Many hotels claim to have rooms with a view but only a few provide a vista that's truly jaw-dropping. Check out our top 5 hotels that are guaranteed to take your breath away.
Ladera Resort, St Lucia
The Ladera Resort in St Lucia is perched on the edge of a rainforest with each villa and suite featuring an ‘open wall’, which exposes sweeping hillsides of mango trees and the inviting Caribbean Sea. The view is exposed but the accommodation’s position means you will enjoy the beautiful sunsets in complete privacy. Make sure you also check out the pool, with its staggering mountain and sea views.
Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai
Luxury rooms and suites overlook the imposing Gateway of India and beyond to the sparkling vista of the Arabian Sea. If you book a presidential suite you can strike a grand pose and contemplate the view from your private balcony. The Mumbai hotel itself has plenty to marvel at, with an extensive art collection, silk hand-woven carpets, onyx columns and crystal chandeliers.
Hotel Everest View, Nepal
Guest rooms boast a panoramic view of Mount Everest with glass doors opening onto a private veranda. Hotel Everest View is the highest hotel in the world, sitting at 3,963m (13,000ft) above sea level and looks out over the Sagarmatha National Park. Take a 50-minute flight from Kathmandu and then walk up the scenic mountain trail to the hotel, or splash out and reach the hotel by helicopter charter.
Jumeirah Essex House, New York
Sat statuesquely to the south of sprawling Central Park, the Grande Dame of New York hotels boasts one of the most iconic and beautiful views in the city. As guests gaze out over the vast swathe of green it would be easy to forget the hotel is sat in the heart of Manhattan’s energetic midtown. If the view from the window isn’t enough, the hotel has a camera on the roof which scans the city and broadcasts live to a channel in the guest rooms.
Mena House Oberoi, Egypt
Gaze at the Great Pyramid in Cairo from the comfort of a deluxe room or suite. You might prefer the view at night time when the pyramid is illuminated with an eerie glow. The hotel dates back to 1869 and its lavish interior furnishing are fit for visiting heads of state. Take a stroll in the jasmine scented gardens or tuck into Egyptian refreshments at a choice of restaurants and bars within the hotel complex.
* If you can’t wait until summer to get your sun and sand fix, read our Spring beach breaks ideas to enjoy the beach without the crowds or the searing heat.
* Fancy something different to Reading Festival or Glastonbury? Check out our globe-trotting guide to the best Festivals 2010.
