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The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels to Wake Up In

  • Writer: Josh O'Donnell
    Josh O'Donnell
  • Aug 28
  • 4 min read

Updated: Sep 6

Poolside scene with palm trees, loungers, and umbrellas. People relax under blue skies, creating a tropical, tranquil atmosphere.

Some mornings are worth travelling for. Whether it’s the hush of alpine mist, the shimmer of turquoise lagoons, or the drama of desert light, the world’s most beautiful hotels offer more than comfort—they offer perspective.


These are places where waking up is an experience in itself, where architecture frames nature, and where every sunrise feels like a private performance.


This guide explores hotels that elevate the art of waking. From cliffside villas to floating palaces, each destination is a visual masterpiece designed to stir the senses and reset the soul.


Amangiri, Utah, USA


Set in the sculpted canyons of southern Utah, Amangiri is a minimalist retreat carved into the desert. Its suites open onto vast, silent landscapes, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Grand Staircase-Escalante.


Guests wake to shifting light across sandstone mesas, soak in an infinity pool carved into the rock, and begin their day with Navajo-inspired rituals or guided hikes through slot canyons. It’s a place where silence is sacred and the horizon feels infinite.



Hotel Villa Honegg, Switzerland


Perched above Lake Lucerne, Hotel Villa Honegg is a boutique alpine retreat with one of the world’s most iconic morning views. The heated infinity pool overlooks misty mountains and glassy waters, offering a surreal start to the day.


Rooms feature classic Swiss design with modern touches, and mornings begin with fresh mountain air, lake reflections, and the quiet luxury of solitude. It’s intimate, elevated, and unforgettable.



Soneva Jani, Maldives


In the Noonu Atoll, Soneva Jani redefines barefoot luxury with overwater villas that open directly onto the Indian Ocean. Glass-bottom floors, retractable roofs, and private slides into the lagoon make waking up here a sensory experience.


Sunrise spills across turquoise waters as guests sip coffee on floating decks or dive into the sea before breakfast. The resort’s eco-conscious design and immersive nature make every morning feel like a dream.



Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India


Floating on Lake Pichola, Taj Lake Palace is a white marble vision of royal elegance. Built in the 18th century, the palace offers rooms with lake and courtyard views, surrounded by water and history.


Guests wake to the sound of lapping waves and the sight of Udaipur’s palaces reflected in still waters. It’s a fairy-tale setting where architecture and nature merge in quiet harmony.



The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto, Japan


Blending traditional ryokan elements with modern luxury, The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto sits along the Kamo River with views of Higashiyama’s wooded hills. Zen-inspired interiors and floor-to-ceiling windows create a tranquil morning atmosphere.


Guests begin their day with matcha rituals, riverside walks, and the soft light of Kyoto’s cultural heart. It’s a place where design honours tradition and mornings feel meditative.



Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, Oman


Located on Oman’s Green Mountain, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar is one of the highest-altitude resorts in the Middle East. Its cliffside villas overlook dramatic gorges and ancient landscapes.


Sunrise here is cinematic—light spills across rugged terrain as guests enjoy breakfast on private terraces or explore mountaintop trails. The resort’s design blends Omani heritage with contemporary elegance, creating a waking experience that’s both grounded and grand.



Fogo Island Inn, Newfoundland, Canada


On the edge of the North Atlantic, Fogo Island Inn is an architectural marvel built to embrace the elements. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of crashing waves, drifting icebergs, and dramatic coastlines.


Guests wake to the rhythm of the sea, wrapped in hand-stitched quilts and surrounded by locally crafted design. It’s a place where nature is raw, design is intentional, and mornings are deeply moving.



Ladera Resort, St. Lucia


Set between the Pitons mountains, Ladera Resort features open-air suites with a “missing fourth wall” design, offering uninterrupted views of the Caribbean Sea and volcanic peaks.


Guests wake to birdsong, tropical breezes, and the sight of sunlight painting the Pitons. The resort’s rustic luxury and immersive setting make every morning feel elemental and alive.



Shangri-La The Shard, London, UK


Occupying the upper floors of London’s tallest building, Shangri-La The Shard offers panoramic views of the city skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame landmarks like Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and the Thames.


Guests wake to sunrise over the city, with the hum of London below and the elegance of modern design above. It’s urban luxury with a view that never gets old.



Hotel Santa Caterina, Amalfi Coast, Italy


Built into the cliffs of Amalfi, Hotel Santa Caterina is a Mediterranean masterpiece. Terraced gardens, saltwater pools, and sea-facing suites create a waking experience that’s romantic and restorative.


Guests begin their day with lemon-scented breezes, views of the Tyrrhenian Sea, and breakfast on balconies suspended above the coast. It’s a celebration of light, landscape, and Italian elegance.



Final Thoughts


The most beautiful hotels to wake up in aren’t just about views—they’re about feeling. They offer mornings that linger, spaces that inspire, and design that deepens your connection to place.


Whether it’s the hush of alpine air, the drama of desert light, or the shimmer of tropical seas, these hotels remind us that beauty is not just seen—it’s felt. In a world that often rushes past the morning, these destinations invite you to pause, breathe, and begin again.

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