunning beauty.
Mannabay Cape Town
Another Cape Town special. Being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city certainly may have it’s allure for some, but others may prefer to be able to laud over the city with the mountains at their back and the entirety of the city spread out before them. Manna Bay offers some of the most spectacular views. The rooms are the very epoch of luxury (I stayed in the Flamingo Room and all my antics were caught on Twitter. Ask me for the link @DonnieRust) and you get a butler, a breakfast buffet and a personal driver for the duration of your time there. Perfect for the first-time traveller to Cape Town and fantastic for the seasoned traveller.
Jumeirah Beach Resort Uptown Bar Dubai
Without question, the Uptown Bar is becoming one of the most sophisticated and sought after bars in Dubai. Synonymous with style and majesty it is also becoming known as the “Instagram Selfie” spot of choice. Located on the 24th Floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the Uptown Bar is an elevated cocktail bar offering a spacious terrace and a picturesque view of the Burj Al Arab upon Dubai’s striking skyline.
Dubai has gone out of its way to establish itself as a destination of choice for businesses and tourists. Utilising specialist resources, it has created a place unlike anywhere else in the world. The views are overwhelming, the epic scale of the buildings and the wealth are obscenely delicious to the “view seeker” and the “lifetime experience” hunter.
Jade Mountain, St Lucia
Ah, the wonderful, joyous word of “Adult Only”. It may be that I don’t have children and so may never know the joy of a scream machine following me around everywhere, but those special two words mean a lot. It turns enjoying the five-star luxury view at the Jade Mountain into the ultimate romantic escape. There are 24 suites available and this resort is booked year-round, thanks to a location overlooking the glistening Caribbean Sea and St. Lucia’s Piton World Heritage. Each guest room features an open floor plan with a bedroom, living area and private infinity pool with mountain views that are good enough to stay childless for.
Mandarin Oriental New York
Everything is bigger, better and more stylish in New York. Offering a view of Central Park, the luxurious rooms and ever present service of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel NYC is a mainstay for successful business people and celebrities alike. The prices aren’t so steep that it’s beyond the pocket range of the average traveller, but staying in a room that has a view like this, even once, has to be on your “things to do before I die” list.
Like a cliche from a novel, the hotel offers everything and leaves the guest wanting for nothing. 24/7 room service, spa and wellness treatments and valet parking are all part of the package. Not to sound like we’re doing some kind of press release for them, but the Mandarin Oriental Hotels, really do offer everything.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
For more than 140 years, travellers have followed the Chao Phraya River to stay at the legendary Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. A luxury five-star hotel in one of the world’s most exciting cities, it enjoys a well-earned reputation for style, service and excellence. A haven of calm on the banks of the river, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is a truly remarkable hotel. Timeless yet contemporary, classic yet cutting-edge, the unique blend of luxury and comfort makes it the ultimate Bangkok address.
According to billionaire philanthropist Paul Hutchinson, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is the only place to stay in Thailand. Every part of the hotel is styled and designed to give guests the best experience possible, with live music in the lobby, the finest dining in the restaurant and the crispest bed sheets. It is also worth mentioning that this hotel also has one of the strictest policies on hotel room maintenance and cleaning.
Park Hyatt Sydney
Australia. Oh, Australia. Sydney is considered to be a beautiful city, no matter where you stay, but this being said, there is something about going to sleep with a view of the Sydney Opera House right across the bay. With splendid weather- considered to be the best by many- this is a definite runner up in the best hotel views category.
Park Hyatt Sydney’s guest rooms are residential in style, offering luxury contemporary, harbourside living. Starting at a spacious 40sqm, guest room interiors reflect a natural feel with rich layers of chocolate, cream and beige hues. Luxurious custom furnishings and fittings, naturally-textured fabrics, subtle plush carpets, designer lighting and the latest technology features throughout make the spaces very special indeed. Specially commissioned art by prominent Australian artists are on display as well, creating an art gallery of unique art pieces in all 155 guest rooms and suites.
Qualia Hamilton Island Australia
You would be mad not to pay a visit to the Great Barrier Reef whilst down under, as can you think of a better way to fall asleep than with the bay literally at your feet? One of the most sought after locations for people wishing to journey to Hamilton Island, Qualia definitely proves that location is everything.
The colour of the Whitsunday seas is the perfect shade of blue and according to guests, this is a place for daydreaming, thanks to the heavenly water and stunning surroundings. Reviews on TripAdvisor do not do it justice and it’s a place to discover for yourself. Just remember that the staff are on hand to spoil you rotten and the weather is designed to burn you to a cinder (remember your sunblock). Paradise on a stick.
*Some of the featured locations in this post were sponsored by the companies themselves.
