A room WITH A VIEW

Imagine...you draw back the drapes and let the sunlight flood in to reveal a jaw-dropping view right outside your window. Your own private panorama of the place you’ve been daydreaming about for months.

Inside these amazing hotel rooms-with-a-view, ‘duvet days’ take on a new meaning. Order room service for the best-ever breakfast in bed, get stuck into your to-be-read pile or stargaze from under the covers. Some rooms are so private, you even get an epic view from the bathtub.

Gaze out over a gorge-ous green valley

Viceroy Bali has views to soothe the soul. Perched on the edge of a gorge and cloaked in tropical greenery, this boutique hotel is unbelievably peaceful. When you arrive, you’ll feel like you’ve been let in on Bali’s best-kept secret.

Thatched villas have been designed to immerse guests in their surroundings – bag a Deluxe Terrace Villa for your own outdoor infinity pool and overwater balé to float above the spectacular valley below. With the serene setting comes a big focus on wellness. Make time to visit the plush spa for some pampering or book a traditional Balinese massage in the comfort of your room.

The food in Bali is next level – tasty, super-fresh and nourishing, whether you’re eating at the hotel’s awardwinning treetop restaurant or in one of artsy Ubud’s cool cafés. Town is just a few minutes’ drive away, where you can also go templehopping, cycle through rice paddies and spot mischievous monkeys in the sacred Monkey Forest.

TOP TIP: Break up the journey to Bali with a few days in Kuala Lumpur, where you can hit the modern malls of the KLCC and check out the views from the sky-high Petronas Towers.

Watch the sun set over Santorini’s caldera

Leisurely Champagne breakfasts by the infinity pool, chilled cocktails overlooking the famous Skaros Rock, fiery Santorini sunsets –Grace Hotel, Aubergre Resorts Collection has luxury and romance in spades.

Carved out of a clifftop and set on different levels, this is one of the more secluded options on the island. The vibe is cool and the crisp white colour scheme is superstylish. If you don’t fancy heading into lively Fira (about a mile away) in the evenings, there’s delicious dining at the restaurant and the bar’s music nights are a nice touch. Each one of the rooms here has a sunset view; they’re sleek and minimalist, leaving the exceptional quality and knock-out views to do the talking. As you’d expect, the VIP Suite with Plunge Pool has a few added extras: a private entrance, a unique lava rock feature and the hotel’s largest terrace.

TOP TIP: Crowds flock daily to Oia, Santorini’s prettiest town, to witness the incredible sunset – head out early to explore.

Look out over the shimmering Aegean Sea

Sweet dreams are made in Greece. It must be something to do with the salty sea air and long hot days. At the lavish Blue Palace, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Crete, this is just for starters.

Overlooking the Gulf of Mirabello, views from this hillside spa resort are something special. Style and charm exude, with curved arches that frame the scene and terrace pools that appear to float mid-air.

Treat yourselves to an Island Luxury Suite; spacious with striking blue décor, a heated pool and of course, those head-turning sea views. There’s more – you’ll have exclusive access to The Haven, where you can feast on breakfasts of Cretan honey, regional cold cuts and local grapes and figs in a jasmine-scented courtyard, as well as your own private gazebo on the beach with goodies delivered by the beach service crew.

TOP TIP: Combine a couple of Greek Islands and turn your honeymoon into an island-hopping adventure.

Wake up on the waterfront in Venice

Check into Sina Centurion Palace , one of Venice’s grandest addresses, for views over the Grand Canal and a wealth of art, architecture and culture on your doorstep. This neo-Gothic palace sits a quick boat ride across the canal from St Mark’s Square and the tourist centre, giving you easy-access to Venice while being away from the crowds. The best-of-both-worlds tick-list continues with the décor; total opulence impresses on the outside, while the inside is full of contemporary conveniences.

For your own private peek at ‘the city of love’, choose a suite with a Grand Canal view. After busy days of sightseeing together, head up to your room, fling open the doors and lose yourselves in the mesmerising bustle of the waterway below.

TOP TIP: If you want to go all-out, skip the flight and travel to Venice on board the opulent Venice SimplonOrient Express.

Wake up to views of Uluru at a one-off Outback retreat

At Uluru, everything you imagine about Outback Australia is real: rustred tracks, vast empty spaces and sacred Aboriginal sites. And there’s no contest when it comes to where to stay on your honeymoon.

From above, Longitude 131° looks like a cluster of mini meringue peaks. This dreamy desert basecamp is a series of white-roofed ‘tents’ that outrank many five-star hotel rooms, where a flick of a switch to raise the blinds is all that lies between your bed and spectacular views of this natural wonder. You’ll sit mesmerised at sunrise and sunset – just when you think you’ve got the perfect photo, Uluru’s colours shift again.

During your stay, make the most of incredible included experiences such as guided Uluru base walk tours, hikes through Kata Tjuta’s Walpa Gorge and dinner under the stars listening to stories and songs of an ancient culture at Table 131°.

TOP TIP: Longitude 131° is part of the exclusive Luxury Lodges of Australia collection. Talk to us about putting together an epic antipodean adventure for your honeymoon that includes more of their extraordinary hotels.

