11 rooms with unbelievable views around the world

When luxury accommodation and breathtaking views meet…

Most places we visit have something iconic that has drawn us to that place, whether it be Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the emblematic Caldera view in Santorini.

But rather than sightseeing throughout the day and then returning to your accommodation at night, why not get the views direct from your bed?

We’ve found our absolute favourite places to stay around the world that bring the views to you.

1. Hotel Hassler Roma, Italy

When it comes to tourist hot spots, Rome is absolutely brimming with them. And one of the most picturesque spots of the lot is the Spanish Steps, which Hotel Hassler Roma is conveniently perched at the top of.

Looking over Piazza di Spagna, Hassler Roma has some of the most incredible views straight from the 87 individually decorated rooms and suites. If you do plan on leaving though, the location is ideal for a trip to the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican, the Pantheon or the Villa Borghese Gardens!

View over Rome from Hotel Hassler Roma. (Image: Hotel Hassler Roma/Tommy Picone) — Sitting atop the Spanish Steps gives Hassler Roma incredible views. (Image: Hotel Hassler Roma/Tommy Picone)

2. Vila Bled, Slovenia

When you stay at Hotel Vila Bled you’ll be lucky enough to be so close to the waterfront of Lake Bled you can be on the beach within a minute, and also a short drive from Bled Castle.

Better yet, the 31 individually furnished guestrooms have incredible views of the lake, the castle and the mountains, so you don’t even need to leave!

Vila Bled is President Tito’s former summer residence, whereas in summer now, guests can enjoy the private swimming deck with a boathouse.

A view of Lake Bled from Vila Bled. (Image: Vila Bled/@mypassportgoals) — Get your own private view of Lake Bled and Bled Castle. (Image: Vila Bled/@mypassportgoals)

3. Paris Perfect Rentals – Viognier, France

There are only a handful of places in Paris that give you such a mesmerising view of the Eiffel Tower, and one of them is Paris Perfect Rentals’ Viognier apartment. So close you can almost touch it, you get all the views and none of the crowds.

The magical views of the Eiffel Tower will be heightened at night, with the warm glow of the tower filling the apartment and the light show twinkling through the window.

A close view of the Eiffel Tower from Paris Perfect Rentals' Viognier apartment in Paris. (Image: Paris Perfect Rentals) — A romantic dinner by the Eiffel Tower never looked so good. (Image: Paris Perfect Rentals)

4. Cottar’s Bush Villa, Maasai Mara, Kenya

Cottar’s Bush Villa borders the latest addition to the ‘7 Wonders of the World’, the Maasai Mara and Serengeti game reserves. The Bush Villa provides a luxury private stay for up to 12 guests and comes complete with its own private 25-metre swimming pool.

Offering an unmatched view of the Maasai Mara and its abundance of wildlife, Cottar’s is a luxury safari villa, tailored completely to each guest’s needs.

A view of the interior of Cottar's Bush Villa looking out into Maasai Mara. (Image: Cottar's Bush Villa) — A special view over Maasai Mara to enjoy all to yourself. (Image: Cottar’s Bush Villa)

5. Matakauri Lodge, Queenstown, New Zealand

Spectacularly situated on Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, Matakauri Lodge offers magnificent views from every angle of the Remarkables, Cecil and Walter Peak Mountain ranges.

This alpine lakeside retreat is home to impeccable views of one of the world’s most serenely beautiful landscapes. With the mountain panorama posing an incredible backdrop for this intimate, personal hideaway, each of the four generous bedrooms also has its own private balcony with lake and mountain views.

A bathroom that looks out into Lake Wakatipu. (Image: Matakauri Lodge) — Have a bath with a view at Matakauri Lodge. (Image: Matakauri Lodge)

6. Katikies Hotel, Santorini, Greece

The Katikies Hotel is ideally situated in Oia, built into Santorini’s mythic Caldera where you’ll find the iconic sunset views visitors travel far and wide for.

Why not skip the crowds and have your very own personal view of the Aegean Sea from any of the rooms? The private verandas with lounge chairs make for the perfect place to sit and watch the sunset over the azure waters.

View from the Junior Suite over the Aegean Sea. (Image: Katikies Hotel) — Views from the Junior Suite are pretty sweet. (Image: Katikies Hotel)

7. Enchantment Resort, Sedona, Arizona, USA

Nestled within 70 acres of natural terrain and surrounded by the towering red rock walls of Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort combines the rugged grandeur of the Southwest landscape with equal parts luxury.

Featuring 218 one-story guest accommodations with panoramic views of Sedona’s red rock formations, all rooms also feature a private deck or patio overlooking Boynton Canyon.

