8 of the world’s most luxurious cliffside hotels

As you float in your jungle infinity pool or sip wine overlooking the Aegean, you’ll never underestimate a room with a view again. A stay in a cliffside hotel is something you’ve got to try once in your life, whether on a romantic getaway or a weekend of pampering. These dreamy properties all have something special going for them, be it vineyard vistas or a Michelin-star restaurant.

Hanging Gardens of Bali – Payangan, Indonesia

Deep in the jungles of Bali, Hanging Gardens’ remote villas are ideal for some serious R&R. The whole hilltop complex is designed in a Feng-Shui style, and each thatch-roofed house has its own private infinity tub with views of the valley. You can enjoy riverside massages at the spa and swim in the world-famous cascading pools. In the afternoons, look out for monkeys playing in the treetops.

Encuentro Guadalupe – Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Nature-lovers and wine connoisseurs will fall in love with Encuentro Guadalupe. A modern retreat far out in the Mexican desert, it’s surrounded by an ecological reserve and over 45 different vineyards. The minimalist rooms are scattered across the cliff face, and the floor-to-ceiling windows mean you’ll get valley views from any angle. There’s a hot tub and pool for swimming, and you can dine on site or take a ride to one of 14 restaurants nearby.

Katikies Hotel – Oía, Greece

Everything at this boutique hotel is bright white and blue. The walls, beds, furniture, and balcony are brilliant against the indigo sea, which seems to rise up in every direction from your 90-metre cliffside perch. Many of the rooms come with a private terrace, an infinity pool and a mini wine cellar, so you can sip a glass as you watch the famous Santorini sunset.

Wildflower Hall Shimla – Shimla, India

Wildflower Hall Shimla looks more like a castle than a hotel. High in the pine-covered mountains of Northern India, this estate exudes an Old-World charm. The rooms look out over the valley and its many hiking routes, with the snowy peaks of the Himalayan foothills in the distance. You can unwind in the swimming pool and hot tub, plan your next meal with the resident chef, or spend a few hours at the spa.

Banyan Tree Seychelles – Takamaka, Seychelles

These private villas are sprinkled along the jungle-covered hillside overlooking Intendance Bay. The rooms feature Seychellois architecture and infinity pools, and it’s just a short walk down to the beach. Spend lazy days swimming in the warm Indian Ocean or snorkelling and canoeing along the shore. There’s also yoga, tennis, and free bikes to explore the jungle, as well as a hillside spa where you can enjoy massages and treatments with a view.

Anteliz Suites – Fira, Greece

Sitting high on the hillsides of Fira, this hotel overlooks the Caldera and has a large deck for breakfast and sunbathing. The rooms are decorated in the bright white, dark wood, and light stone of traditional Santorinian architecture. Romantics can reserve the larger suites, which have whirlpool tubs and terraces for sunset drinks. The hotel’s downtown location means it’s only a five-minute walk to the nightlife.

La Chèvre d’Or – Èze, France

La Chèvre d’Or sits castle-like on the cliffs overlooking the French riviera. Decorated in a period style, the whole complex is dramatically spread across the rock face, with meticulously landscaped grounds covered in statues and waterfalls. The luxurious suites overlook the gardens, the medieval city, and Cap Ferrat, and many have Jacuzzi baths and cave-like rooms. You can spend your days swimming in the pool, dining at the Michelin-star restaurant and exploring the ancient village.

Cliff House Hotel – Ardmore, Ireland

Hidden away on the dramatic bluffs of southern Ireland, Cliff House Hotel is a cosy hideaway made for relaxation and romance. There’s not much around, but thankfully this extravagant hotel has got everything you’d need – a spa, outdoor hot tub, and seaweed bath, and a Michelin-starred restaurant serving up modern Irish cuisine. Each room looks out over the rocky coast and has a private balcony or terrace where you can breathe in the sea mist.