Splash out on front-row ocean views

Kandolhu Maldives takes all the best bits of an Indian Ocean escape and turns things up a notch; think beautiful Maldivian-style villas on a tiny picture-perfect island, fantastic snorkelling straight from the beach (bring your GoPro so you can film reef sharks and turtles chomping on coral) and sunset cruises. And for just 30 rooms, there are a whopping five à la carte restaurants.

You’ll be thrilled with whichever room you choose. Check out the Ocean Pool Villas for sunset views, your own private infinity plunge pool and a bathtub made for sipping sparkling wine in (included with the Ultimate Inclusions package) while gazing out over the lagoon. You can even step straight into the view: hop down from your private deck into the clearest waters you’ve ever seen and keep an eye out for dolphins frolicking in the distance.

TOP TIP: If a full week or two in a top-end Ocean Pool Villa pushes you over budget, stay in a Beach Villa and switch for your last few nights or consider a twin-centre with a 4★ island such as Kuramathi Maldives.

Escape to a secret seaview hideaway

Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge is not Mauritius as you know it. At this intimate mountain hideaway in the Black River Gorges National Park, you’ll discover tropical gardens, lofty mountains and hidden waterfalls alongside the island’s sugar-white beaches. There’s heart-felt authenticity here – original art, locally crafted furniture, inspirational quotes, fruit trees planted by the owners’ daughter – goes hand-in-hand with the warm welcome. A help-yourself bar and open-air candlelit dinners showcasing seasonal local produce add to the charm.

20 bespoke TV-free lodges are dotted throughout the peaceful gardens, each one thoughtfully named after an important aspect of Mauritian culture. Book a Seaview Pool Suite to look out towards emerald mountains and turquoise seas from the comfort of your fourposter bed. Bliss.

TOP TIP: Split your stay in Mauritius between Lakaz Chamarel and a hotel on the beach.

The ultimate indoor/outdoor suite

Walls are overrated when you have unbeatable views of Saint Lucia’s iconic Pitons. At Jade Mountain – a Bond-like masterpiece with impressive eco-credentials – huge suites are wonderfully open plan with no fourth wall, so you can listen to birdsong and feel the warm tropical breeze all day long. You’ll never stay anywhere quite like it. The open-air suites – known as ‘sanctuaries’ – are on an epic scale and a show-stealing view is guaranteed. Having a private infinity pool to enjoy it from is part of the wow factor – plump for a Sun Sanctuary that has 270-degree views or a Galaxy Sanctuary at the very top of the hotel.

Jade Mountain also has an exclusive guests-only restaurant, a chocolatemaking lab (for indulgence) and yoga (for balance). Down at Caribbean Sea level, spend your newlywed days diving in clear waters, kicking back on powderwhite beaches and following nature trails through the rainforest.

See the Taj Mahal from your bedroom window

There’s nowhere else where you can enjoy such exclusive views of the Taj Mahal. At the Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra, every single room looks out onto this world-famous monument to love.

This is the closest hotel to the UNESCO-listed Taj Mahal, whose romantic back story – a palatial mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal – is legendary. Be warned: walking into your room and seeing this ivory-white masterpiece in real life from your own private viewpoint just might make you tear up. It’s a heart-stirring feeling.

The style is everything you’d hope for from a luxury Indian resort; inspired by Moorish and grand Mughal palace architecture, expect white columns, gold domes and crystal chandeliers, along with Oberoi’s signature stand-out service. After a visit to the Taj, kick back by the pool or head to the spa for an Ayurvedic treatment.

TOP TIP: We recommend at least two nights here as part of any tailormade itinerary that takes in the very best of India.

Gaze across the savannah from your sunken daybed

Lemala Mpingo Ridge Lodge ’s bigsky setting gives you goosebumps. You can see for miles across the rolling plains at this luxury tented camp in Tarangire, one of Tanzania’s wilder and lesser-visited parks. As you stand on your private deck and soak up the show-stopping view, it’s hard not to think of that moment in

The Lion King when Mufasa tells Simba about “everything the light touches”.

Daytime adventures come in the form of safari drives to spot plains game, big cats and elephants (it’s not unusual to see over 100 in a day), then there are exciting night drives, bush dinners under starry skies and sundowners around a roaring campfire.

Just 15 tents share this astounding view. Each one has an indulgent outdoor tub and sunken daybed for lion-like lazing in the heat of the day, plus a king-size bed where you’ll drift off to the sounds of the wild. The rooms face east, so keep the curtains open and you’ll wake up to a golden sunrise.

TOP TIP: Add on the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater for an all-round safari experience, then hit the beach in Zanzibar, where the dazzling soft sands give the Maldives a run for its money.

Sleep up in the treetops

Make your childhood fantasies come true at Hapuku Lodge , on New Zealand’s South Island; a tranquil eco-retreat on a 1500acre deer farm which has five luxury treehouses as part of its accommodation. Perched 30-feet up in the native treetop canopy, you’re closer to the snow-capped mountain views and in amongst the birds – look out for the fluttering Piwakawaka (New Zealand fantail).

Snuggle up by the log burner and look out through the wide windows to the dramatic mountain and Pacific Ocean backdrop, or on balmier evenings, enjoy the views together from the spa bath. You’re just a 15-minute drive from the coastal resort of Kaikoura where, depending on the time of year, dolphins and whales can be spotted in the inky blue waters. There’s plenty of other action too: borrow one of the lodge’s mountain bikes, learn to surf at nearby Mangamaunu surf break, kayak around the inlets, or learn about the native flora on a botanical tour.

Search for wildlife from your private plunge pool

Even when you’re deep in the wild bushveld, there’s no need to rough it on safari. Wi-Fi, air-con, a Nespresso machine and a private pool all await you at Sindile Safari Lodge at Shamwari Game Reserve , a sleek and secluded South African getaway that’s exclusively for adults. The camp has a beautiful setting overlooking the Bushman’s River and the nine raised tents are positioned to make the most of the views. Shamwari is a Big Five reserve, so you can hope to see plenty of wildlife, and there are two Born Free Big Cat Sanctuaries that you can visit on site. The ultimate way to end the day’s adventures? Sinking into the warm waters of your heated plunge pool with an icy drink, seeing which you can spot first: an elephant or giraffe.

TOP TIP: If you like the idea of a more independent honeymoon, hire a car in Cape Town and take your time driving along the Garden Route to reach Shamwari on the Eastern Cape.

Sleep between tropical forest and the ocean

The island of Praslin is the Seychelles as you’ve imagined it: white-sand beaches framed by granite boulders and backed by tropical forest. Stylish all-pool-villa resort Raffles Seychelles puts you at the heart of it all, in 40 lush hillside acres with world-famous Anse Lazio beach just a 10-minute drive away.

Stay here and you’ll wake up to total peace and privacy. Each huge villa comes with a plunge pool and your choice of a tropical forest or farreaching ocean outlook – the views are so inspiring that the resort provides an easel and sketch pad for you to capture the scene.

The stand-out facility is the spa, where there are views of boulderstrewn Anse Takamaka from the treatment pavilions. Need a little more action? Hop in a helicopter for a bird’s-eye view, go island-hopping to meet giant tortoises and perfect your SUP-ing out on the glistening waters.

Float high above the Andaman Sea

In Sanskrit, Paresa means ‘heaven of all heavens’ – you could easily get used to the high life at boutique Paresa Phuket , on the island’s sought-after ‘Millionaire’s Row’. Sparkling wine with breakfast, a super-exclusive setting way above Kamala Beach, access to a swish beach club and the hotel’s soaring clifftop position gives you something rare in Phuket: total peace. Wake up to dazzling views of the Andaman Sea, no matter which room you choose, and feel like you’re floating above the ocean in your private pool.

Friendly staff can arrange unforgettable experiences for you at the resort, in the jungle or on the beach. You might like to book a romantic dinner under the stars, go SUP boarding along the coast, trek to ancient temples or learn the secrets of Thai curry at the on-site cooking school.

Live the honeymoon high life

Turn up the luxury dial full blast. We’re talking places where huge villas have private infinity pools, the Champagne flows at breakfast and ingenious facilities are off-limits to the rest of the world.

How about living the Italian dream on the Amalfi Coast, dining underwater in the Maldives or schmoozing with celebs in Barbados? Our push-the-boat-out honeymoons ooze style and sophistication; these are the hotels where exclusive experiences, fabulous fine dining and VIP treatment await you.

An Italian affair

You’ll fall in love again in Ravello, a medieval mountain town on the Amalfi Coast with pinch-me beauty and classic Italian charm. The stunning views and lemon-tree lanes make a pretty stage for a honeymoon photoshoot and the swanky boltholes here encapsulate l a dolce vita.

Live out an Italian fantasy at Palazzo Avino, a former 12th-century private villa nicknamed the ‘Pink Palace’. Start the day with breakfast Bellinis, then head to the Clubhouse by the Sea for lunch and a refreshing swim. After dark, delve into a menu of mouth-watering Italian fare in the Michelin-starred restaurant, Rosselinis, then round off the night in the Lobster & Martini Bar, which has a creative display of cocktails – the ‘Loren’ comes garnished with a rose spritzed with Chanel N°5.

A Mauritian icon with its own private island

It’s no wonder Mauritius ranks high on honeymoon wish lists, with its coral-dotted coastlines and oh-so-romantic resorts. Our top ultra-luxe pick on the island is the Shangri-La Le Touessrok Mauritius . This on-point retreat has an up-to-date take on paradise – think sofas made from sand, eclectic restaurants and a vibey beach club –yet still has the elegance and legendary service of the Shangri-La brand.

Every room here has an ocean view, so you can wake up to vistas of those glorious blue waters. Wind down with an ayurvedic massage in the spa, sink a few smoked cocktails in the Rum and Tiki bar or sail over to the private island for a day in a beach cabana, where your butler will bring gourmet goodies and chilled wine as you soak up the sun.

TOP TIP: Book your honeymoon with us and we’ll throw in a free dinner-for-two on Ilot Mangenie, the resort’s private island.