Hotels with the best rooftop bars

Checking into a hotel with a rooftop bar gives guests the chance to watch the sunrise while eating breakfast and watch it set while relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. It’s a great way to bookend any day in a new city and we’ve rounded up the best.

MK Premier Boutique Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam

Based in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, the MK Premier Boutique Hotel gives visitors a 360 view of Vietnam’s capital city. The Old City Gate and the Dong Xuan Market are both visible from the hotel’s rooftop bar and the attached restaurant combines Vietnamese cuisine with international flair.

Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, Milwaukee, USA

The rooftop bar at Kimpton Journeyman Hotel is called The Outsider and it provides the kind of atmosphere guaranteed to make you feel like one of the locals in no time. When you’re not admiring the view there are plenty of events to keep you entertained, including weekly barbeques, shuffleboard tournaments, and live music.

Hotel Monte Cenci, Rome, Italy

Only 10-minutes’ walk from the Parthenon and the Piazza Navona, the Hotel Monte Cenci rooftop bar and terrace overlook both of these famous Rome landmarks. Complimentary drinks are served upon arrival and guests can choose to have breakfast on the terrace. The bar is also heated in the evening, for guests hoping to finish the day with a gorgeous sunset.

Anantara Sathorn Bangkok Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

Even without the Anantara Sathorn rooftop bar, guests at this Thai hotel are treated to some impressive views, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. But it’s still worth heading roofward as you’ll be greeted with complimentary drinks, panoramic views of Bangkok, and a heated pool. The hotel also has a tennis court, fitness centre, and spa, and it’s only a short walk to the city’s famous Sky Train.

Hotel MiM Sitges, Sitges, Spain

The spa and seasonal rooftop pool at the Hotel MiM are the ideal spot to have a cocktail and admire Sitges from a new perspective, or guests can head to the Skybar for sea and mountain views. The hotel’s restaurant serves international and local cuisine, and the steam baths, floatarium, sensation showers, indoor pool, and 24-hour gym are open all year.

Raffaello Hotel, Chicago, USA

The only rooftop speakeasy on our list, Drumbar (the Raffaello Hotel’s tribute to Chicago’s prohibition era) comes with lake views, an extremely photogenic city skyline, and an extensive cocktail menu. The hotel also has an Italian restaurant (Pelago Ristorante) and Glazed & Confused serve gourmet doughnuts every morning in the Raffaello lobby.

Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo, Rome, Italy

When it comes to awe-inspiring views, it’s hard to top the Coliseum and the Colle Oppio Park. Throw in a decent wine menu, and the Mercure Roma Centro Colosseo rooftop, poolside bar is hard to beat. Based in the centre of Rome’s historical district, this hotel is fully accessible–allowing guests with reduced mobility to easily enjoy the views–and it’s a great spot to relax after a long day of sightseeing.

Hôtel La Pérouse, Nice, France

The only thing to rival the seaviews from the Hôtel La Pérouse are the equally splendid views of Nice and the city harbour. Perched on a hillside that overlooks the Promenade des Anglais and only a 1-minute walk from the beach, this hotel has one of the best locations in Nice. Guests are treated to a rooftop breakfast every morning and a Provence-inspired evening menu.

Artotel Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

A 2-minute walk from Sanur Beach, the Artotel Sanur to Sanur Beach rooftop bar has sea views and a roster of live local musicians throughout the week. This commitment to providing guests with an insight into Indonesian culture continues inside, where the hotel is decorated with work from local Indonesian artists like Ines Katamso, Valasara, and Natisa Jones.

AMASS Hotel Insadong Seoul, Seoul, South Korea

Featuring a beautifully-maintained rooftop terrace that overlooks the N Seoul Tower and the Changdeokgung Palace, AMASS Hotel Insadong Seoul has one of central-Seoul’s most eye-popping views. And for guests interested in street level exploration the hotel is within easy reach of the city’s palaces, gardens, and shopping district, and they even have free bike rental.