Take In Dramatic Views At The World's Best Clifftop Hotels, According To Guests

To some travelers, the place to be is in the center of the action, embedded in a city downtown with sights on every corner. For others, the ideal getaway is an isolated locale, surrounded by natural wonders. For the latter group, a clifftop respite ticks all the boxes. At these hotels, guests can relax above it all and enjoy panoramic vistas.

The best clifftop hotels across the planet range from one with views so beautiful that the rooms don't have TVs to another with a name that translates to "suspended in mid-air." These hotels aren't just stunning or set amid the clouds — they're also beloved by guests. All of these spots have earned a minimum of 4.4 stars on Tripadvisor from at least hundreds of reviews. However, much of their acclaim has taken them even higher, with several boasting 4.9 stars and others with thousands of reviews.

Years ago, the land that Oman's Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort sits on hosted a military fort. Chosen for its secluded yet natural location, it's now the home of a Middle Eastern resort one hour from Nizwa Fort. Thanks to its location on a cliff 6,561 feet above sea level, guest can enjoy canyon views everywhere from the infinity pool to their rooms. 

Even the most basic accommodation offerings, the deluxe canyon-view rooms, provide postcard-worthy vistas. A guest who stayed in one wrote on Tripadvisor, "Our deluxe room, with its breathtaking mountain views, was a sanctuary of comfort and elegance ... Our two-night stay, followed by an exploration of Muscat, proved to be an experience that surpassed our high expectations. From the moment we arrived, it was clear that this resort was truly special." On the platform, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort has earned 4.8 stars from more than 2,800 reviews.

If you can tear yourself away from the dazzling scenery, head to the hammam-style spa lined with mosaic tiles. Those looking for respite can sign up for treatments or services. You might need to sweat it out after indulging at the resort's many restaurant options. Start your day at the standout Al Maisan, which has a breakfast buffet with cuisine from around the world.

Many people visit Lolgorien, Kenya, when choosing an African safari, but the safari experience you'll get at Angama Mara gives a luxe edge to rustic adventure. One thousand feet up in the air at Great Rift Valley with views of the Masai Mara, this hotel has glamorous vibes thanks to its style and amenities just eight minutes from the Angama Mara airport. Onsite is a library, store, gym, infinity pool, and restaurant with cuisine from around the world.

From the more than a dozen tented suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, views of the best game resort in Africa are visible. The views are so stunning that the hotel was named for the Swahili word meaning "suspended in mid-air." "Spectacular views across the Mara with amazing sunrises viewable from your room each morning," a past guest wrote on Tripadvisor. "But that's not the top reason for visiting, which has to be the whole Angama staff team ... Expertly guided game drives through this beautiful part of the world, Thanks for a wonderful experience and can't wait to return."

Visitors can get up-close with the scenery thanks to the many outdoor adventures available for booking. Choose from walking safaris, bird watching, game drives, and more. On these excursions, you can see lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffalo — all just 20 minutes from the resort.

The Birkenhead House in Hermanus, South Africa, is more than a hotel overlooking Walker Bay — it's literally a house. With an intimate vibe, rooms that are all unique from one another, and touches that only a hostess would think of, that's how its owners intended it. All of Liz and Phil Biden's properties are like that, inspired by their first hotel that was originally their vacation home.

At Birkenhead House, visitors can choose from accommodations such as room 5 with historic Indian wood buttresses. It's all six minutes from the Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Enjoy views from your room, the outdoor spa, or the infinity pool. "Birkenhead House is a fantastic property," wrote a past visitor on Tripadvisor. "The location above a gorgeous beach is to die for, and we spent many happy hours around the small plunge pool taking in the views while our kids played safely in the surf below (using complimentary boogie boards from the hotel)." The property has 4.9 stars from more than 550 reviews on the platform.

Depending on the season, you'll likely see whales from your clifftop perch. You can also enjoy your time knowing that Birkenhead House cares about the surrounding environment. It makes its own compost, recycles, and sources organic ingredients from local farms. You can also continue your journey on from Hermanus on this road trip that's a great way to see South Africa's landscape.

At the southernmost point of Bali in Indonesia, Italian brand Bulgari has made its mark with the Bulgari Resort Bali. The hotel's 59 private villas overlook the Bukit Peninsula from atop a 450-foot-high cliff, less than a 20-minute drive from Padang Padang Beach. Besides offering jaw-dropping views, the villas — featuring a fusion of Indonesian and Italian styles — each have their own plunge pool. 

Those looking to get closer to the stunning canyon can also cool off at the hotel's private beach which is accessible from a unique elevator. For the best views, head to the infinity pool, which has tons of private gazebos with daybeds. It's surrounded by beautiful green gardens. Or, stay above it all at the unbeatable Bulgari Villa, the best offering at the resort. It features a kitchen, private spa, massive personal pool, and meditation pergola, in addition to being located above the rest of the hotel.

"From the moment we arrived till we left we were made to feel very special from everyone including our Butler Ode and everyone we contacted, our villa was spotlessly clean and has a great view (I really recommend upgrading to premier or cliff ocean view as it's worth it)," wrote a past guest on Tripadvisor, who titled their review "best hotel I have ever stayed in." The Bulgari Resort Bali has tons of other fans as well, as it has earned 4.5 stars from over 1,000 reviews on the platform.

Dotted with villages that make it feel more like a novel than a real place, the Irish countryside hardly seems like a likely setting for a modern hotel. But it is for the Cliff House Hotel, which features an Irish sensibility as well as cutting-edge features, all 130 feet over Ardmore Bay and one hour from Cork. Those views can be seen from the lobby and every guestroom, which are all adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Although the rooms are contemporary and sleek with minimalist furniture and various build-ins, they're also colorful and cozy. Playing homage to the surrounding sea, bright blue tones cover the plush furnishings. Some rooms also have sea views from their balconies and bathrooms. "Our comfortable and quiet room had a great view with lovely amenities and complimentary treats," shared a former guest via Tripadvisor. "The restaurants were exceptional, with great food and service in both the House and Bar restaurants."

Those restaurants have helped the Cliff House Hotel, which has 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor from more than 3,500 reviews, rise in acclaim. The House Restaurant has a Michelin star as well as a chef who hails from Noma, which has been called the best restaurant in the world. Using local, seasonal, and foraged ingredients, House Restaurant is known for unexpected dishes that can be best experienced through an eight-course tasting menu. Similar to the guestrooms, the restaurant has a playful Irish sensibility, with touches like plaid blue-and-orange chairs.

For more than a century and a half, the Cliff House Maine in Cape Neddick, Maine, has been a New England respite with Atlantic Ocean views — no matter which room you opt for. Even the lobby at the 70-acre resort has floor-to-ceiling windows. All of the 226 rooms boast private balconies with panoramic views from the top of Bald Head Cliff, which is 90 feet above the ocean. It's located about 53 minutes from Portland.

The vibe of the sea ventures inside, as the rooms are outfitted in blue and white colors with nautical touches. "The hotel is gorgeous and the view of the cliffs is just breathtaking," wrote a reviewer on Tripadvisor. "We were given a corner room so we woke up to that beautiful ocean view all around us every morning." From other vacationers, the hotel has earned 4.4 stars from more than 3,000 reviews.

Guests can also get a taste of the sea at the resort's restaurants. The flagship eatery is The Tiller, a high-end, all-day seafood eatery with fare made from family recipes and local ingredients. A more casual option is Nubb's Lobster Shack, which serves iconic Maine dishes like lobster rolls and clam chowder both indoors and outdoors. The area's natural resources are also highlighted at The Spa at Cliff House. Amid views from the cliff's peak, guests can opt for unique treatments like a massage performed with the scent of the coast's roses.

Oia, a Santorini town, is known for having the best sunset views on earth. However, just 22 minutes from Oia is the Grace Hotel in Imerovigli, which offers views without hordes of people. On a 985-foot-high cliff, the Grace Hotel is beautiful from sunrise to sunset. Its minimalist design featuring white and gray tones and stone and marble allows the views to shine.

That's especially true at the infinity pool, which is the biggest in the area and is immersed in distinctive lights at night. Guests can also hang by their own rooms for a dip, as most of the hotel's nearly two dozen accommodations have personal plunge pools, hot tubs, and patios. Or snag sunset views at the hotel restaurant, which is headed by Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou. Once you get back to your room, you'll find the next day's everchanging breakfast menu at your door.

Personal details abound at the Grace Hotel. Guests can choose which pillows and even scents they would like for their room, and also enjoy the staff's personal attention. "We just returned from the best 4-night stay at the Grace. It is a truly special place and the staff is the best part," shared a Tripadvisor reviewer. "This is not an inexpensive hotel, but we feel it was absolutely worth it. Treat yourself!" They aren't the only ones to think so, as the hotel has 4.8 stars on the platform garnered from more than 730 reviews.

The Amalfi Coast is an Italian hotspot known for its sea views as much as its crowds. However, at the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa, guests can get views without the masses thanks to its isolated 656-foot-high cliffside position over the Bay of Salerno. Its 20 rooms are former nuns' quarters, as the hotel previously served as a Dominican monastery dating back to the 1600s. Each room has views, but head to the hotel's infinity pool for the best on the Conca dei Marini property, which is 43 minutes from Positano.

Get a taste of the region at Santa Rosa Ristorante. Run by a Michelin-starred chef, the restaurant's food is just as noteworthy as its wine, as it offers 40 standout varieties. For more gastronomically interesting restaurants, travelers should check out the best hotels across America for foodies.

