Kiwi Curated
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
by Darren DunneNo matter what the destination, procuring a room with a view is always preferable. From jagged peaks to rolling countryside, some hotels are generously endowed in the eye candy department. Read on as we divulge some of our favorites.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Casa Angelina, Italy
Long a playground for Europe’s elite, the Amalfi Coast’s blend of rugged beauty and Mediterranean ease has earned it a reputation as one of the world’s premier luxury vacation spots. Casa Angelina clings to the cliffs overlooking the ocean and the quaint town of Praiano, offering guests a prime, awe-inspiring vista. With 43 rooms and suites within its crisp white walls, those with balconies maximize the view.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Huka Lodge, New Zealand
When director Peter Jackson needed a suitable backdrop for his Lord of the Rings trilogy he chose the countryside of New Zealand, and the environs of Huka Lodge bear more than a passing resemblance to Middle Earth’s Shire. This quaint lodge is located among lush forest on New Zealand’s North Island, with the sounds of the nearby Waikato River forming the soundtrack to a restful night’s sleep. Fly-fishing is a popular activity at this former fisherman’s retreat, while bungee jumping and skydiving can be found nearby for those seeking adrenaline-fuelled fun.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada
Styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs has been welcoming guests to Alberta’s Rocky Mountains for over 125 years. The local area is of such outstanding natural beauty it’s been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and guests can expect legendary hospitality and a plethora of activities whether they arrive in summer or winter. The hotel is family and pet-friendly, with myriad dining options and 27-holes of picturesque golf on-site. The Banff Gondola is a short stroll from the hotel, and the mineral rich Banff Hot Springs are a must-see.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
The rolling hills of Portugal’s Douro Valley are home to some of the world’s most bountiful vineyards, and the renovated 19th-century manor house that now houses Six Senses Douro Valley. Poised on a hill with bird’s-eye views of the vines below, the hotel is amenity-rich and features a fascinating Wine Library. The appreciation of wine forms the backdrop of the experience here and several prestigious wineries are within a short journey of the hotel. For non-oenophiles, Douro River cruises are also available.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland
The exclusive Swiss resort town of Gstaad is home to just 3,500 residents, and restrictions on modern development meant Alpina Gstaad was the first new hotel development in the area for over 100 years. The charming appearance of the town is echoed in the hotel’s interiors, where a handpicked art collection and recovered wood interiors make for an inviting atmosphere. In winter, the town’s population swells with well-heeled travelers and this is largely due to the 250 kilometers of pistes, 62 lifts and a high-altitude glacier.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Anjajavy l’Hôtel, Madagascar
Set along the scenic Mozambique Channel, Madagascar’s Anjajavy l’Hôtel offers 24 extravagant rosewood villas right on the beachfront. Each of these villa accommodations boasts a large terrace overlooking the sea, as well as a small staircase that leads up to a private relaxation room. The area surrounding the hotel is a nature reserve home to over 1,800 floral species, many of which are endemic. Given the coastal location, it’s no surprise there are plenty of aquatic activities on deck including deep sea fishing charters and snorkeling among coral.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Amandayan, China
Known for handpicking spectacular locations for their eclectic portfolio of hotels, Amanresorts struck gold with Amandayan in China’s southwestern Yunnan Province. The hotel is located within Dayan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beneath a dramatic mountainous landscape. Alongside an intricate canal system, it has 35 contemporary suites, each of which open onto a courtyard or terrace with views ranging from local rooftops to jagged peaks. Aman Spas are world-renowned, and the spa here mixes traditional Chinese medicine and modern techniques for a unique experience.
8 Hotels with Stunning Scenery
Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island
First settled by Polynesian mariners in the 7th century, Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it’s also known, now welcomes tourists from around the globe who want to get up close and personal with the island’s iconic carved stone heads. All-inclusive Explora Rapa Nui provides a prime spot from which to explore. The lodge houses 30 understated suites, each with expansive ocean views and modern amenities (minus distracting TVs). The swimming pool, Jacuzzi and massage hut are more relaxing ways to pass the time. Given the island’s remote location and delicate eco-system, the lodge is fully LEED-certified to ensure minimal impact on the local area.