Views from the Casita King Guest Room of Boynton Canyon. (Image: Enchantment Resort) — The Casita King Guest Room is the perfect place to unwind with the Boynton Canyon in the background. (Image: Enchantment Resort)

8. The Loren at Pink Beach, Bermuda

The first hotel built in Bermuda in decades, The Loren’s rooms and suites bring a new level of elegance and style to the destination.

The seaside resort embraces an urban hotel’s clean and modern aesthetic with the added benefit of endless ocean views. The spacious interiors and private terraces are the perfect place to escape while floor-to-ceiling windows offer expansive views, so you’ll enjoy a stunning natural vista without leaving your room.

In the suites, you’ll be treated with a furnished terrace, and if you splurge on one of the seven private villas, you can enjoy a personal plunge pool.

View from The Loren of the water at Bermuda.(Image: The Loren) — Stare endlessly at Bermuda’s waterfront views. (Image: The Loren)

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

9. Tierra Patagonia, Chile

Emerging beside craggy mountains and the glistening Lake Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park, the Tierra Patagonia hotel weaves itself into the landscape with subtle style, with each of the hotel’s 42 rooms and suites having water and Torres del Paine views.

The perfect spot for an adventure vacation, what you see at our Patagonia adventure spa hotel is emerald lakes, fantastic mountain ranges and abundant wildlife. And with no televisions, you can watch the shifting light and weather patterns dance over the lake and mountains.

A view of Lake Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park from a standard room.(Image: Tierra Patagonia) — Fall asleep with Lake Sarmiento in Torres del Paine National Park watching over you. (Image: Tierra Patagonia)

10. Bürgenstock Hotel and Alpine Spa, Switzerland

Situated 500 metres above Lake Lucerne, in the heart of Central Switzerland, a dazzling, unparalleled world awaits. At the Bürgenstock Resort, you’ll receive a unique view of the lake and the Swiss Alps that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.

The bath and the sitting area also have floor-to-ceiling windows to enhance the whole experience. Plus, if you don’t leave the room you can stay nice and toasty!

View over the Swiss Alps from the bathroom of the Burgenstock Hotel. (Image: Burgenstock Hotel) — Receive a unique view of the lake and the Swiss Alps (Image: Bürgenstock Hotel)

11. Sheldon Chalet, Alaska, USA

Perched on a nunatak above Denali’s magnificent Ruth Glacier, Sheldon Chalet is more than a place to stay, it’s an exclusive experience of grand proportion.

Sheldon Chalet is as unique as the views are breathtaking. Only accessible by helicopter, Sheldon Chalet is one of the prime viewing locations of the Northern Lights – even from the comfort of the bed!

Sitting 6,000 feet above sea level, atop a granite outcrop and amid a snowfield amphitheatre, Sheldon Chalet offers knockout views of the peak of Denali — North America’s highest mountain.

View of the mountains from the lounge room of Sheldon Chalet. (Image: Sheldon Chalet) — If being surrounded by mountains is your thing, Sheldon Chalet is the way to go. (Image: Sheldon Chalet)

Why travellers are increasingly dreaming of a white Christmas – and the best places to experience one for yourself.

If the Euro summer has long been Australians’ defining holiday, the white Christmas may well be emerging as its frosty successor.

Booking data from APT Travel Group has revealed that Australians are planning long-haul travel further in advance and increasingly swapping summer at home for a white Christmas abroad.

Why more travellers are booking a white Christmas

tallinn winter — Find festive spirit in abundance in Tallinn, Estonia. (Credit: Unsplash/Dmitry Sumin)

Part of the shift is practical. With the Australian Government recently downgrading its travel warning for parts of the Middle East, travellers’ confidence in long-haul travel is returning as key transit hubs for Australians travelling to Europe reopen.

But accessibility alone isn’t the reason we’re seeing an incline in festive winter holiday bookings.

This year, Australia has experienced a particularly patchy start to the snow season, reminding travellers of how unpredictable winter has become and leading them to look overseas for their next wintry escape. At the same time, rising global temperatures are making reliable snowfall less certain across many parts of the world. Ironically, the rarer a classic white Christmas becomes, the more alluring it feels.

finland snow — Travellers are increasingly looking overseas for guaranteed snowy escapes. (Credit: Unsplash/Joni Kuusisto)

Behavioural psychologists have long observed what they call the ‘scarcity effect’: we tend to assign greater value and desirability to experiences that feel limited or increasingly out of reach. A white Christmas – once an annual tradition for many – has evolved into a bucket-list experience.

It’s also a novel antidote to the Australian festive season. Rather than scorching pavements and beachside barbecues, travellers want to experience the Christmas they’ve spent their whole lives watching in films: snow-dusted pines, chestnuts roasting over an open fire and streets glowing beneath tinsel garlands and fairy lights. Nostalgia sells, but even more so when we feel like it might not always be available to experience.

