Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
The TPG staff stays in a lot of hotels. Some, understandably, have much better views than others.
Even though we’re usually 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 some 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 or a link to the facility. And if it’s swimming pools you’re after, check out our favorite hotel pools.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
In This Post
Park Hyatt Sydney
The Park Hyatt Sydney is known for its spectacular views of the Sydney Opera House from a range of different spaces, including the restaurant The Dining Room and the roof pool and terrace. The Quay Suite’s three private balconies and the Sydney Suite’s outdoor terrace both offer panoramic views of the Sydney Opera House and harbor.
Related: Plan ahead: The 50 most in-demand World of Hyatt hotels for point redemptions
Four Seasons Serengeti
The Four Seasons Serengeti resort is built directly into Serengeti National Park in Tanzania and blends perfectly within its surroundings. TPG senior writer Zach Griff, who spent his honeymoon at the resort, gave rave reviews to his suite, which had a terrace that spanned the entire length of the room. “With an outdoor shower, couches, plunge pool and limitless views of the Serengeti plains, which included an elephant spotting one afternoon, we never wanted to leave,” he wrote.
Related: From the Serengeti to the Seychelles: Honeymooning at 2 stunning Four Seasons resorts
Armani Hotel Dubai
This hotel is inside Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, and occupies the concourse level through to level 8 plus levels 38 and 39. Especially from the higher floors, guests enjoy sweeping views across the city and Arabian Gulf.
Related: How to get to (and stay in) Dubai using points and miles
Oberoi Amarvilas
The hotel, based in Agra, is home to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, which are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Located a mere 0.3 miles from the Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas is a five-star hotel that has plenty of unrestricted views of Taj Mahal from all rooms and suites, along with its spa.
Shangri-La at the Shard
Some of London’s best views can be found at Shangri-La The Shard, thanks to its location on 18 floors of The Shard, Western Europe’s tallest building. Guests can see the entire city via panoramic skyline views overlooking the River Thames.
Related: 17 of our favorite hotels in London
Peninsula Paris
Situated smack in the middle of Paris within walking distance of some of the world’s most famous monuments, museums and luxury shopping districts, the Peninsula boasts breathtaking views of the city. The hotel’s Rooftop Garden Suite has one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower. If you don’t have the points or cash to cover the cost, you can enjoy dinner with a view at L’Oiseau Blanc.
Related: From basic economy to first class — here are 3 ways to do Paris on points
New York Marriott Marquis
This flagship Marriott property is located in the heart of Times Square near attractions including Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and the Theater District. Lucky guests at the New York Marriott Marquis can get floor-to-ceiling views of Times Square, with some rooms offering the perfect spot to watch the ball drop on New Year’s Eve.
Related: Book this, not that: New York City hotels edition
La Quinta Resort & Club Curio Collection
TPG strategic travel writer Benji Stawski decided to use his $250 annual Hilton resort credit provided by his cobranded credit card to book a stay at the La Quinta Resort & Club. Roughly a 35-minute drive from downtown Palm Springs, the resort has rooms with mountain views and plenty to see from the Top of the Plaza bar, the pools and the golf course.
Related: TPG’s ultimate guide to Palm Springs, California
InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown
At 73 stories, the Intercontinental Los Angeles Downtown is the tallest building on the West Coast at 1,100 feet, and the tallest hotel west of the Mississippi River, according to TPG senior news editor Clint Henderson, who reviewed the hotel. Great sweeping views of LA start when you check in on the 70th floor, known as the Sky Lobby. Clint had a corner room on the 55th floor with floor-to-ceiling windows and dined at the Spire 73 on the 73rd floor. With all rooms located between the 31st and 66th floors, every guest gets a view.
Related: From downtown to the Westside and beyond: Los Angeles hotels you can book on points
Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
You enter the Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo from the street, but the lobby is on the 45th floor. Not only do the rooms have city views, but the large indoor pool gives guests fantastic skyline views.
Related: A beginner’s guide to visiting Tokyo: Everything you need to eat, see and do
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.
Related: Cleared for Takeoff: A honeymoon trip to the Maldives on points and miles
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 neighborhood’s still-exposed rail yards and the Vessel, some of the best views are from the 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
Hilton Tel Aviv
The Shanghai Edition in China
The Brando in French Polynesia
W Aspen in Colorado
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. You can enjoy those views 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 a 1958 TWA Lockheed Constellation. Beyond soaking in 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.
Related: Sleep with the planes: 10 best airport hotels in the United States and Canada
Scrub Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands
Scrub Island Resort, 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 harbor 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.
Singita Lebombo Lodge
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 travelers 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.
The St. Regis Venice in Italy
The waters around Venice 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 pull out those suite upgrades you get with your Marriott status). If you can’t swing a suite, make sure to get to breakfast early enough to grab a table on the outdoor patio, which also offers prime canal views.
Related: One of the world’s most beautiful cities is about to become more accessible
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 at Borealis Basecamp in Alaska. The 10-igloo Borealis Basecamp property is located about an hour away from Fairbanks International (FAI), far from any light pollution, so guests can search the sky for the elusive auroras during their stay.
Related: Best hotel credit cards of 2021
Featured image courtesy of the TWA Hotel.