Casa Angelina, Italy
Long a playground for Europe’s elite, the Amalfi Coast’s blend of rugged beauty and Mediterranean ease has earned it a reputation as one of the world’s premier luxury vacation spots. Casa Angelina clings to the cliffs overlooking the ocean and the quaint town of Praiano, offering guests a prime, awe-inspiring vista. With 43 rooms and suites within its crisp white walls, those with balconies maximize the view.
Huka Lodge, New Zealand
When director Peter Jackson needed a suitable backdrop for his Lord of the Rings trilogy he chose the countryside of New Zealand, and the environs of Huka Lodge bear more than a passing resemblance to Middle Earth’s Shire. This quaint lodge is located among lush forest on New Zealand’s North Island, with the sounds of the nearby Waikato River forming the soundtrack to a restful night’s sleep. Fly-fishing is a popular activity at this former fisherman’s retreat, while bungee jumping and skydiving can be found nearby for those seeking adrenaline-fuelled fun.
Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada
Styled after a Scottish Baronial Castle, the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs has been welcoming guests to Alberta’s Rocky Mountains for over 125 years. The local area is of such outstanding natural beauty it’s been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and guests can expect legendary hospitality and a plethora of activities whether they arrive in summer or winter. The hotel is family and pet-friendly, with myriad dining options and 27-holes of picturesque golf on-site. The Banff Gondola is a short stroll from the hotel, and the mineral rich Banff Hot Springs are a must-see.
Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal
The rolling hills of Portugal’s Douro Valley are home to some of the world’s most bountiful vineyards, and the renovated 19th-century manor house that now houses Six Senses Douro Valley. Poised on a hill with bird’s-eye views of the vines below, the hotel is amenity-rich and features a fascinating Wine Library. The appreciation of wine forms the backdrop of the experience here and several prestigious wineries are within a short journey of the hotel. For non-oenophiles, Douro River cruises are also available.
Alpina Gstaad, Switzerland
The exclusive Swiss resort town of Gstaad is home to just 3,500 residents, and restrictions on modern development meant Alpina Gstaad was the first new hotel development in the area for over 100 years. The charming appearance of the town is echoed in the hotel’s interiors, where a handpicked art collection and recovered wood interiors make for an inviting atmosphere. In winter, the town’s population swells with well-heeled travelers and this is largely due to the 250 kilometers of pistes, 62 lifts and a high-altitude glacier.
Anjajavy l’Hôtel, Madagascar
Set along the scenic Mozambique Channel, Madagascar’s Anjajavy l’Hôtel offers 24 extravagant rosewood villas right on the beachfront. Each of these villa accommodations boasts a large terrace overlooking the sea, as well as a small staircase that leads up to a private relaxation room. The area surrounding the hotel is a nature reserve home to over 1,800 floral species, many of which are endemic. Given the coastal location, it’s no surprise there are plenty of aquatic activities on deck including deep sea fishing charters and snorkeling among coral.
Amandayan, China
Known for handpicking spectacular locations for their eclectic portfolio of hotels, Amanresorts struck gold with Amandayan in China’s southwestern Yunnan Province. The hotel is located within Dayan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, beneath a dramatic mountainous landscape. Alongside an intricate canal system, it has 35 contemporary suites, each of which open onto a courtyard or terrace with views ranging from local rooftops to jagged peaks. Aman Spas are world-renowned, and the spa here mixes traditional Chinese medicine and modern techniques for a unique experience.
Explora Rapa Nui, Easter Island
First settled by Polynesian mariners in the 7th century, Rapa Nui, or Easter Island as it’s also known, now welcomes tourists from around the globe who want to get up close and personal with the island’s iconic carved stone heads. All-inclusive Explora Rapa Nui provides a prime spot from which to explore. The lodge houses 30 understated suites, each with expansive ocean views and modern amenities (minus distracting TVs). The swimming pool, Jacuzzi and massage hut are more relaxing ways to pass the time. Given the island’s remote location and delicate eco-system, the lodge is fully LEED-certified to ensure minimal impact on the local area.