25 hotel views you’ll want to see for yourself
Editor's Note
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.
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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
Singita Lebombo is on the grounds of Kruger National Park in South Africa. It’s one of the largest game reserves on the continent, and guests staying here can watch for the Big Five safari animals: lions, leopards, elephants, black rhinoceroses and African buffalo. Overlooking 33,000 acres of nature, the luxurious lodge is all about incredible wildlife views. You can watch animals congregate around a popular watering hole from the comfort of your glass-walled suite — including from your indoor or outdoor bed — or head to the swimming pool for expansive landscape views.
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.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees