Amanjiwo, Indonesia
There are many reasons why you should check into this boutique hotel on the Indonesian island of Java, not in the least its location just metres for the world’s largest Buddhist monument, Borobudur. We highly recommend booking one of the eight terrazzo-floored Borobudur Suites, named after the ninth-century monument they overlook – they come with private pools and expansive gardens to boot.
Arun Residence, Thailand
In a city that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to rooms with a view, Bangkok’s Arun Residence dazzles with unbroken vistas of Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn). Located beside the Chao Phraya River, the suites at this intimate hotel are particularly popular, their large patios the perfect perch to watch the temple change colour from pearly white at sunrise to a fiery orange at sunset.
Commune by the Great Wall, China
A collection of contemporary homes designed by 12 of Asia’s most applauded architects, Commune became so popular that it expanded and can now house guests across 178 suites. The attraction, of course, is obvious from the moment you arrive at the property on the outskirts of Beijing: accommodations offer beguiling views of the Badaling section of China’s Great Wall, with opportunities to wander – or even dine on – wild sections of the monument during your stay.
Four Seasons Istanbul at Sultanahmet, Turkey
This hotel’s location in Istanbul’s oldest district is just one of its many appeals. The property’s 65 rooms and suites are housed in a century-old neoclassical Turkish prison, today transformed into a stylish retreat with some of the best views in the country. Book a deluxe room and you’ll be treated to an outlook over the Blue Mosque, while suites offer a glimpse of the Byzantine dome of the city’s Hagia Sophia.
Oberoi Amarvilas, India
Between two and four million people flock to Agra every year, most of them to marvel at the 17th-century Taj Mahal. Escape the crowds and check in to one of the Mughal-inspired suites at this hotel, perched just 600m from the ivory-white marble monument and with jaw-dropping views of the mausoleum. At sunset, pull up a seat on your private patio and watch as the changing light transforms the tomb from minute to minute.
