Last week on TripAdvisor, Wendy wrote about the benefits of choosing hotels with amazing rooftops: the crowd-free views, the beautiful breakfast setting, the convenience of late-night sightseeing when jet lag wakes you up at three in the morning. That blog post covered the reasons why she loves a hotel rooftop, but we wanted to hear from real travelers about the where. So we put the question out on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram: What is your favorite hotel rooftop in the world? The answers and photos below are likely to inspire you to plan a trip right now.
The Standard Downtown LA is a cool rooftop spot for evening drinks, according to Facebook fan Elaine Travels—and we think it’s not just because of the view. The design-focused hotel tricked out its aerie with a red AstroTurf deck, outdoor fireplace, heated pool, sleek couches and loungers, and waterbed pods.
Reader Elizabeth Vail traveled to Lhasa a few years ago and fell in love with the view from the roof of the Shambhala Palace Hotel.
Instagrammer @hopeyouloveit hashtagged her way through praise for Banyan Tree Bangkok’s Vertigo and Moon Bar—and, looking at this photo, we can see why.
Jody Bear, founder of Bear & Bear Travel, left us a comment on Facebook: “Not only is First Hotel in Rome a cool, trendy hotel in a great location, but their rooftop/lounge is the place to be—think Nikki beach in the sky!”
Susan Weissberg, a travel agent who specializes in Israel, loves the rooftop restaurant at the Mamilla Hotel in Jerusalem.
Cookbook author Robyn Webb nominated the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet. She says “Looking at the lighted mosques from there, especially at night, is magical. On a balmy Turkish summer evening you feel like a sultan sitting on top of your grand palace!” Robyn also had a great experience at the Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento (a Relais & Chateaux property). There, she stayed in a suite with its own private rooftop terrace—with Mt. Vesuvius in her direct view.
Instagrammer @laurie_gery is a fan of another Relais & Chateaux spot, La Villa des Orangers in Marrakech. The rooftop pool area there boasts gardens, solariums, and a view of the Atlas mountains.
The Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s Luna Rooftop Tapas Baris lodged firmly in the memory of both Hope Smith (a Mexico travel specialist with Born to Travel) and George Alexandrou (of Alexandrou Travel Design). As George posted on Instagram, “Great view and ambiance. Plus the cocktails help.”
We know Becky Veith from her experience planning Caribbean vacations, but she answered our Facebook question with a spot in Italy. “A small three-star hotel in Rome called Albergo Del Senato,” she suggested. “It has fabulous views of the Pantheon and its Piazza Della Rotonda.”
Reader Charlie Powell is a fan of Marriott’s Grand Chateau in Las Vegas, where the resort’s rooftop pool is a break from the desert heat.
The Soho House brand made our readers’ list twice: Katie Frederick, a honeymoon planner with a trip-envy-inspiring Instagram feed, is a fan of the Soho House New York’s rooftop pool. Another of our Instagram fans, Caroline Lempert, nominated Soho Beach House Miami.
The Vibe Hotel Rushcutters, in Sydney, is a favorite of Instagram fan @the_matthew_cull. The rooftop pool here overlooks Rushcutters Bay.
The two-level Sarab Rooftop Lounge at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa is a favorite Dubai hangout for @iscanebru. Guests can take in a view of the Arabian Desert while sipping cocktails and smoking shisha pipes.
What’s your favorite hotel rooftop?
The rooftop bar and restaurant at The Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens is extraordinary. The view of The Acropolis, morning at breakfast in daylight or illuminated after dark at dinner is breathtaking. The hotel is a fabulous place to stay.
Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Go up to the pool when it opens at 6:30 am and watch the sun rise over Singapore. I did this and had the entire pool area to myself.
The Thompson Hotel Toronto – panoramic views of the city with a roof top infinity pool and lounge offering delicious food and drinks. Great trendy atmosphere and excellent service!
Hotel Hassler in Rome, located atop the Spanish Steps! An amazing history, great location and five-star luxury. They have a Michelin-starred rooftop restaurant, Imago, with an unbeatable view of the city and amazing food. Rooms also have the best views of Rome.
I took the liberty of adding a few of these to my Pinterest Board – Great Hotel Views http://j.mp/rkcGHV. Pretty much guaranteed to inspire even the most staunch homebody want to explore the world…
the forum hotel Rome
great view excellent food outstanding history outside and inside
jeffrey