For decades, Australians have sought to escape winter in search of a European summer. Now, the pendulum is swinging the other way. Below are the top places to have yourself a very Merry Christmas in the snow.

The best places to have a white Christmas

Finland

best places for white christmas — Finland is one of the best destinations for a white Christmas. Credit: APT)

When you’re set on experiencing a blanket-white Christmas, your best bet is to go north. Thanks to its chilly temperatures and geographical proximity to the Arctic Circle (nearly one third of the country’s landmass lies within the Arctic region), travellers are guaranteed to see snow during Finland’s winter months. Plus, the possibility of witnessing the northern lights ribboning across the sky makes the experience all the more magical.

Tallinn, Estonia

tallinn old town — The city of Tallinn has a UNESCO-listed medieval town. (Credit: Unsplash/Ilya Orehov)

While places like Finland and Norway are coveted Christmas destinations, they certainly aren’t easy on the wallet. Estonia’s charming medieval capital of Tallinn is one of the best places to have a white Christmas on a budget, boasting Gothic spires, an intimate atmosphere and toasty market stalls selling everything from handicrafts to sugar-coated almonds. While snow over the Christmas period isn’t guaranteed these days, the country is further north and generally colder than Western European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands.

Canada

whistler christmas — Explore the Christmas lights of Whistler. (Credit: APT)

With its festive spirit, friendly locals and picturesque landscapes, Canada is a top contender for the best place for a white Christmas. Victoria in British Columbia has just about every Christmas tradition covered in one town: a main street of snow-frosted stores, a gingerbread competition, a visit to see the reindeer and horse-drawn trolley rides; while Alberta will see you embracing cosy holiday traditions with the spectacular Canadian Rockies as your backdrop.

If you can’t choose just one destination, the Twelve Days of Christmas tour by APT includes Christmas in Banff, sleigh rides at Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Canyon Lights and the Canadian Rockies. “It’s a relaxed, accessible way to get a proper white Christmas, snow guaranteed rather than hoped for,” says Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT.

New York, USA

new york winter — Central Park dusted with snow is all but magical. (Credit: Unsplash/Caitlyn Wilson)

Yes, films have been romanticising Christmas in New York for decades, but there’s a reason: the cool shift transforms the grand metropolis into what feels like a cinematic village where families glide over ice skating rinks in Central Park, dazzling displays illuminate the streets and carollers sing outside cosy bars with crackling fireplaces.

Germany

Browse bountiful Christmas markets in Regensburg. (Credit: APT)

Germany does Christmas with all the trimmings, especially the Christmas markets; there are hundreds (if not thousands) to choose between in picture-postcard historical towns across the country. Dresden has one of the oldest markets in the country, while Regensburg offers four fairy-light festooned markets within its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.

London, UK

london snow — Cosy up in London for the winter. (Credit: Unsplash/Zhang Kaiyv)

London is a prime place to celebrate a white Christmas with little people: Hamleys alone is worth getting on a plane for! Not only do many hotels offer holiday packages for families, but the sight of latticed snowflakes drifting from the sky on a rugged-up stroll along the Thames is nothing short of enchanting.

Prague, Czech Republic

prague snow — Escape to the charming city of Prague. (Credit: Unsplash/Lukas Konvica)

Offering Gothic architecture, charming cobbled streets and spiced pastries in spades, Prague is among the best places to spend a white Christmas. Come Advent season, when a dusting of snow may cover its ancient castle, and the smell of roasting ham rises from the market stalls, it becomes utterly unforgettable.

Niseko, Japan

niskeo skiing — Hit the slopes for a Christmas spent skiing in Niseko. (Credit: Unsplash/Kristian Klausen)

You don’t need to fly all the way to Europe to enjoy a wintry Christmas abroad. On Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko is a wonderland for travellers wishing to spend the Christmas season carving up the ski slopes. Promising festive events such as fireworks and giant illuminated trees, as well as plenty of the fluffy white stuff, this ski resort town doesn’t disappoint.

Is Europe or Canada better for a white Christmas?

Europe and Canada are the two most popular destinations among Australian travellers booking wintry Christmas escapes. But which is right for you? Sarah Latimore, international GM Product & Operations at APT, says the answer hinges on your travel interests and preferences.

“Europe suits travellers who want depth, variety and a bit of indulgence, moving through centuries-old Christmas market traditions city by city,” Latimore says.

“Canada is for travellers chasing that classic, snow globe white Christmas. Think twinkling lights and decorations through Whistler and Banff, evenings by an open fire in a Fairmont hotel, and the kind of moments that define the season: dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow underfoot rather than sand.

“Neither is the ‘right’ choice universally; it comes down to matching the traveller. Someone chasing romance and heritage will lean Europe. Someone chasing a classic, white Christmas will lean Canada.”