19 hotel views you’ll want to see for yourself
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Editor’s note: The team at The Points Guy loves to travel, but now is not the time for unnecessary trips. Health officials say the fastest way to return to normalcy is to stop coming in contact with others. That includes ceasing travel. We are continuing to publish travel guides because we should all use this time to think about and plan our next adventures. TPG doesn’t advise booking trips for travel until later this year — and even then, be mindful of cancellation policies.
The TPG staff stays in (and reviews) a lot of hotels, and some, understandably, have much better views than others.
Even though we’re hard at work assessing these properties — taking photos and notes on everything from the shower heads to the number of outlets by the bed — enjoying the view is also part of the job.
Whether it’s the sparkling Shanghai skyline, the snowcapped mountains of Aspen or the crystal blue waters of Bora Bora, here are 19 of the best hotel views TPG editors and writers gazed upon during our recent travels.
For more information on each hotel, click through to read the full review. (And if it’s swimming pools you’re after, check out our favourite hotel pools.)
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Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
There really aren’t any bad views in the Maldives, but the best may be from the Stella Maris Ocean Villa, located on its own island at the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. The villa is a modern masterpiece, with floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the rooms with light and offer uninterrupted Indian Ocean views. You can admire the turquoise waters from just about every corner of the villa, including the two private infinity pools, two overwater hammocks, the roof deck and the oversized soaking tub.
The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong
Hilton Tel Aviv in Israel
The Cape, a Thompson Hotel in Mexico
The Cape, a Thompson Hotel and relative newcomer to the World of Hyatt family, has seriously stunning sea views in addition to a pretty amazing pool and one of the best hotel bathtubs we’ve ever seen. You can admire the crashing waves from your room (including the copper-clad soaking tub, if you draw back the curtains), the furnished balconies with hanging daybeds and many of the restaurants within the hotel. The swim-up pool bar and the fitness centre also look out toward the iconic rock formation, El Arco, at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
Equinox Hotel at Hudson Yards
Some New York City hotels are known for delivering knockout views of the iconic skyline. While many of the rooms in this debut hotel from the wellness brand Equinox have excellent views of skyscrapers, the Hudson River, the neighbourhood’s still-exposed rail yards and the Vessel, some of the best views are from outdoor pool deck. Here, you can meditate in barrel saunas during the winter or sunbathe on loungers (and enjoy beverage service) during the summer. Either way, it may be the best (and most shareable) new view in the city.
Four Seasons Chiang Mai in Thailand
The Shanghai Edition in China
The Brando in French Polynesia
W Aspen in Colorado
Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Japan
Occupying floors 30 to 36 in a downtown Tokyo tower, the incredible views of the Japanese capital begin in the lobby of the Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, which is on the 36th floor. The skyline views are visible from many of the rooms as well as from the Oasis Garden restaurant, the fitness centre and the aptly named Sky Gallery Lounge, Levita. Guests can even admire the vistas from the main indoor pool and the collection of hot and cold plunge pools, plus the traditional Japanese sauna.
Costa Verde Costa Rica
Combine AvGeek dreams with jungle and coastal views at the Costa Verde Hotel in Costa Rica, which has a collection of vintage planes on the property, one of which you can sleep in overnight. While most of the rooms have lush landscape views, the best sights may be from the deck of the vintage Boeing 727, where you can admire the plane enveloped in palm trees, perhaps with a monkey hopping around, too.
InterContinental Bora Bora Resort and Thalasso Spa
All of the overwater villas at the InterContinental Bora Bora look directly out over some of the clearest waters in the world. Views can be enjoyed from inside the rooms, on the deck and even in the bathtub. The resort grounds and main pool also overlook the water, and you might catch a glimpse of a single rocky spire or two rising in the background. During your stay, watch out for tropical fish and stingrays swimming around your villa.
TWA Hotel in New York City
New York’s TWA Hotel is a playground for AvGeeks. From the lobby, you can enjoy views of the sunken lounge, JFK’s Terminal 5 and the 1958 TWA Lockheed Constellation. Beyond soaking in the aviation history, you can planespot modern aircraft from the rooftop pool and grill that offers a panoramic view of JFK’s Runway 4 Left/22 Right. Plenty of plane views can be admired from the large windows in the guest rooms, too.
The St. Regis Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico
H Hotel Los Angeles, Curio Collection by Hilton
Just outside the airport, between two sets of parallel runways at Los Angeles International (LAX), the H Hotel Los Angeles could not be more conveniently placed for travellers needing a hotel during a layover — or anyone obsessed with aviation. Although you can request a room overlooking the airport, the ultimate AvGeek views can be found on the 12th-floor roof deck on the northeast side of the building that overlooks the runways. Or, watch planes land from the gym during your workout.
Scrub Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands
Scrub Island, a Marriott Autograph Collection property, has made a full recovery after Hurricane Irma in 2017 — and so has the rest of the area, judging by the magnificent views. You can see the beautiful blue ocean and small boats docked in the harbour from many of the rooms, the pool and the restaurants — but perhaps the best (and most serene) view can be found at the spa’s plunge pool, overlooking the turquoise water.
The St. Regis Venice in Italy
Venice recently faced some of its worst flooding in 50 years. But these very waters also help make it one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, and the views of its canals are amazing from the St. Regis Venice, looking out over the Grand Canal and the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica. The best place to admire the views is from a private balcony, which is available in some of the suites (this is the spot to dig out those suite upgrades you get with your Marriott status). If you can’t swing the suite, make sure to get to breakfast early enough to grab a table on the outdoor patio, which also offers prime canal views.
Borealis Basecamp in Alaska
You’ll need clear, dark skies and an extra day or two to spare in case the weather doesn’t cooperate, but you won’t be able to beat the views of the northern lights flickering over the clear, 12-foot ceiling of your private igloo in Alaska. Located about an hour away from Fairbanks International (FAI), far from any light pollution, guests at the 10-igloo Borealis Basecamp property can search the sky for the elusive auroras during their stay.
Featured image by Nick Ellis/The Points Guy.
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