I do love a good hotel. And I always think that a room with a fantastic view is a great bonus to any Bucket List trip. Here’s a collection of 10 hotel rooms where you’ll really feel connected to the natural world – whether that’s spectacular scenery or local wildlife.
Located in Patagonian Chile’s far south region, the 5* Explora lodge sits among some of the world’s most awe-inspiring scenery. Snow capped mountains, crystal-clear lagoons and glaciers are just outside every bedroom window. As one of the few luxury lodges in the region, you’re surrounded by the natural attractions that make this national park so special.
Mashpi Lodge in the Ecuadorian Cloudforest is in a private reserve, and every room has floor to ceiling windows with fabulous views of the surrounding forest. It’s very comfortable of course, but the real bonus is that there are only 22 rooms here - so there's excellent service and an intimate and convivial atmosphere. A stay in the cloudforest is definitely worth considering as part of a tailor made holiday to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands.
Spectacularly located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Matakauri Lodge offers luxury accommodation in Queenstown New Zealand and looks out to a mesmerizing panorama of the big three; The Remarkables, Cecil and Walter Peak. Voted one of the top three lodges in New Zealand and Australia, it’s the ultimate sanctuary after a day spent exploring the amazing mountains and fjords in this unique region.
Almost completely hidden in the woods and located on a mountain slope, there's a unique perspective of Mount Fuji from every room at the Hoshinoya Fuji Hotel. With a minimalist design, the property aims to highlight the natural beauty surrounding the cabins. Each cabin comes equipped with a living room-style balcony which takes up a third of the space – so you can enjoy the gorgeous view in front of you.
Sanctuary Swala near Tarangire National Park in Tanzania is a top-notch safari lodge with luxury accommodation and great service. But the real bonus of staying here is being able to sit out on your private deck and watch elephants trundling down to the nearby waterhole. I stayed here a few years ago and this is one of the videos I took.
Set amidst fabulous mountain scenery in Oman, the lovely 5* Anantara Jabal Al Akhdar offers amazing panoramic view from its rooms. I stayed here a couple of years ago and never got tired of looking out from my terrace at the scenery beyond. And the hotel itself is very stylish, with excellent service and great public areas.
Topas Eco Lodge near Sapa has been built to blend in with the villages nearby and to strict environmental standards and has one of the most beautiful locations anywhere in Vietnam. It sits right on the summit of a mountain overlooking an absolutely glorious view of the lower Sapa Valley and the Tonkinese Alps beyond.
This was the actual view from my room on my recent visit to the VIK hotel in the Winelands of Chile. This is an amazing resort - all the rooms are individually decorated with a different theme, the surrounding countryside is stunning and the service is fabulous. And if that’s not enough, the VIK has its own award-winning winery. What’s not to like?
Lion Sands Private Game Reserve in South Africa boasts three stunning tree houses offering a complete fresh perspective on the South African bush. Sleeping under the stars in complete privacy whilst listening to the sounds of the bush is an unforgettable experience. A night in one of the tree houses can be booked as an add-on when staying at any of the other lodges on the Reserve.
Inkaterra Sacred Valley is a hacienda-style hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and is situated between Cusco and Machu Picchu. All 12 rooms and 24 stand-alone casitas feature jaw-dropping views of the valley. The architecture and interiors are inspired by the cultural history (think: colonial furniture, authentic Inca masks, handcrafted woodwork) and each room has its own fireplace.
That's it for now. My next collection of rooms with jaw-dropping views will be focusing on coastal properties. So make sure to check back soon. And do get in touch if you're interested in including any of these amazing properties in a Bucket List holiday.
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