"The food is locally sourced, delicious, and beautifully presented. Do not miss a meal at the Michelin-starred restaurant — they prepared superb vegetarian options for us," wrote a past guest on Tripadvisor. "Above all, it really seemed like every member of the staff could not do enough for us. We will remember our stay fondly and we hope to come back to this oasis of understated luxury, quietude, and beauty." So will many of the hotel's more-than 550 other Tripadvisor reviewers, as Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa has earned 4.9 stars on the site.

With a view from a 1,200-foot-tall cliff in Big Sur, California, you don't need a TV to gaze at. That's why the Post Ranch Inn, which hovers next to the Pacific Ocean, doesn't have them in any of its 39 guestrooms. Instead, guests can check out the views from their personal patios or floor-to-ceiling windows, all about 49 minutes from Monterey. The rooms also bring the feel of California's natural beauty indoors with redwood walls and grass and wildflowers atop the property's private houses. Those houses include Tree Houses, which are suspended 9 feet in the air amid redwoods. It's no wonder the inn has earned a reputation as a prime mountain honeymoon destination.

"Our room overlooked the Pacific with a deck, lounge chairs and an incredible view of the coastline," expressed a former visitor on Tripadvisor. "Sitting on the deck we watch the fog roll in at night, and then the magic that happens when the fog left us with the impression we were above the clouds, while still hearing the surf 1200 feet below." From other satisfied past guests, the Post Ranch Inn has earned 4.7 stars based on more than 1,800 reviews. 

After exploring these unique accommodations, head to onsite restaurant Sierra Mar, which offers Michelin-recognized cuisine that's a fusion of French, Asian, American, and Mediterranean styles. Pair your meal with a glass of wine, as Sierra Mar's 3,200-wine list is a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner and features tons of local varieties.

When Reid's Palace in Madeira, Portugal, was founded more than a century ago, the owners planned for staff to carry travelers up the hotel's cliff in hammocks. Luckily for the porters, that isn't the situation today, but the hotel still has the same air of historic luxury. Antique photos — like one of Winston Churchill — cover the walls of the pastel pink resort, intermingled with Portuguese tiles, all just 20 minutes from the Madeira Airport. The white-and-blue rooms are just as historic, maintaining original elements as well as private patios with Atlantic Ocean views on a private peninsula.

"Everything at Reid's was perfect. We had an amazing room with two balconies facing the sea," wrote one Tripadvisor user. "The staff were brilliant and service attentive without being imposing." The hotel has earned 4.7 stars on the site from more than 2,900 reviews. 

It's also easy to get up-close with the ocean and Funchal Harbor, since a hotel ladder and diving board is available. To see the vast blue waters from other angles and pair them with a bite, eat at one of Reid's Place's many restaurant options. Two of the favorites are the modern William Restaurant, which uses locally-sourced ingredients, and the Italian eatery Ristorante Villa Cipriani with its outdoor patio.

Surrounded by lush greenery far from any other hotels (yet 28 minutes from Mero Beach), the 200-foot-high clifftop setting is hardly the only brush of Mother Nature's prowess that the Secret Bay in Portsmouth, Dominica enjoys. Among 50 acres, this eco-resort on what's known as "The Nature Island" is as natural and secluded as it gets, all on in underrated Caribbean tourist destination. Guests can choose from just a half-dozen private villas in treehouses, all with their own personal gardens, pools, and attendants. The villas were also made with respect to the land thanks to sustainably-sourced Guyanese wood walls.

Private chefs are available so you don't have to leave your villa to eat — although you should, at least once. The resort's Caribbean and Latin fusion restaurant has several offbeat dining options, including a chef's table next to the Indian River and a deck amid guava trees. "The restaurant serves very very good food. Expensive, but truly delicious," gushed a past visitor on Tripadvisor. "Sweet potato pancakes are still on my mind. Breakfast was also fantastic! They made me an egg white omelette with goat cheese and sautéed kale. Yum." Other Tripadvisor users have helped Secret Bay earn 4.9 stars from more than 730 reviews. But that's far from its only brag-worthy accolade, as the hotel was named the best resort in the region by Travel + Leisure readers.

Unlike finding a hotel with ocean or mountain views or highly-rated hotels in America with the best spas, locating a resort on the edge of a cliff isn't as easy as hopping on Expedia. Instead, these hotels are only in places with a specific, wild type of natural beauty, and they're often far off the beaten path. Explore searched far and wide to locate the best of them, which venture from the California coast to an African savannah.

To determine which clifftop hotels rose above the rest — literally and figuratively — we took to Tripadvisor to see which had the most reviews as well as the most stars. The best of the bunch had at least 4.4 stars and hundreds of reviews. We also considered which hotels had the most acclaim from media organizations and bloggers, earning coveted praise that makes it clear these are no hidden gems. Plus, we determined which had the luxurious features that high-end travelers crave, like infinity pools, Michelin-starred restaurants, private patios, and, of course, jaw-dropping views.