I've stayed in dozens of places around the world. These photos show why a room with a view is always
Posted by
Patria Henriques
on
Saturday, July 13, 2024
2023-07-16T10:32:00Z
You should always book a room with a view while traveling if you can, in my opinion.
I've stayed in accommodations around the world with views of castles, mountains, and waterfalls.
These photos show why booking a room with a view is always worth the upgrade on vacation.
Whether you're visiting a 400-year-old city or the biggest waterfall you've ever seen, it's always worth booking a room with a view, if you can. Take it from me. My job sends me to destinations around the world, and I've stayed in a wide variety of accommodations, from train bunks to five-star hotels.
What made my favorite accommodations stand out from the rest wasn't necessarily the destination or level of luxury; it was whether my home for the night had a view of the place I came to see.
The views in the morning and through the night made me feel more immersed in the destination. Here are the best views I've ever had from bed and why they were worth the upgrade to me.
As a travel reporter, I've stayed in countless accommodations around the world, from standard hotel rooms and train bunks to tiny homes and glamping tents.
The author stays in various accommodations around the world.Joey Hadden/Insider
If I've learned one thing about accommodations, it's that nothing elevates a room like a stellar view.
The author sits on a window sill at the Fairmont in Québec City, Canada, in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider
Rooms with a view make me feel more immersed in the destination I'm visiting and pull me away from mundane activities I typically turn to at the end of the day, like watching TV.
Inside the author's room at the Fairmont in Québec City, Canada.Joey Hadden/Insider
A lifeguard tower outside of Miami that I booked in 2021 through Airbnb gave me my first taste of stunning views from bed.
A lifeguard tower the author booked in 2021.Joey Hadden/Insider
The Sheraton Fallsview Hotel faces all three falls that make up Niagara Falls: the American Falls on the left, Bridal Veil Falls in the middle, and Horseshoe Falls on the right.
A view from the author's window of all three falls.Joey Hadden/Insider
When I got to my room, I was surprised to find that due to the room's open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows, I'd be able to view the epic site from the comfort of my bed.
The author views the falls from bed.Joey Hadden/Insider
I thought it was relaxing to watch the falls from my queen-size bed, and I felt excited falling asleep at night knowing that the falls would be the first thing I'd see when I opened my eyes in the morning without having to face any of the crowds outside.
The falls at sunset.Joey Hadden/Insider
The room also had a Juliet balcony. With the door open, I found listening to the falls to be calming. It reminded me of the white-noise audio I sometimes use to fall asleep, except smoother and more powerful.
The author photographs Niagara Falls from the balcony.Joey Hadden/Insider
While the falls are breathtaking during the day, staying in this hotel room made me think they may be even more beautiful at night. After the sun went down, I looked out the window to find the falls glowing in changing colors, courtesy of the Niagara Falls Illumination board.
The falls light up at night with colors from the American and Canadian flags.Joey Hadden/Insider
I had no idea that the falls would glow at night with color and fireworks before visiting Niagara Falls, so if I hadn't stayed in a hotel with a view, I may have never seen them.
A fireworks show over Niagara Falls.Joey Hadden/Insider
Just a few days later, I stayed at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, a historic luxury hotel in Québec City, Canada, for about $600.
The author stays at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider
I booked a Fairmont room, the hotel's lowest-tier room category. Fairmont rooms are between 175 and 220 square feet and are recommended for couples and solo travelers, according to the hotel's website.
The author's bed took up most of the room.Joey Hadden/Insider
Perched on the window sill, I could see the European-style architecture that filled Québec City ...
The author enjoys the view.Joey Hadden/Insider
... as well as mountains in the distance.
A view out the window at night.Joey Hadden/Insider
In between the bathroom and the bed, there was a desk in front of the window with a comfy leather chair I used to eat and take in the view.
The author eats breakfast with a view.Joey Hadden/Insider
The view was easily the coolest part of the otherwise average hotel room, making it worth the price tag, I thought.
Another peek at the author's view from the room.Joey Hadden/Insider
A couple of months after my trip to Canada, I took a 2-week train trip through four European countries and stayed at Castello di Roncade, a castle in Italy. It cost me $360 for three nights.
The author stayed in a tower at Castello di Roncade in 2022.Joey Hadden/Insider
The property was filled with stunning landscaping, from gardens and hedges to statues and trees.
Trees and hedges on the castle grounds.Joey Hadden/Insider
My room was inside one of the towers. Aside from exposed brick walls and a beamed ceiling, nothing about the room screamed "castle" to me — until I looked out the window.
The author's view of the castle grounds from bed.Joey Hadden/Insider
Although it was partially obstructed by the tower's arches, I loved waking up to this view of the castle's property. It made me more excited to start each day.
A closer look at the author's view.Joey Hadden/Insider
Most recently in April, I stayed in an A-Frame cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. I booked it for a weekend for $1,000 through Airbnb.
The author stands by the cabin's entrance.Joey Hadden/Insider
From Canada to Europe to Tennessee, all of these stays set the scene for my trips from the moment I woke up each morning. From now on, I'll always look for accommodations with stunning views.
